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SmallHD Monitor Calibration Guide

Use this step-by-step guide to create a corrective 3D LUT for your SmallHD monitor with Calman. After creating the 3D LUT, upload the file into the display using a USB drive or SD Card.


Calman Required Version

  • Calman 2019 5.9.0 or higher

SmallHD Required Firmware

  • Version 3.0 or higher

Step 1

  • From the Calman Menu in the top-left, choose Open Workflow Template and then ColorCube (3D LUT) Workflow
  • Click Next on the first page to proceed to hardware connection

Connect your Colorimeter and Pattern Generator to Calman.

  • Plug your meter into a USB port on the computer and press the Find Meter button on the left
    • When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
      • C6 Meters – LCD (LED White)
  • Connect Pattern Source to your computer.
    • Click the Find Source button then select your source
    • Select the pattern window size
      • Window 10%

Connect to the Calman Cube Generator

  1. Click Find 3D LUT Device Button
  2. Choose Make: SpectraCal and Model: Cube Generator (3D LUT)
  3. Click Connect

Prepare your SmallHD Monitor for calibration

  1. Press the Settings button on the front of the monitor to open the SmallHD Menu
  2. Navigate to the Display section and choose Calibration
  3. Uncheck the Enable Calibration LUT box.
    • This sets the display into its native color space, which is necessary for calibration.
  4. Navigate to the Backlight settings, check Studio Brightness to set luminance
    • You can also use the Luminance Target page (in the “optimize display” section) to set a custom luminance
  5. Close the SmallHD Menu

Step 2

Select your calibration targets

  • Select:

    • Input Signal Levels: Video (16-235)
    • Lum. Response Target: Choose Power and enter 2.4
    • Color Gamut Target: Rec.709/sRGB or desired target
    • White Point Target: D65 or desired target

Step 3

In this step, you’ll take readings of your display before the calibration. These will be used to compare your calibration results

  • To take Pre-Calibration Measurements click the Read Series […] button to measure the display’s grayscale and ColorChecker response
    • This will provide a point of reference to compare your calibration results

Step 4

This page gives an estimate on the ability of the displays current state to be calibrated by a 3D LUT

  • This step will usually show multiple red indicators, as the pre-calibration readings are taken in panel native mode. Skip this page regardless of readings
    • This page is designed more for using an external 3D LUT device.

Step 5

NOTE: Skip 1D Ramp LUT page, SmallHD monitors do not require 1D LUTs.
Here we will create the 3D Calibration LUT

  • Click the AutoCal button in the bottom right-hand corner of the Create 3D Cube LUT page
  • On the AutoCal Setup dialog choose:
    • Calibration Type: IR Profile (Point Based) Points: 3000
      • This configuration proved best during in-house testing, others may be used but your results may vary. For an explanation of the different types of 3D LUTs Calman can create see THIS ARTICLE
    • Video Range: SMPTE (16-235)
  • Note 3D LUT File Path
    • Default: /Documents/SpectraCal/Calman/LUTs
    • You may write directly to the USB drive or SD Card you will use to move the LUT to the monitor
  • Click OK to begin AutoCal process

Step 6

Transfer Calman Generated 3D LUT from your computer to the SmallHD Monitor
  1. Copy the 3D LUT Generated in Step 5 from your the documents folder, or location where it was saved, to a USB Drive or SD Card
  2. Plug the USB Drive or SD Card into the display, on most models these ports are behind a rubber door on the lower front of the monitor.
  3. Press the Settings button on the front of the monitor to open the SmallHD Menu
  4. Navigate to the Display section and choose Calibration
  5. CHECK the Enable Calibration LUT box.
  6. Press down on the navigation joystick to the Calibration LUT selection
  7. Choose the 3D LUT that was saved to your storage device
  8. The monitor will confirm the calibration targets, choose your targets and confirm.
  9. Close the SmallHD Menu

Step 7

Post-calibration readings to document the post-calibration condition of the display.

  • Click the Read Series […] button