Calibration options for TCL displays include SDR, HDR PQ, HDR HLG, and Dolby Vision, utilizing the Autocal workflow. While most settings are automatically configured, the calibration of HDR, HLG, and Dolby Vision necessitates a manual adjustment of specific settings, as outlined in the workflow.
Requirements
Calman Required Version
- Calman Studio, Video Pro, or Ultimate
- Calman 2024 v5.15.0 or newer
Calman Required Workflows
- TCL AutoCal Workflow
Required Hardware
- Calman Compatible TCL TV
- 2022
- C735/C835/C935 Series
- 2023
- C745/C845 series
- 2022
- HDR Compatible Pattern Generator
- HDR Compatible Meter
- For information see Calman Compatible Meters
TV setup:
- Complete the TV network setup and ensure the TV is connected to the same local area network as the computer running Calman.
- Connect the Calman-supported pattern generator to the TV’s HDMI port 1 with a certified HDMI 2.0 (or greater) cable.
Getting Started
- From the Calman Menu in the top-left, choose Open Workflow Template -> Display Specific and then AutoCal – TCL
- Select calibration colorspace to begin session
SDR Calibration
Show/Hide SDR Calibration Steps
Step 1
- Connect the meter: Plug your meter into a USB port on the computer and press the Find Meter button on the workflow.
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- LCD (LED RGB) for C6 HDR2000 meters
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- 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 TCL TV display (IP address is required)
- On TCL TV:
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- Select Settings → Picture → Advanced Settings → Expert Calibration → DDC → Pairing DDC Client
- Enter the IP address in the popup window
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- In Calman
- Click the Find Display Button
- Choose the compatible TCL model that you are calibrating
- Enter your TV’s IP Address into the connection dialog box, and click Connect
- On TCL TV:
Step 2
Confirm your calibration targets and prepare the TV. Settings will be automatically set as part of the workflow.
- For best SDR calibration, configure Calman settings to match the configuration recommendation provided in the workflow.
- Whitepoint: D65
- Corlorspace: Rec709
- EOFT: BT.1886
Press Next to move to the next page
Select Set calibration mode defaults for SDR
To prevent a display from entering auto-dimming mode during extended measurements, the Calman Pattern Insertion feature periodically inserts a different test pattern during measurements, to reset the display’s auto-dimming timer.
- Press the Set SDR Defaults to configure pattern insertion to the following parameters
- Frequency: 45
- Duration: 5
- Pattern Level: 25
- AutoCal dE Formula
- dE ITP
- Increases accuracy, but calibration time may be extended
- dE ICtCp 240
- Improved speed, with a small tradeoff in accuracy
- dE ITP
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
Once Pre-Calibration Capture is complete, click Next
- On the Display Reset verify Movie mode is selected
- Click the Full DDC Reset button. This resets and prepares the picture mode for calibration.
- Click Next after the DDC reset is complete
Step 4
In this step, you will be able to adjust the Luminance of your display to match your desired target. Luminance is a subjective target. SDR reference luminance is 100cd/m2, but you may need to target higher to account for the ambient light in your environment
- Click the Measure Peak Luminace button to measure your TV’s light output at 100% white and adjust the display’s peak white to the desired luminance.
- Luminance is a subjective target. SDR reference luminance is 100nits, but you may need to target higher to account for the ambient light in your environment.
- Use the Contrast and Blacklight slider to adjust for the desired results.
- Press Stop Measuring when luminance adjustment is complete
Step 5
On this page, Calman will adjust your display’s White Balance
- Click the AutoCal button to perform the 2pt greyscale AutoCal
Step 6
Here Calman will adjust the Multipoint Greyscale of your display
- Press the AutoCal button and verify that the SDR Video point set is selected
- Click OK to begin greyscale AutoCal
Step 7
On this page, Calman will calibrate the Color Management using a 3D LUT
- Press the AutoCal button to open the AutoCal dialog
- Calman has multiple methods for creating a 3D LUT. For information about these LUTs see THIS ARTICLE
- Choose the video range that matches your target and pattern generator settings
- Click OK to begin the colorspace AutoCal process
- When AutoCal is complete, press the Next button to proceed
Step 8
It’s common to lose some overall luminance after the 1D LUT calibration. Use step this to adjust back to your luminance target if it has changed
- Click the Measure Peak Luminance button to measure your TV’s light output at 100% white and adjust the display’s peak white to the desired luminance.
- Use the Contrast and Blacklight slider to adjust for the desired results.
- Press Stop Measuring when luminance adjustment is complete
Step 9
Post-calibration readings to document the post-calibration condition of the display.
- Click the Read Series […] button
SDR calibration is complete
HDR PQ Calibration
Show/Hide HDR PQ Calibration Steps
Step 1
- Connect the meter: Plug your meter into a USB port on the computer and press the Find Meter button on the workflow.
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- LCD (LED RGB) for C6 HDR2000 meters
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- 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 TCL TV display (IP address is required)
- On TCL TV:
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- Select Settings → Picture → Advanced Settings → Expert Calibration → DDC → Pairing DDC Client
- Enter the IP address in the popup window
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- In Calman
- Click the Find Display Button
- Choose the compatible TCL model that you are calibrating
- Enter your TV’s IP Address into the connection dialog box, and click Connect
- On TCL TV:
Step 2
Confirm your calibration targets and prepare the TV. Settings will be automatically set as part of the workflow.
- For best SDR calibration, configure Calman settings to match the configuration recommendation provided in the workflow.
- Whitepoint: D65
- Corlorspace: Rec2020
- EOFT: BT.2084
Press Next to move to the next page
Select Set calibration mode defaults for HDR PQ
To prevent a display from entering auto-dimming mode during extended measurements, the Calman Pattern Insertion feature periodically inserts a different test pattern during measurements, to reset the display’s auto-dimming timer.
- Press the Set HDR Defaults to configure pattern insertion to the following parameters
- Frequency: 5
- Duration: 5
- Pattern Level: 25
- AutoCal dE Formula
- dE ITP
- Increases accuracy, but calibration time may be extended
- dE ICtCp 240
- Improved speed, with a small tradeoff in accuracy
- dE ITP
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
Once Pre-Calibration Capture is complete, click Next
- On the Display Reset verify Movie mode is selected
- Click the Full DDC Reset button. This resets and prepares the picture mode for calibration.
- Click Next after the DDC reset is complete
Step 4
On this page, Calman will adjust your display’s White Balance
- Click the AutoCal button to perform the 2pt greyscale AutoCal
Step 5
Here Calman will adjust the Multipoint Greyscale of your display
- Press the AutoCal button and verify that the HDR Video point set is selected
- Click OK to begin greyscale AutoCal
Step 6
On this page, Calman will calibrate the Color Management using a 3D LUT
- Press the AutoCal button to open the AutoCal dialog
- Calman has multiple methods for creating a 3D LUT. For information about these LUTs see THIS ARTICLE
- Choose the video range that matches your target and pattern generator settings
- Click OK to begin the colorspace AutoCal process
- When AutoCal is complete, press the Next button to proceed
Step 7
Post-calibration readings to document the post-calibration condition of the display.
- Click the Read Series […] button
HDR PQ calibration is complete
HDR HLG Calibration
Show/Hide HDR HLG Calibration Steps
Step 1
- Connect the meter: Plug your meter into a USB port on the computer and press the Find Meter button on the workflow.
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- LCD (LED RGB) for C6 HDR2000 meters
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- 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 TCL TV display (IP address is required)
- On TCL TV:
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- Select Settings → Picture → Advanced Settings → Expert Calibration → DDC → Pairing DDC Client
- Enter the IP address in the popup window
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- In Calman
- Click the Find Display Button
- Choose the compatible TCL model that you are calibrating
- Enter your TV’s IP Address into the connection dialog box, and click Connect
- On TCL TV:
Step 2
Confirm your calibration targets and prepare the TV. Settings will be automatically set as part of the workflow.
- For best SDR calibration, configure Calman settings to match the configuration recommendation provided in the workflow.
- Whitepoint: D65
- Corlorspace: Rec2020
- EOFT: HLG
Press Next to move to the next page
Select Set calibration mode defaults for HDR HLG
To prevent a display from entering auto-dimming mode during extended measurements, the Calman Pattern Insertion feature periodically inserts a different test pattern during measurements, to reset the display’s auto-dimming timer.
- Press the Set HDR Defaults to configure pattern insertion to the following parameters
- Frequency: 5
- Duration: 5
- Pattern Level: 25
- AutoCal dE Formula
- dE ITP
- Increases accuracy, but calibration time may be extended
- dE ICtCp 240
- Improved speed, with a small tradeoff in accuracy
- dE ITP
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
Once Pre-Calibration Capture is complete, click Next
- On the Display Reset verify Movie mode is selected
- Click the Full DDC Reset button. This resets and prepares the picture mode for calibration.
- Click Next after the DDC reset is complete
Step 4
On this page, Calman will adjust your display’s White Balance
- Click the AutoCal button to perform the 2pt greyscale AutoCal
Step 5
Here Calman will adjust the Multipoint Greyscale of your display
- Press the AutoCal button and verify that the HDR Video point set is selected
- Click OK to begin greyscale AutoCal
Step 6
On this page, Calman will calibrate the Color Management using a 3D LUT
- Press the AutoCal button to open the AutoCal dialog
- Calman has multiple methods for creating a 3D LUT. For information about these LUTs see THIS ARTICLE
- Choose the video range that matches your target and pattern generator settings
- Click OK to begin the colorspace AutoCal process
- When AutoCal is complete, press the Next button to proceed
Step 7
Post-calibration readings to document the post-calibration condition of the display.
- Click the Read Series […] button
HDR HLG calibration is complete
Dolby Vision Calibration
Show/Hide Dolby Vision Calibration Steps
Step 1
- Connect the meter: Plug your meter into a USB port on the computer and press the Find Meter button on the workflow.
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- LCD (LED RGB) for C6 HDR2000 meters
- When your meter is connected, select your display type from the dropdown (this will vary by meter)
- 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 TCL TV display (IP address is required)
- On TCL TV:
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- Select Settings → Picture → Advanced Settings → Expert Calibration → DDC → Pairing DDC Client
- Enter the IP address in the popup window
- Display must be in Picture Mode: Movie
- In Calman
- Click the Find Display Button
- Choose the compatible TCL model that you are calibrating
- Enter your TV’s IP Address into the connection dialog box, and click Connect
- On TCL TV:
Step 2
Confirm your calibration targets and prepare the TV. Settings will be automatically set as part of the workflow.
- For best SDR calibration, configure Calman settings to match the configuration recommendation provided in the workflow.
- Whitepoint: D65
- Corlorspace: Rec2020
- EOFT: BT.2084
Press Next to move to the next page
Select Set calibration mode defaults for Dolby Vision
To prevent a display from entering auto-dimming mode during extended measurements, the Calman Pattern Insertion feature periodically inserts a different test pattern during measurements, to reset the display’s auto-dimming timer.
- Press the Set HDR Defaults to configure pattern insertion to the following parameters
- Frequency: 5
- Duration: 5
- Pattern Level: 25
- AutoCal dE Formula
- dE ITP
- Increases accuracy, but calibration time may be extended
- dE ICtCp 240
- Improved speed, with a small tradeoff in accuracy
- dE ITP
Step 3
-
If your source is correctly setup to transmit Dolby Vision metadata you should see a white box on your screen; if it has not been setup correctly you will see a colored box.
-
Check that your generator is set for “Absolute” Dolby Vision Metadata (needed for pre/post masurements). This needs to be changed for calibration steps to “Relative”
Step 4
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
Once Pre-Calibration Capture is complete, click Next
- On the Display Reset verify Movie mode is selected
- Click the Full DDC Reset button. This resets and prepares the picture mode for calibration.
- Click Next after the DDC reset is complete
Step 5
On this page, Calman will adjust your display’s White Balance
- Click the AutoCal button to perform the 2pt greyscale AutoCal
Step 6
Here Calman will adjust the Multipoint Greyscale of your display
- Press the AutoCal button and verify that the HDR Video point set is selected
- Click OK to begin greyscale AutoCal
Step 7
Here you will create a configuration file specifically for Dolby Vision. This will calibrate the CMS in Dolby Vision Mode
-
Click on the Create Dolby Vision Config button below to measure, create and upload a custom Dolby Vision config file to the TV. Confirm the pattern generator is set to “Relative”
- Once complete, switch the generator to “Absolute” Dolby Vision metadata for calibration validation.
Step 8
Post-calibration readings to document the post-calibration condition of the display.
- Click the Read Series […] button