AVRant #139: Video Calibration with Gregg Loewen of LionAV
July 30th, 2009
In this special edition of AV Rant we talk to Gregg Loewen of LionAV. Gregg is, among other things, one of the instructors at the THX Video Calibration Certification class that Tom took. First, a history of Gregg and why he knows what he’s talking about (he does). Topics include.
- What is video calibration and why would you want to do it?
- Biggest problems with displays.
- What Joe Consumer can do to improve their display with minimal investment.
- When you might think about calling in a professional.
- Is your “cheap” display “worth” the cost of calibration?
- What are the different calibration controls on a typical display?
- RBG calibration without a meter? What about those color filters?
- Importance of picking the right display type.
- Tips for shopping for your display to ensure maximum calibration options.
- What does an ISF certified display really mean?
- Importance of room.
- Calibration checkups – when and how much.
- Transposing settings from one device to another – when is it OK?
- Why High Def is not all that.
Links:
LionAV
CalMAN and SpectraCal
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Awesome sauce!
I was pleased to hear that my own understanding of video calibration jives with Mr. Loewen’s! Obviously, his knowledge far exceeds mine, but it is nice to know that I am not way off track with my grasp of the subject.
I wanted to know more about the differences in colour points and gamut between NTSC and ATSC – and specifically, whether displays properly handle switching between the two colour spaces. It seems as though displays are usually calibrated to match the ATSC BT.709 spec, but wouldn’t that result in slightly inaccurate colour points and gamut for NTSC BT.601 content?
I also wanted to know more about the role that the colour decoder plays. How is it that a display can have accurate colour points and greyscale and yet still have an inaccurate colour decoder? And once again, the NTSC vs. ATSC difference? Do displays correctly switch between decoders depending on the content?
I have sent these questions in an e-mail, but I would also love to glean any information here, if possible!
Great show! I’m REALLY loving these interviews!
I wouldn’t comment on anybody else with this, Rob, but isn’t it “jibes” not “jives”?
lol – jfalk – yes! You are absolutely correct! I didn’t notice that as I was typing on my iPhone :p Darn ‘v’ and ‘b’ so close together! Although, I guess “my understanding” could have been dancing to jazz music with Mr. Loewen’s – lol
And why not make that comment to anybody else? We could all do with more proof-reading, I think 😀
I thought I would make a point about factory calibrated sets. If I remember correctly Pioneer’s Signature Series come with the autograph of the engineer that calibrated your set. I know I can’t afford one, but I’m just putting it out there. And I believe that set is the one with the ethernet connection that allows for engineers from Pioneer to make remote adjustments to the picture as the set ages.
David – from what I recall (and I might be totally wrong about this) – but if memory serves me, the “remote adjustment” capability was for custom installers.
I really enjoyed hanging with Gregg during class. Definitely knows his stuff and it’s good to have him on the show.