Mitsubishi HC7800D Projector Calibration and Settings
We calibrate every home theater that we review. This Mitsubishi HC7800D is no exception. I viewed the HC7800D for a day or so before Mike calibrated it.Our calibrations, including this Mitsubishi HC7800D, are normally limited to a grayscale calibration, along with brightness, contrast, color saturation, tint (where applicable), etc. Only in very special circumstances will we calibrate the individual colors, in which case we discuss why.
2/1/12 - Art Feierman
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Let's take a look at the numbers:
Mitsubishi HC7800D Color Temperature
Before we provide our settings, lets see what we started out with: Pre calibration, these are the color temperatures over the grayscale range:
Color Temp over IRE Range, Best Mode (Pre calibration):
A/V Memory 1 Video
30 IRE – 6506 6894
50 IRE – 6445 6923
80 IRE – 6670 6874
100 IRE – 6585 6928
AV/Memory 1, has rather impressive color temp readings pre-calibration, and it shows, when you fire it up the first time, just select the User memory AV1.
Lumen Output and Color Temp for various Picture modes at 100 IRE:
Cinema = 496 @ 7291
Video = 496 @ 6928
3D = 866 @ 7587
A/V Memory 1, 2 or 3 = 670 @ 6585
Mitsubishi HC7800D Basic Settings
In addition to calibrating Red Green and Blue for a correct grayscale balance (6500K), there are a number of other settings that come into play. Typically Contrast and Brightness (white balance and black balance), need to be done first. Color saturation and gamma also need adjustment.
Settings for measurements (default values are in parenthesis): SPREADSHEET COMING SOON!
Mike's Notes: Only A/V Memories allow for any adjustment, including lamp mode. Lamp mode is on Standard in 3D mode, but is in Eco mode for Cinema and Video. A/V Memories were measured in Standard lamp mode.
Mitsubishi HC7800D Post Calibration Grayscale: User Mode
Post-Calibration color temps, 20 – 100 IRE:
HC7800D User Mode AV1, Post Calibration
Color Temp over IRE Range:
20 IRE - 6474
30 IRE - 6505
40 IRE - 6492
50 IRE - 6533
60 IRE - 6480
70 IRE - 6489
80 IRE - 6453
90 IRE - 6481
100 IRE – 6368
Average Gamma: 2.14
The projector calibrates nicely, the average color temp, very close to ideal, and only about a 170 degree temperature range across our measureable range from 20 IRE to white.
Mike's Notes: Unfortunately, Mitsubishi has decided to not allow access to even basic settings like Brightness and Contrast in anything but the A/V Memories. You can’t even change the lamp setting in anything but the A/V Memory modes. Turning Brilliant Color on increases lumen output, to the detriment of grayscale. Calibrating with BC on brings the lumen output down close what it is with BC off. Grayscale was quite good after calibration.
Using the 2.4 gamma setting increases average gamma to 2.34, so there’s no stock setting that gets gamma into the 2.2 range. It can be achieved with the custom gamma settings however. High Brightness cannot be selected as a reference color temp in the A/V Memories, so there no way to get a high brightness quick cal. The best bet is to use an A/V Memory with BC on, but that’s only 150 lumens above the calibrated mode.
There are two color gamut settings (see the CIE charts), Wide and Normal, but there’s not a lot of difference between them. Both have an expanded Green gamut. Overall, colors look pretty good in either gamut.
HC7800D RGB Settings
Below are the adjustments Mike came up with calibrating this HC7800D.
A/V Memory 1 mode with User Color temp (Medium color temp reference). Gamma on 2.2, Lamp on Standard, Brilliant Color off
RGB settings (default is 0 for all)
User
Contrast R = -2
G = -1
B = 0
Brightness R = 4
G = -3
B = -1
Lumens at 100 IRE: 668 @ 6621
NEXT: Recommended projector screens for the Mitsubishi HC7800D Projector