Optoma HD23 Projector Calibration and Settings
Naturally, we calibrate every home theater that we review. The Optoma HD23 received the usual treatment. This time, Mike got to calibrate it before I really started watching the HD23. Since Reference and User seem identical. I could compare Mike's finished calibration results with the out of the box default by comparing User (post adjustment), to Reference.
Our calibrations, including the Optoma HD23, are normally limited to a grayscale calibration (adjusting the balance of Red, Green, and Blue), along with brightness, contrast, color saturation, tint (where applicable), etc. We rarely calibrate the individual colors on lower cost home projectors like the HD23. That's a moot point in this case, as the HD23 lacks a full CMS with that abililty.
12/3/12 - Art Feierman
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Let's take a look at the numbers:
Optoma HD23 Color Temperature
Before we provide our settings, let's see what we started out with: Pre calibration, these are the color temperatures over the grayscale range (repeated from the Performance page):
Color Temp over IRE Range (Cinema mode):
30 IRE = 7991
50 IRE = 8078
80 IRE = 7840
100 IRE = 7773
Below (also repeated) shows the default brightness of each mode, and the color temperature of white (100 IRE) that we measured.
Lumen Output and Color Temp at 100 IRE (mid zoom):
Cinema = 1081 @ 7773
Bright = 1045 @ 9291, 1176 @ 7892 on Warm color temp, 1319 @7983 with Brightness on default of 50
Photo = 1045 @ 9045
Reference = 736 @ 8578
User = 736 @ 8578
Optoma HD23 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):
| Cinema | Bright | Photo | Reference | User | |
| Contrast = | (46) | (43) 46 | (46) | (46) | (46) |
| Brightness= | (37) | (50) 37 | (37) | (37) 38 | (37) 38 |
| Color= | (62) 49 | (68) | (60) | (49) | (49) |
| Tint= 50 (all) | |||||
| Color Temp= | (Warm) | (Medium) | (Medium) | (Warm) | (Warm) |
| Gamma= | (Film) | (Video) | (Graphics) | (Standard) | (Standard) |
Lamp Mode= Bright (unless noted otherwise)
All other settings are default
Optoma HD23 Post Calibration Grayscale: User Mode
Excellent results in User our "best" mode, also very good in Cinema - our "brightest" mode selection! Numbers are degree's Kelvin.
Color Temp over IRE Range (Post calibration):
Cinema User
20 IRE 6324 6540
30 IRE 6427 6552
40 IRE 6466 6501
50 IRE 6621 6508
60 IRE 6702 6516
70 IRE 6642 6540
80 IRE 6448 6474
90 IRE 6477 6492
100 IRE 6500 6387
Average gamma= 2.24
HD23 RGB Settings
So, how did we get such excellent numbers - and color accuracy? Easy, just plug in these settings into your HD23 projector. You may not notice any great differences, as the Optoma's rather excellent right out of the box, especially for such a low cost projector.
HD23 Post Calibration settings:
Calibration settings for modes as shown. All other settings as on first page UNO.
Cinema User (on Film gamma)
Gain R = (1) 4 (3) 4
G = (-1) 4 (0) 3
B = (0) -4 (1) -11
Bias R = (-1) 1 (-1)
G = (-1) (-1)
B = (-1) -2 (-1)
Mike provided these additional notes, regarding the ability to calibrate different settings, limitations, etc.:
NOTE: Grayscale calibrated very well with both modes, but was really excellent in User mode. However, gamma was smoother in Cinema mode. I did both Cinema and User because I felt that skin tones looked better in User mode than they did in Cinema mode. The trade off is the big drop lumen output in User mode. Delta E was excellent with both modes as well. As was the case with the HD33, the CIE graph is better than a lot of DLP projectors that have undersaturated or yellowy-greens. It was particularly accurate in User mode, easily equal to more expensive projectors.
Bottom line, the HD23 produces very good color to start, but can have an even better image if calibrated. Even default settings should more than satisfy most owners. But, if you want the best possible (I'll assume you aren't paying hundreds for a calibration), try these settings.
NEXT: Recommended projector screens for the Optoma HD23 Projector