Samsung SP-A600 Projector Calibration and Settings
SP-A600 Calibration notes: We calibrate each home theater that is reviewed. It is a pretty standard calibration - there's always more that can be done by some of the "hi-end" calibrators. Our calibrations, including the SP-A600, are normally limited to a grayscale calibration, along with brightness, contrast, color saturation, etc.
8/10/09 - Art Feierman
|
|
Samsung SP-A600 Color Temperature
We used Movie 1 mode as the basis for calibration. Results were then saved in User 1, which was used for all photo sessions unless otherwise noted. We refer to User 1 as Movie 1).
Pre-calibration, the color temperature measurements came out like this:
Movie 1:
30 IRE – 6415K
50 IRE – 6339K
80 IRE – 6216K
100 IRE – 6155K
As you can see, all readings are below the ideal 6500K, and therefore warm - shifted to red. The Samsung isn't off a great deal, but enough to affect skin tones and many scenes with just a tad too much red.
Samsung SP-A600 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):
Vivid |
Dynamic |
Standard |
Movie 1 |
Movie 2 |
User 1 |
|
| Contrast = (50) | 45 | 50 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 53 |
| Brightness= (50) | 56 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 50 | 53 |
| Color= (50 for all) | 46* |
|||||
| Tint= (50 for all) | ||||||
| Color Temp= | 9300 | 9300 | 8000 | 6500 | 5500 | 6500 |
| Gamma= | (Graphic) |
(Graphic) |
(Video) |
(Film) |
(Film) |
(Film) |
Lamp Mode = Bright
All other settings untouched
* After significant viewing, Art recommends a color saturation setting of 44 if you use Film gamma and 44 if Video gamma is selected.
Samsung SP-A600 Post Calibration Grayscale: Movie 1 (User 1) mode
Post calibration, we ended up with excellent grayscale balance which was evident, when watching the SP-A600.
20 IRE (very dark gray)- 6340K
30 IRE - 6422K
40 IRE - 6365K
50 IRE - 6514K
60 IRE - 6536K
70 IRE - 6528K
80 IRE - 6526K
90 IRE - 6594K
100 IRE (white) - 6467K
There is still a small dip in color temperature below 50K (to 20K), which would tend to account for the slightly extra red in skin tones, especially those where the skin tones are not brightly lit. Overall, this is an excellent grayscale result.
Gamma: The film gamma setting is the one that should be ideal, but it is not. It measures an unusually high 2.56 (optimum is 2.2). As such, using the film gamma setting will tend to make mid brightness objects a too dark. Sunny scenes just lack that feeling of a bright sunny day. Switching to the Video gamma drops the gamma to 2.04, which means it's a bit too bright in the mid-range instead. I've watched with both, and with a number of movies I just couldn't handle the Film. Overall, I preferred the Video setting, although neither is ideal.
RGB Settings
Mike reports that the Samsung calibrates easily (although a custom gamma adjustment would be a real plus).
Calibration settings: Movie 1 (User 1) mode:
User 1
Gain R = 43
G = 50
B = 50
Offset R = -1
G = -1
B = -1
Color Saturation: 46
Tint: G54-R46
Brightest Modes:
Vivid is the only mode significantly brighter than Movie 1. It is a bit over the top, but the best way to "fix" it, and still maintain brightness is to reduce contrast and color saturation. On the other hand, doing so also makes it less effective at cutting through ambient light. The color temperature is way off - over 9000K - so thin on reds (but for the oversaturation) and too strong on blues. Since Movie 1 mode is only about 30% less bright than Vivid, I figure that if you need to cut through ambient light, you'll probably run Vivid pretty much as it is, or try reducing the blue settings. Thing is, if you fully calibrate Vivid, it's going to lose a lot of lumens, and then, like Standard and Dynamic, be no brighter than Movie 1.
