Optoma HD20 Projector Calibration and Settings Posted on October 16, 2013 By Art Feierman 1. Optoma HD20 Projector Review - HD20 Projector Highlights - Optoma HD20 Projector Overview - Optoma HD20 Special Features - ImageAI2. Optoma HD20 – Physical Tour - Optoma HD20 Physical Appearance - HD20 Projector - Control Panel - Optoma HD20 Inputs and Outputs - Optoma HD20 Menus3. Optoma HD20 – Physical Tour1 - Optoma HD20 Remote Control - HD20 Lens Throw - HD20 Lens Shift - HD20 Anamorphic Lens4. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality - HD20 Out of the Box Picture Quality - Optoma HD20 Projector - Flesh Tones - HD20 Black Levels & Shadow Detail - Black Level Performance:5. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality1 - Shadow Detail Performance6. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality27. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality38. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality49. HD20 – Overall Color & Picture Quality - Optoma HD20 Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports10. Optoma HD20 Projector – Performance - Optoma HD20 Projector Brightness - Optoma HD20 Sharpness11. Optoma HD20 Projector – Performance1 - Light Leakage - Image Noise - Audible Noise12. Optoma HD20 Projector Calibration and Settings - Optoma HD20 Color Temperature - Optoma HD20 Basic Settings - Optoma HD20 Post Calibration Grayscale: User mode13. Optoma HD20 Projector Calibration and Settings1 - RGB Settings - Brightest Modes: - Optoma HD20 - Projector Screens - Optoma HD20 Projector Screen Recommendations14. Optoma HD20 – Competitors - HD20 vs. Epson Home Cinema 6100 and 6500UB - Optoma HD20 vs. Samsung SP-A600 - Optoma HD20 vs. Sanyo PLV-Z700 - Optoma HD20 vs. BenQ W5000 - Optoma HD20 vs. InFocus X10, Sharp XV-Z15000, Viewsonic Pro810015. Optoma HD20 – Warranty - Optoma HD20 Projector - The Bottom Line16. Optoma HD20 Projector: Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities - Optoma HD20 Projector: Pros - Optoma HD20 Projector: Cons - Optoma HD20 Projector: Typical Capabilities17. Optoma HD20 Projector Specifications18. Optoma HD20 Specifications Optoma HD20 Calibration notes: We calibrate each home theater that is reviewed. Our calibration is pretty standard. There’s always more that can be done by some of the “hi-end” calibrators. Our calibrations, including the HD20, are normally limited to a grayscale calibration, along with brightness, contrast, color saturation, etc. In almost every case, despite lamp caused variations from projector to projector, our settings will provide you with an improved picture (often dramatically) compared to a projector’s out of the box performance. Optoma HD20 Color TemperatureWe 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: Cinema: 30 IRE 6533K 50 IRE (medium gray) 6525K 80 IRE 6381K 100 IRE (white) 6327K As you can see, all grayscale readings are actually very good, very close to the ideal 6500K, though, overall, just the slightest bit warm (stronger reds – weaker blues). Unfortunately, the grayscale color temperature doesn’t tell everything. Turns out that the third component – green – is well off of where it needs to be. Green is too low, and while that has little effect on the temp reading, it can have significant impact on the actual image. In this case, green isn’t off much, but it’s enough that what looks like a rather excellent grayscale right out of the box doesn’t put an image quite that excellent on the screen. Optoma HD20 Basic SettingsIn 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) 45 (45) 44 (46) 45 -46 -46 Brightness (37) 39 (39) 38 (43) 42 (38) 39 (38) 39 Color (58) 46 (65) 55 -55 -45 -45 Tint (50) Color Temp Warm Medium Cold Warm Warm Gamma Film Video Graphics Standard Standard Lamp Mode High ImageAI off All other settings not indicated, are default or off Optoma HD20 Post Calibration Grayscale: User modePost calibration, we ended up with excellent grayscale balance which was evident, when watching the HD20. User mode allows more control than the similar Cinema mode, but when Mike got done calibrating, the two were very, very close. Both are very tight, and stick close to the ideal 6500K. Color Temp over IRE Range (Post calibration): User Cinema 20 IRE 6653K 6588K 30 IRE 6583K 6547K 40 IRE 6551K 6623K 50 IRE 6581K 6570K 60 IRE 6522K 6525K 70 IRE 6486K 6473K 80 IRE 6506K 6515K 90 IRE 6503K 6463K 100 IRE 6466K 6432K Gamma: The gamma for both Cinema and User, overall, measured about the same 2.15 and 2.16. That’s only a tad below the ideal 2.2. That said, Cinema starts with the Film gamma, and User, with Standard. The end result is that the gammas, while averaging essentially the same, look a little different. Bright mode uses the Graphics gamma, and has lots of extra punch (helpful with ambient light). Interestingly, the gamma choices all provide some basic controls – with a gamma curve setting and an offset. I didn’t play much with those controls, but they do allow some flexibility, far more than many projectors, that have no adjustments whatsover. At the other extreme, some projectors (Epson brand for one), offer extensive gamma controls. All considered, it’s a very nice gamma setup. 1. Optoma HD20 Projector Review - HD20 Projector Highlights - Optoma HD20 Projector Overview - Optoma HD20 Special Features - ImageAI2. Optoma HD20 – Physical Tour - Optoma HD20 Physical Appearance - HD20 Projector - Control Panel - Optoma HD20 Inputs and Outputs - Optoma HD20 Menus3. Optoma HD20 – Physical Tour1 - Optoma HD20 Remote Control - HD20 Lens Throw - HD20 Lens Shift - HD20 Anamorphic Lens4. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality - HD20 Out of the Box Picture Quality - Optoma HD20 Projector - Flesh Tones - HD20 Black Levels & Shadow Detail - Black Level Performance:5. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality1 - Shadow Detail Performance6. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality27. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality38. Optoma HD20 Projector – Image Quality49. HD20 – Overall Color & Picture Quality - Optoma HD20 Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports10. Optoma HD20 Projector – Performance - Optoma HD20 Projector Brightness - Optoma HD20 Sharpness11. Optoma HD20 Projector – Performance1 - Light Leakage - Image Noise - Audible Noise12. Optoma HD20 Projector Calibration and Settings - Optoma HD20 Color Temperature - Optoma HD20 Basic Settings - Optoma HD20 Post Calibration Grayscale: User mode13. Optoma HD20 Projector Calibration and Settings1 - RGB Settings - Brightest Modes: - Optoma HD20 - Projector Screens - Optoma HD20 Projector Screen Recommendations14. Optoma HD20 – Competitors - HD20 vs. Epson Home Cinema 6100 and 6500UB - Optoma HD20 vs. Samsung SP-A600 - Optoma HD20 vs. Sanyo PLV-Z700 - Optoma HD20 vs. BenQ W5000 - Optoma HD20 vs. InFocus X10, Sharp XV-Z15000, Viewsonic Pro810015. Optoma HD20 – Warranty - Optoma HD20 Projector - The Bottom Line16. Optoma HD20 Projector: Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities - Optoma HD20 Projector: Pros - Optoma HD20 Projector: Cons - Optoma HD20 Projector: Typical Capabilities17. Optoma HD20 Projector Specifications18. Optoma HD20 Specifications Optoma HD20 Projector – Performance1 Optoma HD20 Projector Calibration and Settings1