Definition of the word Calibrator by TSB
Calibrator - in electrical and radio engineering, a precision instrument for adjusting and verifying (determining errors or corrections of scale values) of measuring instruments. The operation of the device is based on comparing the measured value and the standard with each other. To calibrate the frequency in frequency meters, standard signal generators, radio receiving and transmitting devices, and other devices with a continuously variable tuning range, calibration generators are usually used that operate at several strictly fixed frequencies from 100 Hz to 100 MHz. the source of electrical oscillations is a quartz-stabilized generator with a relative frequency error of up to ±1·10&minus. In the continuous frequency range, heterodyne frequency counters are used for this purpose. The calibration oscillator usually consists of a master crystal oscillator, a frequency converter, a mixer-detector and an audio frequency amplifier, allowing calibration without any additional equipment. The principle of its operation is based on comparing the measured frequency of the device and the reference frequency (or one of its harmonics) of a quartz oscillator and selecting the difference frequency using the zero beat method in the mixer-detector. Phase stability under known conditions of propagation of long radio waves (.lambda. = 10,000 m) during the day makes it possible to compare the frequencies of the received signals with the reference ones with great accuracy. In 1970, there were seven radio stations operating in the world, regularly transmitting precise frequency signals that could be received in all countries of the world. There are also K. for checking the voltage of lamp voltmeters, called sources of calibrated voltages (for direct and alternating current). K. are also used in precision metrological work, when measuring the magazines of measures, calibrating the scales of measuring instruments, etc. Calibration should not be confused with graduation - the metrological operation of dividing the instrument scale in the units established for it. Lit .: Malikov M.F., Fundamentals of Metrology, Part 1, M., 1949. Measurements in electronics. Handbook, comp. B. A. Dobrokhoten, vol. 1, M. - L., 1965. Shkurin G. P., Handbook of electrical and radio measuring instruments, 3rd ed., vol. 1-2, M., 1960.V. V. Bogomazov.
How to calibrate your monitor yourself
Experienced photographers believe that special programs should be used to correctly calibrate monitors, since the capabilities of Windows in this matter are limited. However, most amateur photographers use this method.
Calibration in Windows 7
You can calibrate the monitor matrix using Windows 7 as follows:
- The buttons “Start” → “Control Panel” → “Screen” are successively pressed;
- Next, the "Color Calibration" mode is selected on the screen. The whole process takes several steps. Before starting the process, it is desirable to set the factory settings and then proceed with the calibration. Further, all actions are performed according to simple prompts;
- First, adjust the gamma. This is a very important photo parameter. Human vision is designed in such a way that it perceives the dark areas of the image more strongly. The correct gamma setting provides the maximum number of gradations, both in the shadows and in the highlights;
- Further, according to the test picture, the optimal brightness is set. To adjust it, use the appropriate monitor control, which can be opened in the settings menu;
- In the same way, according to the picture, the contrast of the image is set. Adjusting the color balance allows you to get rid of color casts that may be present on the white and gray test strips;
- Extraneous shades are removed by slider color controls;
- In the last window, you can compare the result with the previous view;
- Next, the “Finish” button is pressed and the process can be considered completed.
In Windows 10, the process is no different, only the task is launched in this way: "Settings" → "System" → "Display" → "Properties of the graphical editor".
Additional utilities
You can more accurately calibrate your monitor using the following utilities:
- ATRISE LUTCURVE;
- Adobe Gamma;
- CLTest;
- Natural Color Pro.
The first product on the list is for professional use. It provides the largest number of settings and calibration points. Works with any monitor, corrects screen non-linearity and is suitable for all versions of Windows from XP and above.
Adobe Gamma is somewhat outdated and targeted at CRT monitors.
CLTest allows you to adjust the gamma better than other programs.
Natural Color Pro is the least advanced program with modest functionality, however, any utility is preferable when processing photos than the built-in PC tools.
Why do you need to calibrate your monitor?
In addition to the subjective assessment of brightness, contrast and color parameters, there are differences in the perception of colors depending on the ambient light. If the photo is processed on the monitor in the morning, when there is even daylight in the room, the result will be the same, and if you repeat editing the same photo, but in the evening, under artificial light, the result will be completely different. The difference in ambient light will affect the perception of white. In different lighting, it can look warm or vice versa, cold. Since all colors “adjust” to white, there are no mistakes when processing photos.
Calibrating your monitor before editing photos will achieve the following:
- Correct display of primary colors and shades;
- Removal of parasitic color fringing;
- Setting the optimal brightness and contrast;
- Good selection of midtones.
The simplest process involved in calibrating a monitor is setting the brightness and contrast. Another thing is the color setting. It is almost impossible to perform this work "by eye" correctly.
What is the process of setting up the screen
Tools designed to display images from personal computers can be of two types:
- CRT-Monitor with a vacuum tube (cathode ray tube);
- LCD display.
The first option is obsolete, but many users still have this type of display device.
LCD monitors come in a variety of technologies such as TN, IPS, MVA, OLED, and more. Liquid crystal matrices give a richer, clearer and more natural image, so editing photos on them is much more convenient.
However, before starting, the matrix needs to be calibrated. Monitor calibration is an objective setting of adjustments. These are brightness, contrast and correct color reproduction. Usually the user performs manual setting of the adjustable parameters “for himself”, but since the color perception is different for everyone, such a setting will be subjective. The following options can be used to properly calibrate the matrix:
- Built-in operating system resources;
- Application programs;
- Graphics driver utilities;
- external calibrator.
Electronic calibration systems are commonly used in publishing houses where photographs are being prepared for printing. Amateur photographers, most often, use the capabilities of the OS or application programs.
