TUTO - How to properly calibrate the colors on his monitor with Monitor Calibration Wizard

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Carrying out the basic luminance and chrominance settings is possible without probe, thanks to Monitor Calibration Wizard.Here is how to simply use this utility that allows more faithful colors to be obtained on your monitor.

Video and photo professionals regularly carry out the calibration of their monitors to ensure that these display the right colors and the right contrast.Experienced players also know that a good configuration of their screen will allow them to see a hidden player in a dark area more quickly, for example.

The screen calibration takes place in two phases: calibration and characterization

The first is to place itself under the optimal conditions of use.For example, as part of a photo mounting studio where the light is controlled, you can close the curtains to have a dim light, and adjust your monitor on a brightness of 80 to 100 cd/m2.As part of a use in a brighter environment, such as an open space, it is recommended to work with brightness between 120 and 140 CD/m2.You may be wondering how to control these values, without using a probe ... It's ultimately quite simple.Just check the technical characteristics given by the manufacturer of your screen.In general, they offer maximum brightness between 250 and 400 cd/m2.If your monitor displays a maximum of 300 cd/m2, you will need to adjust the brightness to 1/3 to obtain 100 CD/m2!

Characterization is the precise adjustment of the screen thanks to sights, with the objective of creating an ICC profile specific to this screen.By comparing the colors displayed on the screen and those of the printed images, we can define the adjustments that the screen must make to bring its display closer to reality.Characterization, to be perfect, must be carried out using a probe.However, users who do not wish to invest in this tool must have good eyes and manually carry out a software configuration.This is where Monitor Calibration Wizard intervenes.

How to use Monitor Calibration Wizard

This small program, developed by Hex2bit in a single version (1.0) and never updated since then, dates from 2003.It is therefore particularly aimed at old monitors, but remains completely compatible with those of today.However, to install it, it may be necessary to run it in compatibility mode for Windows XP.To do this, right click on the downloaded "MCW10" file, then select "Properties".In the "Compatibility" tab, check the box "Execute this program in compatibility mode for" and choose "Windows XP SP2" in the drop -down menu.

Then by double-clicking on the executable "MCW10.EXE ", we carry out the installation of the program in a few clicks.He does not include any adware, so much so that it is enough to click on "Next" until the end of the installation.If you have left the last checked box in the installation windows, the program will start automatically and display its main window.

Before starting the use of Monitor Calibration Wizard, it is important to ensure that the computer has been placed in its optimal conditions of use, and the brightness adjusted according to your daily needs.No natural reflection or from an extra light must pollute the image.In addition, the screen must have been maintained on for at least 30 minutes before the test so that it is "hot".

If these prerequisites are validated, you can start characterization by clicking on "Run Wizard".The test start window is displayed then.Click on "Start".

First, Monitor Calibration Wizard asks to adjust the contrast and brightness.Normally, this has been set to the previous calibration stage, and is not necessary.In any case, the physical adjustment buttons do not exist on laptop computers, this manipulation can only be carried out on fixed computers monitors.Click on "Continue".

Monitor Calibration Wizard then displays a red color adjustment screen.Please note: to put yourself in the best conditions, you have to step back and place yourself at a good distance from the screen (about twice the diagonal of the screen).

If the squares seem very visible on your screen, it is because your calibration is different from that of the screen used for this test, this is normal.Everyone must adapt their settings to their equipment.

A click on "Continuous" opens the new window, of green color adjustment this time.The principle, in two stages, is the same as for the red colors above.

A click on "Continuous" opens the new window, of blue colors adjustment this time.Again, the principle of configuration in two stages remains the same as before.

Finally, click on "Continue" again.Monitor Calibration Wizard then displays the screen profile, and we can observe the differences with the original profile.

To test the results, click on "15 second test".The program is reduced in the taskbar, and the user can see the difference in color with the default setting.If the result is satisfactory, click on "apply" to apply the modifications.

At this stage, we recommend that we do not touch the proposed brightness cursor.

We must now enter a profile name (in our example: Profile1) and click on "Save".If you use several screens, you can perform the characterization of each of them and use their profiles as you see fit.

The profile is saved without destination window or confirmation.Then, it must be loaded in the software.To do this, in the "load profile" paragraph, select the saved profile (here, profile1) in the drop -down menu.We then recommend validating two boxes: "Load at Windows Startup (...)" and "persist profile (...)".The first option ensures that each Windows restart, the display settings will be taken into account.The second allows you to force MCW's profile, even in full screen applications that normally use their own color management.

It's over, you have completed the complete calibration of your instructor.To go further and offer a more precise result, it will be necessary to go through the use of a probe.

To remember

The calibration of your monitor with Monitor Calibration Wizard is useful for all those who seek to display on their screen the most loyal colors possible, without putting money in a calibration probe (colorimeter).It allows you to create an unlimited number of profiles, for users changing screen regularly.

It allows you to correct the brightness and shade of your screen with the naked eye.However, professionals seeking perfect adjustment can only achieve their goal by using a probe.

Alternative

From Windows 7, Microsoft incorporates a screen calibration tool into its operating system.The latter is basic, but allows you to simply adjust gamma, contrast and brightness.To have access, type "DCCW" in the search area of the "Start" menu and follow the calibration procedure.

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