Monitor and Screen Settings

This is not intended as an in depth tutorial on screen settings.
It is intended as an introduction to those unaware of the settings or of the display problems.
Many people use their computers straight from the box with the default factory settings.
It is wise to check these settings as you may not be seeing the internet in all its glory.
If you have access to several monitors try comparing the results of any tests on this page.
All good screens should be able to resolve the test patterns on this page.
Older monitors, or budget purchases,  may not be up to the mark at the extremes.

Note that laptop computers change screen settings to suit power source, internal over heating, passing clouds and all sorts of conditions.
The consistency of image quality will vary on a laptop, so any screen calibration should be done under known or regular operating conditions.

        
         Every computer has a screen calibration panel that enables the user to tweak the screen settings.
         The panels below show a few typical examples.
         Yours may not look exactly like these.
                   

         These calibration panels sometimes need some detective work in order to locate them.
         Somewhere on every computer is something like this.
         These adjustments are for modifying the output signal from the computer to the monitor.
        
         Alternatively, you may wish to use the buttons on the side or back of your screen
         to make the basic adjustments.  Sometimes they are accessed via a 'Menu' button.
         These adjustments are modifying the monitor performance.

         Note that fiddling with both sets of controls may be counter productive.
         A high contrast setting at one, and a low contrast setting at the other will result in a neutral contrast!
         It is safer to have neutral settings at one end and personal adjustments at the other.        

         Fiddle with these settings to get the best from the test images below.
         It should improve your appreciation of most digital images. 
         This is about as close as you're likely to get to a universal standard of image quality,
         and it is only valid if everyone has roughly the same calibration settings.
       
         In the majority of cases just 'Contrast' and 'Brightness' will resolve the problem.
       
        The test cards below determines the ability of your monitor to resolve contrast and brightness.
        You should be able to see a difference in each of the segments running left to right.   
        This is difficult to judge, but you should be able to see the break line between all the segments.   
        Arrange this card in the middle of your screen for best effect.
        The problems will seen at the far left and far right.
        The test patterns also show comparative colours. The segment contrast should be similar for all colours.
        It will indicate any imbalance of colours - ie red stronger than blue, or green weaker than all others.

   

   
                               

 
      The following images of fish are of the same print from the Past Pages stock.
      The first one is the 'normal' view - how it looks best here at Mission Control on our monitors.
      The others are examples of how some settings will change the image quality.
      It's quite arguable 'what is normal?' or 'where do we start?'
     
      Normal
     
      Brightness Up
      
       Brightness Down
      
       Contrast Up
      
       Contrast Down
      
       Saturation Up
     
      Saturation  Down
     
      Brightness, Contrast, Saturation - all Up
      
      Brightness, Contrast, Saturation - all Down 


 
       Below are a few more test patterns to disturb the truly paranoid.     

      
      A test of Gamma quality
      
       Grey gradation - should match at half way.
      
       Black test.   The background black is a value of 0.
       A very good monitor should be able to resolve a value of 1.    Brightness (or Darkness) levels shown in red.
       Black to White range is 0 to 255
      
       White test.   The background white is a value of 255.
       A very good monitor should be able to resolve a value of 254
       Black to White range is 0 to 255
    

      


     


     


      On the top bar you should be able to see all 13 segments as different shades
      On the middle bar you should be able to see the numbering 0 through to 10
      On the bottom bar you should be able to see the numbering 5 through to 95

       

       The BBC 1080 widescreen test pattern  (reduced)
      
       A broadcast  TV test pattern
      
       A broadcast  TV test pattern
  
      For further information try  www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/         This site is very good for LCD test facilities
     or Google  'lcd test card'  or  'monitor test pattern'


Compiled by Tony Nicholls from pilfered data generally available on the web.      A data redistribution project for Past Pages.
A Past Pages Information page      www.pastpages.co.uk              Tony Nicholls  2008