Need to tune up a video monitor? Use this handy little USB-based calibration tool for less than $80.
DisplayMate USB runs automatically without installation on all 32-bit versions of Windows 7, Vista, and XP. You can also use it on Apple Macs, Linux, Unix Workstations, and 64-bit versions of Windows using Emulation Software. It’s great for calibrating monitors, projectors, and HDTVs directly from a PC or laptop.
Plug the USB drive into any Windows PC and DisplayMate, a complete video diagnostic system, launches automatically and generates a complete set of test patterns with expert advice and guidance for monitor, projector, and HDTV set up, calibration, check up, testing, evaluation, and optimization.
Nothing is copied or written to any drive on a PC, so it’s easy to use and won’t leave anything behind on the computers that you run it on. It won’t modify or tamper with the computer’s operating system, file system, or Window’s registry.
The DisplayMate USB Drive has about 2 GB of extra storage space that you can also use for other applications.
HERE’S HOW TO USE IT
Plug the DisplayMate USB drive into your PC. The display screen will show your desktop, which then functions as a giant PC monitor. This will allow you to view all of your applications on your screen and also allows DisplayMate to finetune the picture quality for each of the inputs. A permanent connection isn’t necessary, so you can temporarily move one of your PCs or even borrow a laptop to do a one-time calibration.
Both your monitor and computer have many available inputs and outputs that can be used to connect them together. You can use any connection cable that is common to both of them, and even calibrate all of the inputs. Most newer monitors accept computer VGA in addition to digital DVI or HDMI, analog Component Video, SVideo, and Composite Video. Most newer computers have digital DVI or HDMI connectors in addition to analog VGA, and some have analog Component Video, S-Video, and Composite Video outputs, but you will probably need an adapter cable or dongle from the manufacturer to access them.
DisplayMate works by automatically showing you a slide show of specialized test pattern images. Novice, Express, Standard, and Complete Programs allow you to configure the program according to your needs and interests.
Most DisplayMate test patterns are designed for visual evaluation and adjustments by eye, but there are also some optional test patterns for use with instruments like color analyzers, colorimeters, spectroradiometers, and waveform monitors if you have access to them.
Special suites of test patterns are included for setting up, calibrating, adjusting, tuning up, testing, and evaluating CRT, LCD, and plasma flat panel monitors, projectors, and HDTVs.
Over 120 test patterns are generated for any screen resolution and aspect ratio. Most of the time you will need only a small number, but the large library of test patterns will help you deal with any display issue or problem that may arise.
Each test pattern comes with a detailed “description” that explains “What To Look For” and includes detailed step-by-step instructions on “What You Can Do” to improve the image and picture quality. You simply view them one at a time and follow the easy step-by-step onscreen instructions, expert advice, and guidance that accompanies each test pattern.
The Video Edition supports all resolutions up through 2048x2048 because it uses advanced scale free mathematical equations. Note that there are no predefined resolutions, aspect ratios, or screens geometries, so DisplayMate will run at the true native resolution of your monitor, projector, or HDTV. Other products use a single “one size fits all” predefined screen resolution.