Monitor Evaluation Detailed: The Methods We Use for Assessing PC Displays
At Tom's Hardware, we take our monitor reviews seriously. Our process is meticulous, designed to evaluate every aspect of a display's performance. Here's a closer look at the steps we take to ensure a fair and thorough assessment.
Custom Screens and Workflows with Calman Ultimate
We utilise Calman Ultimate, a powerful software that allows us to design custom screens and workflows tailored to our display review workflow. This tool helps us maintain consistency and accuracy in our testing.
Testing with Spears & Munsil's Ultra HD Benchmark Disc
Our tests are based on Spears & Munsil's Ultra HD Benchmark disc, a comprehensive tool that helps us assess various aspects of display performance. The tests are divided into seven major categories: panel response, screen uniformity, contrast, grayscale, gamma, color, and HDR performance.
Evaluating Raw Performance
To evaluate the raw performance of the monitor, we disable lookup tables during our tests. This ensures that the results we obtain are not influenced by any pre-set calibrations.
Measuring Color Accuracy
We measure every primary and secondary color at five different saturation levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) to assess color accuracy. We also generate charts showing RGB levels, gamma response, and Delta E error for every brightness point from 0-100%.
Equipment for Monitor Measurement and Calibration
The equipment we use to measure and calibrate monitors includes an X-Rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer, i1 Display Pro colorimeter, and the latest version of Portrait Displays Calman software. The i1 Pro is versatile and can measure color on all types of displays, while the i1 Display Pro is more consistent when measuring luminance and is used for contrast and gamma tests.
Calibration and Direct Display Control
Calibration is performed with on-screen display (OSD) controls only, and Direct Display Control is used only when there is no other way to correct errors.
Generating Test Patterns
We obtain our test patterns from an AccuPel DVG-5000 signal generator via HDMI. The AccuPel DVG-5000 can generate various video signals at any resolution and refresh rate up to 1080p or FHD at 60 Hz. When a monitor isn't compatible with the AccuPel, we connect it directly to a PC and use Portrait Displays CalPC Client to generate patterns.
Evaluating Video Processing Capabilities
The AccuPel DVG-5000 can also display motion patterns to evaluate a monitor's video processing capabilities.
HDR Performance Testing
We use a Panasonic DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player to generate 4K patterns in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision formats. An HD Fury Integral is used to provide HDR signals.
Precision and Consistency
The i1 Pro or i1 Display is placed at the center of the screen (unless measuring uniformity) and sealed against it to block out any ambient light. This ensures precision and consistency in our measurements.
Benchmark Tests
Our monitor reviews include a series of benchmark tests, designed to evaluate various aspects of video performance. These tests provide a comprehensive overview of a monitor's capabilities, helping us make informed recommendations to our readers.
