Calibration Equipment

Jeti 1501-HiRes High Resolution Spectroradiometer

The Jeti 1501-HiRes is our newest spectroradiometer to join the team.  While it takes readings slower than the 1211, this spectroradiometer distinguishes its self due to its tremendous accuracy and its incredible optical resolution of better than 2 nm.  This allows the 1501-HiRes to precisely measure narrow bandwidth spectra.  The 1501-HiRes was especially developed for the measurement of RGB laser projectors and displays.  Many high end projectors are currently using RGB triple laser systems and over the next few years the technology will almost certainly become common in the consumer market as well.  A spectroradiometer that can measure to 2 nm or less is becoming essential.  The 1501-HiRes can take accurate measurements of light between the wavelength of 380 nm to 1000 nm covering all visible light and than some.

Since the 1501-HiRes is miniature, it’s nicely portable and considering that the 1501-HiRes is more accurate than the Photo Research PR-650 or even the specbos 1211, it may become our primary go-to spectroradiometer in the field. Typically the 1501-HiRes is used to create “offsets” for white and the three primary colors, or to create volumetric offsets with ColorSpace (this is a new feature of ColorSpace). These offsets are used in our ColorSpace software to adjust the accuracy of the Klein K10-A colorimeter (see the K10-A below). This allows the Klein to have more accuracy than a colorimeter typically provides. Together, the 1501-HiRes and Klein K10-A combine to create an amazing team of instrumentation that allows for the most accurate measurements possible, to take readings quickly, and is suitable for both low stimulus (dark images) and high stimulus (bright images).

There is simply no way to get a more accurate video calibration than with a high quality spectroradiometer taking the initial readings. The Jeti 1501-HiRes is most certainly the most accurate and capable spectroradiometer we currently have.

www.jeti.com

Jeti Specbos 1211 Broadband Spectroradiometer

The Jeti specbos 1211 is one of the most desirable spectroradiometers available to video calibrators today. It is an extremely accurate miniaturized spectroradiometer. The specbos is capable of taking readings more quickly than older spectroradiometers such as our PR-650. The 1211 can take accurate measurements of light between the wavelength of 350 nm to 1000 nm.

Another outstanding feature of the 1211 is that its optical resolution is incredibly fine at just 4.5 nm. Fine resolution may be important on certain types of digital displays for achieving an accurate color gamut. In comparison, the standard Photo Research models PR-650, 655, and 670 only have optical resolutions down to 8 nm, or 5 nm with high resolution upgrades. Since the Jeti 1211 is capable of such fine optical resolution, it will be more accurate on more types of digital displays as the technology evolves and moves forward.

Since the 1211 is miniature, it’s nicely portable and considering that the Jeti is more accurate than the Photo Research meters it has become our primary go-to spectroradiometer in the field. Typically the 1211 is used to create “offsets” for white and the three primary colors, or to create volumetric offsets with ColorSpace (this is a new feature of ColorSpace). These offsets are used in our ColorSpace software to adjust the accuracy of the Klein K10-A colorimeter (see the K10-A below). This allows the Klein to have more accuracy than a colorimeter typically provides. Together, a spectroradiometer and Klein K10-A combine to create an amazing team of instrumentation that allows for the most accurate measurements possible, to take readings quickly, and is suitable for both low stimulus (dark images) and high stimulus (bright images).

There is simply no way to get a more accurate video calibration than with a high quality spectroradiometer taking the initial readings. This meter is truly top notch.

www.jeti.com

Photo Research PR-650 SpectraScan Spectroradiometer

The PR-650 is a research-grade spectroradiometer, making it a premier spectroradiometer available to video calibrators. For decades, Photo Research has been making some of the most accurate portable spectroradiometers in the world.

Because the PR-650 is a true spectroradiometer, it can be used to accurately measure most types of display technology including DLP, LCD, LED, or CRT. The PR-650 is good for taking light readings on displays from about 30% light stimulus all the way up to 100% stimulus. The PR-650 may be used by CIR Engineering to calibrate such variables as grayscale, gamma, brightness, contrast, and color gamut. It is one of our reference meters, and as such can also be used to measure “offsets” that will be applied to our Klein K10-A colorimeter (more about that under the K10-A meter section).

www.photoresearch.com

Klein K10-A Colorimeter

The K10-A uses a different type of technology than the Jetis or the PR-650. The Klein K10-A is a colorimeter, while the others are true spectroradiometers. The two primary strengths of the Klein are accuracy at extremely low light levels all the way down to 0.0000685 nits, and also the ability to take readings incredibly quickly. The K10-A also has high repeatability, meaning that when measuring the same stimulus over and over, the meter will return the same value again and again.

The typical weakness of colorimeters is that they are limited by their design and are not typically accurate on different types of display technologies. For example, a colorimeter that is designed to be used on LCD will typically not do well when it is used for measuring a DLP projector. However, if another more accurate spectroradiometer can be used on the job site to provide “offsets” for the Klein, then the Klein will be nearly as accurate as the reference spectroradiometer. This combination of tools will provide the benefits of low light capability and fast readings while maintaining reference spectroradiometer accuracy.

Because of this, the Klein K10-A is used by CIR Engineering in combination with the Jeti 1501Hi-Res, Jetti 1211, or PR-650. Typically the Klein will be applied during LUT calibration profiling and LUT verification during precision calibration. This is paramount because a spectroradiometer takes readings comparatively slowly and cannot possibly be used for a 17^3 – 21^3 point LUT calibration (it would take more than 24 hours). During a LUT calibration between 4,913 to 11,114 colors will be measured along with drift compensation to generate each LUT. In addition, during a LUT calibration, stimulus levels below 30% must be calibrated and the K10-A is the correct tool for this part of the job.

The Klein will be used during every calibration.  This includes the most basic calibrations, calibrations using simple color management system (CMS), all the way through LUT box calibrations such as Lumagen processors when thousands of color and grey points are measured.

www.kleininstruments.com

Murideo SIX-G 4K UHD & HDR Generator

The SIX-G is without question the most powerful portable video generator in the world. It is also an excellent audio generator as well.  In combination with a SIX-A (below) it can also be used to test HDMI cables. The SIX-G has a prolific array of test patterns and can also display custom patterns that CIR Engineering has designed for specific calibration applications. The SIX-G is capable of displaying 2D, 3D, HD, and UHD test patterns.

Video test patterns generated by the SIX-G can be relied on to meet industry video standards. This ensures that the calibration of your display will work with any video equipment that meets industry standard. In the event that certain variables are not working properly due to a limitation in a specific home theater, the SIX-G can be utilized to help identify these shortcomings. Once a limitation is understood in a given display device or video chain, a solution can be devised to mitigate any problems that your particular system may experience.

www.murideo.com

Murideo SIX-A 4K UHD & HDR Analyzer

The SIX-A is an 18Gbps 4K Analyzer.  It can read HDR data at the same time as giving a live video preview. This analyzer is the new standard in HDMI signal analysis, and when paired with the SIX-G Generator, becomes a full calibration and testing system.​ ​The SIX-A can be used for testing basic and complex HDMI setups to ensure capability and performance of the system and diagnose HDMI errors.

www.murideo.com

LightIllusion ColorSPace & LightSpace Calibration Software

Simply put, the best calibration software on the planet.  ColorSpace is the new replacement for LightSpace and both software packages are fully utilized by CIR Engineering.  This software is capable of being used for the most basic calibrations all the way up to highly advanced LUT calibrations.  It is typically utilized in professional industrial and commercial applications, but at CIR Engineering we also use it exclusively for home theater calibrations as well.  Most home theater calibrators only use CalMan, but we insist on the capability and accuracy only LightIllusion software can bring to the table.

www.lightillusion.com

Tektronix Digital and Analog Oscilloscopes

Tektronix has been one of the most highly regarded names in test equipment for decades.  An oscilloscope is one of the most diverse pieces of test equipment in existence.  When performing video calibrations, the scope may be used to help set and test many parameters, include sharpness and color decoding. However, with modern displays, the oscilloscopes are usually only used for repair or hardware modifications.

www.tektronix.com

DVE, Spears & Munsil, AVIAPro DVD, DVE DVD, DVE LD

These test discs will be used to see how well a UHD-BD Player, BluRay, DVD, or LaserDisc player conforms to industry standard.  If the player is of good quality, it will follow industry guidelines and should perform well when combined with a calibrated display.  These test discs will help expose problems coming from the source.  In some cases the player itself can then be adjusted, or corrections may be made in your video processor or even in the display itself.

http://www.spearsandmunsil.com/
www.ovationmultimedia.com
www.videoessentials.com