How to set up a Panasonic BT-LH1710W monitor?

[Michael B. McGee]

its been nearly 3 years since i bought my EX1 which introduced me into this complex world known as digital video. even though i've learned a tremendous amount i'm still very much behind the curve and that's why i appreciate this forum so much. most of you have been extremely helpful in my DV educational process. that's why i come to you with my latest inquiry. i'm also not completely hip to the DV lexicon. so, please bare with me.

How do i calibrate/setup a Panasonic BT-LH1710W monitor (and/or other HD/SDI field monitors) in order to see "exactly", or as close to, what my EX1's sensor sees? i'm familiar with setting up the pluge for brightness, but that's about it. more specifically i noticed in one of the menus a setting for REC 709 and/or SMPTE. i also seem to remember a menu for "color temperature???" with settings for D6500, D5600,....and what about Gamma settings?

what settings have worked best for you?

thanks,
Mike

[Chris Hurd]

Originally posted to the EX1 forum. Moved to our Monitors forum
since the question is more about the Panasonic BT-LH1710W
than it is about the EX1.

[Michael B. McGee]

i'm just looking for some insight on how to calibrate this monitor or any HD field monitor to give me the best idea of what my camera's sensor is seeing. this isn't the easiest question to "Google" for.

thanks,
Mike

[Garrett Low]

I just got a TVLogic VFM-056WP monitor. I hooked it up to my Sony EX3 and output bars to the monitor and under went a calibration exercise based on these articles:

HD MONITOR CALIBRATION with SMPTE and ARIBBars - Negative Spaces - Ben Cain

and

Broadcast monitor calibration and color bars

I'm not sure if i did everything correctly but the monitor seemed pretty much calibrated out of the box. I did some test shots and they seem to be matching pretty well.

-Garrett

[Michael B. McGee]

thanks Garret. i'll take a look at those links the next time i use this monitor.

[Steve Kalle]

Hi Michael,

I have this monitor and the EX3. The correct method is to calibrate using Bars with Color Temp set to D65 and Rec 709.

[Michael B. McGee]

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

Hi Michael,

I have this monitor and the EX3. The correct method is to calibrate using Bars with Color Temp set to D65 and Rec 709.

Steve,
do you believe in God? ...because I think you're an Angel.

thank you very much for your response.

why D65?

[Steve Kalle]

Originally Posted by Michael B. McGee

Steve,
do you believe in God? ...because I think you're an Angel.

thank you very much for your response.

why D65?

Thank you very much for the compliment :)

D65 is a color temp of 6500k which is the color temp of Rec 709 and SMPTE-C in addition to the standard color temp of most LCDs.

[Michael B. McGee]

very much appreciated.

[Michael B. McGee]

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

Thank you very much for the compliment :)

D65 is a color temp of 6500k which is the color temp of Rec 709 and SMPTE-C in addition to the standard color temp of most LCDs.

I'm working with this monitor today and noticed there is a setting for Rec-709 and/or SMPTE-C. (i don't have it with me right now). if its "or" which is better for monitoring off of a EX1/3 camera, 709 or SMPTE-C?

thanks in advance,
Mike

[Steve Kalle]

Rec 709 is for HD and SMPTE-C is for SD.

[Michael B. McGee]

so, let me get this straight, for critical viewing should ALL HD monitors be set to D65 and Rec709 when acquiring HD content, ie: 1080/720P, 2K, etc.?

[Steve Kalle]

Originally Posted by Michael B. McGee

so, let me get this straight, for critical viewing should ALL HD monitors be set to D65 and Rec709 when acquiring HD content, ie: 1080/720P, 2K, etc.?

That is a big YES for HD content as in 1080/720. Only when the destination format is film should something else be used but that is another topic of discussion. For example, during production of the last Narnia film, they used an HP Dreamcolor with a 3D LUT applied to simulate the look of film; so, they could 'see' what the image would look like when transferred to film.

[Michael B. McGee]

This raises another question I have. what GAMMA setting do you use when shooting with your EX? And do you set the FILM GAMMA to other or leave it on VARICAM?

[Steve Kalle]

Ah ha. You finally got me as I cannot recall for certain what I use but I do know that it is not Varicam.