Portrait Displays, the developer of the Calman video display picture calibration software that has become the virtual standard among professional TV calibrators, announced the release Thursday of 2021 Calman software incorporating a new Aurora Color Engine and auto calibration updates for 2021 LG TVs among other features.
The Aurora Color Engine is said to be based on the latest color science research, using next generation Unity Grayscale technology for 3D neutral spline bypass when using a 1D Look Up Table (LUT) and 3D LUT for calibration. The 3D LUT technology is said to be able to help reduce or eliminate artifacts including posterization and banding while improving the MatrixLUT formula for calibration.
Portrait Displays said it also adds 13-point fixed grid options for patchsets and additional support for patchsets.
Displays currently supported under the Aurora Color Engine include:
LG 2018 Alpha 9 C8, E8, G8, W8; 2019 Alpha 7 G2 NanoCell; 2019 Alpha 7 OLED B9; 2019 Alpha 9 G2 OLED R9 Z9 W9 W9S E9 C9, NanoCell SM99; 2020 Alpha 7 G3 OLED BX, LCD NANO090 NANO085; 2020 Alpha 9 G3 OLED CX GX WX ZX, LCD NANO99 NANO097 NANO095; 2021 Alpha 9 G4 OLED C1, G1, M1, R1, Z1, LCD QNED99, QNED95, NANO99, NANO95, and LG PRO OLED.
Dell supported displays: UltraSharp UP3221Q 3D LUT (USB) (SDR/HDR).
Asus supported displays: ProArt Monitors 3D LUT (SDR/HDR when supported by display).
BenQ supported displays: BenQ – PV270/SW270C/SW271C/SW321C.
See What Your 4K UHD TV Can Really Do With The Spears & Munsil 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc, $39.95.
Amazon’s Best Selling 4K Ultra HDTVs
Amazon’s Camera, Photo & Video Deals
Amazon Fire TV Cube Media Adapter with Alexa
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
Amazon Echo Smart Speaker with Alexa Voice Control
Amazon Echo Show 8 Alexa Voice Controlled Smart Screen
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock Voice Controlled Speaker
Amazon Echo Studio 3D Audio Alexia Smart Speaker
Best Selling Soundbars and 5.1 Surround Systems
Several other new features accompanying Calman 2021 include a new Pattern Insertion option, “Calman Ready” AutoCal support for LG 2021 series TVs, ASUS HDR Monitor calibration workflows, 1D LUT support for the Flanders Cube Generator, and the ability to lock design mode on custom workflows.
The addition of auto calibration support for specified 2021 LG TV model series offers the ability to rapidly and relatively accurately adjust picture setting parameters automatically, without the need for the calibrator to go in and out of on-screen settings menus to adjust each level of grayscale, white balance, gamma, peak luminance etc.
In addition to the software, the tool requires a compatible spectro radiometer, colorimeter or light meter, and for best results a supported test pattern generator (LG and Sony does make certain test patterns available internally in some TV models for calibration work, but the process is generally a lot easier and more precise with a good supported test pattern generator. The company recommends a few on its web site).
The auto calibration function is also supported for 2020 and earlier LG, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic TVs. Support for 2021 TVs from other brands is expected to roll out in later version updates, the company said.
For those enthusiasts who want to regularly tweak their settings themselves, Portrait Displays makes a version of Calman Home available for LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony TVs for $145 each.
The full Calman Ultimate calibration software package typically used by professional calibrators runs $2,995 annually (with discounts for in-year updates after the first purchase).
The latest release year versions include updates either directly or via no-additional charge updates for auto calibration support where and when available for included current year’s TVs and monitors from supporting brands (generally LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Dell, BenQ, top-end Philips (from TPV) and others).
More release information and purchase options are available here.
HD Guru uses the latest Calman software in its TV reviews through a reviewers’ arrangement with Portrait Displays. We derive no purchase commissions or advertising revenue from the company.
Online purchases made using links provided on this site might generate a small commission for HD Guru.com. We thank you for your support!
By Greg Tarr
Have a question for the HD Guru? HD GURU|Email
Copyright ©2021 HD Guru Inc. All rights reserved. HD GURU is a registered trademark.
Stay connected