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Determing Bit Depth of My Monitor Prior to Professional Calibration - Windows Says Two Depths...?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
June 28, 2024
3 replies
4732 views

Hi All,

I'm about to buy a pre-owned calibration device to use with DisplayCAL free software. To use DisplayCAL it says you must have: “True color” 24 bits per pixel or higher graphics output. In Windows 11, Display Settings/Advanced Display/ it lists my main monitor as "8bit" (see screenshot). But when I click on"Display Adaptor Properties for Display 2" (my main display, attached to my laptop) and then click 'List All Modes", the mode that is highlighted by default says: "1920x1080 True Color 32 bit 60 Hertz" (also in screenshot) [Btw, I can't use the NVIDIA control panel, it says I am not using a display attached to an NVIDIA GPU.]

Can someone please tell me if I meet the system required bit depth to use DisplayCAL or not?

Any replies genuinely appreciated?

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Conrad_C

When DisplayCAL wants 24 bits, it means they want:

8-bit Red channel

8-bit Green channel

8-bit Blue channel

8 + 8 + 8 = 24 bits

…the mode that is highlighted by default says: "1920x1080 True Color 32 bit…
By @lilCystar

32 bit means it does 24 bits RGB (meeting the DisplayCAL requirements, as practically all current displays do), plus an 8-bit alpha channel that the graphics hardware can use to do transparency effects. This 32-bit spec is also very common now.

So, 24 + 8 = 32 bits.

By the way, in the background of your screen shot, the Display Information says 8-bit. That is not wrong, because it’s talking about bits per channel. The other spec is talking about total bits in all channels. This is often a source of confusion, but it’s important to understand both the 8-bit and 32-bit numbers are true, as long as you understand how many channels each bit depth number refers to.

L

Lumigraphics

Legend

If I were in your position, I would put out a request locally (Facebook groups, and anyone you know in the industry) to borrow a hardware calibration device for long enough to properly profile your display. This isn't a perfect solution but its better than wasting your money on a device that doesn't work.

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@Lumigraphics good suggestion, that’s a nice idea for an under-resourced user

If she uses DisplayCal or basICColor display @lilCystar would not be violating the device manufacturer's software user agreement, either. They normally mandate that a user of the OEM software should own their instrument.

I'd call, by and do it for her to help out if she were near me in the UK.

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management
Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.
Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.

L

lilCystarAuthor

Known Participant

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions and general info. I purchased a Datacolor Spyder 5 Express, pre-owned, on E-bay. Should get to me in a couple of weeks. Hopefully it does the trick. I really appreciate all the guidance!

Conrad_C

Correct answer

Community Expert

When DisplayCAL wants 24 bits, it means they want:

8-bit Red channel

8-bit Green channel

8-bit Blue channel

8 + 8 + 8 = 24 bits

…the mode that is highlighted by default says: "1920x1080 True Color 32 bit…
By @lilCystar

32 bit means it does 24 bits RGB (meeting the DisplayCAL requirements, as practically all current displays do), plus an 8-bit alpha channel that the graphics hardware can use to do transparency effects. This 32-bit spec is also very common now.

So, 24 + 8 = 32 bits.

By the way, in the background of your screen shot, the Display Information says 8-bit. That is not wrong, because it’s talking about bits per channel. The other spec is talking about total bits in all channels. This is often a source of confusion, but it’s important to understand both the 8-bit and 32-bit numbers are true, as long as you understand how many channels each bit depth number refers to.

L

lilCystarAuthor

Known Participant

Ah... One is talking about bits per channel and the other about the total bits of all channels. It could be clearer in Windows... Glad to understand it now. Looking forward to calibrating my monitor.

Thanks so much for explaining!! 🙂

D Fosse

Community Expert

@D Fosse The link you posted is to the basICColor software section header on my site, clicking the actual product name takes there you to a page with full info - There was a direct link to the product info page, including pricing, in my first reply to @lilCystar . As you mentioned it, I've now edited my second reply to @lilCystar include the link too, anyhow, here it is again.

You're interested? I believe it's very good software - try the free 14 day demo perhaps, the installed folder includes a comprehensive manual and hardware support list.

I hope this helps neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right' google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

I'm doing very well with Colornavigator, I just thought it odd that I couldn't see any prices.

If she can only afford a secondhand Spyder 2, it's not very likely that she'll find £69+vat an attractive offer. That money would be better spent on a better colorimeter.

D Fosse

Community Expert

8 bits x 3 channels = 24 bits.

Any monitor today satisfies this, at least formally. TN panels are natively 6 bits per channel, but add the last two bits through temporal dithering (rapid flashing). VA and IPS panels are 8 bits natively.

More expensive monitors for graphic and photographic use are often 10 bits per channel = 30 bits total.

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