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June 28, 2024
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Determing Bit Depth of My Monitor Prior to Professional Calibration - Windows Says Two Depths...?

  • June 28, 2024
  • 3 답변들
  • 4784 조회

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?

 

 

이 주제는 답변이 닫혔습니다.
최고의 답변: 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

quote

…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.

3 답변

Legend
July 1, 2024

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
Community Expert
July 1, 2024

@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
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lilCystar작성자
Known Participant
July 2, 2024

Yes, smart decision and a much better place to start.

 

The sensor should be fully supported in DisplayCAL (your original plan), which is probably better than the Spyder software. Just be aware that DisplayCAL is packed with a lot of unnecessarily complex options that aren't really needed for practical use. Or at least it was the last time I looked at it.

 

Just keep it simple and don't get overwhelmed. If you have any questions, make screenshots and we'll figure it out.


Hopefully I can navigate the DisplayCAL software. I may, however, need to take you up on your very kind offer to assist, should there be a problem I can't find the solution to myself. Have a great day! 🙂

Conrad_C
Community Expert
Conrad_CCommunity Expert답변
Community Expert
June 28, 2024

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

quote

…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.

lilCystar작성자
Known Participant
June 28, 2024

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!! 🙂

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 29, 2024

@lilCystar  I think a few of us would be interested in your subjective opinion in the difference between pre and post-calibration.  We can see what screen you are using, but I'd be interested what you are using to calibrate it?

D Fosse
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 28, 2024

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.