BenQ SW2700PT owners - profile and calibration issues

Report · Aug 15, 2017

I've been tearing my hair out trying to convince BenQ that they have a problem with the profiles generated by Palette Master Element (PME) on the SW2700PT (but it may affect other models). To me the problem is immediately apparent if you calibrate and profile to a non-native gamut, but BenQ insist all is correct. Please could other owners take a look at this.

If you have a more recent monitor (manufactured after about October last year) you should see an option in PME to calibrate and profile to RGB primaries other than the native gamut. Try calibrating to sRGB primaries, then use the calibration with the sRGB profile created by PME. On my system the images rendered by colour managed applications appear very de-saturated. The reason is, the profile has been created for the native gamut, not the sRGB gamut. In fact, I think PME always creates a profile for the native gamut, regardless of the calibrated gamut.

The calibrated gamuts appear to be correct (ish). It's the profiles that are wrong.

I said the calibrated gamuts appears to be correct (ish). I doubt the sRGB calibration uses the correct sRGB gamma curve, but it's pointless taking that up with BenQ when they can't understand their profiles are wrong.

I also have a problem with PME if I attempt to calibrate to Relative Blackpoint. At the end of calibration it fails with a white background programmed into the LUTs.

I'd appreciated if SW2700PT owners could spare the time to check if they have the same problem with the sRGB profiles and calibration to Relative Blackpoint. Perhaps BenQ would start to take note if a few more of us reported the issues. There again!

Report · Jan 05, 2018

I have the same issue. When using PME to calibrate my SW2700's to sRGB, Lightroom/Photoshop colors are very desaturated, but unmanaged apps look right. When I calibrate to display native, LR/PS colors look correct, but unmanaged apps then appear very saturated

Report · Jan 18, 2018

Firstly I am a complete novice when it comes to colour calibration - so I can't talk intelligently about this.

But my conclusion is that PME doesn't work.

I have a Benq SW320 which out of the box was super revved up. I used the "supplied" Palette Master Element (PME) with a i1 display Pro sensor. To view the outcome, I used Lightroom (both in develop and loupe view) viewing a staggered grey card - not sure what you call it but it's a jpeg with grey bands on it, each band 5% more/less than the previous band, so 21 bands in all, going from black 0% to white 100%). The result was a significant (and I mean significant) magenta/pink cast on the brighter greys (from 60% onwards) and furthermore the 95% and 100% bands pretty well indistinguishable. Many attempts and always the same result. A disaster.

Then I used i1Profiler software v1.7.1 (with the i1 display Pro) and got a much better result.

Now I did notice, that with the i1 Profiler software , it did something inside my CPU enclosure - there was a distinct click sound (like a relay switching) coming out of the box when I saved the profile - I am guessing it did something (load and reset??) to the video card (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB).

So my conclusion - I am in wild agreement with you Palette Master Element (PME) seriously doesn't work. Having looked at other forums and people commenting on Benq support, my conclusion was that it was a waste of time talking to the Benq support people about anything technical (in Australia at least).

Report · Feb 02, 2018

Same problem here! When I calibrate with Pallet Master Pro colors are very desaturated. I'f contacted Benq the Netherlands they asked calibration report and the answer was that the numbers are in spec. I bought the monitor for its hardware calibration / profiling capabilities but its not usable.

Calibrated the monitor with the i1Profiler software with much better results although the image seems to be a bit warmer than my other monitor a BenQ PD2500Q (not a wide gamut monitor) both on 6500k.

My settings:

White point - CIE Illuminant D65

Luminance - 120 cd/m2

Contrast ratio - Native

Default Profile settings

Chromatic Adaptation - Bradford

ICC Profile version - Version 4

Profile Type - Matrix based

Default Patch Set

Patch set size - Large

What settings do you use?

In Response To Rommen___Bravenboer · Nov 14, 2018

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Rommen+%7C+Bravenboer wrote
Same problem here! When I calibrate with Pallet Master Pro colors are very desaturated. I'f contacted Benq the Netherlands they asked calibration report and the answer was that the numbers are in spec. I bought the monitor for its hardware calibration / profiling capabilities but its not usable.

When you calibrated with PME, what RGB Primaries did you select in the options box? The ICC profile created is only valid for Native primaries, although confusingly they generate it for all calibrations. This means if you attempt to use it for calibrations to RGB Primaries other than native, the colours will appear desaturated.

Use the correct standard profile for the RGB Primaries you calibrated to. e.g. if you calibrated to AdobeRGB primaries, use the Adobe RGB (1998) profile.

I hope this fixes it. It did for me and it has made a huge difference to my liking of the monitor.

Report · Sep 25, 2018

I also seem to have these problems, from my extensive testing I deduced the following problems with Benq SW2700PT

1. The profile it creates seems to be only for the native gamut regardless of what was selected during the calibration. So the profile is essentially useless. and hence is the calibration done in any other color space than native. Though we have these colour space options in the software while calibrating, they are useless.

2. I can get a more accurate calibration of other color spaces using the i1 profiler software. but that's a shame because then I am not taking advantage of the hardware calibration in the monitor which saves LUT to the monitor hardware

3. There is a puck or OSD controller included with the monitor, which is meant to switch profiles on the fly. saving different profiles to different hotkeys. which is again essentially useless. cuz switching profiles like this will not switch the profile in windows color management. Hence it will not display the right colours (the same problem like the desaturated problem mentioned here).

Is my OSD controller not working how its supposed to be? is the palette master software really wrong? am I the only one having these issues with Benq sw2700pt?

any contributions are very helpful. Thank you!

In Response To irfani7193203 · Nov 14, 2018

irfani7193203 wrote
I also seem to have these problems, from my extensive testing I deduced the following problems with Benq SW2700PT

I've opened another thread on this. Sorry, probably a mistake. It's here:-

BenQ SW2700PT and colour management of hardware calibrated monitors

I agree with all your points. However, I think you may be making the same assumption as I did last year. Once it clicks you do feel stupid! I think BenQ could do more to help explain, but I guess it's obvious to them.

With 'conventional' PC side calibration and profiling the software performs a characterisation and then outputs an ICC profile file for you to use as the display profile. With this monitor, that's how it works in native space. However, when you calibrate to anything other than the native space, you use the standard ICC profile file for that space. You don't use their profile file (so why confuse us by generating it?) i.e. if you calibrate to AdobeRGB primaries, you use the standard AdobeRGB profile. That's because the monitor uses 3D LUTS to emulate the actual colour space. If you do that I think you'll find it works well, remarkably well in fact.

The only minor problem is sRGB mode. The software doesn't support the correct sRGB tone curve (modified 2.2 gamma). Amongst other things it means the shadows appear too dark. They've even got it wrong in the factory sRGB calibration. I'll ask BenQ if they can add this option. It's a shame because of all the emulation modes that's the most useful IMO, because it's the default on unmanaged applications and you can't fix unmanaged applications with an ICC profile, the monitor has to be sRGB.

I agree about the puck. It would be so nice if changing display mode could be linked somehow to changing the monitor profile. It might actually be easier to do the other way around and have a little desktop application that simultaneously switched the monitor mode and the profile. I wonder if the developer of the excellent DisplayProfile could add monitor support as a chargeable 'Pro' option. I'd pay.

In Response To richardj21724418 · Nov 14, 2018

I'll also add, make sure you have something selected in the RGB Primaries option box.

I been using some settings files created by an earler version of PME, before they supported the RGB Primaries option. The files may not be completely compatible with the current version V1.29.

As I result, the setting in the RGB Primaries box loads as blank. I may be wrong but think on a previous version this meant defaulting to performing a native calibration (the profile file name suggests that). However, with version V1.2.9 the calibration is closer to AdobeRGB, which might be why someone reported it looks desaturated.

Report · Oct 08, 2018

I bought this same monitor and was astounded at the prominent magenta cast (pretty severe, not just the attributes of D65) after profiling with an x-rite i1 Display pro, using both the BenQ Palette Master Pro and the x-rite i1 Profiler software....my iMac was producing more accurate colours. BenQ customer service in Holland was pretty good, they even sent me a new monitor but it was no different. They don't acknowledge that there's a problem, very frustrating. It seemed to have such potential but after too many hours wasted trying to troubleshoot this monitor I sent the replacement back to Wex for a refund. I'll be spending the extra $$$ on a tried and tested Eizo.

Report · Nov 05, 2018

I know nothing about calibration so excuse me if i sound foolish... I recently calibrated my new monitor for the first time and straight away saw a lack of colour on my screen, my images and general windows... but after some test printing my screen matched my editing and prints so i thought ok, i can live with a dull screen..... then i decided to take a look for the first time at the hotkey gadget and as soon as i hit the button my screen popped again and was a lot brighter and more user friendly... as this stage i have no idea if it affected the calibration and my colours in print... will see

Report · Nov 10, 2018

A year later and I'm back!

I've just posted about the sRGB mode. I don't really use sRGB on the SW2700PT but I couldn't get my head around why sRGB images appear different in sRGB that thay do in AdobeRGB and native modes. Then I realised, the SW2700PT isn't applying the linear section of the sRGB gamma curve. Much as I suspected in my original post. This means in sRGB mode images appear higher contrast at the expense of crushed shadows. Perhaps it's supposed to work this way and not comply with the sRGB profile? It's certainly not a mode you'd want to use for any print preparation work.

Ah well!

Report · Dec 19, 2018

Their calibration software is just BS.

Seriously? Do you see that green light? I kept asking for help from BenQ for a long period of time and yet they are not able to solve their problems. This is why I can not recommend BenQ monitors for professional uses because of their poor software for hardware calibration. It sucks. I wish Eizo sell their monitors under $1000.

In Response To aiur4 · Dec 20, 2018

aiur4 wrote
Their calibration software is just BS.
Seriously? Do you see that green light?

I did notice a problem like that when I was first trying things out with an old version of the software. I think it could happen when I quit the software mid calibration. Then I had to completely disconnect the monitor from the power for a few minutes (not just turn it off) in order to reset the USB link. I never have a problem now. PME always starts up looking like this:-

It's possibly important to have a good USB connection to the monitor with a good USB cable, not too long and connected directly to the PC, not via a hub.

BenQ advise you don't have anything plugged into the USB ports on the monitor when calibrating but I've not found this to be a problem. Indeed, I usually plug the i1Display Pro into the monitor. Or I may have a keyboard and mouse attached.

The software isn't great but it's gradually improving. What version of PME are you running (click the info button in the bottom right)? I'm using V1.2.9 and am about to install a newer version.

In Response To richardj21724418 · Jan 31, 2019

BenQ Support suggest removing the power from the monitor to reset the USB link, as you mentioned. It fixed that problem for me.

My only problem now is that it reports every calibration I have tried as "Failed". This is on a new Windows 10 PC. It used to work on my old PC. Not sure whether it was Windows 10 or 8.1 last time I calibrated it on that machine.

Report · Dec 26, 2018

I just bought the SW2700PT and am generally impressed. I was surprised, however, by the extreme saturation of my images ... in particular, the reds. I am no color expert, and have never calibrated a monitor, but did not expect to see such a vast difference between my Macbook Pro's native Retina monitor and the BenQ. Should I return this monitor? should I fork out more dough for a calibration tool, and if so, which hardware and which software? The above thread gives me little confidence in BenQ's PME.

In Response To davidkotz · Dec 27, 2018

It sounds like you may not be using the correct profile for the monitor display mode. e.g. if you're using the monitor in AdobeRGB mode you must use the AdobeRGB profile, otherwise images will look too saturated.

You must also be running colour managed applications (i.e. applications that take account of the monitor profile and don't assume sRGB).

Report · Dec 28, 2018

PME is just BS. I clean installed my Mac for several times since I can't even open PME but I still having a lot of issue.

1. The calibrated result didn't even apply to my monitor!!! What kind of error is this?

2. I had to use an older version since the latest version is causing issues.

3. Automatically log my computer off... Seriously?

4. It doest give accurate white balance and brightness. WTF.

PME is the biggest issue here. I formatted at least 3 times! I had to assume that PME is the main issue that BenQ have to fix this and yet there no way to contact and chat with them. For professional uses, BenQ monitors are so horrible.

Report · Mar 08, 2019

I'm nor sure if this is the right way of doing things; but this is how i do my calibration.

I use the BenQ palate master to set the HW calibration once every 6 mounts. And then i set a SW calibration on top of that every month with the i1Profiler. When i Do this i get a Lower delta-E on both PM and i1DP. but after i have done the test with Palate master the SW profile from i1 freaks out and makes things blue. Don't know whats causing this bug. But this set up seams to be working. When i do the HW only calibration i get max deltas of ~1,5 after SW calibrations they shrink to ~0,5. But then i have to redo the whole SW set due to that blue-bug.

So to those that have the x-rite calibrators. Use the BenQ to set the monitor and then use the X-rite SW to fine tune the computer ICC to the monitor. Using this teqnike i find that my private PC gets a more neutral gray than the NEC HW calibrated displayes Macs do at my school on the i1diplay calibrators

In Response To MoKiPhoto · Mar 08, 2019

That's unnecessary and complicated workflow.

BenQ is not serious about professional monitors at all especially their hardware calibration software is trash. This is why I'm going to get Eizo monitor with built-in calibration sensor. They provide 5 years of warranty which is really good. Eizo CG series with a calibration sensor is seriously simple and automatic. It constantly calibrates the monitor to maintain accurate colors. Why would I waste my time to do all that stuff? This is very funny that they recommended me to use an older version to avoid issues.

At this point, BenQ monitors are very unreliable to use. One of my BenQ SW2700PT is totally not able to use hardware calibration because their software broke it.

You get what you pay for.

In Response To aiur4 · Mar 08, 2019

I got my monitor for about $500 an Eizo that do that is about $2500
At 5x the price, sure you get what you pay for.

But my response was more for those like me that are stuck with a SW2700PT and how to make the most of it.
Besides, doing 2 more calibrations a year, is that such a hassle?

My point is not to fight the SW that benq provides, but to use it as a base to make better SW like i1Profiler more accurate.

In Response To MoKiPhoto · Mar 08, 2019

Only 2~3 calibration per year? Eizo monitors with a calibration sensor can calibrate automatically every single time. It can calibrate once you change the profile presets. It is NOT recommended to calibrate only a few time per year. I guess you are not serious about calibration. There are a lot of people calibrate their monitor every single time to get accurate colors.

The reason for using hardware calibration is to save calibrated settings in the monitor itself, not the computer. It also controls everything directly to monitor, unlike software calibration. If I can't use HW calibration, what's the point of spending and using BenQ SW series?

I cant afford Eizo with $2500 but I can try paying it monthly so I have no reasons to use BenQ monitors with crap quality and consistency.

In Response To aiur4 · Mar 09, 2019

I do the SW calibration monthly, and do the HW calibration twice a year. It's not ideal but it's a work around. As i said 2 >more< calibrations a year, 14 in total over 12.

The monitor can use HW calibration, and it works. Just that I get lower delta-E if I do a software calibration on top of that. The BenQ software needs some work, and the i1display is better to work with and have features like room calibration.

You do you. For me the SW2700PT is a good starting point, even if it isn't flawless it's a lot better than my old gaming TN-panel and is probably a lot better than a standard IPS panel for us that work with imagery.

Report · Oct 09, 2019

I do have massive calibration issues since several weeks ago onwards. reported this to the BenQ tech support. The monitor is manufactured in December 2018, purchased on October 2019. Company told me to return the first monitor, I purchased another one. However, the second one has exactly the same issues. I am not sure to keep the monitor or return it. Is that the monitor defective or it is the software issues. Thanks for bringing it up.

In Response To farn94324 · Nov 07, 2019

I'm having a serious time with bad tech support from BenQ as well. I have the SW271 and have had it for about 6 months. Been struggling with calibration since day one, but unfortunately thte dealer went bankrupt immediately after my purchase.

Colors are way off and the display keeps showing me the calibration reminder – even the day after calibration. No way to reset it, except turning reminders off.

The colors are way off. Overly saturated – the only profile I've found on my Mac's System Preferences that shows colors only slighty oversaturated is the Wide Color Gamet profile. The Adobe RGB profile is unusable even though I've calibrated the display to that.

BenQ can't help me – only take in the monitor for check on a windows PC, and I honestly don't think it's a hardware issue. Must be bad calibration software in the PME. I'm done with BenQ.

In Response To krislinus · May 22, 2020

I have had so many issues with BenQ calibration. For weeks I was trying to calibrate it via my MacBook Pro, using a spyder 5. The calibration process always went smoothly, until the very last steps where god knows what happened and the final Calibration ended up purple or blue and red or washed out.
I had to use the datacolor software instead and opt for a software calibration.
I did log a complaint with BenQ and what they suggested is (wait for it) to plug and external keyboard and mouse into the MacBook, to then shut the lid and redo the calibration using the BenQ as a primary monitor.
What the hell is that supposed to be for a workaround...

been desperately trying to get rid of that junk but no one wants to buy a BenQ monitor these days (now that the word is out!)