i just bought the LG C2 42" OLED

[Stahlmann]

2 hours ago, BuzzingBee said:

I alternatively used HCFR to try to manually calibrate SDR mode, as one of my annoyance with OLED is inconsistent gamma curve. IIRC I raised dark levels significantly to try to suit sRGB curve and it was no fun . 

You can get pretty far by manually calibrating in SDR. I just changed color temperature to warm 42, then further tweaked red down a bit and i already ended up at a DeltaE of just 3. This  only fixed the color inaccuracities though. Greyscale / gamma was still not ideal, as TV's aim for flat 2.2 or 2.4 by default and a full calibration is the only way to achieve the monitor sRGB gamma curve. 

 

2 hours ago, BuzzingBee said:

Don't wanna manually calibrate HDR yet as I'm not up there yet with knowledge nor really needing accurate colours. Afterall I'm only using for gaming and watching. 

The Calman software does most of the work. You basically heave to follow a step by step guide while putting in your targets and it does the rest. Takes a bit of time though. SDR calibration takes about 40 minutes for each picture mode, HDR calibration i a bit quicker at around 30 minutes.

 

The quickest and easiest way to calibrate is by just setting the whitepoint to 6500K. This can be done in 2 minutes if you have a colorimeter. But if there are any issues with oversaturation, undersaturation or gamma you won't be able to fix these quite as easily and especially not with free software alternatives like DisplayCal.

[BuzzingBee]

1 hour ago, Stahlmann said:

You can get pretty far by manually calibrating in SDR. I just changed color temperature to warm 42, then further tweaked red down a bit and i already ended up at a DeltaE of just 3. This  only fixed the color inaccuracities though. Greyscale / gamma was still not ideal, as TV's aim for flat 2.2 or 2.4 by default and a full calibration is the only way to achieve the monitor sRGB gamma curve. 

 

The Calman software does most of the work. You basically heave to follow a step by step guide while putting in your targets and it does the rest. Takes a bit of time though. SDR calibration takes about 40 minutes for each picture mode, HDR calibration i a bit quicker at around 30 minutes.

 

The quickest and easiest way to calibrate is by just setting the whitepoint to 6500K. This can be done in 2 minutes if you have a colorimeter. But if there are any issues with oversaturation, undersaturation or gamma you won't be able to fix these quite as easily and especially not with free software alternatives like DisplayCal.

Thanks for the tips. I already have i1 Display Pro (non-plus) couple years back but after hearing Calman Home is only one year support, and given my previous post that I just game/watch, I quickly decided against it.

 

So for time being my C1 is SDR calibrated with sRGB curve, but in HDR it's just in Warm 50.

 

Thinking back now, does Calman Home actually last indefinitely, but only that I wouldn't get new updates after a year? Assuming I won't get new TV in a while. 

[Andrewtst]

2 hours ago, Stahlmann said:

I have the X-Rite i1Display Pro Plus. But it's been discontinued and replaced by the Display Pro HL - Calibrite - United Kingdom

 

It will overwrite and lock the color settings for the specific picture mode you calibrated. You can still reset the picture mode if you want to reverse the calibration. And you can still change all the other picture settings like brightness, motion settings, etc.

Thanks a lot for the information, appreciate much.  

[Andrewtst]

18 hours ago, Stahlmann said:

they finally updated it to support the C2's internal test pattern generator, which means you don't have to buy one for thousands of dollars) which will allow me to fully calibrate the TV

Hi, another question, I check the LG version but it doesn't included the LG OLED Flex* I just bought, now waiting for delivery.

Without it, is that means I cannot use LG version to fully calibrate my TV?

* I cannot buy 42" LG C2 or C3 as my country did not selling it. After that Asus PG42QU, this LG OLED Flex is my only option.

* The Asus PG42UQ is out and that is the most regret thing I ever buy, I notice it is not truly flat but instead a bit protruding on the center, it is irritating as hell to me. Everything was perfect but not the flatness.

 

What feature will be left out in this case?

Any alternative option in this case? is that means I need to get the Calman version instead of Calman LG.

 

Even though that model is also using Alpha 9 G5 but I not idea the model 42LX3QPSA is under which category, seems don't have.

 

[Stahlmann]

17 hours ago, BuzzingBee said:

Thanks for the tips. I already have i1 Display Pro (non-plus) couple years back but after hearing Calman Home is only one year support, and given my previous post that I just game/watch, I quickly decided against it.

 

So for time being my C1 is SDR calibrated with sRGB curve, but in HDR it's just in Warm 50.

 

Thinking back now, does Calman Home actually last indefinitely, but only that I wouldn't get new updates after a year? Assuming I won't get new TV in a while. 

The software will only work for a year. After that year it goes back into trial-mode, which is basically useless. And it's also important to note that the general Calman Home software doesn't include the LG specific calibration workflow. Portrait Displays (the brand) and their Calman software are an absolute rip off in terms of value, but sadly they're the only real way to do a full calibration on TV's without spending several thousand dollars on other equipment and doing a tedious multi-hour-long manual calibration.

 

The "Calman Ultimate" version that permanently unlocks all the app's capabilities costs $3.000 btw.

And the full calibration setup Vincent from HDTV test uses costs around $20.000.

 

16 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

Hi, another question, I check the LG version but it doesn't included the LG OLED Flex* I just bought, now waiting for delivery.

Without it, is that means I cannot use LG version to fully calibrate my TV?

This particular software does not work on monitors. You need the actual smart os from the TV to store the calibration data. And it also doesn't work with every TV brand. LG is by far the best in terms of supporting calibration. For most monitors you can only create ICC profiles. LG has had a few monitors which included their own free hardware calibration software (settings stored on the monitor). I had the 27GN950-B and it supported this feature.

 

16 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

* I cannot buy 42" LG C2 or C3 as my country did not selling it. After that Asus PG42QU, this LG OLED Flex is my only option.

* The Asus PG42UQ is out and that is the most regret thing I ever buy, I notice it is not truly flat but instead a bit protruding on the center, it is irritating as hell to me. Everything was perfect but not the flatness.

My C2 is completely flat. The Asus probably had a manufacturing defect.

 

16 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

What feature will be left out in this case?

Using other software will leave out the capability of calibrating HDR picture modes.

 

16 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

Any alternative option in this case? is that means I need to get the Calman version instead of Calman LG.

Before buying the calman version for monitor calibration, use the free DisplayCal app. It does the same in that it creates an ICC profile with the calibration data. But again, DisplayCal can only calibrate SDR as far as i know.

 

16 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

Even though that model is also using Alpha 9 G5 but I not idea the model 42LX3QPSA is under which category, seems don't have.

Do these monitors offer a fully fledged smart TV OS? If not, the Calman calibration will probably not work.

[Andrewtst]

1 hour ago, Stahlmann said:

The software will only work for a year. After that year it goes back into trial-mode, which is basically useless. And it's also important to note that the general Calman Home software doesn't include the LG specific calibration workflow. Portrait Displays (the brand) and their Calman software are an absolute rip off in terms of value, but sadly they're the only real way to do a full calibration on TV's without spending several thousand dollars on other equipment and doing a tedious multi-hour-long manual calibration.

 

The "Calman Ultimate" version that permanently unlocks all the app's capabilities costs $3.000 btw.

And the full calibration setup Vincent from HDTV test uses costs around $20.000.

 

This particular software does not work on monitors. You need the actual smart os from the TV to store the calibration data. And it also doesn't work with every TV brand. LG is by far the best in terms of supporting calibration. For most monitors you can only create ICC profiles. LG has had a few monitors which included their own free hardware calibration software (settings stored on the monitor). I had the 27GN950-B and it supported this feature.

 

My C2 is completely flat. The Asus probably had a manufacturing defect.

 

Using other software will leave out the capability of calibrating HDR picture modes.

 

Before buying the calman version for monitor calibration, use the free DisplayCal app. It does the same in that it creates an ICC profile with the calibration data. But again, DisplayCal can only calibrate SDR as far as i know.

 

Do these monitors offer a fully fledged smart TV OS? If not, the Calman calibration will probably not work. 

Hi thanks for the feedback.

 

The Asus I think was design issue as later I check internet review all like that, even the artwork also look like that. 

 

As for the LG OLED Flex is actually a TV with full TV smart features same as C2. 

 

LG advertising it as TV instead of monitor and it even include the antenna port. 

 

In this case, will it probably work?

 

The full version is too expensive and the HDTV one confirm not in my list.  

[Stahlmann]

7 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

Hi thanks for the feedback.

 

The Asus I think was design issue as later I check internet review all like that, even the artwork also look like that. 

It doesn't look curved or dented in any picture i could find of it. Are you sure it wasn't just your eyes tricking you because the edges were just farther away? My C2 also looked a bit curved at first, but after an hour or so i got used to it.

 

7 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

As for the LG OLED Flex is actually a TV with full TV smart features same as C2. 

Oh i mixed up the models. I thought the OLED Flex was the 45GR95QE.

 

7 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

LG advertising it as TV instead of monitor and it even include the antenna port. 

 

In this case, will it probably work?

Then it should work the same as the C2. But since it's not officially supported on the Calman Home for LG page i can't guarantee it will work.

 

Even with the C2 i had to do a bit of a workaround because HDR calibration is officially not supported without a hardware pattern generator. The internal pattern generator had a borked window that wasn't in the center, but 2 windows off on the right and left sides. Since i didn't want to spend an extra $1.500 for this device, i just used my PC as the source while the calibration is running and i didn't measure the center, but on the right half of the screen.

[Andrewtst]

7 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

Are you sure it wasn't just your eyes

Already a month and it still very bothering me, I even ask my friend check, at first he cannot notice but after I highlight to him, he noticed. I ask another shop that had selling this model before, he also said got customer feedback it looks slightly protruding on center. I everyday want to bend it and I know it cannot bend. It is very frustrating as due to this especially on productivity on text. I will get crazy of continue using it.  

 

10 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

i can't guarantee it will work

I think I will email them to confirm. Thanks for all your value information.

[Stahlmann]

 

Just finished the SDR expert bright mode calibration (flat 2.2 Gamma curve meant to watch movies during daytime):

 

This is an example of a picture mode that has warm 50 as color temperature by default, showing that warm 50 goes a long way to improve color accuracity even before a full calibration.

 

[Stahlmann]

Here are the results of the SDR Expert dark (flat 2.4 gamma for movie watching in a dark room):

 

The default color settings in this picture mode is also warm 50.

 

 

By doing all these calibrations, my recommendation is to set the color temperature to warm 50, then turn down red to -8 or -9. Do this for every picture mode you intend to use and you should have pretty good color accuracity.

 

The main thing a full calibration does on top is fixing gamma to get rid of black or white crush and fix the slight oversaturation.

[Stahlmann]

I just found a few methods to improve the results pre and post calibration even further. I will probably create a C2 calibration thread once i iron everything out to not clutter this thread further. This is going to take a few more days though.

[Andrewtst]

On 7/10/2023 at 2:20 PM, Stahlmann said:

OLED Flex

I just received it and done setup. LG did it brilliantly, not like Asus which badly done on the HDR part.

I think the current color output is fine. Probably not going to calibrate it anymore.

 

 

[rotexen]

15 hours ago, Stahlmann said:

I just found a few methods to improve the results pre and post calibration even further. I will probably create a C2 calibration thread once i iron everything out to not clutter this thread further. This is going to take a few more days though.

i believe my LG C2 will arrive tomorrow, so i will keep you updated when i do the picture settings

[Stahlmann]

5 hours ago, rotexen said:

i believe my LG C2 will arrive tomorrow, so i will keep you updated when i do the picture settings

After playing around calibrating my C2 some more, i found that without doing a full calibration, just using the game optimizer HDR picture mode, setting color temperature to warm 42-50 is the best way to go. This is the best set and forget solution.

 

Pretty much all SDR picture modes will look darker than they should be for PC useage, because they all use flat gamma, not the sRGB curve. The only way to get it to do sRGB curve is by calibrating it.

[BuzzingBee]

Another thing as we got carried away about colour accuracy, not everyone prefers it. Some people prefer cooler temperature, oversaturated colours and so on. 

 

I'm partially guilty myself. Although I have SDR as my main preset, I also have gamma 2.2 calibrated on a different preset as I liked a bit of more colour and darker blacks for animation shows. But other times uncalibrated SDR did look too dark so to me, for example had difficult seeing details behind shadows, so minimum of sRGB curve is a must. 

[rotexen]

On 7/6/2023 at 4:58 PM, Stahlmann said:

 

In Nvidia driver settings set it to 3840x2160 120Hz 8bit RGB. (gradient handling is worse in 10 bit or 12 bit modes, so make sure to use 8 bit, even in HDR).

So as you said im going to use the lg c2 at 8bit then.

[rotexen]

On 7/8/2023 at 10:33 PM, Stahlmann said:

You can't turn it off directly in the software. The software allows you to go into the TV's native service menu. And this is where you can disable TPC.

 

After downloading and starting the app, you'll need to connect your TV in the LG controller tab by entering the IP and MAC adress from the TV's network settings. Also make sure to "enable TV on with mobile" under general settings > devices > external devices. Now just tick all the boxes in the upper window of the LG controller tab and the TV should register your PC activity and turn on or off accordingly.

 

To enter the service menu, go to the LG controller tab, lick on the settings button on the right and enable "Show advanced actions".

 

In the service menu, navigate to OLED in the middle row by clicking down on your remote, then disable TPC. (the first option on the right panel)

While you're in there, also check what it says under "Module Info 2". if it says "08/00/1/03" then your unit is confirmed to have the newer WBE (OLED EX) panel technology. The WBE panels should last longer against burn-in because they use less power and emit less heat, which means the pixels don't wear off as fast.

 

I don't recommend touching any other option in the service menu as i haven't used them myself and cannot guarantee their safety.

 

I hope this helps!

 

As a side note: Yesterday i bought the Calman Home for LG software license (they finally updated it to support the C2's internal test pattern generator, which means you don't have to buy one for thousands of dollars) which will allow me to fully calibrate the TV. I will post some before and after slides later if you're interested in the results.

Just now i bought the LG service remote to disable TPC and GSR should arrive next week 

[BuzzingBee]

1 hour ago, rotexen said:

Just now i bought the LG service remote to disable TPC and GSR should arrive next week 

You didn't need to buy the remote as you can download ColorControl program and control LG's service menu from there.

On 7/6/2023 at 11:58 PM, Stahlmann said:

In Nvidia driver settings set it to 3840x2160 120Hz 8bit RGB. (gradient handling is worse in 10 bit or 12 bit modes, so make sure to use 8 bit, even in HDR).

I remember that comment from a year ago but forgot to follow up: Is 8 bit setting recommended regardless of any content? What about actual 10 bit content like 4k movie files? 

EDIT: After reading through other thread it may be C2 that is only affected, meanwhile I have AMD card and C1. 

[rotexen]

1 minute ago, BuzzingBee said:

You didn't need to buy the remote as you can download ColorControl program and control LG's service menu from there.

much faster and easier to do.

[Stahlmann]

4 hours ago, BuzzingBee said:

You didn't need to buy the remote as you can download ColorControl program and control LG's service menu from there.

I remember that comment from a year ago but forgot to follow up: Is 8 bit setting recommended regardless of any content? What about actual 10 bit content like 4k movie files? 

EDIT: After reading through other thread it may be C2 that is only affected, meanwhile I have AMD card and C1. 

You can just start up the VESA HDR test app from the microsoft store, go to the gradient test pattern and switch betwen the bit depths. On the C2 it's pretty easy to see the difference. And yes, 8bit is better in any type of content. Even the windows desktop is "actual" 10 bit content if you set your color depth to that.

[rotexen]

12 hours ago, Stahlmann said:

You can just start up the VESA HDR test app from the microsoft store, go to the gradient test pattern and switch betwen the bit depths. On the C2 it's pretty easy to see the difference. And yes, 8bit is better in any type of content. Even the windows desktop is "actual" 10 bit content if you set your color depth to that.

 

[rotexen]

On 7/6/2023 at 4:58 PM, Stahlmann said:

 

In Nvidia driver settings set it to 3840x2160 120Hz 8bit RGB. (gradient handling is worse in 10 bit or 12 bit modes, so make sure to use 8 bit, even in HDR).

My control panel only shows 2560x1440 @ 120 for "PC" mode, no 4K at all. On the "TV/upper side" mode shows all resolution and Hz. Is there any different when using the "TV" or "PC" mode/resolution

[Stahlmann]

1 minute ago, rotexen said:

My control panel only shows 2560x1440 @ 120 for "PC" mode, no 4K at all. On the "TV/upper side" mode shows all resolution and Hz. Is there any different when using the "TV" or "PC" mode/resolution

Are you using HDMI 2.1 or are you using a DisplayPort adapter?

[rotexen]

12 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

Are you using HDMI 2.1 or are you using a DisplayPort adapter?

hdmi 2.1 only 

i'm waiting till my rx 7900xtx arrive

but mean while i cant even set it to 4k in pc section at 60 hz

[rotexen]

9 minutes ago, rotexen said:

hdmi 2.1 only 

i'm waiting till my rx 7900xtx arrive

but mean while i cant even set it to 4k in pc section at 60 hz