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HP Dreamcolor 2480zx / Plunge bar invisible
Hi,
I’m using a Dreamcolor with a Matrox MXO2Rack over a BMD HDLink 3D DisplayPort in Rec.709 color space for monitoring.
According to the manual, the plunge bar (little brighter than video black) of a color pattern should be
visible if the black level of the Dreamcolor is calibrated correctly. If not, the unit should be re-calibrated. But I wasn’t able to solve this problem yet:– The adjustment of the brightness to 250cd didn’t have an effect to the visibility.
– The adjusment of the black level didn’t improve the visibility either (only made the image milky).
– Tried to recalibrate with HP’s profiling solution color meter; same result.
– Tried to feed the monitor directly with MXO2Rack (HDMI, RGB, 8bit, 1080p25) with the same result.
– Tried to feed the BMD with the color bar output of a Sony EX3. Same result.
– Tested PAL and NTSC standards. Same result.
– The Dreamcolor Engine was always active, so it’s definitely not a converter problem!
– I don’t have too much experience with calibrated monitors, but the image seems to be
too dark as well, even with the brightness at 250cd.– Only if i rise up the gamma level with the BMD Converter, the bar becomes visible and
the image has the brightness I would expect and also see at the computer display or a
consumer TV.Please does anyone know if this is normal for the Dreamcolor, or is the unit simply defect?
I read about the same issue here at the forums, but without conclusions (sorry for the new thread 🙂 )Thanks and kind regards,
Bernhard -
15 Replies
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There is an article / tutorial here on the Cow from Jeremy Garchow on using that monitor.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media“Foul Water, Fiery Serpent” featuring Sigourney Weaver coming soon.
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Hi Walter,
thank you for your reply.
I’ve already read the tutorial. Most of the information is concerned about getting
an accurate signal into the Dreamcolor. I was able to determine the signal path
works correctly.My problem is an (in my eyes ? ) overall too dark image which doesn’t got brighter
after re-calibration with HP’s profiling kit. The plunge bar stays black and I would
like to know if my unit has a defect.Thanks,
Bernhard -
I use the HDP2 so I’m not sure how the BM 3D needs to be setup.
Some general rules. Must be RGB (out the BM3D), must be progressive (true p, not psf) and in order for the pluge to be visible, I need to set the AJA mini config (which is different from what you have) to SMPTE range instead of full. That last parameter is probably your issue.
Here’s the article Walter talked about:
https://library.creativecow.net/articles/garchow_jeremy/HP_DreamColor_CRT_Replacement.php
Also, here’s a screen grab of the mini config. Hopefully you an find similar settings with your setup:
Jeremy
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[Bernhard Grininger] “The plunge bar stays black and I would
like to know if my unit has a defect.”I don’t think so, it’s just not quite setup properly yet.
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Hi Jeremy,
thank you very much! I think this might indeed be the problem!
But the same problem occurs when connected directly to the MXO2 which would mean
it is also not capable in representing SMPTE when HDMI is set to RGB.
I’ll make one more test and ask in the Matrox support forum to be shure.Thanks and kind regards,
Bernhard -
[Bernhard Grininger] “But the same problem occurs when connected directly to the MXO2 which would mean
it is also not capable in representing SMPTE when HDMI is set to RGB.”Sorry, I am not familiar with Matrox products either.
In my opinion, if you have a DreamColor, the HDP2 is really the other piece of equipment you need. As the article says, it takes the guess work out of it.
I know with AJA products that are HDMI enabled, you can set the color space (which would be RGB) and the video range (which would be SMPTE) separately.
Here’s a screen cap, just for example, of the ioHD control panel. Notice the settings under the ‘HDMI Output’ area. My DreamColor is attached via HDP2 and a Kona 3. These settings are just to show you that maybe you can bring something up similar with the Matrox.
Jeremy
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Yes, the luminance levels can be checked to allow super black and/or super white in the MXO2 pref pane:
I have tested this without noticeable result; but with the BMD in between.
The question is: will the luminance setting affect the YUV which is THEN converted to RGB,
or does it affect the RGB output directly. I have to test it.Bernhard
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[Bernhard Grininger] “The question is: will the luminance setting affect the YUV which is THEN converted to RGB,
or does it affect the RGB output directly. I have to test it.”I’m not sure. With AJA products, you can control the HDMI output only. I’d suggest getting the HDP2 as then you can keep your Matrox in plain ole YUV422 video and the HDP2 takes care of the rest.
What is under the ‘Video Output’ tab?
Jeremy
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The choice YUV/RGB:
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Bingo, set that HDMI output to RGB.
What are the options under “Set main channel format to”?
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