Back to Resource Center

SpectraCal VideoForge PRO Guide

The SpectraCal VideoForge PRO test pattern generator can be automatically controlled by the Calman Display Calibration Software to produce measurement and calibration test patterns via HDMI for SDR and HDR displays at resolutions from 640×480 up to 3840×2160.

Software Requirements

  • Calman Version 5.8.31 or later
  • VideoForge PRO Firmware Version 1.01 or later

VideoForge PRO Driver Installation

The VideoForge PRO uses the FTDI USB device driver.

  1. Install the FTDI driver before you connect the VideoForge PRO to your computer.
    • The FTDI driver is available:
    • When the driver is properly installed, the VideoForge will be listed in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT) as “USB Serial Port (COMx).” If it is not listed that way, the driver is not yet properly installed.
  2. Connect the VideoForge PRO to the Calman computer with a USB cable.

Calman Connection to VideoForge PRO

When the VideoForge PRO is properly connected to the computer, launch Calman. Calman will automatically connect to the VideoForge PRO.

If the VideoForge PRO is plugged into the Calman computer after Calman is open, it can be connected by clicking the Find Source button on the Calman Source Settings tab.

  1. On the Calman workflow Hardware Connect page, or on the Calman Source Settings tab, click Find Source
  2. On the Find Source dialog, select SpectraCal –  VideoForge PRO
  3. Select the Com Port that you saw listed in Windows Device Manager, USB Serial Port (COMx).
  4. Click Connect on the Find Source dialog.

 


Calman Source Settings Options

When the VideoForge PRO is connected as a Calman test pattern source, the following Settings options on the Calman Source Settings tab should be set according to the type of display being measured or calibrated.

Refer to specific display model information to guide these settings on the Source Settings tab.

  • Window Size
  • Delay (Optimize for specific display characteristics)
  • Pattern Size
  • Pattern APL
  • Resolution (match display’s normal drive signal)

The Source Settings options are detailed below for each of the following types of content:

  • VESA sRGB SDR content (RGB computer monitors)
  • HDTV SDR content
  • HDR10 HDR content
  • HLG HDR content
  • Dolby Vision HDR content

Note: After changes are made on the Source Settings tab, the VideoForge PRO output mode does not change until Calman selects the first test pattern to be displayed

VESA sRGB SDR Content Calibration (RGB computer monitors)

VideoForge PRO Source Settings options for VESA sRGB SDR content:

  • Color Format: RGB Full 8-bit
  • BT.2020: Disabled
  • HDR: Off

HDTV SDR Content Calibration (video monitors & consumer TVs)

VideoForge PRO Source Settings options for HDTV SDR content:

  • Color Format: YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
  • BT.2020: Disabled
  • HDR: Off

Note: When enabling BT.2020 color space for SDR, the Color Format should be set to “RGB Limited,” as the VideoForge PRO does not support correct BT.2020 triplets for YCbCr output.

HDR10 HDR Content Calibration

VideoForge PRO Source Settings options for HDR10 HDR content:

  • Color Format: RGB Limited 10-bit
  • HDR: HDR10
  • EOTF: SMPTE ST 2084
  • Mastering Display Primaries: P3
  • Mastering Display White Point: D65
  • Mastering Display Max Luminance: 1000 (540 for OLED)
  • Mastering Display Min Luminance: 0.005 (0 for OLED)
  • MaxCLL: 1000
  • MaxFall: 400

Note: When enabling HDR10, the Color Format should be set to “RGB Limited,” as the VideoForge PRO does not support correct triplets for YCbCr output.

HLG HDR Content Calibration

VideoForge PRO Source Settings options for HLG HDR content:

  • Color Format: RGB Limited 10-bit
  • HDR: HDR10
  • EOTF: HLG

Note: When enabling HLG, the Color Format should be set to “RGB Limited,” as the VideoForge PRO does not support correct triplets for YCbCr output.

Dolby Vision HDR Content Calibration

VideoForge PRO Source Settings options for Dolby Vision HDR content:

Note: For Dolby Vision HDR mode, the VideoForge PRO resolution must be set to 1080p.

  • Color Format: RGB Full 8-bit
    (The patterns are actually 4:2:2 YCbCr 12-bit. Dolby Vision tunnels the YCbCr 12-bit patterns through the RGB 8-bit signal path.)
  • HDR: Dolby Vision
  • Dolby Vision Mode:
    • Perceptual – To be selected when using the Dolby Vision workflow (not to be used with the Dolby Vision Custom workflow).
    • Relative – To be used with the Dolby Vision Custom workflow, to perform the Metered Calibration steps.
    • Absolute – To be used with the Dolby Vision Custom workflow, to perform the Post Calibration steps.
  • Specialty Patterns: In Dolby Vision mode, the VideoForge PRO specialty patterns display to the TV screen, but they are SDR, not Dolby Vision HDR.

Tags:  Pattern Generator, VideoForge