Hi from my point of view when I first started calibrating it was the CalMAN V1 help which was for me the most informative and understandable infomation I found whilst trolling the web. I have found the V3(beta) information and help an excellent progressive step forward. I am not stating this because I use the software and get any reward from CalMAN. The rewards I get are from the excellent results I achieve from the software. I have to pay for it like everyone else( more $ actually as my NZ dollar sucks.)
ISF is more about buying into a support system of combined experience. You would only do this when or if you would be looking at being a calibrator of displays and wish to be more professional about your Image(In more ways than one). Many do the ISF seminar who are in the AV game and just what to understand more about what they do. It does cost though and it is up to the individual to weigh up or justify the outlay and return from the investment.
One never stops learning; painfully the more you know, the more you know you don't know.
On the other hand you don't need to learn electronics so you can calibrate display's. You in all reality just need a understanding of what is happening as a net result.
Order of calibration.
Just remember that all adjustments are interactive with the viewer, and it is this key element of total balance which possibly classes the calibrator in the professional sense.
I don't think there is any hard and fast rules on sequence, however brightness and contrast are the starting point for most if not all.
(again the CalMAN software helps you though this, other package struggle here, free or otherwise)
Personally I clump areas of the calibration process into groups. My reasoning for this is that looking at one point of view(one graph alone) gets you into trouble.
Calibration order is a lesser concern than the reference material you use and how accurate it can be processed. Your measurements are firstly only as accurate as your reference material, then add the error from your measurement device. This is why Video generators hold such high value as they are the most accurate reference for the calibrator. They also allow the calibrator to isolate the video chain which intern can solve problems or issues elsewhere.
Calibration DVDs are only as good as the device being used to play them. Electronics have a general tolerence of 10% in their common components, so the average output can vary. (my personal SD DVD player chopped off 10% of the lower end signal for example).
On the other hand some gear can be good too, but it can be an unknown quanity unless referenced to reference equipment.
This is how I rank the tools of the trade.
1. Reference material. Video Generator 1st, a Referenced PC output 2nd and thirdly a Calibration DVD material. I use a Video Generator and Calibration DVDs.
Reference material in general is ranked 1st,
2. Measurement probe. Many arguments about what is the best probe. Personally I have built a number of the HCFR probes, used a Spyder2 and use an xrite i1pro. I personally found the net results of my work better with the i1pro. It is currently the best all rounder. It is also the only (everyman)affordable NIST traceable referenced probe. If you are serious I recommend the i1pro, Calman(spectral cal) also rate the D2 probe very highly, I may get one of these some day as a secondary backup.
Measurement probe is ranked 2nd.
3. Software. Without the first 2 being accurate the software is rendered useless, that is why I place it third. I currently use the CalMAN V3 product and will be moving to the pro version when V3 moves from beta to general release.
Remember the software is really only a reporter of information, like any software we can have our favourites which is usually based on the product working how your head works. Some people call that intuitive. What ever the reason for me the software needs to be flexible and do the job, which is help you calibrate the display. Some products require alot of prior knowledge, some are flashy, one is currently free. I have used the free one with the DIY probes, Sencore software briefly, Datacolour software and CalMAN software, V2 (excel based) and V3beta. For me CalMAN is excellent hitpower for buck. The free software is excellent for learning though when one is in the early stages of the learning curve.
Software I rank third.
The forth element is the calibrator him or her self, here there is no rank per say, however one must have understanding of all of the above and what he or she is trying to achieve.
Regards
