CRT free color testing software?

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polonyc2

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is there a free, simple CRT color testing tool available online to check my CRT color levels...my CRT monitor is 9+ years old now and although it looks fine to me maybe I am just used to it and don't see any potential color issues

do CRT black levels ever drop off to the point where even a semi decent LCD can produce better blacks?...or better colors overall?...I've been holding on to my CRT thinking that no LCD can ever match its black levels and overall input lag/response time...but if my colors have dropped off significantly then I will 'upgrade'

my current Sony 21" GDM-F520 has a feature in its Menu properties called 'Image Restoration' which attempts to automatically bring back the colors to its default factory levels but that feature loses its effectiveness over time
 
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brumwald said:
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/index.php

http://www.calibrize.com/ (haven't tried it though)
Click to expand...

thanks...the lagom tests seem pretty good (although geared more towards LCD's)...surprisingly my almost 10 year old CRT did very well on those tests...I was most interested in the 'Black Level' test and my CRT was almost spot on...did require a increase in Brightness settings a bit but overall stayed pretty close to reference levels

maybe the fact that I turn off my system nightly (Low Power mode) helps keep it in relatively good condition with not as much wear and tear as those that leave it on 24/7...maybe 9 years is really only 5 in terms of physical usage...maybe I can hold onto this until OLED's hit the market after all
 
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:)
Wish I could say the same thing about my 22" Mitsubishi, think it's about ten years old but the last three I've barely used it, can't use it comfortable even at 1600x1200 anymore since it's so out of focus.
 
Yes, on older CRTs the black levels do drop off - not because the monitor is incapable of producing blacks, but because the calibration drifts (or biasing changes on the components). Most require a professional tool to adjust the black levels back. Properly refurbed CRTs often have the blacks adjusted before they're shipped out. There's only so much you can adjust it via the OSD or analog user controls (depending on the age and model).
 
sethk said:
Yes, on older CRTs the black levels do drop off - not because the monitor is incapable of producing blacks, but because the calibration drifts (or biasing changes on the components). Most require a professional tool to adjust the black levels back. Properly refurbed CRTs often have the blacks adjusted before they're shipped out. There's only so much you can adjust it via the OSD or analog user controls (depending on the age and model).
Click to expand...

but even after the drop off the black levels are still better then any LCD
 
I've been a long time lurker here, but finally registered to lend a hand.

My sony monitor had lost its ability to produce good blacks after many years of service.

Here are some tools that might help you.

HCFR is free color calibration software, you will need a colorimeter to take full advantage of it. I use an X-Rite iDisplay 2 with it.

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/ColorHCFR/index_en.php

Also, since you have a Sony monitor, you can probably use WinDAS to recover the blacks your monitor has lost. there are some great threads on the hardforum about WinDAS, but i'll spare you the search and post the links I used to fix the blacks on my Sony FW-900 (HP A7217A rebadge)

WinDAS Links:

WinDAS page http://www.geocities.com/gregua/windas/

WinDAS download link: http://rs662.rapidshare.com/files/242815664/windas.rar

Building / Obtaining an ECS cable to communicate with the monitor via WinDAS http://www.geocities.com/gregua/windas/cable.html

WinDAS Step by Step Installation http://techref.massmind.org/images/com/geocities/www/gregua/windas/install.htm

WinDAS Convergence guide: http://dor-lomin.com/images/forums/hardocp/windas-conv/

Hardforum link with valuable WinDAS info: http://www.hardforums.com/showthread.php?t=952788&page=256

Icrontic forums thread with valuable WinDAS info (it's for a Dell P1110, but applies to you) http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19549

Hope this helps you, I resurrected my FW-900 with the info gleaned from these threads & pages.
 
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