ISF calibration explained

Cinema enjoyment at the highest level

The aim of ISF calibration is to achieve the best possible image quality from all your AV devices. Our specially trained staff – the ISF certificate sets the highest standards – can guarantee you this. Your entire signal chain is fine-tuned, from the DVD player and AV receiver through to the projector. We programme two settings for you – one for daytime and one for night-time viewing. So you always get optimum contrast with perfect colours.

Background

The calibration optimises the displayed colour gamut and the brightness/contrast values. Why optimise colour? Whether a recording or a playback device, both assign a value to a colour. The value varies depending on intensity. Unfortunately, these values can't be transferred between different devices, because devices have different maximum values due to their different sensitivities.

Projectors differ, for example, in how they display green. On some devices a meadow looks bright neon green, while others show a dull field. The maximum values of the colours define the colour gamut: red, green and blue form a triangle containing all the colours that can be mixed from them. During colour calibration, the devices' maximum values are matched to an absolute value. Once the work is done, all colours are displayed identically.

The colour corresponds exactly to the original at the time of recording. Why optimise brightness/contrast? After calibration, your device shows the maximum possible and sensible black and white levels. Why sensible? Manufacturers naturally tend to set the black level as low as possible so they can quote a high contrast on the data sheet. However, the black level has to be adapted to the room brightness (which is why ISF always involves two calibrations, for day and night), because room light directly affects the black level. The ambient light defines the maximum black level on the projection surface, and this has to be set on the projector. If it isn't, the dark areas are washed out by room light and the image loses shadow detail. Accordingly, the brightness level is adjusted via contrast to preserve detail in the highlights.

Difference from Cine4Home

Unlike Cine4Home, no hardware modification is carried out. The electronic signal processing is adjusted in a special ISF sub-menu. Of course, a Cine4Home modification can be combined with an ISF setting.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The questions we're asked again and again:

1. Will I actually see a difference?

Yes. The eye and brain do get used to the current state. But the image you're seeing is wrong. The director has a clear idea of how the image should look.

2. Will I receive data sheets?

We document every step. You receive a data sheet with measurement results of the display before and after the adjustment.

3. What are the costs based on?

ISF always means an individual on-site measurement. It significantly upgrades your equipment: affordable devices reach the quality standards of high-end devices, and premium devices use their full potential.

Back to technical terms