FAQ
Measuring Displays:
How do I measure LCD's?
Measuring LCD's (Liquid Crystal Displays) can be done using either the K10-A, K-10 SF, or the K-8 Colorimeter (for small LCD's). Simply point one of the Klein Colorimeters at the display. Connect the Colorimeter to a PC computer via serial or USB cable. Start the Klein Colorimeter software. Click Measure color and the program will give you the readings.
Can the K-Seires Colorimeters measures Apple Retina displays?
Yes. The Cal File #6 LED Backlit LCD was found to be extremely close for the Apple Retina Displays, and is now created with an Apple display in our lab.
How do I measure and calibrate Plasma TV's?
Measuring Plasma TV's is similar to measuring LCD TV's. Measuring can be done using either the K10-A, K-10 SF, K-8, or the K-1 Colorimeter. Simply point the K10-A, K-10 SF or K-8 Colorimeter at the display. (The K-1 is a contact colorimeter and should be placed on the glass). Connect the Colorimeter to a PC computer via serial or USB cable. Start the Klein Colorimeter software. Click Measure color and the program will give you the readings.
How do I measure Compact Displays?
The K-8 is best for Compact displays. It has a small 4mm tip, allowing you to precisely measure different points on a small display. Point the Klein K-8 Colorimeter at a compact display, and connect it to a PC computer via a serial or USB cable. Open the Klein software and take a measurement. The software will give you all of the details for CIE coordinates.
How do I measure Sony OLED Broadcast Displays?
Measuring the Sony OLED Broadcast displays requires the use of an offset to get an accurate white point. It has been determined by Sony that the CS2000 requires an offset to accurately measure D65 on the Sony OLED's. The Klein K-Series Colorimeters use the CS2000 as a reference device, so they too need this offset. Instructions for how to deal with this offset can be found on our White Paper:
Sony OLED Display White point Correction with the Klein K10-A using the K Colorimeter Program.
How do I measure convergence error on a CRT display?
A CRT's (Cathode Ray Tube) convergence error can be measured with the Klein Convergence Gauge. Just place the gauge on the glass, look into the eyepiece and turn the knobs. This process is explained here. The measurements will indicate the amount of convergence error in relation to the red, green and blue electron beams of the CRT.
How do I measure and calibrate FPD's?
FPD's (Flat Panel Display) are based on field emitting cathodes to bombard phosphor coatings as the light emissive medium. Any one of the Klein K-10 Colorimeter, K-8 Colorimeter or K-1 Colorimeter can measure an FPD. Simply point one of the Klein Colorimeters at the display. Connect the Colorimeter to a PC computer via serial cable. Start the Klein Colorimeter software. Click Measure color and the program will give you the readings.
How do I calibrate an LCoS Display?
Answer: LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) is a "micro-projection" or "micro-display" technology typically applied in projection televisions. It is a reflective technology similar to DLP projectors; however, it uses liquid crystals instead of individual mirrors. We recommend the Klein K-10 Colorimeter for LCoS displays.
How do I turn on/off the LED aiming lights on the Klein K10-A?
Activate/Deactivate the LED's by turning the silver knob on the K10-A. You can also activate the lights in your software of choice by enabling the option within the software. Contact your software's support or consult the help file for details.
How sharply do the K10 aiming lights outline the measured area?
The aiming lights put up a circle of 8 red dots around the measured area. These dots are from LED's adjacent to the detector plate inside the K10. When the dots are focused sharply on the screen, the enclosed measured area is focused sharply on the detector plate. The K10 and K10A focus optimally at 4 meters. Closer and further, the dots are out of focus and the measurement area edge is not so sharp. However, the measurement area will still never be outside the outside edge of a detector dot. The K10SF focuses at 60mm and is useful for small displays up to 30mm diagonal. The K10 and K10A are more universal; for cinema, and for large and moderate sided displays.
How close do I put the K10-A to a display screen?
For a flat panel, or CRT, attach the lens hood to the K10-A and measure at contact point. This eliminates any ambient light in the room. You may use the K10-A from a farther distance, but be mindful of ambient light.
For a projector screen, set up the K10-A on a tripod and measure from a distance where the aiming lights display clearly on the screen. we recommend about 3-4 meters, but a longer distance can be used in some applications. Contact Us for questions on your specific application.
A video is now available on this topic, check it out here.
How do I create a custom calibration file for the K10-A?
You may use ChromaSurf, or the Klein K Colorimeter program, to create custom calibration files.
For ChromaSurf:
When using ChromaSurf, first connect to your probe. Then, select Tools -> Create Cal File. Check that the black level of the probe is good, then measure with both a reference device and the K10-A you wish to calibrate. You may then generate and save the calibration file. The program will automatically QC your new file after saving.
For Klein K Colorimeter Program:
When using the Klein K Colorimeter program, first connect to your probe. Then, select Calibration -> Select or Make New Cal File. Wait for the Cal file list to load, then select Make or Modify Cal File. Next Select Make new Calibration Matrix File. Check that the black level of the probe is good, then measure with both a reference device and the K10-A you wish to calibrate. You may then generate and save the calibration file. The program will automatically QC your new file after saving.
How many Calibration Files can be stored in the K10?
Answer: The K10 has room in flash for 96 Calibration Files. Klein loads 10 or more for different display types during factory calibration.
Preloaded Cal Files Include:
CCFL LCD CRT Projector Lux SMPTE-C CRT TVL XVM245 LED Backlit LCD Plasma DLP Projector TVL LEM150 Sony EL OLED Eizo CG LCD The user can create and store additional cal files in the K-10's flash memory from a higher level measurement device.
What is the Calibration File format within the K10?
Answer: Each Calibration File stores a 3x3 XYZ matrix created from 4 color measurements during calibration.
What is the password that allows a new cal file to be stored in the K Colorimeter?
Answer: The password may be found attached to the software disk that came with your K Colorimeter. You may contact sales@kleininstruments.com, let us know the serial number of the colorimeter and we will respond with the password.
What Klein works with small displays? i.e. mobile devices, smart phones, gps tracking?
Answer: When a display is very small, we recommend the use of the K-8 Colorimeter. This colorimeter has a tiny 4mm inlet, allowing it to be used with surgical precision on the smallest of displays.
What probe do I need for CRT's?
Answer: Any of the K-Series probes may be used for CRT measurement. The K-1 Colorimeter was designed purely for CRT measurement, while the K10-A may be used effectively with nearly any display type.
What probe works well for measuring flicker? Answer: All K-Series Probes may be used for flicker measurement. [Top][0]
How do I use the diffuser included with the K10 Colorimeter?
Answer:The diffuser included with the K10 Colorimeter is intended to allow one to measure the Lux of a light bulb or projector (pointed directly at the projector). In this case, you would also use the Lux calibration file #2. Because the K10 works well at low light, it is rarely necessary to get the light directly from the projector, but rather pointing it at the cinema screen (avoiding the shadow of the K10 in the measurement area) is generally used.
Colorimeter Technical:
How often do I send the K10-A in for calibration?
Answer: Various factors can influence the calibration of a device, such as prolonged exposure to high humidity, prolonged exposure to temperature extremes, and natural variances. We typically recommend a 1 year recalibration interval for our devices, although users in very stable climates often happily use them for longer durations between recals. If you cant remember the last time you sent it in, and can't find the Cal Sheet, its probably time to send it in!Can I leave the K10-A plugged in all the time?
Answer: Yes, you may.How rugged is my K10-A?
Answer: The K-Series colorimeters were designed to withstand reasonable impacts and forces. Many would say that they are overbuilt in terms of durability.What is the warranty on the K10-A?
Answer: The K-Series of colorimeters is a high quality line, and we expect them to be free of failures and defects. We will cover any needed repairs within the first year of ownership, and we repair manufacter defects out to the 5 year mark.How does extreme hot/cold affect the probe?
Answer: The K-Series of Probes is designed with a thermal correction feature that adjusts the probe to changing temperature, ensuring that the probe remains accurate with temperature fluctuations.We recommend storing the probe between 40F and 100F. (4C to 38C)
What software does the K10-A work with?
Answer: The K10-A has been integrated into many popular software packages. At this time, the K10-A works with:Klein K Colorimeter Program
Klein ChromaSurf
CalMAN
Light Illusion
ChromaPure
TVLogic CL-Soft
Sony Calibration Software
And More!
Why is display flicker important?
Answer: Manufacturing Inspection and Adjustment: Verify flicker is within spec. If the flat panel has a half frequency nulling adjustment, adjust for a minimum peak at that frequency.Engineering Tool: Different elements of a display can cause flicker at different frequencies. Power supply filtering or the grounding may affect a specific frequency, and it is of advantage to see the specific results of an adjustment.
Ergonomic Safety Measurement: Measure conformance to ergonomic requirements.
What is JEITA discounting of flicker data?
Answer: It is recognized that high frequency flicker is less bothersome to the eye. The JEITA document EIAJ ED-2523 enumerates a method of examining the FFT of a display's flicker, discounting it partially between 20 and 60 Hz, and greatly above 60 Hz. The Klein K Colorimeter PC Program has this functionality built in.How does the flicker measurement of the Klein K Colorimeter work?
Answer: The Klein K Colorimeter has analog filter correction files which are uploaded to the PC. In operation, the colorimeter streams data to the PC. The PC program performs a Fast Fourier Transform on the data 8 times a second, corrects for the analog filter, and displays the FFT in graphical form, along with a listing of the peaks.Software:
The Programs: "Klein K Colorimeter" and "Klein ChromaSurf"... what are they?
Answer: Klein currently has two programs on our website. "Klein K Colorimeter" is an older program which works on the PC only. "Klein ChromaSurf" is newer and has PC, Mac, and Linux versions. The two programs have different features, and new development is in our ChromaSurf program.
The USB driver for the Klein Colorimeter.. where is it, and how do I install it?
Answer: There are drivers for the pc, the mac and for linux, however, each driver will support all versions of each platform. The USB Klein Colorimeter uses two drivers, so you may be asked to load the driver twice. The Klein Colorimeter driver is from FTDIchip.com, a major manufacturer of USB communication chips.
Klein ChromaSurf install package will automatically install the drivers if the user is in the Admin mode.
If a driver is not installed, the pc will ask for its location when the K Colorimeter is connected. The driver should be on the Klein Program CD.
The user can always go to http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm and obtain and install the drivers.
What Software Development Support does Klein offer to programmers?
Answer: The Klein website has a Klein Object and an associated Software Development Kit, as well as sample programs for several OS platforms. Programmers are encouraged to try the SDK, then contact Klein with any questions they may have. We have a dedicated staff determined to provide excellent support.
Measureing Displays:
Can the K-Seires Colorimeters measures Apple Retina displays?
How do I measure and calibrate Plasma TV's?
How do I measure Compact Displays?
How do I measure Sony OLED Broadcast Displays: Measuring the Sony OLED?
How do I measure convergence error on a CRT display?
How do I measure and calibrate FPD's?
How do I calibrate an LCoS Display?
How do I turn on/off the LED aiming lights on the Klein K10-A?
How sharply do the K10 aiming lights outline the measured area?
How close do I put the K10-A to a display screen?
How do I create a custom calibration file for the K10-A?
How many Calibration Files can be stored in the K10?
What is the Calibration File format within the K10?
What is the password that allows a new cal file to be stored in the K Colorimeter?
What Klein works with small displays? i.e. mobile devices, smart phones, gps tracking?
What probe do I need for CRT's?
What probe works well for measuring flicker?
How do I use the diffuser included with the K10 Colorimeter?
Colorimeter Technical:
How often do I send the K10-A in for calibration?
Can I leave the K10-A plugged in all the time?
What is the warranty on the K10-A?
How does extreme hot/cold affect the probe?
What software does the K10-A work with?
Why is display flicker important?
What is JEITA discounting of flicker data?
How does the flicker measurement of the Klein K Colorimeter work?