This is a work in progress...I am updating to include some information from
here.
JVC Projector Calibration Software V7 & Spyder 5 DIY for RS400
(The RS500/600 has a color filter the RS400 does not, if anyone wants to PM me the extra instructions for this, I will add it.)
This step-by-step guide was put together from my calibration experience along with a handful of posts from
this calibration thread and various other places. It is not as complicated as it seems, actually it is absurdly easy. This calibration thread has a lot of in it but there really isn't a single post quick start guide to follow. This is that guide. Props to Manni, who as usual, provided much of the data necessary to create this guide.
I read
post 9,
post 10 and
this post. I also read
this JVC guide.
I have a
Spyder 5 and used
JVC Calibration Software V7.
You only need to calibrate the picture modes with settings you actually use. I calibrated (these are the modes I use):
1) Cinema, IRIS -8, CMD OFF, Normal Gamma, Low Lamp (this is 100% of my non 3D & HDR content)
2) HDR BT2020, IRIS 0, CMD OFF, Normal Gamma, Low Lamp
3) Cinema, IRIS 0, CMD OFF, Normal Gamma, High Lamp
4) HDR BT2020, IRIS 0, CMD OFF, Normal Gamma, High Lamp
I also loaded the REC-709 color profile Manni posted (Rec-709NF at the bottom of
this post). I'm told it is better and more 'accurate' than Cinema. I found it to be extremely similar to Cinema with colors being slightly less saturated. I've been very happy with Cinema, now I have both. I imported this REC-709NF profile using the same "
JVC import procedure" as the BT2020 profile from the
JVC HDR settings page. This is the same procedure to import
Manni's premade custom gamma curves, too.
RS500/600 FYI (Does not apply to RS400 as it has no color filter): After loading the Filter color profile (e.g. Rec-709F), the projector needs to be turned off and turned on again for it to take affect and be calibrated. Apparently, a No Filter color profile (e.g. Rec-709NF) can be calibrated right away without power cycle.
I ran into a snag on my third consecutive color+ gamma calibration. It was taking FOREVER and when I tried to cancel, the software locked up. The projector went black and I had to kill the app and turn the projector off and back on again. Therefor, I recommend exiting the app and opening it again after each calibration.
Each Gamma + Color calibration only takes 10-15 minutes, so this whole thing took me less than one hour. Let the projector fully warm up for an hour or so before beginning this process.
I calibrated all the low lamp modes first, then switched to the high lamp modes I use. I have a scope screen so I actually use a couple different IRIS settings. I changed the IRIS and calibrated again; when I re-calibrated within the same mode like this, I switched the setting to 'Color Only'. There is some conflicting information, but it seems redoing gamma is necessary when switching modes (Cinema/Rec-709/BT2020), turning on CMD or when switching lamp modes. Color only saves quite a bit of time so if you are using multiple IRIS settings, you might want to consider it as it is much faster. I also did not close/reopen the app for the color only calibrations.
Here is the Calibration Software V7 & Spyder 5 DIY:
1) Buy the Spyder 5 (Hardware is identical for all versions so Express is fine). A camera tripod would be helpful, too.
2) Install Spyder 5 software and JVC Calibration Software V7 (I used a Windows 10 laptop). Shut off any power savings, screensaver, screen-off or sleep modes in computer settings.
3) Physical setup: The Spyder will need to be 'closeish' to the projector in the middle of the projected image, so set your gear accordingly. I set the Spyder on a camera tripod (it has a screw mount) in the exact center of the screen (height and width) facing the projector. The Spyder is then USB connected to a laptop on the side facing away from center. The projector just needs to be on any active HDMI signal to allow the calibration process to start (like a movie playing or something). The laptop display does not need to be connected to the projector. The room was pitch black. I dimmed my laptop screen to eliminate any room glow. The software process will show an illustration to help you adjust the Spyder to a proper distance from the projector, my Spyder was about 8 feet from the projector (this distance is determined by the light output of the projector), more info on this in step 7.
4) Connect your projector to the same network as your laptop and check the projector IP address in the projector settings.
5) Use your JVC remote to set your projector to the first mode you'd like to calibrate. You can see what I chose above. Be certain, no matter what, to be using Gamma Normal.
6) Open JVC Calibration Software V7. Click on the gear for settings. Enter the IP address of the projector and click check. Verify Gamma + Color is checked and Gamma Step is Normal. Enter your screen size and viewing distance. Take note of the backup file path. Enter the Serial number of your projector and click OK. Click on the 'Calibration' button on the left to start and walk through the calibration process.
7) For the sensor position step the laptop will show the Spyder 'location' in a yellow box on the laptop screen and will send a white image to the projector. As you move the sensor closer or further from the projector the sensor location will move inside the yellow box. You want the sensor to be as close to (but still inside) the right side of the yellow box on the laptop screen. If you look at the back wall, you'll notice a round reflection spot from the Spyder sensor surface a bit bigger than a quarter (like a mirror reflection); position this spot directly below the projector lens so you maximize the light input without reflecting light back into the projector lens.
8) On the picture mode settings screen you won't have to do anything because you already did it before opening the software by setting the projector to the mode you'd like to calibrate in step 5, but verify anyway.
9) After it is all done, feel free to screenshot the different graphs then click Save.
10) AFTER the
very first ever calibration is finished and saved, IMMEDIATELY go to the file path folder (Documents by default) and save that newly created "Init" file to a few different places. That is the factory color/gamma settings the projector shipped with and is the ONLY way to restore it. You'll also see each calibration you do gets saved there too, but only one Init file ever and that Init file is only created AFTER the first calibration is done.
11) Close JVC Calibration Software V7. Set the picture mode/lamp mode/etc for your next calibration with the projector remote. Remember: Always Gamma Normal.
12) Repeat steps 7 - 9 until you've calibrated all the viewing modes/settings you typically use.
That's it!
Even the quick DIY seems long...lol. But these instructions are precise and idiot proof.
After calibration, feel free to check my post about
custom gamma curves; step 3 is what your looking for there. Alternately, you can load
Manni's premade custom gamma curves using Import/Export from the Projector Calibration Software using the same
JVC import procedure but selecting 'gamma' from the pull-down menu on the import/export screen.