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Measurement And Calibration Methodology: How We Test

AOC E1659FWU And GeChic On-Lap 1502I: Portable Monitors, To Go
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To measure and calibrate monitors, we use an i1Pro spectrophotometer and version 5.1.2 of SpectraCal’s CalMAN software.

For patterns, we employ an AccuPel DVG-5000 video signal generator. This approach removes video cards and drivers from the signal chain, allowing the display to receive true reference patterns. Connections are made via HDMI.

The AccuPel DVG-5000 is capable of generating all types of video signals at any resolution and refresh rate up to 1920x1080 at 60 Hz. It can also display motion patterns to evaluate a monitor's video processing capabilities, with 3D patterns available in every format. This allows us to measure color and grayscale performance, crosstalk, and ghosting in 3D content via the 3D glasses.

The i1Pro is placed at the center of the screen (unless we’re measuring uniformity) and sealed against it to block out any ambient light. The Accupel pattern generator (bottom left) is controlled via USB by CalMAN, which is running on the Dell XPS laptop on the right.

Our version of CalMAN Ultimate allows me to design all of the screens and workflows to best suit the purpose at hand. To that end, we’ve created a display review workflow from scratch. This way, we can be sure and collect all the necessary data with a concise and efficient set of measurements.

The charts show us the RGB levels, gamma response, and Delta E error for every brightness point from zero to 100 percent. The table shows us the raw data for each measurement. And the area in the upper-left tells us luminance, average gamma, Delta E, and contrast ratio. The individual charts can be copied to the Windows clipboard to easily create graphics for our reviews.

Every primary and secondary color is measured at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percent saturation. The color saturation level is simply the distance from the white point on the CIE chart. You can see the targets moving out from white in a straight line. The further a point is from center, the greater the saturation until you hit 100 percent at the edge of the gamut triangle. This shows us the display’s response at a cross-section of color points. Many monitors score well when only the 100 percent saturations are measured. Hitting the targets at the lower saturations is more difficult, and factors into our average Delta E value (which explains why our Delta E values are sometimes higher than those reported by other publications).

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  • 0 Hide
    g-unit1111 , January 2, 2014 12:58 AM
    Interesting, I'm interested in getting one of the USB displays but the resolution is keeping me from purchasing one. I'd like to see how the AOC monitor compares to the ones being offered from Asus, HP, Dell, and so on and so forth.
  • 0 Hide
    mathew7 , January 2, 2014 3:47 AM
    So....I am looking for a few years for a small (15" would be limit) portable VGA+HDMI monitor (as in not a bulky stand). I don't need FullHD resolution, but it should accept it.

    In a related note, I have been thinking about a laptop-styled monitor+keyboard (and maybe mouse/touchpad) but to be plugged into a desktop PC. You know...when you receive a PC case (or go to someone) and have to debug it. But again, 15" is already big (I'm using a 12.5" thinkpad when not at my gaming/workstation PC).
  • 0 Hide
    Amdlova , January 2, 2014 4:45 AM
    can connect to smart phone!???
  • 0 Hide
    ceberle , January 2, 2014 9:16 AM
    You can connect the On-Lap to a phone or tablet via its HDMI/MHL port. The AOC will only work via USB.

    -Christian-
  • 0 Hide
    Nicolai8086 , January 2, 2014 10:47 PM
    When can we expect a Miracast (or WiDi) version of these screens?
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 7:19 AM
    Two words:
    Able HD
    http://www.able-hd.com
    One of the most funded projects on kickstarter. These guys make portable monitors that are HD and really cheap. Unfortunately, they still have their flaws (the circuit board is exposed and not attached to the screen) but you cannot beat the price/performance.
  • 0 Hide
    Nicolai8086 , January 3, 2014 7:23 AM
    The weight is impressive, but i wouldn't call 17" portable.
  • 0 Hide
    g-unit1111 , January 3, 2014 10:00 AM
    Quote:
    Two words:
    Able HD
    http://www.able-hd.com
    One of the most funded projects on kickstarter. These guys make portable monitors that are HD and really cheap. Unfortunately, they still have their flaws (the circuit board is exposed and not attached to the screen) but you cannot beat the price/performance.


    I have to say after reading about these that I do want one. When my laptop's primary display is 1920 x 1080, why would I want to add a second monitor that's 1366 x 720?
  • 1 Hide
    egaskill , January 3, 2014 11:12 AM
    Portable display for Raspberry Pi?
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 12:15 PM
    Quote:
    I have to say after reading about these that I do want one. When my laptop's primary display is 1920 x 1080, why would I want to add a second monitor that's 1366 x 720?

    I'm sorry, I mistyped. The monitor is actually a FHD (1080p) display, and it comes in 15.6 and 17 inch screens. I hope this helps. I'm ordering mine soon to use with a LAN box.
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 12:15 PM
    Quote:
    I have to say after reading about these that I do want one. When my laptop's primary display is 1920 x 1080, why would I want to add a second monitor that's 1366 x 720?

    I'm sorry, I mistyped. The monitor is actually a FHD (1080p) display, and it comes in 15.6 and 17 inch screens. I hope this helps. I'm ordering mine soon to use with a LAN box.
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 12:16 PM
    I apologize for the double (now triple) post - toms hardware keeps reloading on me.
  • -1 Hide
    gondor , January 3, 2014 12:49 PM
    Too expensive (that damn thing costs more than a Nexus 5 with better specs ?!), too weak hardware (why go for Snapdragon 600 when 800 can easily fit into desktop form factor, given that it works just fine in mobile phones ?).

    Hopefully this thing has (micro)SD card support and unlocked bootloader. Wired networking support woudl be a big plus too.

    If folks at Acer come to their senses regarding the pricing and the SoC.and sort out the feature set they might just be able to start the new PC revolution IT analysts have been predicting for 2015(-ish), one without x86 and Microsoft's Windows. With Ubuntu working on their mobile touch-enabled OS I can see them clinching a piece of the pie too.
  • 0 Hide
    rwinches , January 4, 2014 2:01 AM
    1080p
    ASUS $219
    http://www.amazon.com/MB168B-15-6-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00H0FK2A6/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1388829044&sr=1-2&keywords=asus+usb+monitor
  • 0 Hide
    waynesjw , February 27, 2014 4:52 PM
    Quote:
    So....I am looking for a few years for a small (15" would be limit) portable VGA+HDMI monitor (as in not a bulky stand). I don't need FullHD resolution, but it should accept it.In a related note, I have been thinking about a laptop-styled monitor+keyboard (and maybe mouse/touchpad) but to be plugged into a desktop PC. You know...when you receive a PC case (or go to someone) and have to debug it. But again, 15" is already big (I'm using a 12.5" thinkpad when not at my gaming/workstation PC).
    Check out Gechic's other products on Amazon and www.Icitouchtech.com
  • 1 Hide
    waynesjw , February 27, 2014 4:53 PM
    Quote:
    Portable display for Raspberry Pi?
    Ya, Gechic 13.3" 1302 would be perfect for that. VGA or HDMI input
  • 1 Hide
    Viviian , March 20, 2014 3:13 PM
    found this amazon link helpfulhttp://www.amazon.com/Projected-Capacitive-Touchscreen-Compatible-thickness/dp/B00DS18ZTG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395338266&sr=8-2&keywords=gechic