Color Tint, labeled Hue on some TVs, basically controls the balance of Red, Green, and Blue in your TV’s picture. Following the instructions on your test disc, adjust the Tint control appropriately. Also, be aware that, just like the Brightness and Contrast controls, Color and Tint are to some degree dependent upon each other. After setting the Tint appropriately, you may want to go back and check the Color level just to be sure. Once you’re satisfied, you’re ready for one final step in color calibration: do you like what you see?
Just like Sharpness, color levels are to some extent largely a matter of taste. Before you call your TV calibration complete, use the scenes provided on your test disc, or a favorite DVD, to double-check your color and hue settings. Of course you’ll want to use a scene where you know beforehand what the colors should look like! Find a standard color you know, like a US Flag or your favorite sports team’s uniform, and fine-tune the Color and Tint settings until it looks “right” to your eye. The ultimate test for color saturation and tint is flesh tones. Complexions vary widely of course, but if everyone looks badly sunburned, or more Martian than human, back off the Color control and/or tweak the Tint accordingly.
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET
You might say the main consideration in TV calibration is found in the Black Level and White Level adjustments: setting these properly will make sure you get everything you paid for out of the contrast of your TV, while possibly improving its lifespan by not overdriving it’s pixels or lamps. In terms of pure accuracy, adjusting the color levels and sharpness as recommended will make sure that what you see on your screen is what the move director intended you to see. Of course, surrounding room light conditions will determine a lot about how the LCD looks, and when all is said and done, it’s your TV, and you can watch it how you like it. Think the picture’s too “soft”? Bump up the Sharpness a bit. Not enough detail in dark scenes, Turn up the Brightness. And if you want green, green grass–even at Lambeau Field in mid November–then by all means, crank up that Sports mode and go crazy with the Color control–just don’t be shocked when your friends ask “What’s wrong with your TV?”
