PHOTOGRAPHERS ... BEWARE WHEN USING HDMI to connect your Monitor / Display 😳

This advice may be unintentionally misleading. HDMI is fine and even desirable, but you do have to ensure that your monitor is set to expect a full range input, and your computer’s graphics card is also set to output full range. Because HDMI is also used for movies and videos on TV’s and your computer knows it’s connected via HDMI, its graphics card may be set to Limited range by default if you haven’t changed it. The HDMI cable itself has nothing to do with it… it just carries what the computer sends.

[@stefanschroder4329]

I found the same informatons in the web. I also checked my devices and everything was/is correct. Anyway I didn't know this bevore a good video.

[@automate7300]

That's absolutely correct. HDMI has nothing to do with it. You can still have displayport connected and outputing limited range from the graphics card, or the monitor is set to limited range. Many people intentionally using limited range and calibrating to limited range to conform to broadcast standards.

[@TheSkyistheLimit_SITL]

@@automate7300 This is actually true.

[@photoeducationbydaniel]

And all of this is set by default for 99% of systems which is why we don’t hear about this color difference purported by this video. It’s also automatically detected on 99% and set accordingly

[@glyndewis]

How do you change the settings in an Apple M1 GPU Integrated Graphics card ?

[@lecafeaudiophile]

The origin of 16-235 come from the time where we are using Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). Clipping at 16 IRE was a trick to mask (cover) the retrace beam Clipping at 235 IRE was a trick to avoid buzzing in the analog audio. That limitation was useful long time ago when the image science was not digital.

[@uis246]

There is no such thing as "limited range" in HDMI specs. HDMI always carries RGB888 data in 8b10b(TMDS) encoding.

[@obiwanceleri]

Another thing to consider. A few years ago Linus Tech Tips bought a cable testing machine. You'd be surprised the amount of shady cables there is out there! So not only is there an issue with the input range but the cable itself might not be good. My suggestion is go for a well know brand and / or run away from cheap cables. Oh by the way that cable testing machine was a few thousand dollars so chances are you can't really test your cables. In any case, thanks for the headsup!

[@dmn5384]

This is the correct answer. When our lab got rid of BenQ monitors the majority of our display issues went away. I'll listen to this guy when they can figure out how to make their monitors with components that live beyond 60 hours. There is literally zero within a cable that will limit a signal. It would have to purely come down to quality of material degrading the signal. Their guest is trying to claim that that is creating a defamation of the image quality. So my question is, how did the cable, if it's just a series of wires, alter the digital signal? His description of how he tested the two cables wasn't even remotely scientific. He just swap between two different types and didn't swap between different manufacturers. So so this whole video was a giant exercise in misinformation. But I bet he's earning some money off of it so I doubt he'll take it down after the top comment already flushed his entire video down the toilet.

[@Deathrape2001]

Cheap vs 'popular brand' has nothing 2 do with quality U stupid robot.

[@mikakorhonen5715]

@@dmn5384 "Just series of wires." My brother had problem with new monitor. It went randomly to black for few seconds and then image came back. I Googled problem, brother bought quality cable and it fixed problem. DisplayPort-cable has high frequency signal and if monitor and graphics card can't communicate clearly, then GPU will stop sending signal.

[@GetOffMyyLawn]

If you have an Nvidia graphics card you can change this setting in the Nvidia Control Panel under Display - Change Resolution - Output Dynamic Range, and set it to "Full"

[@glyndewis]

Thank you mate ... yeah I've lesrned this from some other comments so it's grest to see this. However, I'm Mac and don't have that option with the M2 and I think for someone that doesn't know how to or is able then simply using a different cable is the best option. cheers

[@GetOffMyyLawn]

@@glyndewis Makes sense... either way your video prompted me to find the setting and turn it on, so thanks for the video!

[@uis246]

​@@glyndewis mac is so "professional" for photo editing, that it does not allow to disable colir clamping in drivers.

[@geminijinxies7258]

Nvidia have had it set to limited range in their drivers since 2007 or so. I still wonder why when in most of the cases a PC is connected to a monitor and not a TV. Full range should be default.

[@manISnoGOD]

Tu bru great advice

[@glyndewis]

***PLEASE NOTE: It is HDMI settings that this is referring to and NOT the cable. Some systems permit you to go into the Graphics Driver and change settings to Full Range. Mac does not have this ability so for that and for people unable or don’t know how , using a different input / connection from computer to display such as USB-C is best. Delta E of 2 or less when validating a calibrating would suggest Full Range is being used.

[@khealer]

This comment should be pinned!

[@gunsort3242]

What your guest said is a little bit incorrect. 16 - 235 is not cut off or limited range. It's known in the business as Video range, Head range, or SMPTE range (named for the standards body that created it) which was a way of sending a compressed analog signal (64-940, 10 bit) over the transmitter which would be uncompressed in the television. In the digital age we still hold onto SMPTE range and interlace signals as well as 29.97 and 23.976 for audio even though today's TVs are progressive scan and there is no color subcarrier to create a time problem for a 60hz system. The cable has nothing to do with whether your signal is SMPTE or computer Full range (0-1023 10 bit). You just have to know what mode you're working in for the monitor calibration to be correct. Computer screens are usually sRGB which is Rec709 color space, the same as ATSC HD. That said, if you want to manipulate your images it is probably best to capture raw and move the images from your camera onto your computer and import the raw files into your photo application. Raw has greater color depth than your monitor is capable of portraying. If you're making prints you may want to work in CMYK so that you're sure what you're printing in terms of color.

[@Miner332]

Nope. Most printers accept Adobe RGB because they feature more than just the standard CMYK inks, eg green, red, light, and/or light light blacks, and many other combinations. The printer will make the conversion to its own colour space by its self. Especially for higher end 5-12 ink systems

[@rogermanning4353]

Who knew? Found the setting on my monitor to reproduce colors values at 0-255, recalibrated, and the result is like night and day. The colors and tones display significantly better. Thanks Glyn!!!

[@davidfrisken1617]

No good for photography or modern 10bit video, though.

[@glyndewis]

@@davidfrisken1617 Intrigued as to why using the full range 0-255 wouldn't be good for photography. Forget the video as this video was about 'photography' hence the title

[@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198]

0~255 (256) is only 8 bits. 10 bit has 4x more values (2^10=10124) and thus way more color accuracy. Now you can stretch your dynamic range without losing color precision.

[@fffmpeg]

​@@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198 not accuracy, just precision. 8-bit is enough for sdr content and photo printing (it's not hard to beat the dynamic range of paper)

[@sfalpha]

Actually its depends on what color mode you Video Cards send to your display. And it work the same way on both HDMI and DisplayPort. Just make sure both monitors and video cards are set to the same Full Range RGB with 4:4:4.

[@thetinmansheart]

That sounds much more real😁 thank you

[@StargliderGaming]

Absolutely correct. HDMI does not limit RGB in any way at all.

[@w.k4332]

I would say if you are not a techy person and want to have a simple input -output no error result, then DP or usb-c cable is the simpler solution for you…

[@glyndewis]

@@w.k4332 Thank you

[@glyndewis]

So you do this on an M1 / M2 Mac with an integrated Graphics Card by .... ?

[@MikkoRantalainen]

TL;DR: if you use HDMI cable you have to *verify that both source and the display are configured to use full range.* Due historical reasons, TV sets used limited range (the full range values were used for signal syncronization because TV sets didn't have dedicated wiring for hsync and vsync similar to computer monitors). And in the distant past of HDMI signal somebody had stupid idea to implement this limited range in digital domain. Note that *DisplayPort also supports limited range* so you should verify that setting even if you use DisplayPort. And the same applies to USB-C, too! Luckily the *default* setting is typically full range for DisplayPort and USB-C but you shouldn't assume that if you want correct colors. If you have both source and display set to limited range, your 8 bits per color panel turns roughly into 7.5 bits per color panel. Not terrible but not great either. If you mix the setting, you either get washed out colors or crushed blacks and whites.

[@clarkie6454]

ok, before people go and buy another cable, after reading the comments and doing a bit of research it turns out there is nothing wrong with HDMI just be sure to go into your graphics card settings and make sure it is set to FULL RGB and not limited .

[@glyndewis]

Great but can you just tell me how I change this setting on an Apple M1 GPU Integrated graphics Card???

[@clarkie6454]

@@glyndewis haven't got a clue, I'm sure you didn't mean the video to be misleading, I love watching your videos, I don't think you stated in the video it was just for mac's? When I watched it I thought I might have to buy a different cable until I spent a bit if time researching and when I checked my gou it was already set to full rgb.

[@lavapix]

Somehow 5+ years ago and with prior Samsung monitors, I got my current Samsung monitor to perfectly match my prints. When I recently needed a new PC I opted for my first Mac and it allowed for those monitor settings so everything is still spot on. It's a Studio Max. The current and previous are HDMI connections. When I upgrade to a 32" 4k monitor I might stay with Samsung to be sure everything stays as is. I shoot and print everything Adobe98. I calibrated by eye and no devices.

[@DesignGuyCA]

Wow. I figured this for a belated April Fool and watched with a fading grin as the logic soaked in to me. Then I went into my graphics card driver settings. And guess what I found? Yep. Limited range. I switched it to full. Long story short... That annoying color cast I've been scratching my head over has gone. I could be psychosomatically imagining the improvement, but it's now crisp and clear in a way it never was. I now have the full depth of shadow and highlights that I should. And for that, I will be forever grateful. I'm a convert, I saw this with my own eyes. Thank you!

[@ogdiscgolfer]

Thanks buddy for taking time to let people know about this issue... now sit back and enjoy all the specific questions and troubleshooting that folks are going to ask you in response. I personally am going to need you to come to my house and set up my monitor for me... :D

[@automate7300]

I think this video has many misconceptions, and I am really surprised to see a VP from ICC supporting this. HDMI as an interface (and the relevant cables) is perfectly capable carrying full range signal, as well above this, such as 10bit HDR. I can’t post links, but feel free to refer to the HDMI specification. There is nothing wrong with connecting through HDMI. There are two things that might be wrong, and both are user errors. The first is that your monitor is clipping the range to limited. Many monitors have the option for limited range in their settings, to conform to broadcast standards. Believe it or not there are people in the industry (video) which are having monitors calibrated to that range to conform with the standards in their broadcasting facility. That’s perfectly fine, and they know what they are doing. A user however that are not familiar with that concept might have the monitor on limited range which will produce unpredictable results (especially if you try to calibrate to full range). nVidia drivers There was a time in the past that Nvidia Drivers were defaulting to limited range, around 2019. Not sure why, it was really stupid. It’s not a problem anymore (at least I haven't encountered any issues these days). You can check what your Nvidia driver is outputting if you go to the Nvidia Control Panel -> Display -> Change Resolution -> Use Default Colour Settings, where Output Resolution is defaulting to full range. If not change it to full range if that’s what you desire. Now, as you can see two different things might be wrong, the monitor and/or your graphics card, so it has nothing to do with the connection (HDMI). You can still have displayport connected, and your driver can output limited range. Please don’t put information out there that is inaccurate. ICC also should try to focus and fix the issues on operating systems with ICC profiles. What a mess. No joke that people are calibrating by uploading native LUTs on monitors, which don’t work for photographers that want to embrace a screen to print workflow.

[@marshalmercer594]

I have several quibbles with what your guest claimed. If an HDMI cable has sufficient bandwidth to pass the intended signal, what is seen by your your monitor is a function of what was sent to it from the source (graphics card, stream, etc.), plus any EDID information at the sink (monitor/TV). One could use USB-C or Displpay Port cables instead, but neither influences the quality of the signal in any way. Again: assuming that the cable can pass sufficient signal bandwidth. Also, what your video monitor displays has nothing to do with the quality of your image at the printer end. Send a RGB-High, RGB-Low, or YCbCr signal to your monitor. That does not matter to your printer. Your source's application software, and your printer driver and printer firmware decide what is printed and how.

[@glyndewis]

Exactly what has been answered many times in replies and comments already. It’s the settings not the cable. If your monitor isn’t displaying colour correctly then it DOES influence what is printed because what YOU see affects how you edit, so your point there is completely wrong.

[@connymathias282]

If I understand your above answer correct, maybe you will edit the videos title?

[@marshalmercer594]

@@glyndewis You seem unconvinced about your guest's misconceptions. Think about your system. Does your printer use the same technology to form its images as does your monitor? If not, there is a lot of room for mismatch. What you see is not necessarily what you get. Making edits? More errors will be included. We tried to get around this issue in the 1980s with Postscript and Display Postscript, but the CPUs were too slow to complete the work-flow in real time.

[@johnwaldmann5222]

As long as your display is using the same data rate settings as your creative software is expecting to deliver to its all good. 8 bit/10 bit; Data/Video; full/limited. It is the mismatch in profile that is the issue. The cable is just one component that must align. Hdmi is equally capable of being used as any other cable to deliver correct colour - if the software in the display agrees with that on your computer. All you need to do is check your settings. The software you use and the context you work in determines which are the correct settings to use.

[@glyndewis]

Yep … not saying it’s the cable … it’s the settings as per my pinned comment

[@ultraprimez]

Absolutely right.

[@stephenscheffler6761]

based on this presentation I switched my BenQ PD2700 monitor connection from the HDMI port to Display Port and to the USB-C port on the CPU (M1 MacMini). A huge improvement. Thanks!

[@glyndewis]

Fantastic to hear this! 👍🏻

[@DJaquithFL]

HDMI 2.1 has a color depth of 12 bit or as DisplayPort 1.4 is limited to 10 bit, not to mention HDMI 2.1 has considerably more bandwidth.

[@glyndewis]

That’s all very interesting but if the settings (default) are limited then they need to be changed … like many in the comments have discovered

[@DJaquithFL]

@@glyndewis .. I would hope anyone who's either into a hobby or certainly a professional would know to change a simple setting.

[@TonyRush]

I wanted to chime in to offer a related concern about BenQ connectivity: if you're using a Mac, the BenQ monitor has a serious issue with flickering. In fact "flickering", is not the right word (although it's the one BenQ uses). "Flickering" because that implies that the image strength is fluctuating. The actual problem is that the screen image actually goes entirely black for 1-2 seconds before re-appearing. And it's sporadic. Some days it won't do it at all. Other days, it's done it a dozen times in 5 minutes. (It's done it twice while typing this message.) The office BenQ response is that you need to use USB-C (which I was already doing) and to change from the BenQ driver to generic color LCD. (Which, in my mind, somewhat defeats the purpose of having bought a BenQ monitor in the first place.). So far, BenQ has been VERY responsive and I think they're eager to resolve the issue. But, I've been going back and forth with them for about a month and, so far, nothing has worked to solve the problem. Their official webpage documenting the issue is here: www.benq.com/en-us/knowledge-center/knowledge/how-to-fix-mac-m1-m2-external-monitor-flicker.html It's not my desire to criticize BenQ. But, since we're talking about BenQ connectivity, I thought it was worth sharing with the community that the USB-C connection appears to also be problematic for Mac users. :(. Hopefully they'll get it sorted soon.

[@docchocobo]

Few people even remember the DVI cable connection in the back of some monitors. This is a true digital interface and also sends trucolor to the monitor in a much better form than simple VGA or HDMI it used to be that some video cards wouldn't let you run certain video modes unless you had a DVI cable

[@Deathrape2001]

HDMI & 'Display Port' & DVI & even VGA can all look about identical (VGA being slightly to a lot fuzzy & ghosty, depending on cable quality) & it's just about the settings, like the 'luma cutoffs' & the 'bit depth', which has nothing 2 do with the connection(s) but the $upport of the $ystem. If something looks 'wrong' U can ADJUST it = fux sake. U can even tweak the gamma curve in software 4 free.

[@uis246]

Actually HDMI is copy of DVI that was paywalled by patent trolls. And also there is no such thing as "limited range" in both DVI and HDMI specs. DVI always carries RGB888 data in 8b10b(TMDS) encoding.

[@TwistedRealm]

I've been using Dell premiercolour (UP-Q series) monitors for over a decade, and have always use displayport due to the limitations of legacy HDMI revisions (bandwith, resolution, colour space/bpc etc.) - So I guess I dodged this bullet too, because I've always had good quality DP cables and purchased motherboards with DP as standard when building new PC's. Great informative video, thank you! And as another commenter said: I too also switch to 10-bit colour (in Nvidia app) for my DP connection. Found under Display>Change Resolution> Use Nvidia Colour Settings >In the Nvidia settings app.

[@glyndewis]

I guess thats great if you have an NVidia card but Apple M1 GPU Integrared Graphics card ??? 🤔

[@dutchaus5813]

@Twisted, you’re exactly right. ATI and Nvidia both make reasonably priced “workstation” cards that have display port output. If you are serious about colour of your monitor and being able to calibrate correctly 10 bit per colour channel, display port is the only way. Thankfully Nvidia with their RTX series cards now give you the option of either gaming or studio drivers(for 10bit output) at good pricing. I’ve had a NEC PA271w wide gamut monitor for years and now a 4K Dell studio monitor with built in calibrator. The gold star for photography editing monitors has always been Eizo, but kudos for Benq now making monitors for photographers. Checked Apple, their current displays don’t have/support Adobe RGB colour space? As for why not? Especially if you want a colour calibrated workflow PC is the way to go.

[@Zizos]

It took me years to find this out to the point that when I went full range it was hard for me to adjust, as in limited mode it seemed easier to the eyes. Nowadays I find a lot of desktops users having no idea and sitting with limited range for all their life.

[@glyndewis]

👍🏻

[@photoshoott2022]

Great video and great advice. I actually have been using my new very high definition monitor with HDMI thinking that the trade of is not that big of a deal, until I saw this video. Great explanation and makes sense. Just ordered a display cable and can't wait to see the difference. thank you for a valuable information and details on how and why it is important to use the proper cable for colors.

[@MarkAstamnn]

Wow! Thanks for letting us know Glyn.

[@glyndewis]

No worries Mark. If you're able to dive into graphics card settings you 'may' be able to change to full range as you can with some (NVIDIA) but Mac isn't possible. Either way, USB-C doesn't need any settings changing 👍🏻 Hope you're keeping well out there.

[@carrapice]

If the graphics card outputs 16-235 and the monitor expects 0-255 you will know, the colours will look washed out. Pretty simple to change this on windows, don`t know about mac. Anyway in windows it detects if it is an monitor or tv and this setting is set right by default, at lesat with amd/nvidia cards, i have both.

[@glyndewis]

Mac its not possbile and with regards to nvidia, there are many comments form people sayijng they have now gone in and changed the settings ... so didn't happen by default

[@carrapice]

​@@glyndewis Well, in my experience it always happened, anyway i think people wich calibrate their monitors should know about the full/limited story it`s kinda one of the very "basic" and important knowledges in my opinion, or maybe it`s just me with my editing/playing video history. Regards.

[@alkrevit4755]

Reading some other comments I went to my nvidia control panel and discovered I needed to change to full range so I recalibrated and got even better delta readings 0f .75 delta. I think my success with passing before is that my hdmi connection is 2.1 , not 2.0 which might of helped make it work. Oh well, it was time to recal anyway. Those who have geforce nvidia cards should check their nvidia control panel to see what their current settings are.

[@glyndewis]

Thanks for that Al

[@Deathrape2001]

He's just another spammer a-hole fishing for clicks by spreading lies, like the cable has anything to do with how you can tweak your monitor settings. U can make any 'interface' look like any other by changing the settings.

[@yudda4282]

Thank you Glyn...Just changed full range 0-255 on my desktop Invidia driver control.

[@glyndewis]

Great

[@rolithesecond]

Found out about this years ago and set it to full range since then.

[@Vizeroy9]

One important point: when owning a Nvidia GPU, they are always set to limited colour range over hdmi. You have to change it manually. Doesn't happen on AMD and Intel

[@glyndewis]

Thank you for that 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kristijanignjatovski4415]

Hi Glyn,just to ask,where is that benq software.i found brand new benq(think 271 or 270,waiting delivery)so soon would like to calbrate it.ty

[@glyndewis]

Here you go; try this link on BenQ website www.benq.eu/en-uk/support/downloads-faq/products/monitor/palette-master-element/software-driver.html

[@DenebCatalan]

Great vid! The title of the vid kinda freaked me out a few days ago since my graphics card was connected to HDMI. Recently (ok, last night lol), I've calibrated my two monitors using the ColorRite i1 Profiler Pro, and they both achieved a rating of 2 & 5 ΔE after validation. Check! These monitors are not as high-spec as the BENQ, and they only offer HDMI and VGA connectors. To connect them to my graphics card, I'm using a high-quality Thunderbolt to HDMI cable. Surprisingly, the monitors appear to be color accurate on screen. So, I was thinking- uh...okay.... But after watching this the second time, I missed a little detail on HDMI settings, and I realize my HDMI settings was set to FULL already!! WHEW!!!! Being a headshot photographer, I'm constantly concerned about the quality of color output when my work is printed for my clients.

[@Vivek_Z]

My 27-inch FHD monitor doesn't have a DP port, only an HDMI port. But my graphics card (GTX 1650) has a DP port. So will using a DP to HDMI cable still produce the same colour results as a DP to DP port/setup? I found many of these DP (source) to HDMI (output) cables on Amazon. Will buying one benefit me?

[@glyndewis]

If you can chnage the settings on the graphics card to full range them no need to change the connection. See the pinned comment at the very top.

I'm using a Display Port cable for my Benq monitor... but it was just a matter of chance: it was the first cable I picked! 😜

I’m the current maintainer of DisplayCAL (an OpenSource display profiling system) and DisplayCAL detects Full vs limited range and does its thing accordingly and if you are into colour calibration you generally know about these things. I don’t think it is a good suggestion to not to use HDMI just over that.

[@glyndewis]

I do and never heard of displaycal

[@flipphotography]

I looked up DisplayCAL and it looks like it hasn't been updated since 2019 - is that not true?

[@QuicksilverSG]

DisplayCAL is a well-known cross-platform alternative (based on ArgyllCMS) to proprietary commercial display calibrators. It supports a wide range of devices, monitors, and operating systems. DisplayCAL has been relied on for many years by enthusiasts, installers, and developers of custom color calibration software.

[@flipphotography]

@@QuicksilverSG So it isn't true, it has been updated?

[@richardpalmanteer9798]

I found the information informative I have my Dell P2412HB monitor connected with a Display Port on one end connected to the computer and the other connected to the DVI-D port on the monitor. The cable is Display Port to DVI-D. Not sure how much difference this makes never calibrated the monitor. My camera is a Canon EOS Rebel T5 1200D. I use the software that came with the camera on disks provided by Cannon. Upgraded to Digital Photo Professional Ver 4, and Picture Style Editor.

[@dungbeetle.]

You can still use HDMI, just make sure that your graphics card is set to output full range. It's a switchable setting in the card's graphics settings.

[@glyndewis]

Yeah that’s been mentioned. Can’t be done in mac though so alternative connection

[@dungbeetle.]

@@glyndewis Wow. That's surprising as Macs are renowned for their graphic abilities. :(

[@crestofhonor2349]

@@dungbeetle. apple likes to make display stuff difficult

[@mikakorhonen5715]

@@crestofhonor2349 Apple wants to make money and simple people bring easiest money.

[@tomaskonvicka4135]

That's interesting. I don't understand why Blackmagic's Decklink professional color grading card uses HDMI.

[@XxalexisjndxX]

I have a question. In the Nvidia control panel options, when connected through an HDMI cable, there is an option called "dynamic range" which, according to the description, has a range of 0-255. My question is, isn't that option the equivalent of connecting a DisplayPort or USB-C cable?

[@Sonnell]

I am pretty sure it is. The advice in this video is misleading, you can just set it to full range.

[@crestofhonor2349]

Just set to full range and then see if you can also change the bit depth from 8 bit to something like 10 or 12 bit color to reduce banding as well

[@HattoriZero]

Yes, this is not public knowledge as I only noticed this when playing the PS4 game HUE on my monitor where the in game purple colour is very thin & light, but using that same monitor to watch KZbin HUE game playthrough capture shows actual deep purples which is unexpected. Further investigations shows I need to set the RGB to "Full" instead of the default "Limited" on both my monitor & PS4 settings to fix this.

[@ccjmusic]

The message in this video is a good one, and I only stumbled across it out of curiosity thinking it was about a direct connection from the camera to the monitor. The title doesn't imply it is the computer to monitor connection. By specifically aiming it at photographers in the title I didn't get the computer to monitor connection at all until I watched the video.

[@chris24hdez]

I’ve had the problem with calibration causing a green tint. I wonder if this was why.

[@jimmydandy9364]

I agree with some comments, the video is misleading - it's perfectly fine to use HDMI I have done video editing and photo projects that required high accuracy and never had ANY issues at all. From my understanding limited range is used for video, as video is recorded as such, and full range for computer graphics and images. On the monitor I use I can select between both full and limited, and can even do so directly from the NVIDIA drivers. You might have to switch between modes as watching videos on full range is not desirable either, so perfectly fine to use HDMI, it's just that you want to be in the right mode to calibrate your colours this was equivalent to IRE 0 vs. IRE 7.5 in the analog days.

[@glyndewis]

This has all been said / replied to before

[@PeterNagyczar]

I worked in a monitor service for years. I don't want to rate the video, I'd rather ask. Is it possible to carry more bits than 8 on the HDMI cable? Is it conceivable that there is an HDMI standard that does not have reduced bandwidth as a default? Is it conceivable that the device communicates the displayable bandwidth with the display from the first moment? I note that there is also 8k HDR 120Hz (16bit/channel, 48bit) via an HDMI connector... HDMI2.1 127.75Gbit/s with DSC (Display Stream Compression)

[@brunogm]

Windows OS content is always limited it could be in a full range container BUT then raise blacks appear issue that could be chained so content like games can be "double" limited;

[@stevedixon921]

Most video drivers have a utility (NVidia and AMD for example) to let you check and change the color mode for HDMI output between full and limited. Limited is often used when you connect to a TV type display. You may have to check your displays onboard settings as well to ensure it is also set to allow full color range as an input. I have yet to use an HDMI monitor on a computer and get limited range, but I suppose it is possible, thus YOU should check before calibration. If you know you need to calibrate your display's color profile, you cannot avoid doing the required research.

[@glyndewis]

This has already been said many times and is in the pinned comment 🤷‍♂️

[@LeeMaiden]

I changed to a fiber optic HDMI cable and the change was brilliant.

[@crestofhonor2349]

It shouldn’t matter what cables you have considering this is a digital signal not analog. Quality still matters but digital either displays an image or it doesn’t while analog can be anywhere in between. Just make sure you set your stuff to 4:4:4 or RGB

[@b991228]

When you are relying on presenting your work online it is a hopeless endeavor. Your monitor may be perfectly calibrated but for the perspective customer what they see is in all probability limited by their monitor and the presentation of the online site. The solution to this problem is by your controlling the calibration and printing of your work. Give you work a chance to be adequately admired by presenting it as a your printed image or at the very least your printed portfolio.

[@InfoCodex]

You always come with invaluable content. Thanks a bunch

[@AlexandreRacine]

I have a BenQ (GW2765), and I can connect HDMI or DisplayPort. But the thing is... HDMI is 8 bits colors, and DisplayPort is 10 bits colors. For photography and video, on that monitor, it's connected in DP, so RTFM ;) Edit : Also, confirm those values with your video driver software to confirm. ie Nvidia control pannel or others.

[@izoyt]

i'm pretty sure, you don't have true 10bit monitor anyway. yet alone drivers and software, working in 10bit.

[@jabezhane]

@@izoyt Yeah 99% of people dont have a 10bit monitor anyway. Those that do, most will be probably 8bit with dithering. Using a laptop? May well be stuck with 6bit or 6bit with dithering to give fake 8bit. It's like people listening to hi-res audio and their speakers only go up to 22kHz.

[@izoyt]

@@jabezhane yep

[@asheeshkchopra]

Very useful information and crispy put. Thank you! However, I would love to know how to ascertain if am HDMI is Full or Restricted one?

[@glyndewis]

It's not the cable ... its the settings. If you are able to dive in and change them in the graphics card then great but if not (like many and expecially Mac) then alternative input like USB-C is advised.

[@asheeshkchopra]

@@glyndewis thanks for your response but then my MacBook doesn’t have a USB-C as it is an older model.

[@FlugeTryne]

Really weird that he did not mention HDMI 2.1 that support 8k 60Hz Full range RGB. All GPU's from 2020 have it, Rtx 30XX etc, and ofc the monitor/TV must have a 2.1 port to. Most TV's also have a PC mode where picture enhancers are turned of. And refresh rate is also a huge factor combined with the resolution, so if the GPU that you have is HDMI 2.0 lower the refresh rate. Not sure if refresh rate is something that is important for photo editing.

[@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198]

refresh rate of a monitor is only important for gaming and scientific purposes in which moving images must be analysed with detail and accuracy while being live. For normal video (24; 25; 30 or 60 fps) a 60 Hz display is sufficient. Some will argue the fall-off of the single frame is more prevalent in 60 than in 120 Hz, and 120 is of course 5x 24, so it matches better to the old film frame rate of 24 fps.

[@FlugeTryne]

@@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198 i agree with everything here. Ill also edit my self because Hdmi 2.1 support 8K 60Hz, so u can probably do 4k 240Hz and get full range RGB. The introduction of variable refreshrate (VRR) have made fps drops almost not noticeable, but G-sync is the best if u can afford a monitor that support it (not to be confused with G-sync compatible that most gaming tv:s and montiors have, but its alot better than V-Sync) The thing i wanted to point out was that to get the full RGB color range and not YCbCr4:2:0 in 4K with a Hdmi 2.0b , u can drop the refreshrate to 30hz, i was not sure if my tip would be a good one for photo editing if refreshrate impact anything (and photos are still image so my guess its not).

[@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198]

@@FlugeTryne I thought the choice is either RGB or YCbCr, no combination possible. HDMI is RGB. correct me if I'm wrong

[@FlugeTryne]

@@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198 you have YCbCr4:4:4, 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 color formats But the downside is that u have limited range and not full dynamic range. For most people this is not something they care about. They buy something, turn it on and will not enter the setting menu to change the picture setting from standard or anything else. Funny thing is im color blind, red/green. but picture quality and optimizing my viewing and gaming experience is top priority. edit: it may be that i just assume people understand that when i say full range RGB, its a combination of color format an dynamic range. so yes you cant have both rgb and ycbcr

[@zapa1pnt]

Glyn, I know this is a silly and off topic point but I have to say, Thank You, for pronouncing Consortium as con-sor-ti-um. Here in the US, all I ever hear is "con-sor-shum". Back in elementary school ('57 to '65), I learned to read and speak English, not whatever "con-sor-shum" is. These days, you hear "con-sor-shum", even in high level "professional" circles. Personally, I think their language skills are Tiit. 😁✌🖖

[@mark1658]

Great advice. Thank you 👍🏾

[@Thomas-es5nn]

How about the internal connection by which the screen is connected to the motherboard in a laptop or all-in-one computer?

[@jaimee.campuzanot.2702]

Glyn, this is a problem with all monitors and printers, thanks for sharing.

[@CompleteMisc]

So presumably there would be a way to change the default output from limited to Full? If so, how is this accomplished?

[@maciejmizgalski6112]

Does event "high bandwith HDMI" (4k@60hz) are still "mid range"? Otherwords - does HDMI is just mid-range as a default "because-this-is-how-it-is"?

[@manISnoGOD]

Great information great advice tanks

[@jkennan]

I use display port for my windows machine to my BENQ 271 but recently got a Mac and tried to connect it with usbC. However, it didn’t work despite trying more than one cable so had to resort to HDMI.

[@amitdutta8768]

This is awesome. Thanks Glyn and Chris for the excellent tip shared.

[@wds525]

This was so interesting. I'm having a lot of trouble with color match between my photos on Lightroom/Photoshop 2023 and how they look so different on my Huawei in Instagram. Same color profiles. Even the brightness is quite dark. It drives me insane. I have to edit in LR/PS, send to phone and then adjust them again in Snapseed before publishing them. Oh, my nervous system. Thank you for this video. Regards from Portugal.

[@connymathias282]

Adding to all the comments: if there is an issue with limited range instead of full range, and Benq knows about the issues appearing ... why doesnt Benq only allow full range? The signal format between a graphics card and a monitor is negotiated as soon as a connection is made. Via EDID. Why does Benq allow limited? This only makes sense for cheap tv monitors. A monitor for photo editing should ask the graphics card for: At least 10 bit color depth. 4:4:4 color sampling. Only full allowed. No limited. RGB only, no YUV / YCrCb. Blaming this on HDMI is a big mistake. And btw. recommending USB as a replacement is a big mistake, as USB sources tend to color subsampling to save bandwidth. It is ok to point out the issues a reduced bandwidth can have, but it is a bandwidth and video format issue. Not a what cable to use issue. Imho, this video can be a starter for a whole set of videos, explaining color depth, color space, bandwith, 8bit vs. 10bit vs 12bit and much more. Many of the buzzwords are just thrown in marketing speech at the customers (not blaming Benq for this, blaming all manufacturers) to get them buy their product. Without knowing how to adjust your tool correctly, you may spend a lot of money on hardware without any benefit.

[@glyndewis]

Some folks have use for limited range so why make a display only accept one? That would be the wrong thing to do.

[@paulstubbs7678]

I have had issues where I've sent images from a computer to a TV over HDMI, and the TV seemed to be overloaded by the computer, as in the contrast was over the top, loosing the darks and brighter parts of the picture, tuning the lower levels into solid black, and the upper levels into blown out white. This kind of explains it, the computer was outputting full range, but the TV was expecting limited and could not handle the extra range. Now how do I fix this. I did look for settings, but didn't get very far. This almost sounds like a carry on from the early composite video analogue TV days, where the actual transmitted signal range was greater than what the actual image used, the signal would go beyond black for sync pulses, and you didn't want to go all the way for white either as that equated to zero RF power in the Vestigial Sideband Modulation (VSB) as the TV receiver is now just looking at noise. Now if you scale all of this into a zero to 255, 8 bit data range, the actual pictures takes on only a limited range. With my troubles, I kind of figures something like 'signal range' was beyond the TV, with analogue, VGA etc, one can attenuate the signal levels and get it into bounds, but digital HDMI, the is much much harder, you need a pile of electronics to take in the digital values and rescale everything, yuk. In my case I just ditched HDMI and used good old VGA, that luckily both supported.

[@crestofhonor2349]

HDMIshould look identical to DisplayPort assuming it’s set correctly

[@AndreDukes-dx8yy]

Awesome information Glyn and Dr. Chris thank you!

[@suzannemathia142]

Finaly!!! I've been saying this for ages! No one believes me

[@rolandvanbeurden]

Hi Glyn, probably not the best way to present this issue (if there's a failing). As I understand from your talk that HDMI can be good but not always. Can you enlighten us in what situation HDMI is not performing correct and how to check this?

[@glyndewis]

Hi Roland ... if you are using HDMI and you have the option to alter settings in your graphics card then to set this to full range is the way to go. If (like me) you are unable to dive into the settings then using another input such as USB-C will work great. Hope this helps.

[@heezdeadjim]

I feel this is a really old video. Maybe when HDMI 1.0 came out it couldn't handle the full color, but I figured out that full and limited setting when my roommate got a PS3 and was using it on my "future ready" Toshiba Regza LCD. What I mean by future ready is while it was 1080p at he time, it could do "deep color" and could accept 10 and 12-bit color depths. Setting the PS3 to full gave an immediate difference with the dashboard having deeper blacks and brighter whites. Games looks amazing in Full and slightly washed out in limited. I found out the Xbox Series X could output 12-bit but honestly, I couldn't tell between 10_bit and 12-bit on games. Maybe my TV could accept the 12 but not enough colors to actually show it from a 10-bit pallete. As for PC, I've never had to change my output viamHDMI to full because nVidia always had it to full out ofmthe box. I think more and more devices are becoming autonomous for higher bit depth being the default even such as phones with HDR capabilities and 120hz refresh rates.

[@glyndewis]

Disagree. In comments there are MANY people with NVIDIA cards that have now dived in and cnaged to full range ... meaning it wasn't set to full by default. Also, no way to change settings in Mac so different inut (USB-C) solves the issue.

[@heezdeadjim]

@@glyndewis I don't know,what to tell you on the Nvidia side. As for Mac not being able to change the settings at all, I sorta don't believe it and I do believe it. There's usually always a "Mac version" of how to change settings in the OS. However, since Mac has also been soldering RAM into their laptops and desktops where before you could upgrade these yourself... and they register parts for each device meaning you can't replace a broken screen or thumbprint reader on a phone without the phone locking features out like cameras and now a dim screen, it wouldn't be beyond them to force you to buy a monitor (they probably hope an Apple one) with USBC or lightning bolt to fix the limited RGB "problem". It's amazing how the same people are able to fix a problem they created in the first place.

[@John-gm8ty]

might also want to link to linus tech tips video on HDMI cables and how so many of them (even top brands) do NOT meet specifications.

[@SundayRacers]

I've been looking for info on this for years! Thank you

[@FiggyABQ]

Never would’ve thought of this. Is it ok to use an hdmi to display port connection cable? My laptop just has hdmi ports.

[@glyndewis]

If you're able to go into Graphics Card settings as you can with some and change it to Full Range then sure thing

[@phrank808]

I have a MacBook Pro and two BenQ monitors. I don‘t see there any way to change these RGB range settings for these monitors other than colour space. As far I know for 4k i need only a newer HDMI cable. My calibration was validated, so why panic;-)

[@glyndewis]

Correct...you can't change them on Mac so best option is to just use a different connection type. Re your validation .. if the Delat E is

[@elissitdesign]

No idea why, what is essentially “broadcast safe” signal levels are set by default regardless cable.

[@paulburwood8231]

Probably being a bit thick here Glyn, but if the problem relates to the wrong cable between your PC and the monitor, what about the cable used between your calibration equipment and the PC?

[@boudewijnj.m.kegels5198]

Of what importance would that be? It's reading out a certain signal and sending it to the monitor, but it's not exactly constant streaming live feed. USB-A./B would suffice C is overkill, but probably used anyway on newer models.

[@blakberi]

Good to know! I am going to ensure I use USB-C for connecting my Mac Studio to the monitors - although they are low priced Samsungs, so not really going to make a heck of a lot of difference. Every little helps

[@elissitdesign]

You should see a pop in your blacks. I did on my sons Samsung.

[@footrotdog]

What about DVI that's converted to HDMI? Does that default to full HDMI?

[@crestofhonor2349]

DVI and HDMI are essentially the same thing

[@mipevo6]

I am using DVI but am still having colour issues printing etc.. just as you describe. I export as SRGB then print from Faststone and it is correct, print from adobe and it is junk.

[@JoATTech]

Very useful info. But calibration of my BENQ always fails because it got really bad edge bleeding in one of the corners :P

[@RonClifford]

Great information!n Since getting my newest monitor I've been using Display Port or a lightning cable with my Mac but I didn't know there could be an issue with using HDMI. It would be great to hear how one would know if this would be an issue on a particular machine/monitor set up. Though I doubt I'll be going back to an HDMI in the future.

[@lfrankow]

So. If you use HDMI, your video card may be "helping you get the best picture", by setting the color space with an attenuated palette. If you use a display cable not associated with TV's, it won't mess with the signals.

[@patrickhagot]

Hello little question, I saw on your description that you use one monitor for photos and one for videos, why would you use a different monitor ?

[@glyndewis]

Hi Patrick ... this is purely for the space that the other video I use provides with it being ultra wide format ... I have space on the one screen to have premiere pro and audition open up and in view at the same time.

[@murasakistudio]

One hassle I have found with HDMI cables is difficulty getting the display to wake up.

[@davidwallace8980]

Well I just switched both of my displays to display port. My video card has three DP's so it was easy. My 32inch designer monitor looks. Cables on hand.

[@comeraczy2483]

The statement is at best incomplete. I just checked for NVIDIA and the default is in fact full color range for a HDMI connection to a PC monitor supporting full range. I am pretty sure that the default for PC monitors is also full range with AMD and intel. What is true is that for TV monitors, the default might be the limited color range, but I believe that this applies to both HDMI and DisplayPort.

[@glyndewis]

Read the Pinned again ... this has already been said about Graphics Cards. BUT it's not possible on Mac

[@comeraczy2483]

@@glyndewis not sure what "Pinned" you are talking about, but with Mac it's a different set of problems and again the limited RGB issues on Mac aren't specific to HDMI - they also happen with usbc and DisplayPort. Sadly, on Mac, forcing full RGB is often tedious. Some manufacturers do document some workaround (IIRC Eizo ColorEdge used to have an effective one). Otherwise, it's the command line, Ruby scripts, or other complicated procedures - not what most people need.

[@arbenbytyqi9732]

Long video didn't watch it just DP it's much much better then HDMI for everyone exp gamer's

[@jamesdavis4163]

how would you set a mac mini and an lg monitor to expect full range?

[@patrickfarnburn5704]

That's my problem so too but I have discovered with the HDMI cable, you can do much less adjustments. Now with a display port cable you can adjust in: system settings/ displays, resolution and color profile. By chance I have an BenQ monitor, and that stays in the list of color profile, but also Adobe RGB'98, etc.

[@rlast123]

My Nvidia card (and SW) gave me the option for HDMI signals: Full or limited dynamic range. I didn’t experience that HDMI was THE limitation.

[@rlast123]

@Aries777GTX 1660 TI. So not one of the latest / most advanced. Worked with HDMI 1.4 standard.

[@turnipmadras]

I have two monitors connected to my editing PC and my work laptop docking station - just took me ages to check all the connections to make sure my PC was connected using DP to my main photo editing monitor! Thank fully all was OK..

[@Falk4J]

So this would also apply to connecting your camera with the computer via HDMI, isn't it? Do modern cameras have the full spectrum 0-255 at their HDMI outputs? Sometimes they even come with a micro HDMI output. Are their full spectrum micro HDMI to HDMI cables then? What good is it to load the Fotos or videos from the camera to my computer via HDMI, they might be color inaccurate from the start, isn't it?

[@glyndewis]

It’s not the cable it’s the hdmi settings. Check out my pinned comment. If you’re transferring from camera to computer what cable you use has no effect on colour.

[@mikes978]

I’ll have to check my monitor cables now. Thanks!

[@MarkMcCall51]

M. Photog., M. Artist. Cr., CPP Over 100 PPA Merits, 36 PPA Loan or Imaging Excellence Images. I have a huge account with my lab and print regularly to both my Fuji and Epson printers. Few people are image quality conscious as I am. I use HDMI Something is not being mentioned in this video. Color perception. Your color perception can be affected by certain medications and certain foods like bananas or caffeine in a coke or coffee.

[@glyndewis]

I'm pretty sure that telling people what they should and shouldn't eat before editing their images would get quite a response ... and a few questions asking what Id been smoking before I made the video

[@MarkMcCall51]

@@glyndewis I did no such thing. What I DID do what to point out that certain food, drink or meds can affect color perception.

[@YoungBlaze]

😂i swear, next it will be "your colors are not good because of your chair you're using"

[@_Breakdown]

5:45 - - best way to connect - - USB-C or DISPLAY PORT cable

[@kristijanignjatovski4415]

Glyn i think y need to make another video about this wnd go deeper,cos there are still unclear things😊

[@glyndewis]

N I don\t think it's needed if people see and read the pinned comment too

[@yomismo1945]

Interesting! Tyvm!

[@yakubjoshua9462]

Thanks for this valuable insight. Many videos on calibration, but never this insightful breakdown. Appreciated!

[@GamingInfested]

buy nerwer renown brand cables (not the expensive ones just good ones)

[@martinlemke4440]

Thank you! Great advice. 👍

[@StefanVanTheemsche]

Is there any way to influence the usage of full or limited

[@glyndewis]

There is a way to change settings in the graphics card if your system permits it

[@kingforaday8725]

So, if one is not into photography will this even make a big difference?