Pro Guide: How to Calibrate any display connected to a Mac with Calibrite Profilier!

Pro Guide: How to Calibrate any display connected to a Mac with Calibrite Profilier! This guide apply to any 3rd party such as BenQ or other, non - Apple Standalone Display. If you have an Apple Standalone Display, guides for the specific models and generations are below. The walkthrough will go over step by step and the best method on how to approach profiling your display. From setting up the computer settings (via additional video, links below), to learning about the short fall and how to avoid them, setting the color mode on your display to the best settings in Calibrite Profilier to use. This guide has it all.
Setting to turn off before profiling separate by macOS versions
macOS Ventura 13.X
• macOS Ventura 13, Sett...
macOS Monterey 12.X & Big Sur 11.X
• macOS Monterey | Displ...
macOS Catalina & earlier OS
• HOW TO: macOS Display ...
If you have a 27" 5K Apple Studio Display or Apple Pro Display XDR use this guide instead
• Ultimate Calibration G...
Any Apple Standalone displays pre 2018 (2018 and before) use this guide
• How to Calibrate any A...
Make sure that you have the display turn on for at least 15 minutes before you start the calibration process. This will give your display time for the backlight to warm up and stabilize. This step is still crucial even with LED Backlight to ensure the best profile possible.
Please note that if you have a hardware calibrated display, it is highly recommended that you use the display manufacture software to preform the calibration to get the best result because said software would access the LUT that is build into the display. This is something that software profiling approach such as Calibrite Profilier that cannon do. This guide, however, will apply to most displays that many of us have which are ones that are not capable of hardware calibration.
The device used in this video is theCalibrite Display Plus HL. This guide will work any device that is compatible with Calibrite Profilier. Note that pro level devices, such as the one that I am using in this demo, will give more control over various aspects of the profile.
This guide will walk you through how to validate the calibration result as well as a brief explanation how to intrepid the ∆e read out value.
The display used in this video is BenQ PD2706US, 27" 4K Pro Designer Display.
• BenQ Pro Designer PD27...
Recommend Display Calibrators
Calibrite Display Plus HL www.amazon.com/Calibrite-Disp...
Calibrite Display Pro HL www.amazon.com/Calibrite-Disp...
Current BenQ SW Models
SW321C www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/ph...
Review: • BenQ SW321C Review - T...
Amazon: amzn.to/3Q5TKED
SW271C www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/ph...
Review: • BenQ SW271C The Best 2...
Amazon: amzn.to/3JyuSmu
SW270C www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/ph...
Review: • BenQ SW270C Review: Th...
Amazon: amzn.to/3vJzz7j
SW240 www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/ph...
Review: • BenQ SW240 Review, The...
Amazon: amzn.to/3p01c8E
SW240 Shading Hood - Amazon: amzn.to/3BKKDox
Previous BenQ SW Models
SW271 www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/ph...
Review: • BenQ SW271 Full Review...
SW2700PT www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/ph...
Review: • BenQ SW2700PT - 5 Year...
Current BenQ PD Models
PD2720U www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/de...
PD3220U www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/de...
Review: • The Ultimate BenQ PD32...
Amazon: amzn.to/3zACjFs
PD3420Q www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/de...
Review: • BenQ PD3420Q Review, T...
Amazon: amzn.to/3zyFDAY
PD2705U www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/de...
Amazon: amzn.to/3QmPP6m
PD2706U www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/pr...
PD2706UA | Ergo Arm | www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/pr...
PD3205U www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/de...
Amazon Link amzn.to/3Q5TAgv
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Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Art's Tip Jar
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[@joe_h_1775]

Exactly what I was looking for. Right to the point but at the same time intuitive. Thank you

[@ArtIsRight]

You’re welcome 😊

[@andycrystal]

The value provided in your videos obliterates all the self-styled creators experts out there. Subbed!

[@ArtIsRight]

Thank you!

[@andycrystal]

@@ArtIsRight Speaking the truth. I am wondering if you can calibrate something like the UPERFECT OLED 4K to Rec 709 2.4 (on their web they say it is DCI-P3 100%)

[@BrettDeriso]

Outstanding explanation! Thanks! I've been using Calibrite Color Checker Display Pro on my PCs, and I'm coming back to a Mac photography workflow. I wasn't sure what gimmicks Apple had overlaid in the display settings for "blue light filtering" and "true tone", and your explanation put those concerns to rest.

[@ArtIsRight]

😄

[@ruechel]

Great as usual. Thanks very much, Art!

[@ArtIsRight]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sonervisuals]

Wow what a coincidence, just before my new monitor arrives. Great video, as always!

[@ArtIsRight]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Nice & Thanks :)

[@ArtIsRight]

Welcome!

[@willgavillan]

As always, great video and info. It would be really helpful if you could do an HDR monitor calibration for Macs. Possibly with a mini LED monitor. I should be picking up a new HDR 1000 mini LED monitor in October and it would be great to have the correct info for this kind of display.

[@willgavillan]

It’s also pretty curious that the display pro hl does not have ability to calibrate hdr, yet it supports up to 3000 nits. Doesn’t make sense that a 3000 nit display would not be capable of hdr. Am I missing something?

[@ArtIsRight]

There's brightness and there's sensitivity and ranges. The message that Calibrite is sending is that Pro HL has the capability to accommodate luminance but not necessary the full capability compared to the plus to deal with HDR - color sensitivity and range. Short answer is that some of these features are capped to create device tier. This said, HDR calibration on Plus HL is not out yet, like it said on Calibrite website, "when available" - so when it is out, I'll do it. :)

[@massimomunicchi2961]

Thank you for yet another helpful and extremely detailed video. I have just one doubt though, as I couldn't figure it out from your videos: To calibrate an external monitor, where do you plug the calibrator? On the macbook (as also the calibration software is there) or in the usb slot of the monitor? Thanks

[@ArtIsRight]

For Apple computer, any USB/Thunderbolt port would work and on the other end, just choose the connector that is compatible with the display.

[@MattDe1971]

Thanks for the great video. I edit videos, mostly for the web. I always keep my monitor set at max brightness which for me is supposed to be 300 cd/sq. mt. Would this calibrate workflow do as well when a monitor is set up for higher brightness? I would love a video from you about video workflows on Mac & calibration.

[@ArtIsRight]

This video covers video workflow, it is creative generic really. If you want to leave your display at full brightness or wherever you like, in brightness choose custom and then native.

[@nicholasbrecken7357]

Thank you. Needed this video as I have this exact monitor. I am running through ultra studio so....that should carry through right?

[@ArtIsRight]

Computer and displays specific model does not matter, the process is the point and it is the same

[@chengolivier]

Very useful videos! Does this apply for an iPad Pro using Sidecar? And is there a video that would apply for an iPad Pro using Duet Display on Windows 11?

[@ArtIsRight]

sidecar does not allow this to work.

[@genesung5589]

This video is so helpful. I have the PD2700u and the PD2705u, Do you know if those are RGB LED or White LED? Thanks so much!

[@ArtIsRight]

RGB LED

[@markbarnfield6915]

Thanks so much for all your clear and concise videos, its convinced me to get a Benq as a second monitor,! quick question for calibration, I have the lg 5k ultrafine and just bought the calibrite pro HL but cant seem to find the Backlight type. And may I ask do you treat the calibration as a non apple display ?

[@ArtIsRight]

I would give either White LED or GB-LED a try. Since they are technically the same panel as the one inside Apple 5K Displays

[@markbarnfield6915]

@@ArtIsRight you are too kind. Thanks again. for the all the invaluable information on your channel

[@patrickvachon429]

Thank you for the video. I have a question about specific setup and calibration. I will receive this hardware during Christmas time. Macbook Pro M3 Max 16" and Benq SW272U and Calibrite Display Plus HL. So after all the video I watched, I'm confused what procedure to apply for calibration of the display of the Macbook Pro and the BenQ. Any advice? Thanks and merry Christmas

[@ArtIsRight]

MBP kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn2lamahbrqMjcU BenQ kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXjEd3uQftV0iNU

[@ellenduperret9640]

I have a question. After doing the 461 colors, we come to the part where you validate the calibration. The program won't let me choose Next. Do you know why I might not have the option to proceed to the validation section? This is a great video by the way!

[@ArtIsRight]

1. Glitch in the program or the installation. 2. The device possibly got disconnected from the program momentarily. Contact your local Calibrite support or help on this

[@reelsteelproductions2020]

Great video, great info! Quick question about matching displays. I'm running a 5K Studio Display (calibrated as per your recommended video) as well as a BenQ PD2700U. The BenQ consistently comes out much greener, with muddier blacks (although it passes fine with a ΔE under 1.0). I've run the calibration in both Rec. 709 and User modes (through Display Pilot) in order to set the RGB levels, although this didn't help the green tinge. I'm a video guy, so for both monitors I choose the 709/BT.1886 gamma. The BenQ is connected via miniDP running through an external Akitio TB3 RAID array. I set the ICC profile back to the system default through ColorSync Utility and did a factory reset through Display Pilot. I'm running Ventura 13.5 on an M1 Ultra Mac Studio. ColorChecker Display Plus. Any thoughts on what might be causing this, or on best practices to match displays like this?

[@ArtIsRight]

What you are seeing is the inherit characteristic between each of the panel. That is simply the LCD color and there's not much to be done to correct that. Delta E is a value that is good to know, however, it does not account for many of the visual perception that we see. It just looks at how much the color is off from reference value. So a one display compared to another with the same delta e, may not necessary match

[@reelsteelproductions2020]

@@ArtIsRight Gotcha. Thanks for the reply! I did another calibration with White LED (since I think this is the actual backlight tech of the PD2700U), but it was even further off, and gave an average ΔE of 1.0 vs 0.4 for RGB-LED, and is even greener. So I think I'll just leave it with the W-LED calibration for now. But say I was using these two monitors, calibrated, in different rooms/offices. The Studio Display is much more magenta, and the BenQ much more green. Wouldn't this kind of discrepancy in tint be exactly the thing that manufacturers would want to mostly stamp out with their factory calibrations and then users with subsequent home calibrations?

[@ArtIsRight]

"Wouldn't this kind of discrepancy in tint be exactly the thing that manufacturers would want to mostly stamp out with their factory calibrations and then users with subsequent home calibrations?" You can change inherit color without another color filter layer in front of the panel. Calibration alone can only do so much

[@sunnymahour1263]

Hi have seen almost all calibration video's of yours, if possible pls make video's based on REC 709 & HDR worlflow, I am using sw2700pt want to learn to use calibrite profilier for hardware calibration.

[@ArtIsRight]

HDR is not possible for consumer software yet. REC 709 is just a matter of choosing the gamut and setting the gamma to 2.4 as far as luminance, I still recommend 80-120 nits. This is for both Palette Master Element or Calibrite Profilier

[@sunnymahour1263]

Thanks @@ArtIsRight

[@rebeccakeogh2264]

Hello Art I'm loving your videos and am working hard trying to calibrate my Macbook Pro. I'm an amature photographer and have a Mateview 4K hooked up with my Macbook. Do you know od any way I can do a fine tune calibration on the Mateview. Thanks

[@ArtIsRight]

Not sure about that one, sry

[@rebeccakeogh2264]

@@ArtIsRight thanks I will continue to watch your videos. You are amazing.

[@ArtIsRight]

Thank You!

[@larrymosier2537]

Can a 4k tv be color calibrated for viewing photos? If so, I would appreciate a video on this topic

[@ArtIsRight]

Yes but provided that it is linked up to a computer because it is reliant on icc profile. The process would be similar to this really, just that you have to tune the TV settings for color saturation and etc. It would be impossible to do said guide justice because every TV has a different menu and color tuning option. Either way turn off most or all of it and you should be good to go and follow this step. As far as backlight goes, OLED TV or MiniLED are easy because you have that option. Other backlight type are a bit harder to decipher and you just may be better off using White LED.

[@Petroff11]

Hi Art, first of all thank you for the detailed video! I'm trying to calibrate an LG UltraFine 4K (24MD4kL-B) monitor on a Mac Studio Ultra under Sonoma with Display Plus HL. I make videos for the Internet, so Rec.709/2.2 gamma would be the goal. What is not clear to me is where I can choose the color gamut for my display (if I understood my display's specifications correctly, it uses the DCI P3 color space by default). I can't adjust anything on my monitor except the brightness, no physical buttons or on-screen menu. Any help would be appreciated!

[@ArtIsRight]

You can't on LG so only p3 as the default gamut

[@Petroff11]

@@ArtIsRight thanks for the answer!

[@sophie56789]

using the ccprofiler, how can i calibrate my benq monitor that has been connected to my imac using the ultrastudio 3g recorder?

[@ArtIsRight]

you don't, with that you just have to choose the color mode on the display and go with it.

[@jodichampion6463]

Trying to calibrate my BenQ EW3270U. Download Palette Master Element and I keep getting an error to make sure monitor is connected to my computer. Im connected to my Mac mini M1 using a USB-C. Am I able to calibrate using Palette master or is this incompatible? I'm confused on how to calibrate with my x.rite :( Any advise would be helpful

[@ArtIsRight]

BenQ Palette Master Element or Palette Master Ultimate is made for BenQ SW line only and not any other line up. If you want to calibrate the BenQ that you have, this is the best guide to watch using Calibrite Profilier

[@rebelmuzik35]

would adobe rgb be a better option when connecting to a mac for the external monitor than p3?

[@ArtIsRight]

If your monitor supports and have the coverage for that gamut and you print and have a use or Adobe RGB then yes.

[@neilatkinson3711]

Hi Art - can you help? I have 2 monitors, both BENQ , one is PD 2705u and the other is PD 3205u. I’m using calibrate software to calibrate them both. Should I calibrate them when they are set to m-book mode or srgb or doesn’t it make a difference? I’m using a Mac Studio with latest OS. Thanks, Neil.

[@ArtIsRight]

This question largely depends on your workflow and what you do. However, based on the displays that you have I would choose sRGB. M-Book is a color mode that should be used as is - not calibrated.

[@neilatkinson3711]

@@ArtIsRight Thanks Art - My workflow is predominantly Lightroom as I’m a wedding photographer.

[@ArtIsRight]

sRGB

[@caramel_mms1502]

Calibrated my MBP 21 with Calibrtie Pro hl but it seems my iPhone 13 Pro still displays a shift. Is it possible to calibrate a phone screen?

[@ArtIsRight]

no

[@MarcoRossini-vc5ii]

Great video! I have a LG oled tv that switch in HDR when the footage is in HDR, I would like to calibrate the tv for SDR but also for HDR, is it possibile?

[@ArtIsRight]

If you are using a computer source, you can use this software; right now, calibration can only be done in SDR. If you are using another source, you would have to use LG calibration software or CalMan if your TV is compatible with it.

[@MarcoRossini-vc5ii]

I have the i1display pro plus, i've read that it supports HDR, or no?

[@ArtIsRight]

it has support for high luminance displays/TV which is not to say that it has the capability to calibrate in HDR. The only software that can do HDR calibration right now is CalMan, and I would hardly call that consumer software.

[@gabrysgabriukas]

Hi, I have windows laptop. I managed to calibrate my benq external monitor but how to calibrate laptop monitor? I need to match colors on both devices. Is it just applying the same profile on laptop display? or you need calibrate it speratly? Thanks

[@ArtIsRight]

Calibrate them individually kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4vZgXZ3rrSjpas And matching them is going to be difficult kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKm3f4ahrcyJhpo

[@gabrysgabriukas]

@@ArtIsRight Thank you. I am using X-Rite i1Display Pro device it will not work with Calibrite Profilier without update. Even iProfiler no longer supports that device. Are there any free app that I could still use to calibrate with x-Rite i1Display Pro device?

[@huggeebear]

Hi Art, I hope you're still monitoring these comments.Hi, I have a question.. I have bought two Samsung Viewfinity S9 monitors and want to grade in Resolve. Out of the box they have a BT.709 mode .So I have set the monitors to BT 709. Do I also switch my desktop Mac's System Preference > Display Settings to BT 709 also and then go ahead and grade in Resolve or am I adding a 709 setting upon a 709 setting,? Is switching the desktop Mac's system setting to BT709 to agree with the Monitor correct or should or leave it at default or Display P3? This has confused me for weeks. A second question is when I go to calibrate, I have a Calibrite Display Plus. Do I set my Samsung to BT 709 first (along with the Mac's Display Settings at 709) then calibrate? When I view content not created by me. the blacks look too black, but I always grade to scopes and never crush content that I create. I'm unsure at how it will look to other peoples once I export and they view it.

[@ArtIsRight]

Do I also switch my desktop Mac's System Preference > Display Settings to BT 709 also and then go ahead and grade in Resolve or am I adding a 709 setting upon a 709 setting,? - You can but it is not recommended. Reference profile should not be used in lieu of actual display profile. Is switching the desktop Mac's system setting to BT709 to agree with the Monitor correct or should or leave it at default or Display P3? This has confused me for weeks. - Leave it at default, don't set it to P3 either. A second question is when I go to calibrate, I have a Calibrite Display Plus. Do I set my Samsung to BT 709 first (along with the Mac's Display Settings at 709) then calibrate? - Display to the color mode that you want first, yes do that. On the Mac, no need to do anything. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqrak2SVq9WEnqs When I view content not created by me. the blacks look too black, but I always grade to scopes and never crush content that I create. I'm unsure at how it will look to other peoples once I export and they view it. - You can only be sure that everything looks good on your end. Not much you can do with other displays that are not yours.

[@huggeebear]

@@ArtIsRight Fantastic! Thank you so much for your content, it’s so educational!

[@Redm0ndFilms]

I have the PG42UQ hooked up to my 2019 MacBook Pro via display port. How would I go about calibrating to Rec709 when the only profile built into display is DCI p3 and my Mac doesn’t have e dci p3?

[@ArtIsRight]

Change the color mode on the display to rec 709, if it can't then you would just have to use DCI-P3.

[@Redm0ndFilms]

@@ArtIsRight gotcha thank you. And this is my first monitor. So do they typically just have baked in color profiles and no way to add new one?

[@ArtIsRight]

They have calibrated modes from the factory that you choose from

[@dnguyen536]

arti please help, calibrite kept stuck at 4 bars of 361 patches and show warning process exit and never finish

[@ArtIsRight]

I would start by contacting your local Calibrite support for help

[@MDanceInc]

question: Before you calibrate your monitor, in my case the PD2720U, should I turn up the brightness to 100 with the puck before calibration...?

[@ArtIsRight]

you can but it is not necessary

[@MDanceInc]

Thank you..@@ArtIsRight

[@ArtIsRight]

You're Welcome!

[@richardallan2331]

I have an old ColorMunki Photo which still works really well. The Website is a bit ambiguous about which software to use with this. I have an M1 Mac mini running the latest Ventura.

[@ArtIsRight]

For now use ccStudio - Calibrite Profilier will offer support for that device in a few month, however, there's a $9.99 one time upgrade fee for the device that you have to work with Calibrite Profilier.

[@richardallan2331]

Will do. Thanks for the quick reply Art. Is the upgrade to Calibrite Profiler going to be worth it?

[@ArtIsRight]

For the drive that you have and $9.99 you can't really go wrong. As far as worth it, consider this, Calibrite Profilier is the future going forward with new features added. ccStudio will remain static and probably only get update as necessary to maintain compatibility with os.

[@richardallan2331]

Ok. Thanks again Art.

[@ArtIsRight]

Sure thing

[@neetans6424]

Things that weren't covered. 1) how do I get to that monitor of choice? Do I drag the program screen over to that monitor? When I click on the monitor, the program will not transfer. What about Adobe RGB monitor? Acer on the web site states that their monitor is IPS-Type LCD? More info needed

[@ArtIsRight]

You're welcome for the video. 1. When you choose the display, it is supposed to jump to the other display. Why this is not happening could be display mirroring or some other errors. Which I do not know the config of your set up at all and without this info, there's not much I can do to help. Obviously something is not working correctly with the program and the best thing will be to reach out to Calibrite support for help on this. 2. What about Adobe RGB monitor - not sure what this question is supposed to entail? I need more context to answer this. But if you are wondering how to utilized this, well either choose Adobe RGB color mode and if that is not there, sometime it is panel native in custom mode. Again, can't tell you specificity without knowing the make mode and etc. 3. "Acer on the web site states that their monitor is IPS-Type LCD? More info needed" ... ok... this is like most display out there, IPS LCD, LED backlight. Again no specific model so I can't answer this question. The more info that you need will not come from this channel but rather from Acer if they what to share. Most company will not share backlight type. This video is comprehensive in its scope and coverage of display calibration, one can't cover every aspect of this too many variable and the video would be hours long with lots of if this then that but not this.

[@nandodefilippo6252]

per ritoccare poi bisogna usare modalita monitor esteso o duplicato in modo che corrispondano i colori...grazie

[@ArtIsRight]

That won't help, and it is a conflation of ideas. Also your statement is contradictory at least based on the translation anyways.

[@wonderlandgrading3797]

I HAVE BENQ SW320 WHICH IS NOT LISTED IN SUPPORT IN PALLET MASTER SOFTWERA AND IT GIVES AN EFFOR MESG WHAT CAN I DO FOR THIS PLEASE HELP ?

[@ArtIsRight]

SW320 is supported by Palette Master Element, not Palette Master Ultimate. I would look at Palette Master Element to calibrate that model. As far as error message, tell me what the message is. I would dm me for further help

[@wonderlandgrading3797]

@@ArtIsRight thank you so much I will try this and get back to you means a lot

[@drwatsonismine]

When would you choose M-book In the color mode menu before calibrating?

[@ArtIsRight]

I don't recommend calibration M-Book mode because that color mode has been turned to match Apple Uncalibrated display color, meaning the way how they come from Apple. Based on my experience, you don't get good result calibrating m-book and the intention of m-book color mode is not so much to be calibrated but just to display an Apple match as is.

[@drwatsonismine]

@@ArtIsRight ok. Confusing… why even have it? I guess some people don’t need calibrations?

[@ArtIsRight]

Well I just explained why it is there. And yes it is for non calibration and close apple display approximation.

[@drwatsonismine]

@@ArtIsRight thanks. Your patience and thoroughness is astounding. Much appreciation for bearing with my frustrations in understanding calibration. I must have have a mental block about it…

[@ArtIsRight]

All good, it is a lot of information to cypher through and there are ton of bad information out there from those who "know enough" :)

[@steventan7543]

Pls do a windows 11 version ❤

[@ArtIsRight]

You read my mind, that version is coming!

[@macmcmillen6282]

Hard to believe that in 2023, three years after the Apple Silicon chip was released, that the Calibrite Profiler software is STILL written/coded for the Intel chip. Yes, the software will run on an Apple Silicon powered Mac (via Rosetta, a dynamic binary translator), but it would run way better on those Macs if the Profiler software was written to run natively on Apple Silicon Macs.

[@ArtIsRight]

It goes the job done, this is not a high performance app like Adobe Creative suite.