Q:  Recently I purchased a new LCD monitor the Sony Premierepro 23” LCD and attempted to calibrate with the MonacoOPTIX with the following problems: 1. The profile generated resulted in a very low contrast image with very ‘washed out’ blacks. The LCD brightness needed to be reduced by at least half the level determined by the Monaco profile for the LCD to be usable. i.e. For blacks to be black. 2. The Monaco software does not take into consideration two LCD parameters that are user adjustable on the Sony LCD. BACKLIGHT LEVEL (0-100) & GAMMA LEVEL (Setting 1, 2 or 3) Adjusting these parameters did not result in a more accurate profile. Assistance much appreciated. Thank you.

A:  In the newer Sony LCD's, we've found that the contrast and brightness controls do not work like most other displays. Usually, when an LCD is used with an analog connection, contrast control will cause highlight clipping if set too high. This is not the case with the Sony. Instead, the brightness control has this side effect. We've found that the best results are achieved with the backlight and contrast controls sent to 100 and the brightness around 30. Any brightness level below 50 or so should eliminate clipping, so it is more a matter of preference. The gamma response of the display will be corrected during profiling.

Note: This work-around is not needed for MonacoOPTIX 2.0 or later and  MonacoEZcolor 2.6 or later.