I purchased the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM QD-OLED display for color grading both video and stills. The display comes factory-calibrated, with its presets reportedly achieving a Delta-E below 1.

To take things further, I invested in ColourSpace LTE in order to achieve even more precise calibration results—especially for future recalibrations as the display ages. I already owned the X-Rite i1Display Pro OEM version (Revision B-02).

I'll admit, I still feel overwhelmed by all the technical aspects, but I'm eager to learn and understand how to get the most out of this setup.
That said, I'm currently unsure whether I can—or should—calibrate the display using the tools I have.

On Reddit, I spoke with someone who owns the same monitor. She said a professional colorist told her that displays like this should not be calibrated with a lower-end colorimeter like the i1Display Pro, as it could actually degrade the factory calibration accuracy. According to that advice, OLED displays are very stable and don't require user calibration unless you're working on high-end, big-budget productions, where high-end spectroradiometers are used (e.g., in feature film post-production). For all other applications, the minor color variations are said to be negligible and not relevant in practice.

Of course, I realize Reddit isn't always the most reliable source, and the advice she received may not be entirely accurate.

However, I did come across a passage on the Light Illusion site that seems to support part of that claim:


And this post by Steve:


For those with far more experience than me—I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this:
And yes, I'm confused.
Is it still considered a good approach to calibrate the PA32UCDM using ColourSpace LTE in combination with the i1Display Pro, making use of one of the two available correlation files?
Or should I accept that high-precision calibration simply isn't achievable with this setup—and that it's better to rely on the factory calibration?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

First, no factory calibration is evert that accurate, unless you are purchasing a high-end monitor that undergoes individual monitor calibration before dispatch, as with the likes of FSI, Konvision, etc.

Generic monitors from mainstream manufacturers have generic calibrations applied.
This is due to cost/time limitations.

So, using an i1D3 probe either with the correct Correlation File, or matched to a spectro, will virtually always provide a better calibration than any factory one.
I obviously do not know the colourist you were talking to on Reddit, but they are wrong.

However, there are levels of calibration accuracy, and using low-end probes will never be as accurate as high-end equipment.
You do get what you pay for.
And that is wat is explained in the two quotes and links you have posted from my comments with this website/forum.

But, factory calibration of such monitors will always likely be the most inaccurate.

In order of likely accuracy, worse to best:

• Factory calibration
• i1D3 with Correlation File
• i1D3 with low-end spectro match
• high-end colourimeter with low-end spectro match
• i1D3 with high-end spectro match
• High-end colourimeter with high-end spectro match

Steve

There's also the issue of metamerism. A high end device (using the 1931 CMF) gives you dE < 1 and then you compare the monitor with your older calibrated one and they look different.

DaniJ
That is why Perceptual Colour Matching is recommended.

Steve

Thank you all for the reply!

Metamerism isn't a big concern for me at the moment—I only have one monitor, so matching multiple displays isn't (yet) necessary.

The monitor did come with a Color Calibration Testing Report, showing e.g. things like an average Delta E of 0.48 for sRGB. But I'm guessing these reports are mostly marketing fluff?

It's encouraging to hear that even with an i1D3 and a correlation file, I can achieve reasonably good results. I hope I can stay under a Delta E of 1 with my setup.

Renting a high-end colorimeter or spectrometer for probe-matching could be an option down the line, though I'm not sure if ColourSpace LTE supports those devices.

For now, I'll try to experiment with my current setup. I also really enjoy the theoretical side of all this—color science is a fascinating field, and I'd love to deepen my understanding.

This is my understanding, asomeone in a similar boat (CAL and i1D).
While LTE does not support higher end probes, those probes usually come with their own software, and you can simply take a reading of full Red, Green and Blue with the Spectro and use that for your offset.
Finding someone who rents a spectro is difficult. I di dfind someone who would rent a jeti a few years ago but never did it.
You would probably require good business insurance.
Tris

Just as a correction, you MUST use the exact same patches for the Spectro and the Colourimeter.
With ColourSpace we do not use full Red, Green, Blue, White.
See the Probe Matching User Guide for patch value info.

Steve