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Run visual checks

Use this page to run a visual check: you look at test patterns on the display and record what you see. Visual checks (also called user checks) are the routine quality control checks in standards such as AAPM TG18.

Before you start

  • Dim the room lights to the level used for reading images.
  • Sit where you normally sit to read images.
  • Some tests need a photometer. Plug it in if your chosen check includes measured tests.

Choose a check

ViziCAL has these checks:

Check What it includes
Simple Reflections and letter contrast. The original TG18-QC visual check.
Daily A quick daily check: reflections, geometry, greyscale ramps and letter contrast.
JVC A quick SMPTE-style daily check.
Monthly / Quarterly A detailed check, including measured luminance and uniformity.
Annual / Full Every test, including noise, resolution, veiling glare and chromaticity.
Custom Your own choice of tests, set in Settings → User Checks.

Steps

  1. In the Displays list, select the display.
  2. Click Visual Checks.
  3. Select the check to run, then click Start.
  4. Follow the instructions for each test. For example, for Letter Contrast, click the least visible letter you can confidently read in each box.
  5. Click Next to go to the next test, or Skip to leave out a test. Click Back to go back.
  6. On the last test, click Finish.

To stop, click Cancel. Results for that display aren't saved.

A visual check showing the TG18 letter contrast test

What you'll see

The results window shows whether each test passed, with suggestions for any that didn't. For example, if the greyscale tests fail, ViziCAL suggests calibrating the display again.

  • Save Report saves the results as a PDF.
  • View Report opens the PDF.
  • Post to Web sends the result to your web account. If Automatically post visual check results to the web when complete is ticked in Settings → User Checks, this happens by itself.
  • Close goes to the next display, if you're checking more than one, or finishes.

The result is added to History → User Checks. In your web account, it appears under Technical → User Checks.

Check all displays from the notification area

Right-click the ViziCAL Apply icon in the notification area and click Visual Checks. ViziCAL runs the check on each display in turn. See ViziCAL Apply.

Get reminders

You can schedule each check, for example Daily every day and Monthly / Quarterly every 3 months. ViziCAL Apply then reminds you when a check is due. See User Checks.

Common problems

ViziCAL says the check has no steps enabled
You chose Custom, and it has no tests ticked. Choose tests for it in Settings → User Checks, or choose another check.
A connection error appears after the check
The results are saved on the computer, but couldn't be sent to your web account. Check the internet connection, then use Post to Web in the results window, or send them later.