Sidebar 1: Check the picture quality of your player

In this sidebar, you'll be able to check the calibration and picture quality of any MP3 player, PVP, computer monitor, or HDTV by downloading a special test photograph. If you have one of the six models we analyzed for this article, you'll be able to compare it to a second photo that has been mathematically processed to demonstrate the best picture quality that each player can deliver. There is also a 640x480 version for checking a player's TV-out, a 1,280x1,024 version for checking LCD computer monitors, and a 1,280x720 version for checking any HDTV that is connected to a computer.

Reference photo
After downloading the appropriate reference photos below, you should see the following on an MP3 player, PVP, computer monitor, or HDTV. A sample of the reference photo is pictured below.

• Good: Be able to clearly make out all the individual moldings on the fireplace mantle.
• Very good: See a natural, smooth and rich facial flesh tone without any the highlights appearing whitewashed, washed out, or overexposed.
• Excellent: See the left edge of the fireplace mantle where it meets the light green wall.

Most players and many LCD computer monitors and HDTVs won't pass this test, but properly calibrated HDTVs, computer monitors, and almost any CRT will do very well. If the display has user controls, you can try adjusting them to improve the appearance of the reference photo. Note that all reference photos are identical but have been scaled to the specified resolution.

Optimized photos
By using the measurements in the "Technical information" sidebar, we can mathematically process any photo for a particular player and accurately correct for errors in the player's grayscale and produce an optimized photo with the best picture quality that the player can deliver (with an optimum grayscale and enhanced color). Below are thumbnails of the reference and optimized photos for each of the analyzed players. Even viewing at this tiny scale, you should be able to see some differences due to the different player grayscales. When viewed on the actual players, the differences are substantial. After downloading, you should do an A-B comparison between the reference and optimized versions directly on your own player by quickly flipping between them. Although the peak brightness for the optimized photos is the same as for the reference photos, they appear dimmer because the bright end of the grayscale is no longer compressed.

For additional information on optimizing photos and other images for any display, see DisplayMate's optimized images. The optimized photos provided here are based on measurements of the specific units tested for the article. There is no guarantee that all players of the same make and model will perform exactly like the tested players.

Download player photos
Click the links below to view or right-click to download (by selecting Save As). If you don't have one of the listed players, then download the photos for the generic player. Note that the optimized photos are modified for the player screens and will appear to have exaggerated grayscales and color on most standard displays, including on TV-out.

Apple iPod: reference photo and optimized photo

Archos AV500: reference photo and optimized photo

Cowon A2: reference photo and optimized photo

Creative Zen Vision: reference photo and optimized photo

Creative Zen Vision:M: reference photo and optimized photo

Samsung YP-D1: reference photo and optimized photo

Generic player: reference photo and optimized photo
The generic player is assumed to perform in a manner similar to the above players. If that is the case, then you will see some improvement in the oiptimized photo. The resolution of these photos is 640x480. The player will automatically rescale them to its own native resolution.

TV-out 640x480 resolution: reference photo
Use this resolution to check the TV-out performance of the player and its connected TV. Note that the picture quality will depend on the performance of both the player and the TV together.

LCD computer monitor; 1,280x1,024 resolution
Use this resolution to check any 17- or 19-inch LCD computer monitor. If the moderate compression photo doesn't appear as described above, try the photo optimized for severe compression. The reference photo can be used to check any computer monitor (not just LCDs) as long as it is set to a resolution of 1,280x1,024.

Reference photo for checking any computer monitor set to 1,280x1,024.

Optimized photo for a generic LCD monitor with moderate compression.

Optimized photo for a generic LCD monitor with severe compression.

HDTV resolution; 1,280x720 resolution
Use this photo to check an HDTV that is connected to a computer (and accepts the computer's full 0-255 grayscale).

Reference photo for an HDTV connected to a computer.

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