4K/60Hz Video Pattern Generator
Murideo Fresco SIX-G
All-In-OneVideo
Pattern Generator
The arrival of 4K Ultra HD era have let us see the technological development on both display and source. Being a professional TVs and Projectors review website, LCDTVTHAILAND are consistently upgrading our testing tools to catch up with the ever evolving technologies. One of the most important testing equipment that helps us achieve that is the Video Pattern Generator.
Video Pattern Generators were invented as early as the analog CRT era to align production and broadcasting quality. Although the visual technology keeps changing all the time, the importance of Video Pattern Generator never change. It is the reference test equipment to determine if the display unit is able to re-produce the picture quality to meet the industry standards.
They are quite bulky and complicated control buttons.
As technology advanced, these complex and heavy-weighted equipment have shrink into a smaller yet powerful devices. “Murideo Fresco SIX-G” is one the latest video generator in that fits into this category. It comes with the most up to date features, portable and convenient without burning your pockets.
Design
Murideo Six-G may sound totally alien if you are not familiar with the AV industry. In fact, this lovely piece of equipment comes from AVPro, a professional A/V testing equipment Company. AVPro also works closely with Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), the world-class video standard institution, to ensure that both hardware and software are correctly aligned to the industry standard. Murideo was introduced in the late 2015, where LCDTVTHAILAND had our hands on in the 2015 Bangkok ISF Class. It was amazing.
Murideo Fresco SIX-G, Video Pattern Generator, is well designed.
Even though it’s a hand-held device, its features and performance are better than the bigger size ones.
You can see ISF Logo imprinted at the bottom of the device to guarantee the “Standard”
Size Comparison : other compact-size Video Pattern Generators VS Murideo SIX-G
From left to right: DVDO AVLab TPG, AVFoundry VideoForge and Murideo
Size Comparison other compact-size Video Pattern Generators VS Murideo SIX-G
From left to right: DVDO AVLab TPG, AVFoundry VideoForge and Murideo
What makes the Murideo Six-G stands out from other video pattern generator is its capability of video output at 4K/60Hz 4:4:4 (Most of Generators support only 4K/30Hz) complied with the standard of HDMI 2.0 full bandwidth 18 Gbps. It also comes with a LCD screen and rechargeable battery which is very useful for those outfield calibrators.
The most outstanding point of Murideo SIX-G is its 3″ LCD screen.
It allows easy access to functions like status checking, pattern selection and general setting.
So you even can use it alone without PC or Laptop!!
Below the screen, there are LED indicator showing HDP (Hot Plug Detect) and HDCP,
detecting signal mismatch. The colorful buttons are for dialing signal outputs and test patterns
e.g. Resolution, Color Space, Color Bit Depth, etc.
The built-in rechargeable battery provides convenience for those outfield calibrators.
You can also check battery status directly on the screen.
Connectivity
Connections
1) HDMI 2.0 Output for delivering testing pattern
2) 3.5 mm Analog Audio
3) Serial port 3.5mm for controlling RS232
4) Micro USB 2.0 to connect with PC / Laptop,
5) AC/DC adapter along with LED indicator showing the battery charging status
Picture
“Is there any difference in result between using conventional Calibration Disc e.g. DVE HD Basics, Disney WOW and etc. VS Video Pattern Generator ?”
Using a Calibration Disc is one of the easiest way to perform basic calibration for your TVs and projectors. It is definitely more value for money and helps you save both time & budget. However, the biggest limitation of conventional Blu-ray Player and Disc is the maximum resolution at only 1080p (Not support true 4K), whereas the standard of display are at 4K now. So there is a mismatch between source and display occurs. Furthermore, as we all know, some cheap & non-standard Blu-ray Players, especially those given free with TV, often provides an unreliable result.
On the other hand, the Video Pattern generator is much more flexible. It has a wide selection of pattern output such as resolution from SD => HD => Full HD => 4K UHD, color space, color bit depth, etc. which can be used for relevant purposes. It could even use for calibrating the cinema projectors, studio reference monitor, and medical monitor. The pattern includes both “Static Pattern” (Contrast, Brightness, Color, etc.) and “Moving Pattern” (Motion, Local Dimming) to test every dimension of picture quality. In terms of result accuracy, Video Pattern Generator does outperform the disc.
In the past, we need to use the Blu-ray movie disc to double-check the color accuracy after calibration. But now just only one Murideo Six-G can cover all. The pattern also includes ISF Color Girls, ISF Five people and ISF dog to determine the color accuracy by observing the true skin tone. It is easy to hunt by your bare eyes for unnatural skin color. These patterns are also good references to verify color and tint for those TVs that lack of “RGB only mode”.
Murideo SIX-G also has both static and moving patterns to test the performance of local dimming backlight and brightness uniformity which is the pin-point of black level quality of LED / LCD TVs nowadays.
For our in-depth review procedure, Murideo Six-G does facilitate us, in both speed and precision of the calibration. Its latest features and patterns also match the latest TV standard. We also appreciate its “Future Proof” due to HDCP 2.2 that allows HDR testing. Do bear in mind that you need to upgrade the latest version of CALMAN 5 software to enable it work together with Murideo Six-G. There will be some additional fee for the upgrade, please ask your dealer.
Another feature that allows commanding and setting via Laptop / PC
The purpose of the PC control software is to help us to view the EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) of the display we are testing. The general information of the testing unit will be shown such as manufacturer name, product name, color bit depth, support timing (Resolution). With EDID information, we could find out if the resolution display unit is a real 4K display. Hence the marketing number in the catalog cannot fool us anymore. We can give the verified information about the display to our readers correctly.
before our “Annual LCDTVTHAILAND TVs Shootout”
Conclusion
The Good
– Support 4K/60Hz 4:4:4 (18 Gbps video bandwith), support 3D, HDCP 2.2 Verification that allow HDR testing
– ISF certified, perfectly support professional video calibration software , CALMAN 5
– Wide selection of both static and motion pattern. Cover every dimension of picture quality testing
– Have Read EDID function to verify the general information of the test unit (Using via PC control software)
– 3″ LCD screen = much easier to use
– Portable yet powerful
– Rechargeable battery 2600 MAH facilitates outfiled calibrators
The Bad
– The price is relatively high for normal users, but still considered reasonable when compare to other professional testing equipment, especially the most expensive Quantum data 780 series
– Need an upgrade of CALMAN 5 to latest version (Additional fee)
– The built-quality could be more tough
Conclusion
There are a lot of video pattern generators in the market. But you will never find the most future-proof plus various test patterns at reasonable price just like Murideo Six-G. As a reviewer, we class Murideo Six-G video pattern generator as “Beyond … Best at its Price”. This new-kid-in-town becomes the newest member of our “Reference Test Equipment” from now on.
คะแนน
Murideo Fresco SIX-G 4K/60Hz Video Pattern Generator
9.0
ราคา Murideo Fresco SIX-G
2,495 USD
www.murideo.com
