On Windows, my monitor’s color settings are configured using the nVidia control panel with the following values:
– Brightness: increased by 60%
– Contrast: increased by 60%
– Gamma: set to 1.00
However, when I switch to Linux, the settings for Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma are not expressed in percentiles, but rather as floating point multipliers. To achieve equivalent settings in Linux, I cannot simply use 0.6 as a multiplier for Brightness and Contrast. Instead, the results are much more extreme.
I need to know how to convert the Windows values to values that can be used in the nVidia control panel on Linux. Please include the mathematical calculation, as I need to adjust the settings for a second monitor that has different requirements.
1 Answer
Introduction
When switching from Windows to Linux, one of the challenges that users face is converting their settings to make them work on the new platform. This is especially true when it comes to color settings, as the way they are measured and represented in Windows is different from how they are in Linux. In this blog post, we will explore how to convert Windows color settings to Linux with nVidia, specifically looking at Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma settings.
Understanding the Differences in Color Settings
Before we delve into the conversion process, it is important to understand the differences in how color settings are measured and represented in Windows and Linux. In Windows, Brightness and Contrast are measured as percentiles, with a range of 0% to 100%. Gamma, on the other hand, is measured on a scale of 1.00 to 3.00, with a default value of 2.20. In Linux, however, these settings are represented as floating-point multipliers, with a range of 0.00 to 1.00. This means that the same settings will produce different results on each platform.
Converting Brightness and Contrast Settings
To convert Brightness and Contrast settings from Windows to Linux, we need to use a formula that takes into account the differences in how they are measured. The formula is as follows:
Linux Value = (Windows Value / 100) * 2 – 1
For example, if your Brightness setting in Windows is +60%, the Linux value would be calculated as follows:
Linux Value = (60 / 100) * 2 – 1
Linux Value = 0.2
Similarly, if your Contrast setting in Windows is +60%, the Linux value would be calculated as follows:
Linux Value = (60 / 100) * 2
Linux Value = 1.2
Converting Gamma Settings
Converting Gamma settings from Windows to Linux is a bit more complicated, as the two platforms use different scales. To convert Gamma settings, we need to use a formula that takes into account the default value of 2.20 on the Windows platform. The formula is as follows:
Linux Value = (Windows Value – 1) / 1.2
For example, if your Gamma setting in Windows is 1.00, the Linux value would be calculated as follows:
Linux Value = (1.00 – 1) / 1.2
Linux Value = -0.17
Similarly, if your Gamma setting in Windows is 2.20, the Linux value would be calculated as follows:
Linux Value = (2.20 – 1) / 1.2
Linux Value = 0.83
Applying the Converted Settings in nVidia on Linux
Once you have calculated the Linux values for your Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma settings, you can apply them in nVidia on Linux. To do this, open the nVidia control panel and navigate to the “Color Correction” section. Here, you will see options for Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma. Enter the Linux values you calculated in the previous sections and click “Apply” to save the settings.
Dealing with Multiple Monitors
If you have multiple monitors with different color settings, you can apply the same process to each monitor individually. Simply calculate the Linux values for each monitor’s settings using the formulas provided in the previous sections and apply them in nVidia on Linux. It is important to note that the settings may need to be adjusted further to achieve the desired results, as the same values may produce different results on different monitors.
Conclusion
Converting Windows color settings to Linux with nVidia can be a daunting task, but with the right formulas and techniques, it can be done with ease. By understanding the differences in how color settings are measured and represented in Windows and Linux, you can convert your settings and apply them in nVidia on Linux. Whether you have a single monitor or multiple monitors with different settings, this process can be applied to achieve the desired results.