Take a Tour Inside CNET’s TV Test Lab

CNET reviewers compare big screens side-by-side in a light-controlled space using a variety of test equipment, source devices, software and a comfy couch.

Our TV lab is closed off from the rest of the product-testing space by a theatrical curtain, which allows full control of lighting within the lab.

We use Portrait Displays Calman Ultimate to control the spectroradiometer and a signal generator to aid in the evaluation process. Most of the figures in the CNET’s TV reviews, including color, brightness, black level, gamma and more, are derived from Calman reports.

CNET’s head of TV reviews, David Katzmaier, has extensive experience reviewing and calibrating displays.

Drawing the curtains allows complete darkness in the lab, which is ideal for comparing the TVs’ raw picture quality, without the influence of ambient light.

We also test bright-room viewing conditions and look at factors such as screen brightness and reflectivity.

We control everything with these TV remotes and remotes from a variety of source devices. And you thought your coffee table was cluttered.

Our other primary sources include (from left to right) an Apple TV 4K, a Murideo 6G 4K HDR test pattern generator and a Roku Ultra. We use the streamers for TV and movie comparisons and the Murideo to supply patterns for the spectroradiometer to measure.

Behind the couch are a pair of nooks for meetings and storage.

No lab is complete without easy access to all the extras, from cables to Blu-rays to hardware to streamers to microfiber wipes.

Thanks for taking the tour, now we’re going to get back to reviewing TVs. 

For more details on everything you’ve seen check out our full article on How we Test TVs.