Datacolor User to User Support Group.

Hi, 

Quick question regarding monitor calibration with a Spyder3 Elite. I have realised that there are some colour settings within my graphics card settings which can be used to change the gamma, brightness and contrast. My configuration is:

Dell 2709W
Windows XP
ATI Radeon X800 XT

Can someone please advise what if anything I should do to these settings before I start calibrating the monitor? The default settings are:

Gamma: 1.0 (scale = 0.5 to 3.50
Brightness: 0 (scale = -100 to 100)
Contrast: 100 (scale = 0 to 200)

Also, on the Dell 2709W OSD panel there are contrast and brightness settings. I believe the brightness should be turned right down to near zero (in order to try and get the luminance down to the desired 100-120 cd/m2) but how should the contrast be changed? I believe the factory default is to place it at the maximum value of 100.

Any advice appreciated.

Rgds
Rick