Proper display calibration is essential for maintaining the authentic look and feel of classic arcade machines. The most common calibration techniques focus on CRT monitors, which were the standard display technology during the arcade golden age.

The primary calibration method involves adjusting the color balance and brightness levels. Technicians use test patterns to set appropriate black levels, white levels, and color temperature to ensure accurate color representation. This typically involves adjusting potentiometers on the monitor's chassis for red, green, and blue gain and cutoff.

Geometry correction is another critical technique. This involves adjusting the horizontal and vertical size, position, and linearity of the image using the monitor's built-in controls. Pincushion, trapezoid, and rotation adjustments help create a perfectly rectangular image without distortion across the entire screen.

Convergence setup is particularly important for sharp image quality. This process aligns the red, green, and blue electron guns to ensure they precisely hit the correct phosphors on the screen. Both static convergence (center of screen) and dynamic convergence (edges and corners) require careful adjustment using the monitor's convergence rings or pots.

Modern calibration approaches sometimes incorporate color calibration tools and test pattern generators to achieve more precise results than traditional manual methods. Regular maintenance calibration helps preserve the authentic visual experience that arcade enthusiasts expect while extending the lifespan of these vintage display systems.