In a class of embodiments, a method and system for characterizing a display device using a camera device (e.g., a consumer grade, mobile camera device) to sense light emitted by the display device during display of one or more test images, and to generate measurement data characterizing the display and/or calibration data useful for calibrating the display device. In some embodiments, the display device is adjusted or calibrated manually in response to such calibration data, for example by user actuation of display device controls in response to calibration data indicative of display setting recommendations. In some embodiments, the test image(s) are embedded in a video stream (e.g., overlaid on arbitrary video content). For example, test images including appropriate timing information and calibration sequences are embedded in a video stream for display by the display device. In some embodiments, the user is prompted to align the camera device (e.g., to position the camera device such that light emitted from a test image at least substantially fills the camera field of view).