Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This product does an excellent job for it's price. I have been pleased with the results from Spyder 2.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ColorVision Spyder2 Suite Monitor & Printer Color Calibration System
Showing posts with label color calibration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label color calibration. Show all posts
ColorVision Spyder2 Suite Monitor & Printer Color Calibration System Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This product does an excellent job for it's price. I have been pleased with the results from Spyder 2.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ColorVision Spyder2 Suite Monitor & Printer Color Calibration System
COLORVISION Spyder ( Windows / Macintosh ) Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)If the image on your monitor doesn't match what comes out of the printer, this gizmo will fix the problem. It works with both CRTs and LCD's. It takes 15 minutes and when youre done the monitor will use a custom profile that sets the mix of red, green and blue correctly, along with the brightness. You have to know in advance what kind of controls your monitor has -- no color controls -- common on laptops, or user-set RGB and color temperature controls. But the insructions tell you how to find out, and the product works with either type. Hint #1: To see the monitor controls and the calibration pattern simultaneuously, open the PhotoCal software, drag it over to one side of the screen and then open the monitor controls and drag them over to the other side. #2: Re-run the calibration after you adjust the monitor to check the results -- the software doesn't cycle back by itself.
Click Here to see more reviews about: COLORVISION Spyder ( Windows / Macintosh )
Spyder lets you trust your monitor as much as you trust your own eyes. This monitor correction tool provides accurate color on your monitor. Now what you see onscreen is what you'll print -- saving you time, ink and paper. A color-corrected monitor is an important tool for any home print studio or digital darkroom. Spyder gives your monitor true color, every time! Powered through Mac or Windows USB port
Click here for more information about COLORVISION Spyder ( Windows / Macintosh )
ColorVision SpyderPRO & PrintFIX - Monitor calibrator Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I recently purchased ColorVision's PrintFIX product to improve the quality of prints that my Epson 2200 produces from Photoshop. The default profiles produce properly exposed prints, but the colors are slightly off from those on the monitor (which has been calibrated).
According to the PrintFIX ads, the device "enables you to produce top quality prints right away" and "build custom profiles in minutes." That has not been my experience. Multiple attempts to use PrintFIX produced prints that were much too underexposed with a green tint that looked nothing like the image on the monitor using the same profile with Photoshop proofing.
I called ColorVision's tech support and the first thing they told me was that PrintFIX is not suitable for professional or even advanced amateur color management. (I fully agree, but why then do they sell it bundled with their Spyder PRO professional monitor calibration tool?). By the way, the street price for PrintFIX is $299!
After I explained my problem, the tech asked me to email a copy of the calibration chart that I printed. After receipt he would call me back to explain how to use their DoctorPRO software that comes with PrintFIX to correct the profile. The tech did not call me back nor did he return my messages left on voicemail. It took four phone calls to make contact with him again.
The process for using DoctorPRO is a complete kludge and cannot produce consistent or reproducible color management of a printer. The first step is to use Photoshop image adjustments to make the image on the monitor look like the incorrect print. This is a highly subjective process and matching the print exactly on the monitor is impossible. The next step is to create a Photoshop action in which the image adjustments of Photoshop are used to correct the now incorrect monitor image to match the original. Then DoctorPRO is initiated and it applies the action to create an edited profile. In theory, the edited profile is then used on the monitor to soft proof results prior to printing. The print then is made using this profile. This is of course and iterative process, and it takes many attempts and wastes many prints to get a profile that is even close to acceptable.
Obviously, this same process can be used without using either the PrintFIX hardware or software by just modifying the default profiles in Photoshop with an action.
IMHO PrintFIX does not do the job and is not worth the money. ColorVision should be embarrassed to sell a product that falls so short of its claims and one that its tech support even admits is inadequate.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ColorVision SpyderPRO & PrintFIX - Monitor calibrator
Click here for more information about ColorVision SpyderPRO & PrintFIX - Monitor calibrator
Colorvision STV100 Spyder TV Colormeter Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this puppy a few days ago and have run it a few times to get a feel for the calibration qualities of the Sensor.
Now let me say that I've tried it in a room with only modest light as well as a room with no other Ambient Light Source and both proved to be identical values so as long as it isn't broad daylight with the blinds open it is pretty reliable.
Let me add that the device is a Colorimeter which is for calibrating color and it is actually very good at it! Much better than you could eyeball regardless of who you are.
So with all that said, let's address some of the complaints, or should I say misconceptions with the device.
1st, all the Device knows are absolutes that are pre-programmed into the software and it is designed to achieve accuracy within a certain degree (often lower than .05% Deviation) and your eyes will never be that accurate.
2nd, Skin Tones Change based on the light source used and unfortunately Hollywood knows that the lighting creates atmosphere so the skin tones will never be 100% reliable in any movie; So let's take the movie "The Guardian" for example this movie had no less than 7 different light sources depending on the scene and this would make calibrating your screen based on skin tones as tough a target as trying to pinpoint a Democrats Morals (After all, truth is relative right?). In Reality Skin tones can only truly be used to judge Calibration based on a Daylight Scene and ONLY if You Know the Skin Tone To Begin With.
So if you're going to judge the devices capabilities then you should use known quantities to judge. Good sources are Whites Lines, Known Black Items and Blue Skies or use a modern Animated Feature like Finding Nemo or Shrek where light temperature is never really a factor.
Now as for Brightness and Contrast, these characteristics are designed to work within a defined range as well and the Colorimeter is doing what it's told to do...
Basically, the software measures the top value and the bottom value for each setting and then takes a few calculated readings from in between to determine range while setting the appropriate mid-point for Range. Keep in Mind, that isn't arbitrary and as such the device will not know if part of a scene is too dark, it is just trying to keep everything operating within a certain range without letting parts of the scene get blown out (the more range your TV has the better this will work but at 700:1 or 1500:1 it will require some user intervention).
My advice for setting up a TV, that is less than 2000:1 contrast ratio, with the SpyderTV is to go through the whole setup and then tweak the brightness and contrast with a THX Video Test from a Pixar Disk like Finding Nemo or using DVE for these settings.
So, with all that said this device is every bit as accurate as higher priced calibration tools but does require a little bit of knowledge to operate properly within spec.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Colorvision STV100 Spyder TV Colormeter
The Datacolor SpyderTV colorimeter and software deliver an easy-to-use solution for optimizing any TV for a better viewing experience.SpyderTV scientifically measures contrast, brightness, color, tint, and color temperature presets on your TV and helps you make the necessary adjustments to dramatically improve your picture quality. SpyderTV supports Plasma, RPTV, DLP, LCD and CRT TVs.
Click here for more information about Colorvision STV100 Spyder TV Colormeter
SPYDER3 Studio Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)So far, so good. I was primarily interested in the print profiler though wanted to upgrade my display profiler from an older version so picked up the package.
Comes in a nice metal case just like in the image though I don't expect to be traveling with it much it makes a save place to store the devices.
My customer service experience was great. I had a problem with the print profiler device (button on the device didn't work). I contacted them on their website and they contacted me the next morning. They sent me a new device within two business days!
Software is easy to use though I tried the beta software from their website and there are some bugs with the interface and workflow. For production work it's worth sticking with the released version.
Overall like the product and would have given it a 5 stars had it not been for the defective device.
Click Here to see more reviews about: SPYDER3 Studio
ColorVision Spyder2 Suite Win/Mac Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Pros: Good, well contructed, colorimeter for the novice, easy to use software walks you through every step. I notice a definite improvement in my new 22" WS LCD's picture. I had tried Adobe Gamma and Quick Gamma, but these programs rely on your eyes for making brightness and contrast corrections, and setting gamma. My eyes are not as sharp as they were 20 years ago.
Cons: The new updated software, version 2.3, has been out since June, 2006 but Colorvision is still shipping with the older version. Go to their website [...]), download 2.3 (110.3 MB), install it, and use the keycode on your 2.2 version to run it. The 2.3 version changes the target white point for LCDs to 6500K instead of Native. I personally prefer 6500k anyway. Gamma 2.2 and 6500K are the only choices with the Express. If you want more choices you will have to purchase the more expensive Pro version.
After calibration and exiting the software I got a "Can not find color profile" error message. Rebooting solved this.
With the counter-weight adjusted, I still had to tilt my LCD monitor back 15 - 20 degrees before I could get the Spyder to lay completely flat on the screen.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ColorVision Spyder2 Suite Win/Mac
Click here for more information about ColorVision Spyder2 Suite Win/Mac
ColorVision Spyder2PRO Win/Mac Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)It does the basic job well. The calibration runs smoothly and accurately. Hardware looks and feels solid. My two completely different brand, size and age CRT monitors ended up with exactly the same colors sitting side by side.
User interface is merely adequate. Pop up help instructions are better than many I have seen. You will need to know already how the calibration buttons on your monitors work (the hardwired buttons on the monitor, not software). In order to make any edits you must run the entire time consuming calibration over. Sometimes you can use "back" within the calibration, sometimes you must start over. Also the separate "profile chooser" utility software, has not add or delete profile feature - even if it is a profile created and saved by the calibration software earlier. You can see it with windows display properties, but it may not appear in the profile chooser list.
Dual monitors is the one obvious reason to choose pro over plus version. Yes, it does dual monitors, but with an asterisk. It will create separate profiles, but will only apply the correct profiles automatically at startup to both monitors if you have two separate video cards. If you have a single video card with dual outputs, it will load the same profile (the last one you created) to both monitors at startup. This quirk is documented in a readme file on the installation disk (and blames windows for the problem), but this limitation appears nowhere in advertising material, catalogs, or on the box. Fortunately there is a work around (not documented) at least with my particular video card and running XP. After windows opens, you can run profile chooser then choose the correct profile for each monitor. You may have to use windows display properties settings to specify default profile and rerun the calibration to get the profiles you want to appear in profile chooser and to select the correct profile as default.
Once it's all set up, running profile chooser is a four of five click procedure, but you must rememeber to check it before using any application that uses color profiles. And check it after you open the application. I've had them change after opening photoshop - though not every time.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ColorVision Spyder2PRO Win/Mac
The Professionals Choice:Includes Spyder2 calibration, software based print profiling, new PreciseLight ambient light sensor, and calibration for projectors.
Click here for more information about ColorVision Spyder2PRO Win/Mac
Pantone Eye-One Display 2 Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This colorimeter is well-respected by photographers for good reason. In easy mode, it is pretty fast and you don't have to do anything but click 'next' it does all the work. In advanced mode, you can can drive your self silly with all the options.
They are always making the software better, so its a good idea to check for updates of the software.
Pros:
Easy to use.
Cons:
not the best instructions
Click Here to see more reviews about: Pantone Eye-One Display 2
Combination of tweaking and proofing might be eluding you simply because the color on your monitor is not accurate. The fact is, all monitors (yes, both new and old) display color differently. The only way to address this is by calibrating and profiling your monitor. EyeOne Display 2 is a professional monitor calibration tool that lets you achieve accurate color on all types of displays ? including LCDs, CRTs and laptops. With its advanced controls, you can achieve the best possible match across multiple monitors, optimize gray balance for more neutral and betterdefined grays and even check ambient light to determine optimal room lighting for colorcritical work. EyeOne Display 2 saves time and rework so your creative inspirations can be more easily realized. Designed to meet the needs of creative professionals and discerning digital imaging enthusiasts, EyeOne Display LT ensures reliable and accurate color onscreen.With the easytouse software wizard, you?ll achieve consistent, predictable color on all types of monitors ? LCD, CRT and laptops ? with a few simple clicks. Each individual package includes an EyeOne Display measurement device (emission only colorimeter) with ambient measurement head, EyeOne Match 3.0 software for monitors, EyeOne Share software for creating, evaluating and communicating color, Interactive Training Modules and a digital Pantone library.
Click here for more information about Pantone Eye-One Display 2
Pantone huey MEU101 Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I use my computer for a lot of photography. I have an analog View Sonic 17" LCD screen. Since I was receiving print results from an online print service where the contrast and colors were different than what I had expected I purchased this affordable product. I found it very easy to set up on my PC taking up a USB port. After installing the software, you are prompted to calibrate the device with the monitor which takes about 5 minutes. There after the device sits in its cradle near your monitor measuring the ambient light every minute or an interval you can select to readjust the screen. After two weeks the software will prompt you to recalibrate. I've owned the product for nearly three months and I've been satisfied. It didn't screw up my monitor as I've heard about with other products. I have it set for Webbrowsing-Photo editing but you can set it for games. Quite honestly I have only tried it with one game and that it Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 and sometimes the contrast and colors are off (hence the 4 stars only.) Overall for my photo editing, it is a great little product at an affordable price.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Pantone huey MEU101
Designed for calibrating and profiling all types of monitors (LCD and CRT), The Pantone Huey measurement device (emission only colorimeter) includes ambient measurement capabilities, and software for monitor calibration. Huey corrects the color on your monitor so photos and designs print more accurately, game graphics are more intense and movies are more true-to-life. Easy-to-use right out of the box, Huey adapts your monitor for changing room lighting and applies your personal preferences for viewing accurate color all of the time.
ColorVision PrintFIX Pro Win/Mac Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Have had the older version of this and loved it, but my new printer wasnt supported. So I bit the bullet and purchased this and am more then pleased. The only drawback, and it is very minor is the time it takes to scann the color chart. My old unit had a scanner that did it for you. This is a reader that you have to click on every color individually with. With the accurate setting that is a lot of clicks! Sure works well, and very good results so it is worth it, but budget LOTS of time for each paper.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ColorVision PrintFIX Pro Win/Mac
Click here for more information about ColorVision PrintFIX Pro Win/Mac
X-Rite i1Display 2 Color Calibrator for LCD, CRT, and Laptop Displays Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have been increasingly more interested in my photography hobby and came to the eventual realization that monitor color and luminance calibration was necessary. It just did not make sense, spending sometimes hours post processing a photo on my computer, only to have it show up with different colors on somebody else's screen or printer.
I have never before calibrated any monitors or TVs and considered, in addition to this product, the Spyder 3 Pro and LaCie Blue Eye. I finally decided on the Eye-One Display 2.
I have now calibrated my dual LCD monitor setup (Dell 2405WFP and 2408WFP) and Dell XPS 17" laptop with complete ease and great, consistent results. Because I actually have 2 separate PCIe video cards, calibrating dual LCD is as easy as calibrating one with Windows Vista 32 bit.
PROS:
1. Cheaper than LaCie Blue Eye, which is highly regarded by certain website reviewers (although more expensive than Spyder 3 Pro)
2. Same hardware to the well regarded LaCie Blue Eye
3. Better ability to reproduce black on LCD as per a website review than Spyder 3 Pro
4. Ability to measure and calibrate luminance
5. Very simple easy mode for those who want speed and to not have to understand the complexities of color calibration
6. An advanced mode, which was actually fairly easy for even me to use (and I have no prior detailed knowledge of color technologies)
7. Software allows you to see the before and after effects of your calibration effort by showing a color chart and a small portrait of a woman.
8. Install CD contains very easy to use complete video tutorials on how to calibrate.
CONS:
1. On Apple Macs, dual monitor calibration is supposedly easy. But with Windows XP/Vista, it is not a straightforward task. Because I actually have TWO separate PCIe video cards, calibrating dual LCD was as easy as calibrating one under Windows Vista 32 bit.
A dual monitor setup with a SINGLE video card can be calibrated individually under Windows XP with a workaround solution, as per suggestions I've found from a Google search. I am not sure if the workaround works under Vista, but it seems plausible.
2. More expensive than Spyder 3 Pro (although cheaper than LaCie Blue Eye)
TIPS:
1. On the Dell 2405WFP 24" LCD panel, the monitor will not allow user customizable contrast control if you choose a DVI input for that monitor. I am not certain why this is since my 2408WFP allows this. The only downside of this, is that you cannot use the advanced mode for the Dell 2405WFP, since that mode requires the user to manually change some monitor settings, which include contrast.
2. Consider whether or not you need the more expensive Eye-One Display 2 version vs. the cheaper "LT" version. If you do not need a customized white balance or different gamut or even know what I'm writing about, then you might be completely fine with the "LT" version. I am not 100% certain if the "LT" version will measure and calibrate luminance, however. This could be an important difference.
3. If cost is an issue, I would also research the Spyder 3 Pro system. Although I chose the Eye-One Display 2, I realize now since seeing the vast differences from my pre-calibrated images to my post-calibrated images, that color calibration is essential. It is probably better to calibrate with almost anything vs not calibrating at all.
4. Also realize that the Eye-One Display 2, Spyder 3 Pro, and LaCie Blue eye hardware can be utilized with 3rd PARTY SOFTWARE! A Google search will show that there are indeed even FREE 3rd party software that you can use to drive the hardware. Some forum members seem to write positive results with some of this software.
5. If cost is no object, serious consideration should be given to the more expensive LaCie Blue Eye. A Google search shows that this is a very well regarded system. (The Eye-One uses the same hardware as this Blue Eye.)
6. Go the X-rite website and look at the current version numbers of the software and compare it to what your installer disk has. Instead of using the install CD, I downloaded the newest versions from the website. I believe only 1 or 2 out of approximately 5 files I downloaded were newer from the website, but this is always a good idea. Some of the files are very large and you will definitely need a broadband connection. Burn these files to your own DVD, so that you can then install the software on each of your computers or laptops to use the calibrating hardware. The install CD is still very useful as it has the really useful tutorials.
I hope this review was helpful as it is certainly confusing as a novice to determine which calibrator to use!
Click Here to see more reviews about: X-Rite i1Display 2 Color Calibrator for LCD, CRT, and Laptop Displays
The Xrite Eye-One Display 2 is an, easy-to-use, powerful solution that provides the best monitor profile quality ever! With enhancements to both hardware and software, you'll achieve consistent, predictable color on all types of monitors (LCD and CRT). Eye-One Display 2 features an enhanced sensor providing higher repeatability, faster measurements and higher sensitivity in the dark areas for better control in shadow detail and a more neutral gray scale. Its lightweight, sleek design is the same as the original Eye-One Display and comes with an Ambient light head (which also acts as a dust protector), a built-in counterweight for LCD displays plus an integrated suction cup for CRTs. The included Eye-One Match 3.6.2 software has an easy-to-use interface and even provides an Easy Mode for great results with a few simple clicks. And for all monitors supporting the DDC/CI standards, you'll achieve one button push monitor profiling. The Advanced Mode allows experienced users to achieve individual and best possible monitor calibration with new features such as selection of different monitor white points, custom luminance settings and detailed profile summary. When you're ready to profile all your input and output devices, use the generous upgrade voucher* towards the purchase of other Eye-One solutions.i1Display 2 Measurement Device: Compact award-winning colorimeter for emissive color measurements of LCD, CRT and laptop displays. Highest sensitivity in dark areas for better control in shadow detail and more neutral gray scale. Detachable ambient light head to capture ambient light measurements and protect your device. Easily attaches to all models of LCD and CRT monitors with included built-in counterweight and suction cups. USB powered. Use at multiple workstations without additional licensing fees. i1Match Software: Software interface provides an Easy Mode for great results with a few simple clicks, plus an Advanced Mode for experienced users to achieve the best possible monitor calibration. Workgroup Match: Utilize reference profiles to match all monitors in your workgroup. Unlimited gamma white point and luminance settings, including native gamma and measure luminance as target. Ambient Match: Check ambient light and adapt profiles for different ambient light environments. One push button monitor calibration (PBC) support for leading industry monitors. (Please see Specifications tab for complete listing.). Gray balance optimization for more neutral and better defined grays. Profile summary report ideal for post profile analysis. Validation: Monitor validation and trending graph. Before and after images show instant results. Profile reminder to ensure true and reliable color over time. Easy to follow on-screen help guides - no extra manuals needed.Compatible with all Windows and Macintosh operating systems except MAC OS10.7 Lion (Lion Compatibility coming 9/2011).
Pantone huey Pro MEU113 Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have used other similar but far more expensive products but they always ended up in one of my junk drawers, filed under "another waste of money". The Huey Pro is exactly what it claims to be - a simple and accurate monitor/graphics card calibration tool.
Every PC/MAC monitor is grossly out of calibration 'out-of-the-box', just as is the case with TVs (HD or SD). Every video card has a different output balance from 'true' (just like every DVD player for home theater), and factory settings on LCD displays are far from proper. If you care about decent image quality (such as with digital photography, watching DVDs, accurate online catalog images, etc.) you must buy a tool to correct the video driver settings for your specific combination of monitor and graphics card (even even for the VGA vs. DVI port on the same card - they are different).
Even on the general case of the majority of monitors that are only able to achieve a 76% color accuracy level (6-bit panels, low contrast ratios, limited brightness - most laptops and low-mid priced LCDs), they still respond quite well to calibration with the Huey Pro. If you buy a higher grade of monitor (8-bit panels, high contrast ratios: Samsung 226BW, LG L246WP or L226WP, etc) where there is a potential for 94% color accuracy, then the Huey Pro calibration improvement is stellar.
For PC's with XP, if you run more than 1 display (or dual graphics cards), you need to download the XP "WinColorSetup.exe" file from MS. This allows for control of multiple monitor .icm files in Windows (have to use the same icm file for all monitors on that system otherwise).
Make sure you get the Huey Pro version (or buy the Pro firmware/software upgrade for the standard Huey), as it has a more refined set of tests and yields a much better .icm file. It takes about 3 minutes to calibrate a warmed up monitor correctly (well, as much as your hardware choices will support anyway). The automatic background light adjustment feature is quite useful as room lighting (especially with sunlight passing through the windows) changes as you work from day into evening.
Highly recommended!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Pantone huey Pro MEU113
It's all about the color: Color in your photos. Color in your designs. And it all starts with accurate color on your screen. Photographers understand that a color-managed workflow is essential to obtain true color from capture, to edit, to print; but what you see on-screen is only as accurate as your display. Over time, the color performance of monitors changes - phosphors and liquid crystals fade, causing the display to drift into unknown colors. hueyPRO automatically brings back the true colors, so whether you are editing photos to print, sell or share with others, gaming or shopping on-line, you deserve to see the right color on your display. The hueyPRO delivers extensive controls in an affordable, easy-to-use solution designed to calibrate and profile all types of LCD and CRT displays. Each package includes an emission-only colorimeter with ambient measurement capabilities and intuitive software. Designed with the same advanced optical color sensors as the i1Display product family, hueyPRO's optical sensors provide the same accurate on-screen color that used to only be available to professionals, PLUS automatically measures the ambient light within a room for precision calibration. Even after the calibration process, hueyPRO will observe the light falling on the display and apply your personal preferences for viewing accuracy, any time of day. hueyPRO INCLUDES hueyPRO colorimeter with USB power cord, hueyPRO device cradle, hueyPRO profiling software and Quick Start Guide. hueyPRO's increased color accuracy combined with the ability to calibrate multiple monitors delivers the solution you need to accurately view your images. With its customizable white point and gamma combinations, enhanced LCD calibration and Advanced Help, the hueyPRO is the answer to your color needs.
Click here for more information about Pantone huey Pro MEU113