Help me choose some calibration software

[steve62388]

Hi All,

I'm new to display calibration.

For the longest time I have wanted to calibrate my Panasonic TX-P42ST50B plasma television, but the expense has been putting me off. I will be purchasing a 27" iMac soon and already own a mid-2012 Retina MacBook Pro. With at least three devices to calibrate I have decided to take the plunge.

After considerable internet research I have settled on buying an i1 Display Pro, specifically from here http://www.nativedigital.com/xrite-i1-display-pro/ because they are one of the few retailers that list it's software compatibility. I understand the difference between the retail and OEM versions of the i1 is what software they will work with. I have read direct conflicting reports from users about what software works with what, so if you can enlighten me from your own use of the i1 please do.

What software should I use? It would need to work with both plasma televisions and my iMac/rMBP displays. I would like it to be easy to use but with all the necessary readings (I understand this is colour, grey scale and gamut). My preference would be a native OS X application but I can use Windows. It would need to be free or very cheap, I am at the upper range of my budget with the i1.

The i1 I am looking at includes the (X-rite?) i1 Profiler software. I am also considering ColorHCFR because I have found a guide here http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc& without which I doubt I could figure out how to use it unless it has a good manual. Another option would be CalMAN ColorChecker.

For test patterns on my plasma I am looking at either the 2nd Edition Spears & Munsil HD blu-ray or HD Basics DVE. Please feel free to comment on either of these choices and their ease of use with your recommended software.

Thanks.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I've used the i1 display pro with the included i1 Profiller software on my iMac with no issues. It will work with OSX without a problem.
Can't help on the plasma though.

 

[MCAsan]

The two most well known products are Datacolor's Spyder series and Xritephoto's Colormunki series. Usually the best prices are usually at B&H or Adorama.

I use Spyder Elite 4 on my ATD and rMBP. You will be surprised how well the Apple screens are from the factory.

http://spyder.datacolor.com/display-calibration/
http://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=1115

 

[MisterMe]

Hi All,

I'm new to display calibration.

...

What is the purpose of the calibrated TV set?

Standalone commercial calibration software is worthless. Your Displays preferences pane can be used to calibrate your monitor. However, it is only as good as your own color vision. Even if your color vision is perfect, your perception may not accurately represent the colors that are present. The human brain has a remarkable ability to color correct in real time what the eyes see. It is also incredibly good in low-light conditions. For example, images photographed under fluorescent lights have a blue tint. Those photographed under incandescent lights have a red tint. To match what you see, you must set the white balance of your camera or remove the tint during production. As I said before, human vision does this in real time.

To improve upon your color vision, you need a color calibration kit. These are used to calibrate systems, not just monitors. A system includes your scanner, printer, and display. The calibration kit includes a sensor that attached to your display to capture the colors emitted by your monitor.

A professional-level calibration of your system ensures that the print-out of each image accurately matches the image that you scanned on your scanner and edited using your monitors. If you want to use your plasma display as a computer monitor, then you want a calibration kit. This assumes that you are not satisfied with the Displays calibration facility.

If you want to calibrate your TV set as a TV set, then a very different list of considerations apply. TV sets are properly calibrated for the lighting in which they are located. TV sets in the store are calibrated for the lighting in the store. If your TV set will be used in a bar, your living room, or media room, then very different settings should be used for those different lighting environments. Properly adjusting your TV set for its environment is an issue that has been addressed by c|net.

 

[steve62388]

I've used the i1 display pro with the included i1 Profiller software on my iMac with no issues. It will work with OSX without a problem.
Can't help on the plasma though.

Ah, excellent. Would you consider it easy to use for a first timer? Does it somehow set up a profile in OS X Mavericks System Preferences or it doesn't integrate with OS X at all and is standalone?

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The two most well known products are Datacolor's Spyder series and Xritephoto's Colormunki series. Usually the best prices are usually at B&H or Adorama.

I use Spyder Elite 4 on my ATD and rMBP. You will be surprised how well the Apple screens are from the factory.

http://spyder.datacolor.com/display-calibration/
http://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=1115

Sorry, should have mentioned that I am in the UK and I definitely want to buy from here so I am covered for warranties etc.

The reviews I have read by both professional reviewers and users on the i1 indicates that it is the best colourimeter in this price range (seemingly by quite a large margin), so I'm pretty sure I'll be picking one up.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ah, excellent. Would you consider it easy to use for a first timer? Does it somehow set up a profile in OS X Mavericks System Preferences or it doesn't integrate with OS X at all and is standalone?

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Sorry, should have mentioned that I am in the UK and I definitely want to buy from here so I am covered for warranties etc.

The reviews I have read by both professional reviewers and users on the i1 indicates that it is the best colourimeter in this price range (seemingly by quite a large margin), so I'm pretty sure I'll be picking one up.

Very easy to use. It has an easy mode where you just run through the software wizard. At the end it gives you the profile name an location. It will be listed under your system preferences, display settings.
When you feel more comftable you can use some of the advance settings to tweak it as you like.
Takes less than 10 minutes, and should be done every 4-6 weeks (you can set a reminder in the software). Just be sure to let your monitor warm up first. A good 30 minutes is best.
Xrite Photo Europe also do free telephone support if you have any issues.
Also lots of info here. http://support.xritephoto.eu/i1-display-pro/

 

[steve62388]

Very easy to use. It has an easy mode where you just run through the software wizard. At the end it gives you the profile name an location. It will be listed under your system preferences, display settings.
When you feel more comftable you can use some of the advance settings to tweak it as you like.
Takes less than 10 minutes, and should be done every 4-6 weeks (you can set a reminder in the software). Just be sure to let your monitor warm up first. A good 30 minutes is best.
Xrite Photo Europe also do free telephone support if you have any issues.
Also lots of info here. http://support.xritephoto.eu/i1-display-pro/

When you calibrate do you rest the id1 against the screen or do you stand it back?

Thanks.

 

[Apple fanboy]

When you calibrate do you rest the id1 against the screen or do you stand it back?

Thanks.

It had to be in contact with the screen. It has a weight on the wire and you hang it over the top of your monitor. It has material around the sensor which will stop the i1 scratching the screen. I can take a picture and post tomorrow if you like.

 

[mtbdudex]

X-Rite EODIS3CCPP i1 Display Pro and ColorChecker Passport Bundle (Black)

Thx for this thread, my 4 1/2 year old Spyder 3 crapped out...

So I was looking for $200-ish replacement to handle the iMac/MacBookPro and my basement PJ and family room 4k UHDTV.
Just placed amazon order for X-Rite EODIS3CCPP i1 Display Pro and ColorChecker Passport Bundle (Black) $250
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007V9N65O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll chime in my experience using it for various displays.
The $450 Colormunki out of my budget range.