LCD Monitor Calibration Software

[Raptor1]

Hi all, recently i've bought a Philips 240PWEB/69 monitor.
May i know if there are any good calibration software around that i can use to calibrate my monitor for display purposes?

Regards.

[studiospace]

To get accurate results, it must be used in conjunction with a hardware colourimeter.

Entry-level to semi-pro choices, Spyder (http://spyder.datacolor.com) and entry-level to professional choices includes EyeOne (http://www.xrite.com).

You don't need the top models, an entry level model is good enough for most purposes.

[grantyale]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 Hi all, recently i've bought a Philips 240PWEB/69 monitor. May i know if there are any good calibration software around that i can use to calibrate my monitor for display purposes? Regards.

Well I have that monitor. I think you HAVE TO use a hardware calibrator, simply because
1. it deserves one
2. its wide gamut goes far beyond sRGB

[Raptor1]

*regrets asking for advice*
haha.. any idea which is recomended? and how much will it cost me?

[kkgoxplore]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 *regrets asking for advice* haha.. any idea which is recomended? and how much will it cost me?

Spyder3Pro should be adequate. CP sells at $245 incl GST.

[Raptor1]

Any idea how much does the eye one display cost?
and where i can get it?
Is it any cheaper then the Spyder3Pro ?

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 Any idea how much does the eye one display cost? and where i can get it? Is it any cheaper then the Spyder3Pro ?

Bump this thread, coz I also looking around.

The color differences is driving me crazy.

[Octarine]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 Any idea how much does the eye one display cost? and where i can get it? Is it any cheaper then the Spyder3Pro ?

Use the search function and you'll find the previous threads about it, including price information. As mentioned by studiospace the EyeOne is rather for professional usage, so it's reasonable to expect a higher price.
Alternatively you can check the Classifieds for 2nd hand Spyder2. I got mine there as well, works great. Check the features to see whether you need Spyder3.

[Peano]

Originally Posted by Octarine Use the search function and you'll find the previous threads about it, including price information. As mentioned by studiospace the EyeOne is rather for professional usage, so it's reasonable to expect a higher price. Alternatively you can check the Classifieds for 2nd hand Spyder2. I got mine there as well, works great. Check the features to see whether you need Spyder3.

Datacolor gives some guidance:

Please note: Spyder2express uses an earlier generation of Spyder technology. It is excellent for calibrating CRTs and typical LCD displays. For laptops with very narrow viewing angles, LCDs with gloss finishes, and new LCD technologies such as LED backlight and Wide Gamut displays, we recommend Spyder3-based products ...

[grantyale]

Originally Posted by Peano Datacolor gives some guidance: Please note: Spyder2express uses an earlier generation of Spyder technology. It is excellent for calibrating CRTs and typical LCD displays. For laptops with very narrow viewing angles, LCDs with gloss finishes, and new LCD technologies such as LED backlight and Wide Gamut displays, we recommend Spyder3-based products ...

Spyder2Pro has this problem too. I always felt the images look a little too yellow with the profile built with Spyder2Pro (borrowed). Raptor1 pointed me to the Philips profile available from their website. Comparing the two profiles, in Lab color space, it can be seen that the Spyder2Pro thinks the monitor has a less saturated green than it really is. Visual inspection suggests the 240PW9 has a reasonably good gamma curve (close to 2.2). I'm thinking of using the Philips profile (without gamma info) instead now.

[Roasty]

i have two LCD monitors used side by side.. one Sony and one Dell.. the Sony seems to have a cold tone, whilst the Dell seems warmer. i've tried to adjust both so that they appear similar, but i just cant get them to look the same.

will buying a LCD calibration tool like spyder solve my problem?

does anyone know of a place or person that rents these out? or someone i can borrow it from? cos i figure after one usage and the LCD is calibrated right, then no further need for it..


*ok edited - apparently some people calibrate their monitors every month..

[HTCahHTC]

Originally Posted by Roasty *ok edited - apparently some people calibrate their monitors every month..

yup, some do it right before they start PP, as different results are produced under different lighting circumstances. IMHO, i think it will be good if your friends or family has one, but will be better if you invest in one yourself.

[Shen siung]

Salesperson in CP-M recommend me one, sold at $150 iirc, I cannot remember it is Spyder2 or Spyder3...I didn't get one at the end.

[Roasty]

will getting one rectify the colour discrepancy between my two monitors?

[zoom3]

I also recently bought the Philips 240PW9EB (at the IT show). After getting over the initial excitment, spent a fair bit of time trying to calibrate using the Philips software (by sight). My so called colour eye is pretty ordinary, so after staring at the monitor trying to decide when grey is really grey, everthing just become blur blur. I just couldn't get the display right.

So I convinced myself that since I have spent my hard earned money on this super duper monitor, I have no choice but to get the best out of it. So I hurried down to Cathay the next day to buy the Spyder3 Pro (on sale for $245). Hurry hurry back home and started calibrating. To my relief, it was damn easy to use. Now the display looks just great

Money well spent. Yes, I believe so. It is probably the most useful gadget I have bought in a long time. But I must say I had initial reservations on spending $245 on something I knew very little about.

One last comment. As one is supposed to re calibrate when any of the monitor display settings are changed, or when ambient light changes, or after a period of time when the monitor colour can shift , one really have to own one if want to get the most out of the monitor.

[WuffRuff]

Originally Posted by Roasty will getting one rectify the colour discrepancy between my two monitors?

Technically, I should think so since the calibration software would try to get both monitors to display the colours in the same way. How many correct colours can there be?