TV & Monitor Colorimeter

[mjkovis]

I need to invest in a color calibrator. Main reason is I am really noticing HUGE variations from the office and home when I am working. If I get one, I would like to be able to use it to calibrate TV's correctly as well.

Right now I am looking at:
Amazon.com: Colorvision, SPYDER3 Tv, Colorimeter: Electronics
and
X-Rite i1Display 2 Color Calibrator for LCD, CRT, and Laptop Displays

Any suggestions?

[David M]

Just kidding!

[Nuclear Krusader]

They're two different devices. The Spyder won't work for computers, only televisions.

The i1 Display 2 has been discontinued, and it's not for TVs.

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader They're two different devices. The Spyder won't work for computers, only televisions. The i1 Display 2 has been discontinued, and it's not for TVs.

Hence why I am looking at both...

That is why was asking if there are any out there that would work for both TV's and monitors.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Datacolor seems to be the only one that provides solutions for both; but note that they're separate.

[mjkovis]

Received my brand new Spyder3Pro from Datacolor today via the brown truck. Needless to say, I was a little anxious to test it out.

Finished installing software on my laptop and calibration. I am impressed. Once you finish the calibration you are then able to view between the calibrated and uncalibrated versions. There was a huge difference. Every site I have visited and picture I have looked at looks so much better than it did before.

Cannot wait to install on my office workstation and home desktop. I have been really annoyed at the color difference when switching computers while trying to work on color schemes. It has been a pain in the arse. I am also going to buy the software upgrade for TV's. I am looking forward to seeing what a difference it will make.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Can't say anything anent the TV version as I don't watch the telly, but as for my workflow, it wouldn't be possible without the Spyder.

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Can't say anything anent the TV version as I don't watch the telly, but as for my workflow, it wouldn't be possible without the Spyder.

I like how you have the option to leave it plugged in to a USB port so that it you are able to measure the ambient light for adjustments to the calibration.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Yup, and the icon in the systray discreetly notifies you when the ambient light/calibration is off (if Windoze 7 doesn't automatically hide it, that is).

[mjkovis]

I just purchased Spyder3TV. Going to install the software and test it out on our family rooms TV.

I am wondering if I should use a DVD with sample images to adjust the settings or not? Guess I will find out what works best by jumping on in.

[ceh4702]

You might look into something like a calibration CD. They make them for HDTV's.

This is a website I was looking at that is specifically about HD TV's and TV Cable and Satelite Providers.

http://www.highdefforum.com/

Some TV's have a kind of Calibration in their setup Menu. So you can calibrate for Lights off or lights on. There may be some settings that affect how it looks in the TV itself.