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Author Topic: Spectraview or other calibration system?  (Read 4727 times)

Peterretep

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Spectraview or other calibration system?
« on: August 15, 2011, 09:21:51 am »

Is the Spectraview calibration system which comes bundled with some NEC monitors the best choice to get for critical photographic work? What other calibration systems would you recommend? I'm currently using Monaco OPTIX on a Lacie 19 crt display. The monitor may need to be replaced soon so I am looking into options into both monitors and calibration systems.

Thanks,
Peter Montanti

digitaldog

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2011, 09:42:50 am »

For a SpectraView display, yes, use their software to fully drive the panel and provide all the SpectraView functionality. You can use the OPTIX if you wish or might want to consider the mated colorimeter.
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SeptimusFry

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2011, 12:36:52 pm »

I have been playing about with Spectraview 4.1.26 and Match 3.6.2 (i1 Pro, SV Reference 2690).

Spectraview uses an L* profiling for contrast whereas Match uses 2.2, and SV uses a neutral black, Match: I assume uses native black.

In both cases, I used D50 and 130cd/m2.

I like the fact that SV gives up the contrast ratio, Match doesn't directly.

I would have expected SV to be the preferred, but if my monitor has the SV profile and I convert an image to the SV working profile on import, then the blacks turn up to grey-black? Why would that be? If I use the Match profile on the monitor and convert an image to the Match working profile then I do NOT lose the greys, there is no apparent change when imported.

(Don't tell me to read your book, I have... and RWCM... and I am still stupid!)
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shewhorn

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2011, 08:28:33 pm »

I would have expected SV to be the preferred, but if my monitor has the SV profile and I convert an image to the SV working profile on import, then the blacks turn up to grey-black? Why would that be? If I use the Match profile on the monitor and convert an image to the Match working profile then I do NOT lose the greys, there is no apparent change when imported.

You shouldn't be converting images to a monitor profile. Your images should be using a working profile (sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB, etc.). You also shouldn't have to convert your images, you should be selecting a working profile to use in your RAW converter.

Cheers, Joe
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K.C.

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2011, 02:53:28 am »

For a SpectraView display, yes, use their software to fully drive the panel and provide all the SpectraView functionality. You can use the OPTIX if you wish or might want to consider the mated colorimeter.

Maybe it's just me, but your brief answer if confusing.

You mean he could use the OPTIX and another colorimeter on another monitor, not the Spectraview ?
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digitaldog

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2011, 10:09:26 am »

Maybe it's just me, but your brief answer if confusing.

You mean he could use the OPTIX and another colorimeter on another monitor, not the Spectraview ?

SpectraView software supports the Optix and other devices. But the best solution is to use their OEM’d mated colorimeter that has filters tuned to their display. You can’t use that on other displays.
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j13ag0

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2011, 12:48:05 pm »

DigitalDog  notes that the NEC branded sensor, which is an  i1 Display 2, is preferred because of the tweaks that NEC makes.

The downside of using that sensor is that plastic filters which change colour over time.  Mine, purchased in 2008 [but who knows how long it sat on the shelf before that] used to produce acceptable profiles, but now does not.  The profile it produces now is very far into the 'too blue' range.  I assume that the plastic filters have yellowed with age, thus biasing the profile to blue.

Is there another sensor choice that can compete while still being used with SpectraView II software ?

regards,
John
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digitaldog

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2011, 12:53:58 pm »

The downside of using that sensor is that plastic filters which change colour over time. 
 I assume that the plastic filters have yellowed with age, thus biasing the profile to blue.

So its not a known fact that the filters change color over time, that’s at this point, you assumption. If you can get it to NEC, maybe we can find out if this is factual. And yes, there are quite a number of other sensors that SpectraView supports other than this unit.
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Alan Goldhammer

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2011, 01:12:41 pm »


The downside of using that sensor is that plastic filters which change colour over time.  Mine, purchased in 2008 [but who knows how long it sat on the shelf before that] used to produce acceptable profiles, but now does not.  The profile it produces now is very far into the 'too blue' range.  I assume that the plastic filters have yellowed with age, thus biasing the profile to blue.
I would not be so quick to jump to this conclusion since we don't know what type of plastic is used in the filter.  There are a number of industrial plastics that do not yellow with age and one would also need to know whether and what type of additive is in the filter to give it the properties that the NEC specifications require.  As Andrew noted, I think you should contact NEC and see what the issue is with the instrument.
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j13ag0

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2011, 04:49:30 pm »

Thanks for your suggestions.

I'll do some more testing with the sensor to see if the problem can be traced to faulty USB ports or another 'local' hardware problem. Barring my finding the source of the problem with hardware, I'll be happy to send the device to NEC - assuming they are willing to look at it.

Its good to know that other sensors work.

Thanks
-jg-
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Pat Herold

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2011, 08:43:23 pm »

John,
Since your NEC puck is essentially the same as an i1D2, you might get some useful feedback on it by running it through X-Rite's i1Diagnostic app.  This is a free utility that runs the puck through its paces, gives some raw numbers and give you a pass or fail on the instrument.  It is not as if you can totally depend on its conclusion, but it's a useful piece of information.
http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=766&Action=support&SoftwareID=506

Another valid option for calibrating an NEC is using the Discus with the basICColor Display software.  The software has built in tables for several NEC and Eizo monitors, so it will calibrate the internal graphics on these displays.  Don't know that everyone can afford this, but hey - it's an option!
http://www.colorwiki.com/wiki/DISCUS_Review
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digitaldog

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2011, 08:50:47 pm »

Another valid option for calibrating an NEC is using the Discus with the basICColor Display software.

Hold on, the advise is, purchase another (very expensive) instrument AND software when John has purchased SpectraView II which supports a number of additional instruments?

I think the best advise is to contact NEC and have the original instrument looked at or find out why, all of a sudden, the calibration is resulting too blue (how about just altering the WP values for a warmer target?)
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j13ag0

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2011, 09:21:53 pm »

Based purely on $$s, the Discus is out of the question.

I'll try the i1 diagnostics and then see what NEC has to say.

cheers
-jg-
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j13ag0

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #13 on: September 11, 2011, 08:37:50 pm »

The calibration problems I had were a little difficult to diagnose due to simultaneous failures.
The main source of problems was the NEC branded sensor. I replaced it with a Spyder 3 Elite and now have a calibrated monitor that looks 'right'.

The other problem was that the LCD3090WQXi was on it's last legs.  NEC replaced it with a factory refurb unit which is performing nicely.

So, with the combination of a refurbished display, updated Spectraview II [v1.1.08] and a new sensor, I'm up a running again.


Thanks for the assistance.

regards,
-jg-
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SeptimusFry

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2011, 12:27:20 pm »

You shouldn't be converting images to a monitor profile. Your images should be using a working profile (sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB, etc.). You also shouldn't have to convert your images, you should be selecting a working profile to use in your RAW converter.

Cheers, Joe
Yes, but I was importing images which had no profile attached...

Sorry to be so long responding, but I have only just got back online after being cut off.
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Peterretep

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Re: Spectraview or other calibration system?
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2012, 06:52:04 am »

In looking for information or answers to my problem with my Spectraview generated profile I found this thread I started last August. Thanks to all that contributed here. I started this thread during a very busy period and forgot about it entirely. In December  I purchased a NEC PA 241W with Spectraview II with which I am having a problem. Yesterday I started a thread titled "NEC Spectraview profile problem" Please have a look at it and offer any suggestions that you may have.  http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=60866.0

Thanks,

Peter Montanti
www.mountainphotographics.com
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