Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Colour Management => Topic started by: ZOG on February 22, 2011, 11:02:36 am

Title: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: ZOG on February 22, 2011, 11:02:36 am
Are there many advantages on choosing the EIZO over the NEC? I currently own a Optix xr with MonacoOptix Software.....

Thanks!
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on February 22, 2011, 11:14:26 am
Are there many advantages on choosing the EIZO over the NEC? I currently own a Optix xr with MonacoOptix Software.....

Thanks!

You wouldn't want your ownership of a colorimeter and related software determining the kind of display you buy. That's the tail wagging the dog. In any case, that colorimeter is not optimized for wide gamut displays of the kind you are considering. Look over the feature set compared with the price for each of those displays, read reviews and user experience from on-line Forums, and buy the one you think more suitable; along with that comes a decision about how to calibrate and profile it, because each of those brands have on offer their own custom-made calibration/profiling solutions, or you can user third party solutions, such as BasicColor Display 4 and a wide-gamut colorimeter such as an i! Display 2.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: howardm on February 22, 2011, 11:31:24 am
Read this thread as it devolves into exactly this discussion.

I ended up w/ an iMac, NEC PA241W, ColorMunki & BasicColor4 (which does the same HW LUT calibration that Spectraview does (and in fact, the European Spectraview s/w *is* rebranded BasicColor4)).

I couldn't be happier although due to lack of time, I'm still working on getting everything to match as well as I'd like but the NEC is amazing (big step up from my Dell 2209WA)
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 22, 2011, 01:17:45 pm
In any case, that colorimeter is not optimized for wide gamut displays of the kind you are considering.

Optix XR/DTP94 has good inter-instrumental agreement and is robust, so a software with correction matrix for given colorimeter and display combination should work well with this instrument (it actually works well for high end WG CCFL and RGB LED Quato Intelli Proof displays).
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on February 22, 2011, 02:56:04 pm
Optix XR/DTP94 has good inter-instrumental agreement and is robust, so a software with correction matrix for given colorimeter and display combination should work well with this instrument (it actually works well for high end WG CCFL and RGB LED Quato Intelli Proof displays).


I know people who sell them and don't recommend them for wide gamut displays. I have both a DTP94 and an NEC-branded i1 Display 2, and the latter makes more accurate profiles on an NEC PA271W display, using BasicColor Display version 4.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 22, 2011, 03:25:59 pm
I know people who sell them and don't recommend them for wide gamut displays. I have both a DTP94 and an NEC-branded i1 Display 2, and the latter makes more accurate profiles on an NEC PA271W display, using BasicColor Display version 4.
I wouldn't recommend it, either - unless there's a correction matrix in profiling software. EIZO ColorNavigator seems to have some correction matrix for that colorimeter, a new version of basICColor display is supposed to come out soon, so I'd wait and test it - it's not a bad sensor after all.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on February 22, 2011, 03:57:43 pm
I wouldn't recommend it, either - unless there's a correction matrix in profiling software. EIZO ColorNavigator seems to have some correction matrix for that colorimeter, a new version of basICColor display is supposed to come out soon, so I'd wait and test it - it's not a bad sensor after all.

Nope - not a bad sensor, I agree; but why not buy one specified for the kind of product it will be used with? They don't cost a fortune and high quality profiling saves a lot of time and money in the long run.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: ZOG on February 22, 2011, 04:50:34 pm
Thanks for the replies about the Optix. What about the monitor???? Is the Eizo that much better?
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on February 22, 2011, 05:19:42 pm
Thanks for the replies about the Optix. What about the monitor???? Is the Eizo that much better?

I haven't tried both side by side, so I can't honestly give you first hand experience on this. That said, I, along with many others, do own the NEC and very pleased with it in all respects. On the whole, the NECs are significantly less expensive than roughly comparable Eizo's, so there would have to be compelling reasons to prefer the Eizo. This thought should help guide your further research - looking for any evidence you can lay your hands on about the merits of the one versus the other relative to the pricing. I did go through this virtual exercise last year when deciding what I should buy as between Eizo and NEC, and opted for the NEC PA271W, notwithstanding that at least one friend who does high-end colour-managed work has an Eizo and swears by it. Both good, which makes decisions harder! :-)
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 22, 2011, 05:25:56 pm
Thanks for the replies about the Optix. What about the monitor???? Is the Eizo that much better?
Qualitywise it's not any better. It has smaller size and resolution, it's ugly and more expansive than PA241W with the Spectraview II software+sensor and a hood. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: alfin on February 23, 2011, 06:10:37 am
It depends on where you are planning to buy the monitor. In my country Sweden, NEC Spectraview monitors are often more expensive than Eizo monitors. The PA241W is about 50% more expensive compared to CG223W, which of course is a smaller 22-inch monitor. An Eizo CG243W is about the same price as NEC PA241W and more comparable.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 23, 2011, 07:24:25 am
It depends on where you are planning to buy the monitor. In my country Sweden, NEC Spectraview monitors are often more expensive than Eizo monitors. The PA241W is about 50% more expensive compared to CG223W, which of course is a smaller 22-inch monitor. An Eizo CG243W is about the same price as NEC PA241W and more comparable.

There's a very subtle but substantial difference between "NEC with SpectraView" (US market) and "NEC SpectraView" (the whole rest).
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: alfin on February 23, 2011, 10:54:16 am
There's a very subtle but substantial difference between "NEC with SpectraView" (US market) and "NEC SpectraView" (the whole rest).
The cheaper NEC versions are called Multisync here, but they cannot be hardware calibrated (unless one knows how to unlock them, at least it was possible with the 2690 model). They are more comparable to Eizo's SX series than their ColorEdge series. (Actually, even the SX series from Eizo can be hardware calibrated now with Eizo EasyPix version 2.)
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: howardm on February 23, 2011, 11:02:04 am
my understanding is that Spectraview Reference (avail only in Europe) are hand-picked high-tolerance units from the production line and gussied up w/ certification, extra QA, hoods and all that good stuff whereas the USA gets whatever comes off the production line w/o all the certification and QA.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on February 23, 2011, 11:18:00 am
my understanding is that Spectraview Reference (avail only in Europe) are hand-picked high-tolerance units from the production line and gussied up w/ certification, extra QA, hoods and all that good stuff whereas the USA gets whatever comes off the production line w/o all the certification and QA.

I have been assured by NEC Solutions America that the specs and quality of the hardware supplied in North America is identical to that supplied in Europe. You can draw your own conclusions from this information.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: probep on February 23, 2011, 12:28:38 pm
I have been assured by NEC Solutions America that the specs and quality of the hardware supplied in North America is identical to that supplied in Europe. You can draw your own conclusions from this information.
I think it isn't true. The quote from NEC FAQ (http://www.necdisplay.com/supportcenter/monitors/spectraview2/faq/#Configurations_and_Purchasing_Questions):
Quote
QUESTION: Is SpectraView II different from the SpectraView Profiler displays sold in Europe?

ANSWER: Yes. The SpectraView II calibration system is developed by NEC and optionally includes a custom calibrated NEC branded X-Rite iOne Display V2 color sensor. SpectraView II can be used with any supported display model and is sold both as a complete kit bundled with a display, and as an add-on product.

In Europe SpectraView Profiler includes a display monitor with hood, custom calibration software developed by basICColor, and each display is individually certified. It is not possible to purchase and use the SpectraView Profiler software with a non-SpectraView Profiler display.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on February 23, 2011, 12:40:58 pm
I think it isn't true. The quote from NEC FAQ (http://www.necdisplay.com/supportcenter/monitors/spectraview2/faq/#Configurations_and_Purchasing_Questions):

That doesn't contradict what they told me. The display hardware can be identical without a certificate.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 23, 2011, 12:51:30 pm
The cheaper NEC versions are called Multisync here, but they cannot be hardware calibrated (unless one knows how to unlock them, at least it was possible with the 2690 model). They are more comparable to Eizo's SX series than their ColorEdge series. (Actually, even the SX series from Eizo can be hardware calibrated now with Eizo EasyPix version 2.)
European Multisync PA can be hardware calibrated with Spectraview II software. It can't be unlocked in a simple way (like early x90 series), but there's a chance it won't be necessary.

I'm not so sure about that S/SX "hardware calibration" with EasyPIX2
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 23, 2011, 12:55:18 pm
That doesn't contradict what they told me. The display hardware can be identical without a certificate.
The hardware is identical, but it's double checked and certified, there's a 6 months warranty for stuck pixels, software, hood, cleaning set and a colorful box.
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: digitaldog on February 23, 2011, 01:03:49 pm
That doesn't contradict what they told me. The display hardware can be identical without a certificate.

Exactly. Its more marketing (which some seem to be buying into) than anything else. Who here or elsewhere can provide any meaningful, scientifically generated data (preferably properly measured data) there is any difference between the groups or that the certificate is worth the paper its printed on!
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: alfin on February 23, 2011, 04:02:53 pm
European Multisync PA can be hardware calibrated with Spectraview II software. It can't be unlocked in a simple way (like early x90 series), but there's a chance it won't be necessary.

OK, but I don’t think it’s supposed to work that way from NEC Europe’s point-of-view. Here in Sweden a Multisync PA241W costs USD1715 and the PA241W Spectraview version costs USD2650. I sure hope NEC isn’t screwing us for 935 dollars for a piece of paper and a hood!

B&H wants 899USD for Multisync PA241W. An Eizo CG243W costs 2346USD at B&H, about the same as in Sweden and equal to NEC’s Spectraview version here.

Quote
I'm not so sure about that S/SX "hardware calibration" with EasyPIX2

Yup, that’s the way it works now:

http://www.eizo.com/na/press/releases/htmls/EasyPIX_2.html
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Czornyj on February 23, 2011, 04:37:45 pm
Yup, that’s the way it works now:
http://www.eizo.com/na/press/releases/htmls/EasyPIX_2.html
That's the way it's described on a webpage...
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: ZOG on March 10, 2011, 09:39:40 pm
Thanks everyone. I got the Eizo CG223W. It was in stock, not the NEC. It's a very nice monitor. I have a calibration question.....
I use the monitor to retouch myh photographic work and to print on a large format Epson printer (11880). I use it also to calibrate artwork that goes to press.

It is recommended to use 6500K with 2.2 Gamma for photo work and 5000K (D50) and a 1.8 Gamma for press work. What should I use? Is one better than the other one when I use a monitor for multiple use? The work that goes to press goes to different printers..... Would a combination of both be a suitable solution? ( ex: 2.2 Gamma and 6000K)

Thanks!

Andre
Title: Re: Eizo CG223W vs NEC PA241W with spectraview
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 10, 2011, 10:12:37 pm
Would a combination of both be a suitable solution? ( ex: 2.2 Gamma and 6000K)

Thanks!

Andre

No. In your position I would test two monitor profiles - one to use for the press work and the other for the Epson. By testing, I mean soft-proof each output condition with each monitor profile, make prints and see what will give you the most predictable and accurate result for each purpose. For the press, you can find inkjet papers which come close to simulating certain press papers used for printing photographs. Gamma adjusts tonality, while degrees K is a white-point setting. They aren't trade-offs. You may find 6500K results in prints that are too warm. 5000K may be appropriate for both output conditions. Experiment.