Topic: New X-Rite Software announced - and upgrade eligibility (or lack thereof) (Read 29819 times)

djoy · « **on:** October 28, 2010, 06:39:28 am »

For those who missed it, the new X-Rite package was announced, including the mystery surrounding upgrade eligibility.

http://www.xritephoto.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=198

The new package looks fine and dandy, however, it is as I feared, X-Rite have rather stiffed their loyal customers.

I would be interested to know how many you are in the same position as me in this regard.

I own ProfileMaker Pro 5 with i1 Pro and i1 iO scanning table, all of which cost me several thousands of dollars. After X-Rite bought out Gretag they offered me the "opportunity" to upgrade to ProfileMaker Platinum, which is identical software to my ProfileMaker Pro but with a different name, for the princely sum of £877 ($1387). I don't see this as much of an opportunity, seems a bit steep for just a name change.... (yes you might have got the full set of modules over say Photostudio or Publish, however some people have already upgraded to include extra modules).

Now it turns out that without this "upgrade" I am not eligible to upgrade to the new i1 package; at all. Because I own the flagship Pro software but not one of the "Prosumer" packages ( i1 Photo etc ) I don't even qualify for the second tier upgrade. It seems we PM5 users are completely disinherited...

I really don't want to be that guy that posts on forums just to vent his anger at <insert unscrupulous company here>, so I've done this as a poll, it would be interesting just to see how many of us will be affected by this.

Constructive discussion also welcomed.

djoy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:56:52 am »

Interestingly, in the new software there's no mention of Scanner profiling.

Has anyone seen anything regarding this functionality? It's a function I would need to use.

probep · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2010, 10:18:18 am »

Quote from: djoy on October 28, 2010, 06:56:52 am

Interestingly, in the new software there's no mention of Scanner profiling.

Has anyone seen anything regarding this functionality? It's a function I would need to use.

See http://www.xritephoto.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=188

Quote

Scanner Profiling
* Industry reports show that support is no longer needed

probep · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2010, 10:31:52 am »

By the way I see only DNG profiling for cameras, but not ICC profiling.

Doyle Yoder · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2010, 10:48:00 am »

Quote from: probep on October 28, 2010, 10:18:18 am

Scanner Profiling
* Industry reports show that support is no longer needed

Makes you really wonder what the quality of this software will really be, or what kind of testing was done, and by whom.

Totally unbelievable. Do these people not live in the real world?

Doyle

probep · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:04:52 am »

Have anyone tested new i1 packages?
Do they include a profile viewer? What's about a profile editor, ICC profiling for cameras?
X-Rite announced that "The new i1 Professional Color Management Solutions will be available in October 2010 from X-Rite’s online store". Did anyone try to order the i1Profiler?
Is there a demo version?

digitaldog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2010, 12:28:03 pm »

Quote from: probep on October 29, 2010, 10:04:52 am

Have anyone tested new i1 packages?

Anyone who has is under NDA.

probep · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2010, 12:42:01 pm »

I understand it. But today is the last working day of October...

Czornyj · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2010, 01:49:30 pm »

Quote from: probep on October 28, 2010, 10:31:52 am

By the way I see only DNG profiling for cameras, but not ICC profiling.

C1 users won't be delighted. It suddenly disapeard from beta-Passport first, now it seems it won't be supported by i1profiler. Seems like a trend or something.

Rhossydd · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2010, 02:54:30 pm »

Yes, this is pretty poor.

Paul
A PM5 owner, but not platinum.

digitaldog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2010, 03:10:08 pm »

Quote from: probep on October 29, 2010, 12:42:01 pm

I understand it. But today is the last working day of October...

That in itself has no bearing on NDAs.

digitaldog · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2010, 07:19:11 pm »

Quote from: probep on October 29, 2010, 12:42:01 pm

I understand it. But today is the last working day of October...

This press release indicates November 2010
http://www.creativepro.com/article/new-color-manager-pro-photographers

Quote

Pricing and availability
The new i1 Professional Color Management Solutions including i1Photo Pro will be available in November 2010 from X-Rite’s online store (North America and Europe), and also from the company’s worldwide network of resellers.

probep · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:37:44 pm »

Quote from: digitaldog on October 29, 2010, 07:19:11 pm

This press release indicates November 2010
http://www.creativepro.com/article/new-color-manager-pro-photographers

Thank you, Andrew.
But that is strange indeed. Guys from X-Rite announced on October 28 that products will be released in October. But on the next day (October 29) they said: in November.

keith_cooper · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2010, 05:17:26 am »

I'm sure many of us would like to comment further on this thread, but as Andrew has said - those who know are under an obligation not to discuss it ;-)

My own press info based i1Profiler announcement says October... it's what the version I was given says. However I'll not be publishing any reviews/articles until it actually launches...

aaronchan · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2010, 05:33:04 am »

I bought my PM5 i1 bundle like 2 months ago, so do I still get the free upgrade as it said before?

digitaldog · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2010, 12:50:53 pm »

Quote

I own ProfileMaker Pro 5 with i1 Pro and i1 iO scanning table, all of which cost me several thousands of dollars. After X-Rite bought out Gretag they offered me the "opportunity" to upgrade to ProfileMaker Platinum, which is identical software to my ProfileMaker Pro but with a different name, for the princely sum of £877 ($1387). I don't see this as much of an opportunity, seems a bit steep for just a name change.... (yes you might have got the full set of modules over say Photostudio or Publish, however some people have already upgraded to include extra modules).

Now it turns out that without this "upgrade" I am not eligible to upgrade to the new i1 package; at all. Because I own the flagship Pro software but not one of the "Prosumer" packages ( i1 Photo etc ) I don't even qualify for the second tier upgrade. It seems we PM5 users are completely disinherited...

The info on some web sites (press releases) is incorrect. ALL PM5 owners will be eligible for an upgrade. Also any MonacoPROFILER Gold or Platinum are eligible. The xrite site only says Platinum right now but this will also be corrected by Monday morning latest.

It is correct however that PM4 customers are not eligible for an upgrade.

Rhossydd · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2010, 02:25:19 pm »

Quote from: digitaldog on October 30, 2010, 12:50:53 pm

The info on some web sites (press releases) is incorrect. ALL PM5 owners will be eligible for an upgrade.

That sounds a lot more reasonable.

The next issue is if there's any compelling reason to upgrade from PM5. I guess we'll find out when the 'people that know' are out of NDAs and when there's independent reviews available.

TylerB · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2010, 02:43:58 pm »

I've been pressing for clear answers about "Gold" on this for months. The Gold products quietly became discontinued lately, and I was informed just about a week ago that my best bet was to find a good price on the Platinum upgrade, which will then be eligible for the new software. Xrite folks would magically disappear time and again over the last several months when asked a direct question about upgrades from Gold, then Gold disappeared from the current product list, and an excellent dealer informed me of my options after pressing hard for an answer from Xrite.
Also, you will have to trade in your dongle, so your old software won't work any more, allowing for no real transition period, any ability to relinearize existing Monaco profiles, and of course no input profiling from there on out.
I chose to take my chances, keep the Gold, buy the new outright when it becomes available... when one of them becomes the go-to 100% of the time, I'll see if I can sell the other.
Something to consider, an expensive option, but the only one applicable for some of us.
Tyler

digitaldog · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2010, 03:51:55 pm »

Quote from: Rhossydd on October 30, 2010, 02:25:19 pm

The next issue is if there's any compelling reason to upgrade from PM5. I guess we'll find out when the 'people that know' are out of NDAs and when there's independent reviews available.

You will indeed!

nkpoulsen · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2010, 08:11:40 pm »

It'll be interesting to hear about the new features. I wonder what improvements they'll make in profiling papers with optical brighteners.

It's good to hear that PM5 will be eligible for upgrades. I've never liked X-Rite, nor their marketing practices. But it would indeed be surprising, if they didn't offer this upgrade.

I have the equivalent of PM5 platinum. So, I'm not sure whether it'll make sense to upgrade, especially since my use is primarily for personal needs.

Poll

Are you eligible for the upgrade?

Author Topic: New X-Rite Software announced - and upgrade eligibility (or lack thereof) (Read 29819 times)