New XRite I1 Display Pro Calibration device

[schiminiello]

Hi
Has anyone tested the new I1 Display Pro calibration device on the market? http://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=1454

It says it's the "Next generation i1Profiler software for calibrating and profiling all modern display and projector technologies including LED & Wide Gamut LCDs"-- I'm looking to calibrate my macbook pro and haven't had good luck with the I1 Display 2 because of the luminescence factor...

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks,
Shannon

[keith_cooper]

I have an overview here.
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/profiling/i1_display_pro.html
Still waiting for some more detailed specs, but it works fine :-)

[schiminiello]

Hi
I've had trouble calibrating my macbook pro laptop - would you recommend the new xrite I1 Display Pro Calibration device for a macbook pro monitor?

Just wanted to get a credible non-biased recommendation before purchasing it.

Thanks,
SC

[keith_cooper]

The i1Display Pro worked well with my own Macbook Pro - albeit a non reflective screen version.
I should note that this particular laptop was also fine using a Spyder3 Elite.

[digitaldog]

The hardware is quite good, impressive and has some very interesting and useful technology. The software, not so much. As such, until and if NEC supplies a update for SpectraView to support the new hardware, it will sit in a drawer.

[eronald]

The hardware is quite good, impressive and has some very interesting and useful technology. The software, not so much. As such, until and if NEC supplies a update for SpectraView to support the new hardware, it will sit in a drawer.

I find myself in the strange situation where I agree with Andrew.

Edmund

[schiminiello]

Would you or Andrew be so kind as to explain your reply? Does it mean that the monitor calibration works well but you don't like the software? What about the software don't you like? What do you use the software for after you have calibrated your monitor?

Would it be good enough to calibrate my macbook pro laptop? I've had trouble calibrating it with the xrite I1Display2 device I have due to the luminescence factor. I just need to calibrate my macbook pro laptop... do you have any thoughts? This is the only calibration device I have seen that says it works on new generation monitors...

Any advice or explanation would be greatly appreciated. Don't know what NEC is or what it has to do with calibrating a macbook pro...

Thanks in advance!
SC

[shewhorn]

The hardware is quite good, impressive and has some very interesting and useful technology. The software, not so much. As such, until and if NEC supplies a update for SpectraView to support the new hardware, it will sit in a drawer.

Andrew, even if they do update it, it will sit in a drawer. I asked Integrated Color if they planned on supporting the i1Display Pro. The short answer is no (not unless they change their policy regarding compatibility with 3rd party software). The policy is... i1Display Pro colorimeters bought as an X-Rite package (with the i1Profiler software for monitor profiling) will not work with 3rd party devices. They are happy to sell 3rd parties an i1Display Pro that will work with 3rd party software but you can't have one i1Display Pro that will work with X-Rite's own software, and 3rd party software. So this means that if you want to use an i1Display Pro with Spectraview, you're going to have to buy one directly from NEC and that NEC branded i1Display Pro won't work with any X-Rite software (which at the moment is not a big deal but still... WTF???).

Here's my original question and Integrated Color's response:

http://www.integrated-color.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1693

It's unfortunate. Until X-Rite changes their policy or until they fix their software (which has a lot of potential) and getting functioning to a point where it's equal to or better than other options my recommendation to my clients will continue to be...

NEC Monitors - Spectraview II package with an NEC branded i1Display 2
Everything Else - Color Eyes Display Pro or BasICColor Display with a Spyder 3.

Cheers, Joe

[digitaldog]

As such, until and if NEC supplies a update for SpectraView to support the new hardware, it will sit in a drawer.

>Andrew, even if they do update it, it will sit in a drawer

Not for me, not if NEC supports it. I have no need for Integrated Color support but I’d love to use the instrument in SpectraView (even exclusively).

I don’t disagree that the policy of X-Rite is silly.

[shewhorn]

Not for me, not if NEC supports it. I have no need for Integrated Color support but I’d love to use the instrument in SpectraView (even exclusively).

I don’t disagree that the policy of X-Rite is silly.

Andrew, what I'm saying is that under their current policy (at least as I understand it, I don't think this policy is specific to just Integrated Color but to ALL 3rd parties including NEC), your i1Display Pro would not work with Spectraview even if NEC supports it. You'll have to buy an i1Display Pro that works with 3rd party applications (hence the one you have will continue to sit in the drawer as I'm assuming it's tagged for use with X-Rite's software only... unless the beta pucks are able to work with 3rd party apps in which case you will have something unique). Perhaps NEC can cut a deal with X-Rite but it seems as if the X-Rite bean counters have set out a mandate to bite of their nose to spite their face... I mean find new sources of revenue. I understand the reasoning but I sincerely doubt this is going to bring them in any additional revenue. With the software in its current state I certainly wouldn't recommend buying the i1Display Pro. If someone does buy an i1Display Pro, discovers the shortfalls of the application and later buys 3rd party software that "supports" the i1Display Pro only to find out that their X-Rite branded model won't work... that will make for some unhappy people and a bit of animosity towards X-Rite I'm unsure.

Cheers, Joe

[digitaldog]

You'll have to buy an i1Display Pro that works with 3rd party applications (hence the one you have will continue to sit in the drawer as I'm assuming it's tagged for use with X-Rite's software only...

Understood, agreed. Yes, assuming the X-Rite software can't provide the same functionality as SpectraView II OR I can use it with SpectraView II, you are indeed correct. It will sit in the drawer.

[Czornyj]

The policy is... i1Display Pro colorimeters bought as an X-Rite package (with the i1Profiler software for monitor profiling) will not work with 3rd party devices. They are happy to sell 3rd parties an i1Display Pro that will work with 3rd party software but you can't have one i1Display Pro that will work with X-Rite's own software, and 3rd party software.

That really sucks - thanks a lot for the information, since now I won't recommend that useless junk to anyone. I don't belive X-Rite will ever improve i1profiler, it's designed to create as few problems with user support as possible, so I doubt they'll gonna change the way it works.

[Raw shooter]

I got my new Xrite  i1 Display Pro yesterday and had lots of time to test it today.
The report is an A.  I finally have a dual display that matches.  The White Point Match feature is special. 
I have a sRGB monitor and a wide gamut very, very close.  Of course thats on easy and more narrow DR images.  Skin tones are so close as to call them a match - which is my point of interest.
Overall, the new device (and software) is much, much better than my i1 Display 2 or my Colormunki.
The software updated to version 1.1.1. The software options are stunning and it will take a while to check everything out fully.   Overall, thrilled.

[schiminiello]

Hi Raw Shooter-
By any chance is one of your monitors a Macbook Pro? As I mentioned in my original post I have had trouble calibrating my MacBook laptop due to the bright screen.

As for the other comments, although interesting, I do not have any idea what Spectracolor or Spectraview, NEC, etc. is. I am mainly interested in knowing if the new XRITE I1Display Pro Calibration device is good for a macbook pro monitor and if the reviews are really true that it can calibrate new generation monitors. I am trying to do some research before I purchase it.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer relevant information to my questions.

[Raw shooter]

Sorry Schiminiello, didn't work on the Macbook Pro.  My laptop is a Dell XPS 17, and like the Macbook Pro it's an IPS screen - and yes, it worked great.  Once again, in my eyes, better than previous devices.
Some of the Mac guys on here aren't too high on the i1Pro, so maybe there is a problem with the Mac side of the software.  On the Windows 7 side, all is very good so far.  2 days isn't long enough to know yet.
The prior posts on this device and software had me wondering too.  My experience surprised me, based on their reviews.
It should work on a Macbook Pro, nothing lost by trying.  On the other hand, I personally don't do much post processing on a laptop anyway.  Both of my desktop monitors are where the real work is done and the new Xrite product was a big upgrade.  Good luck.

[schiminiello]

Hi RawShooter
Thanks for your response. I don't do my editing on a my macbook pro as I have a desktop monitor for that but I do visit my clients homes and it would be nice if I could get my laptop screen to match my desktop monitor. That is what I'm looking for.

Glad to hear that the device worked for you. I think I might try it.

Thanks again, and if anyone else has any comments about how the new XRite I1 Display Pro Calibration device works on their Macbook Pro and external monitor I'd love to hear your comments.

Best,
Shannon

[trinityss]

The hardware is quite good, impressive and has some very interesting and useful technology. The software, not so much. As such, until and if NEC supplies a update for SpectraView to support the new hardware, it will sit in a drawer.

hi Andrew,

I'm considering to buy one. Why do you think that the sw is not so great?
Will i be able to perform a good calibration? Or is there any feature missing that will make a good calibration not possible?

thx

[digitaldog]

If you have no such solution, then yes, go for the new product. The software needs work and has a few odd bugs (forget about creating your own patch sets). Otherwise it can produces good calibration if your needs are not severe.

[Josh-H]

Im also in the market for a new colorimeter - but for me it has to be supported by SpectraView or its not going to work for my needs. Would greatly appreciate if anyone hears if this support is forthcoming that they post it here. thanks.

[digitaldog]

Im also in the market for a new colorimeter - but for me it has to be supported by SpectraView or its not going to work for my needs. Would greatly appreciate if anyone hears if this support is forthcoming that they post it here. thanks.

Until we hear from NEC, there’s nothing to report. I’ve got my fingers crossed.