Message
Re: [colorvision_group] SPyder2PRO calibration of 2 monitors?
2006-04-28 by CDTobie@aol.com
In a message dated 4/28/06 10:23:39 AM, martin@... writes:
I'm using the Spyder2PRO V2.2 to calibrate 2 of my monitors (which are
connected to two different computers). The first one is a Dell 2405
with backlight and RGB controls, the second is a Dell 3007 with just
backlight control.
The Spyder calibration of the 2405 produces a dramatically improved
image quality - better contrast and better colors. When I calibrate
the 3007 (with the same paramters for color temp, etc.), the image
looks mostly similar to the 2405 (concerning color temp, gray values,
etc.), but still there are huge differences. For example, the standard
Windows XP desktop color (RGB: 0,78,152) looks totally different on
the two monitors. On the 2405, it's a much darker and deeper blue
compared to the 3007. This applies to all colors - if I choose
different background colors, the 2405 always looks darker and more
saturated. The colors really are worlds apart! White and grays do look
very similar, however.
Thats because, at the OS level, all we can do is gray balance both monitors to the same values. It requires a color profile to define blues, and Windows doesn't use one of those... however that same blue in Photoshop, where the profile is in use, should look very similar on the two monitors, given that it is in-gamut for both.
I've repeated the calibration process on both monitors many times, but
I always get the same result. What is causing this big difference and
how can I get both screens to look the same? What's wrong with the
Spyder HW or SW that it produces so dramatically different results?
Its not a limitation of the Spyder hardware or software, but of Windows color management. Perhaps Vista will color manage the desktop... until then, all we can do is make Windows gray desktops (which is what you should be using, as someone working with color management) match.
C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com