Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Original Spyder Colorimeter -- Use on LCD?

2007-06-22 by Michel Joly de Lotbinière

Hello, I have one of the original Spyder USB colorimeters (three
transparent plastic legs w/suction cups), which I use on a CRT
(OptiCal software).

I'm aware that the more recent Spyder hardware comes with an LCD
baffle that protects the LCD surface from those evil suction cups (in
fact, I never allow the cups to stick to my CRT either). Does this old
sensor, which looks exactly the same as the first version of Spyders
that included the LCD baffle (before they started using a more jazzy
black/silver plastic case design), have what it takes to measure an
LCD? And is there anything else that would stop me from using this old
Spyder sensor on an LCD, taking precautions not to let suction cups
stick? Would the software not let me use it on the LCD display type?

Any help would be much appreciated!

M.

Re: [colorvision_group] Original Spyder Colorimeter -- Use on LCD?

2007-06-22 by CDTobie@aol.com

In a message dated 6/22/07 3:56:31 PM, mjdelotbiniere@... writes:

Hello, I have one of the original Spyder USB colorimeters (three
transparent plastic legs w/suction cups), which I use on a CRT
(OptiCal software).

I'm aware that the more recent Spyder hardware comes with an LCD
baffle that protects the LCD surface from those evil suction cups (in
fact, I never allow the cups to stick to my CRT either).

I've never quite understood this phobia about suction cups, and on a heavy glass CRT to boot? I use the suction cup on the Spyder2PRO attachment (designed for home theater uses, mainly) to position the Spyder on large LCD monitors, such as the 30 inch Cinema Display. I admit, I get a spit ring on the screen sometimes that needs cleaning, but there certainly is no damage...

As for that LCD baffle, its not just to keep the suction cups off the screen. It reduces angular light (which is different colors, and thus pollutes the readings) from reaching the sensor, and has an IR filter, to remove infared light that is screened automatically by heavy glass CRTs, but effects readings on thin, plastic LCDs.

Does this old
sensor, which looks exactly the same as the first version of Spyders
that included the LCD baffle (before they started using a more jazzy
black/silver plastic case design), have what it takes to measure an
LCD?

Nope, deep inside, your Spyder lacks all the firmware changes that were instituted for LCD calibration...

And is there anything else that would stop me from using this old
Spyder sensor on an LCD, taking precautions not to let suction cups
stick? Would the software not let me use it on the LCD display type?

Correct. The software would try to access functions that were not there. As I recall, it would put up an error message as soon as you tried this. Given the major improvements (not just the jazzy design) that Spyder2 offers for LCD calibration (in the software as well as the hardware), and the lower prices available today, I'd suggest just taking a deep breath, and buying Spyder2PRO. You'll get better gray balance, smoother gradients, more accurate color and whitepoint measurements, and lots of other bennies, such as projector calibration and ambient light functions.

And if you are pondering printer profiling tools as well, the best deal on Spyder2PRO is to get it bundled in the PrintFIX PRO Suite, where it adds only a hundred dollars to the cost of PrintFIX PRO. Oh, and the PrintFIX PRO Suite is also reduced by something like a hundred bucks, during the summer sale thats currently going on (so thats effectively getting Spyder2PRO for free). Check the colorvision.com site for details, I'm always a bit fuzzy on the sales and marketing stuff...

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com

**************************************
See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

Datacolor User to User Support Group.

Original Spyder Colorimeter -- Use on LCD?

Original Spyder Colorimeter -- Use on LCD?

Re: [colorvision_group] Original Spyder Colorimeter -- Use on LCD?

Move to quarantaine