Datacolor User to User Support Group.

We're looking to upgrade to dual 24" LCD widescreen monitors for 
Lightroom use.

Not settled yet as to whether it will be PC or MAC.

Will the top end Spider3 work to properly profile dual monitor setups 
on both?

tnx
jtm

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "mdgolfbum" <jim@...> wrote:
>
> We're looking to upgrade to dual 24" LCD widescreen monitors for 
> Lightroom use.

SWEET!

> Not settled yet as to whether it will be PC or MAC.
> 
> Will the top end Spider3 work to properly profile dual monitor setups 
> on both?


On the Mac side it's not an issue using two displays with separate independent display 
profiles. Spyder can build a profile for each monitor...no problem.

On the Window's side that's a tricky issue...I hope a Window's guru will step in to answer.

> On the Mac side it's not an issue using two displays with separate 
> independent display profiles. Spyder can build a profile for each 
> monitor...no problem.
> 
> On the Window's side that's a tricky issue...I hope a Window's guru 
> will step in to answer.

I run dual monitors under Win XP off a single, dual headed video 
card.  I use the Microsoft Color Control Panel Applet for XP to load 
the two profiles correctly at boot time.  One monitor is a CRT and 
one an LCD.  I do not know what Vista has done for dual monitor 
support but, as far as I know, this applet is the only way to get the 
seaparate profiles assigned and loaded under XP if you are using a 
single, dual headed video card.  It works.  I use the Spyder3 to 
build my profiles.

Here is a link to the Microsoft site: 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1e33dca0-
7721-43ca-9174-7f8d429fbb9e&displaylang=en


As an additional note, Lightroon 1.x does not handle dual monitors 
very well.  I saw that one of the things that will be in Release 2 is 
support for dual monitors.  R2 is in beta test now.  That would be 
nice as I am spoiled using a dual monitor under Photoshop CS3.  I use 
the CRT for my image area and park everthing else on the LCD.  With a 
22 inch CRT, that gives me a great working space.  Here is the LR 
beta site:  http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/

I hope this helps.
Rollin

On 3/04/2008 CDTobie@... wrote:
> On Windows, it depends on several factors, but mostly the 
> videocard(s). In most cases, having a PCI express card will allow 
> dual display calibration and profiling. Other types of cards vary, 
> depending on brand, make, model, and driver version.

David, can you tell us which PCI Express display cards ARE well behaved? 
I use a pair of CRT monitors (21" Trinitrons) on a Windows XP Pro 
machine, connected to a dual head Radion X1300/X1550 Series display card.

Using Spyder2Pro, along with the Microsoft Color Control Panel Applet, I 
can't get both monitors to match exactly -- the plain grey desktop has a 
different hue on the two screens, and an image opened in Photoshop 
spread across both screens shows a slight shift in colour from one 
screen to the other.

I surmise that the display card is not doing its colour management job 
properly, and wonder whether this is a known issue with this particular 
card.

Peter Marquis-Kyle

On 4/04/2008 CDTobie@... wrote:
> We do not attempt to keep track of all cards, with all drivers, under 
> all OSes, it would be an overwhelming task. If it doesn't work, you 
> can assume some element is not functional. The easiest to fix is the 
> driver, by updating to the latest version. Next is the card. Rather 
> than trying to find a single card to do it all, simply adding a 
> second, low cost video card is actually more foolproof, if you have 
> the slot for it.

Thanks David, I'll do some more experiments...

Peter Marquis-Kyle

I have the exact same issue, albeit with a different graphics card
(NVIDIA Quadro 140M) in a Thinkpad T61P and Advanced docking station).
My problem could well be that I am using the VGA and DVI outputs
instead of a dual head PCI card. Apparently there are issues with
finding a working PCI card with my configuration.

I used the Windows applet to calibrate and set each monitor
seperately, and while you can clearly see the colour configuration
change as you choose the appropriate profile, they in no way match
each other.

I will await the results of you experiments with interest.

Phil R

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, Peter Marquis-Kyle
<peter@...> wrote:

>
> On 4/04/2008 CDTobie@... wrote:
> > We do not attempt to keep track of all cards, with all drivers, under 
> > all OSes, it would be an overwhelming task. If it doesn't work, you 
> > can assume some element is not functional. The easiest to fix is the 
> > driver, by updating to the latest version. Next is the card. Rather 
> > than trying to find a single card to do it all, simply adding a 
> > second, low cost video card is actually more foolproof, if you have 
> > the slot for it.
> 
> Thanks David, I'll do some more experiments...
> 
> Peter Marquis-Kyle
>

In a message dated 4/4/08 8:33:00 AM, phil_rowlinson@... writes:


> I have the exact same issue, albeit with a different graphics card
> (NVIDIA Quadro 140M) in a Thinkpad T61P and Advanced docking station).
> My problem could well be that I am using the VGA and DVI outputs
> instead of a dual head PCI card. Apparently there are issues with
> finding a working PCI card with my configuration.
> 
Yes, the fact that there are analog and digital outputs on a card does not 
necessarily indicate it is a fully dual headed card...   many Windows laptops 
are in this situation; you can color manage one screen or the other, but not 
both at once.
> 
> I used the Windows applet to calibrate and set each monitor
> seperately, and while you can clearly see the colour configuration
> change as you choose the appropriate profile, they in no way match
> each other.
> 
This can be a confusing situation, as many people are not clear on the 
difference between applying calibration data to the videocard, and assigning 
profiles at the OS level. If both screens flash when you choose a profile for one of 
them, than the same videocard corrections are being applied to both. If both 
screens show as one device in Windows, then you can't assign different profiles 
to each. But even if you can see both, and flash both seperately, that does 
not guarantee that your OS and driver are both coordinated to keep two seperate 
profiles assigned, and the matching calibrations flashed to both. Windows 
does not automatically flash the calibration corrections to each display on 
startup, as the Mac does, so a thirdparty startup utility must be running, or you 
must run the XP Color Control Panel. Vista is supposed to have incorporated 
this Color Control Panel into the OS, but it does not have the same feature set, 
as far as I can see... and certainly does not automatically flash the right 
video corrections to the videocard; if anything it may actually impede the 
process.

C. David Tobie
WW Product Technology Manager
Digital Imaging & Home Theater
Datacolor
CDTobie@...
www.datacolor.com/Spyder3


**************
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Thank you for the response. Just to confirm, I am using the XP Colour
Control applet, and only the expected screen flashes when I apply the
profile change. Running XP.

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, Peter Marquis-Kyle 
<peter@...> wrote:

> I use a pair of CRT monitors (21" Trinitrons) on a Windows XP Pro 
> machine, connected to a dual head Radion X1300/X1550 Series display 
> card.
> 
> Using Spyder2Pro, along with the Microsoft Color Control Panel 
> Applet, I can't get both monitors to match exactly -- the plain 
> grey desktop has a different hue on the two screens, and an image 
> opened in Photoshop spread across both screens shows a slight shift 
> in colour from one screen to the other.
> 
> I surmise that the display card is not doing its colour management 
> job properly, and wonder whether this is a known issue with this 
> particular card.
> 
> Peter Marquis-Kyle

These may be dumb questions but ... Did you create a separate profile 
for each of the monitors or are you trying to use the same profile 
for both?  The monitors may be the same brand, same model but there 
could still be differences in them.  

Also have you swappng changing the two monitors (connection wise on 
the card) to see if the problem follows the monitor or the connection 
positions?  

Rollin

I thought I might as well put my 2 cents in here, I just went through
all this last month with dual video card systems with dual and quad
displays with crts and projectors for my studio. This is windows XP
with machines with intel and amd processors. No mater what I did, I
could not get nvidia cards to be able to load both profiles with or
with out the applet. Ati cards worked first crack out of the box.  

I also wanted to say the profiling job spyder 2pro did on my
mitsubishi projector is outstanding.

Randy


--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "rowli001"
<phil_rowlinson@...> wrote:

>
> Thank you for the response. Just to confirm, I am using the XP Colour
> Control applet, and only the expected screen flashes when I apply the
> profile change. Running XP.
>

I found the same thing, I am using  a Sli Pcie board and with 2 high end
Nividia graphics cards with the bridge or without the bridge it is a no go.
With 2 medium

Quality graphics cards with ATI chips on the boards it works very well.
Nvidia does have great cards ( I can't figure out why the Nvidia boards do
not work for profiling 2 monitors because the MB uses Nvidia chipset and
works great for all else except for dual monitor calibration) and I am
working with Graphics card  manufacturer on this (these 2 cards use Nvidia
chips but board is by another  builder). Profiles from Colorvision
(datacolor) are great when I set the up with ATI cards with Spyder2 . I have
used Spyder products from first Spyder and  original software up to now with
Spyder 2.  I will be updating to Spyder 3 fairly soon. I use PrintFIXPRO for
printer profiling (on many different printers)I really like the versatility
of  the new Spyder3Print 3.0 software (can make adjustments and import
curves that really make printing my own prints well worth the effort is also
features has many meaningful soft proof images to help with adjustments)I
have tested the new  Xrite combination profiler (have a friend who passes
through here very often that has access to preproduction model and beta
software) and unless and improvement is made to final release software there
are too many steps for simple printer profiling ( print and measure, let
print dry some more and measure again and work up very simple profile
without  the ability to make any   really useful adjustments).  It is like
Datacolor in one aspect only,  you need to be careful to make sure target is
completely dry...Aloha

From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Randy L
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 5:31 AM
To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Dual Monitor Color Matching?

 

I thought I might as well put my 2 cents in here, I just went through
all this last month with dual video card systems with dual and quad
displays with crts and projectors for my studio. This is windows XP
with machines with intel and amd processors. No mater what I did, I
could not get nvidia cards to be able to load both profiles with or
with out the applet. Ati cards worked first crack out of the box. 

I also wanted to say the profiling job spyder 2pro did on my
mitsubishi projector is outstanding.

Randy

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:colorvision_group%40yahoogroups.com> , "rowli001"
<phil_rowlinson@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you for the response. Just to confirm, I am using the XP Colour
> Control applet, and only the expected screen flashes when I apply the
> profile change. Running XP.
>

 

__________ NOD32 3003 (20080404) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com

I don't understand the Nvidia problem, I've run a 6800gt with a old
Nvidia pci card in an XP Pro box without any color matching problems. 
Then 2 6800gt on XP,Vista 32, and Vista 64, and now a single 9600gs on
XP Vista32 and 64 all without problems of any kind. There must be some
kind of driver conflict that no one has been able to pinpoint.

Not a problem with color matching, problem is with profiling 2
monitors.Aloha

From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Douglas Ross
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:44 AM
To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Dual Monitor Color Matching?

 

I don't understand the Nvidia problem, I've run a 6800gt with a old
Nvidia pci card in an XP Pro box without any color matching problems. 
Then 2 6800gt on XP,Vista 32, and Vista 64, and now a single 9600gs on
XP Vista32 and 64 all without problems of any kind. There must be some
kind of driver conflict that no one has been able to pinpoint. 

 

__________ NOD32 3004 (20080405) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com

The subject is "Dual Monitor Color Matching" doing this with the
Spyder to profile 2 monitors, the sub discussion is can it be done
with XP and Nvidia products. Being in this group implies that I am
using a Spyder product. Let me make it clear for you. I am using a
Spyder2 Pro with various Nvidia Cards in various makes of the
Microsoft Windows OS and have never had a problem using a Spyder to
profile 2 monitors to get the colors or brightness to match.

Have a wonderfull day Mahalo :)

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Gentry"
<gentryr001@...> wrote:

>
> Not a problem with color matching, problem is with profiling 2
> monitors.Aloha
> 
>  
> 
> From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:colorvision_group@...m] On Behalf Of Douglas Ross
> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:44 AM
> To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Dual Monitor Color Matching?
> 
>  
> 
> I don't understand the Nvidia problem, I've run a 6800gt with a old
> Nvidia pci card in an XP Pro box without any color matching problems. 
> Then 2 6800gt on XP,Vista 32, and Vista 64, and now a single 9600gs on
> XP Vista32 and 64 all without problems of any kind. There must be some
> kind of driver conflict that no one has been able to pinpoint. 
> 
>  
> 
> __________ NOD32 3004 (20080405) Information __________
> 
> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
> http://www.eset.com
>

So are you using a single nvidia card with dual connections or dual cards?

Randy


--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Douglas Ross" <dlr9000@...>
wrote:

>
> The subject is "Dual Monitor Color Matching" doing this with the
> Spyder to profile 2 monitors, the sub discussion is can it be done
> with XP and Nvidia products. Being in this group implies that I am
> using a Spyder product. Let me make it clear for you. I am using a
> Spyder2 Pro with various Nvidia Cards in various makes of the
> Microsoft Windows OS and have never had a problem using a Spyder to
> profile 2 monitors to get the colors or brightness to match.
> 
> Have a wonderfull day Mahalo :)
> 
> --- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Gentry"
> <gentryr001@> wrote:
> >
> > Not a problem with color matching, problem is with profiling 2
> > monitors.Aloha
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Douglas Ross
> > Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:44 AM
> > To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Dual Monitor Color Matching?
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > I don't understand the Nvidia problem, I've run a 6800gt with a old
> > Nvidia pci card in an XP Pro box without any color matching problems. 
> > Then 2 6800gt on XP,Vista 32, and Vista 64, and now a single 9600gs on
> > XP Vista32 and 64 all without problems of any kind. There must be some
> > kind of driver conflict that no one has been able to pinpoint. 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > __________ NOD32 3004 (20080405) Information __________
> > 
> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
> > http://www.eset.com
> >
>

I was using 2 different cards both Nvidia but one old pci and one
pciExpress, then 2 pci Express cards same make and now running one pci
express card with 2 dvi connectors. All combos profiled both monitors
and loaded at start matching each other. I am using 2 20inch Princeton
 lcd monitors and they are different enough that if you swap profiles
you can see the difference, so I know both profiles are loading and
doing their job.

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Randy L" <rlphoto@...> wrote:
>
> So are you using a single nvidia card with dual connections or dual
cards?
> 
> Randy
> 
> 
> --- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Douglas Ross" <dlr9000@>
> wrote:
> >
> > The subject is "Dual Monitor Color Matching" doing this with the
> > Spyder to profile 2 monitors, the sub discussion is can it be done
> > with XP and Nvidia products. Being in this group implies that I am
> > using a Spyder product. Let me make it clear for you. I am using a
> > Spyder2 Pro with various Nvidia Cards in various makes of the
> > Microsoft Windows OS and have never had a problem using a Spyder to
> > profile 2 monitors to get the colors or brightness to match.
> > 
> > Have a wonderfull day Mahalo :)
> > 
> > --- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Gentry"
> > <gentryr001@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Not a problem with color matching, problem is with profiling 2
> > > monitors.Aloha
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> > > [mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Douglas Ross
> > > Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:44 AM
> > > To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Dual Monitor Color Matching?
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > I don't understand the Nvidia problem, I've run a 6800gt with a old
> > > Nvidia pci card in an XP Pro box without any color matching
problems. 
> > > Then 2 6800gt on XP,Vista 32, and Vista 64, and now a single
9600gs on
> > > XP Vista32 and 64 all without problems of any kind. There must
be some

> > > kind of driver conflict that no one has been able to pinpoint. 
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > __________ NOD32 3004 (20080405) Information __________
> > > 
> > > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
> > > http://www.eset.com
> > >
> >
>