Re: Colorimeters and third-party developer support
Re: Colorimeters and third-party developer support
- Subject: Re: Colorimeters and third-party developer support
- From: Richard Wagner <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:59:51 -0700
On Aug 20, 2011, at 6:39 AM, Bob Frost wrote:
>> I don't want one custom $350 colorimeter for every monitor I ever own, with its own custom software, and with variable compatibility with other software I choose to use. I will no longer buy into a closed system.
>
> But I thought that a custom colorimeter is the only way to go if you want the best results (apart from an exotic spectroradiometer or something like Basiccolor Discus). You can buy cheaper general purpose colorimeters, but they won't give the same results as one designed for a particular type of monitor.
Bob,
The availability of improved and more accurate color measurement devices is obviously a welcome advance. The issue is not the availability of new custom colorimeters, but rather, the intentionally restricted compatibility of those devices and their bundled software.
The HP / X-Rite DreamColor APS colorimeter (an OEM device) is a perfect example of this issue. The custom colorimeter is appropriately matched to the very well designed DreamColor display, but *only* the bundled DreamColor software can communicate with the colorimeter or the display. In addition, the bundled software will not allow the use of the EyeOne Pro spectro or any other appropriate measurement device. Therefore, the only way to calibrate the monitor is with the proprietary colorimeter and bundled software.
The features of the bundled calibration / profiling software are minimal compared with competitive products. In addition, the software does not have a simple pass/fail verification routine, nor does it show "target / achieved" results for luminance, gamma and white point, let alone a verification routine where one can change the input dataset (grayscale, evenly distributed colors within the display gamut, SWOP, etc.) and look at the delta E's of measured/reference values. In our experience, comparison of the luminance and white point achieved after calibration and profiling were significantly different from the target values when checked with an EyeOne Pro spectro driven by BasICColor Display 4 or PatchTool. Support (from HP) for this software is essentially nonexistent, and if for whatever reason the software hangs or crashes consistently and won't run, you simply cannot calibrate the monitor.
Had I known the imposed limitations of the calibration and profiling hardware and software, I would not have purchased the monitor and would have remained with Eizo or NEC. In hindsight, it was a very disappointing and frustrating experience that was the direct result of a policy / contract decision by HP and X-Rite, rather than a primary failure of the technology.
Should consumers enthusiastically purchase a new measurement device if it will only operate optimally (or at all) with bundled, proprietary software? Probably not. The recent announcements from the X-Rite folks on this list (Tom Lianza and Steve Rankin) that X-Rite intends to allow developer access to the **retail** version of the I1 Display Pro III is welcome news, as was the comment from Karl Koch that the DISCUS will allow third-party software development. Both are big wins for consumers who care about accurate color. As for OEM versions of the I1 Display Pro III, buyer beware, or you may end up in the situation that those of us with DreamColor displays found ourselves in. We'll see what happens.
--Rich Wagner
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