Hello richard, list and Tom, Richard, thank you very much for bringing this topic to the list. I understand, that X-Rite limits the usage for the entry-level instruments ColorMunki. But doing this also for the i1 display Pro is a catastrohpe. Currently, tasks like profiling and quality control are more and more integrated directly into applications. If I´m using different applications I need an instrument, which can be used with every application. From my point of view, I would not have a problem, if such an instrument costs 50$ more than a version which can only be used with one specific software (either X-Rite or OEM software). Tom, could you please response to the list, that X-Rite is aware of this problem and ready to communicate with the color management community e.g. through this list. Best regards Jan-Peter Am 19.08.11 06:57, schrieb Rich Wagner:
Hardware-agnostic software packages used in color management (such as Argyll, ColorEyes, BasICColor, CalPC, PatchTool, BabelColor CT&A, and others) currently support an impressive number of sensing devices. Unfortunately, these outstanding software applications will not be able to support several new color measurement devices, thanks to new policies from X-Rite.
A few weeks ago X-Rite announced the availability of two new colorimeters: the i1 Display Pro and the ColorMunki Display.
Here is the current status on third-party software support for these X-Rite products, as noted by a third-party software developer:
ColorMunki Display
As in the past for previous Munki instruments, there is no third party Software Development Kit (SDK) available. An SDK is essentially the driver and software libraries that enable third party developers to communicate with the instrument. This does not mean that the SDK does not (or could not) exist, it only means that it is not available to third-party developers; in other words, this is a business decision! Thus, until such an SDK is available, third party developers cannot provide support for the Munki series of instruments (just as they currently cannot provide support for the HP DreamColor-branded, i1-Display2-based colorimeter).
i1 Display Pro
This model replaces the i1 Display2. As with the i1 Display2, there are three Categories of the i1 Display Pro available:
Category (a)- The instruments sold by X-Rite under the X-Rite name (also called the retail version). In the past, the i1 SDK could be used for instruments in this category (e.g., the i1 Display 2); this is NOT possible with the SDK of the i1 Display Pro.
Category (b)- The instruments sold by a third party (called Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM). The SDK could, and can still be used for instruments in this category. However, in the past such instruments had the same communication interface specifications as the X-Rite retail model; this is no longer the case.
Category (c)- The instruments sold by an OEM, which have communication interface specifications DIFFERENT from the Category (b) model. The SDK cannot be used to communicate with those instruments.
As examples, the custom i1 Display2 recommended by NEC for many wide-gamut NEC monitors (called the MDSVSENSOR2) is a Category (b) model while the HP-branded i1 Display2 (HP DreamColor Advanced Profiling Solution, KZ300AA) sold by HP for use with the HP DreamColor monitors is a Category (c) model. (Note that while the NEC MDSVSENSOR2 has the same communication interface as the standard i1 Display2, it has a different set of sensor filters which is better adapted to the wide gamut primaries of many NEC monitors.)
In the past, the X-Rite SDK could be used with the Category (a) and (b) instruments; this explains, for instance, why third party software can be used with the X-Rite i1 Display2 and the NEC i1 MDSVSENSOR2, but not with the HP DreamColor i1 Display2.
With the new X-Rite policies, the i1 Display Pro sold by X-Rite can *ONLY* be used with i1 Profiler; it *CANNOT* be used with the i1 Display Pro SDK. This means that third party developers *cannot* support this instrument. Third party developers can only support the Category (b) and (c) instruments (Category (c) instruments will also require a separate agreement between the third-party developer and the licensed OEM). In addition, Category (b) and (c) instruments *CANNOT* be used with the i1 Profiler software (or other X-Rite software); if you want to use i1 Profiler, you need to buy a retail i1 Display Pro from X-Rite.
These new policies severely limit customer benefits since the new colorimeters can only be used with the bundled software they are sold with (from either the OEM or from X-Rite). This really stinks!!!
These changes do not affect the i1 Pro (a spectrophotometer that provides spectral data) as it is not currently being replaced by a new model, and is still supported by the older third party X-Rite SDK.
For those concerned about the implications of these new X-Rite policies - in particular, if you feel that you (or your clients) would benefit from using third party software with an X-Rite branded ColorMunki Display or i1 Display Pro - I suggest you communicate with your X-Rite representative or file a complaint via the X-Rite general support page: http://www.xrite.com/contact_us.aspx?reasonid=3
Personally, I will not buy another X-Rite product until this policy is changed. The current policy is bad for consumers and is anti-competetive. Competitors, start your engines... and consumers, consider your choices carefully before making purchases.
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