Re-running the tests after performing these ‘set up’ tasks significantly improved the final calibration results. I also bumped both the contrast and brightness values to 100%. I went back and did a factory reset for both my displays. In my case, my displays were already “adjusted” in terms of contrast and brightness. In fact, the “before” views looked better than the “after” views. I received similar results when calibrating with the Yiynova. In my first run through using the software (which takes about 5 minutes or so to run), my calibrated result for my HP display was a bit on the brown side. The Colormunki software shows a ‘before’ and ‘after’ image to let you see what the software did. Once the Colormunki software runs a battery of calibration tests, it kicks out a fresh color profile for you to save out. The video below does a good job on walking you through the software setup: In my case, I picked the Advanced options. The Colormunki software lets you choose between Easy and Advanced options. The Colormunki software will prompt you to place the device in the right spot. To insure an accurate reading, I recommend tilting your display backwards by 15 degrees or so and then placing the color calibrator into position. Note: The color calibrator needs to be flush with the display, as it is reading color information. Before the tests begin, you’ll have to place your color calibrator on the monitor (see the images below). Launch the software and follow the prompts. Install the Colormunki software, then plug in the color calibrator into your computer’s USB port. (It’s 2013 – and this should be the norm by now…) How It Works Installation of the software was very straight forward. The download weighs in at a rather hefty 256MB. Instead, I hopped on ye olde Internet and downloaded the latest version from x-rite’s website. I didn’t bother loading the drivers from the CD. You’re given just enough information to get up and running, but I felt like there needed to be more information provided – like how to prep your monitor for calibration (more on this in a bit). The Quick Start Guide has nice production values, but it’s bare-bones in terms of content. The color calibrator itself is made of sturdy plastic – with an ambient light sensor cover that flips over to expose the lens used for calibrating your display. the color calibrator hardware unit, with USB cable attached.I wish more manufacturers would follow x-rite’s lead on this… The box itself is light, and the packaging was very easy to open. I placed my order and received my Colormunki Display1 earlier this week. The Spyder unit, on the other hand, only lets you calibrate one or multiple displays attached to one computer only. Instead, I chose the ColorMunki over the Spyder because it would let me use its calibration software on multiple machines. Both products are available from Amazon for $169 and have generally positive reviews – so cost here wasn’t the tipping point in deciding which to choose. The two models I included on my shortlist were mid-tier models: The Datacolor Spyder4Pro SP4100 and the Xrite CMUNDIS Colormunki Display1. I did my due diligence in research on both products by reading reviews. It’s primarily used to ensure accuracy between screen and print. Both are hardware-based color calibrators.Ī color calibrator measures and adjusts your display profile, brightness, contrast and color temperature with the intent on maximizing color accuracy. Amazon pulled up two competing models: The Spyder from Datacolor Imaging Solutions and the Colormunki from x-rite. It was back to square one, with me once again re-adjusting the color settings via Apple’s calibration utility.Īfter endless fiddling around, with no success, I jumped on Google and did a search on color calibrators. Manually configuring displays to match up was a perfectly tedious way to burn several hours, without having anything to show for it. I have 4 different displays, each of which have their own custom user interface. I began tinkering with each of the displays’ configuration settings. And then, after a point, it began to really bug me… The results were mixed, at best, but I learned to live with it. At first, I used Apple’s own color calibration utility. Trading design files between both machines made it noticeable that my colors were off between all 4 displays. I use Teleport to move between my Mac Pro and Macbook Pro screens. The Dell U2412m display is connected to my early 2008 Macbook Pro laptop. The HPZR24W 24″ display and Yiynova MSP19u (below it) are connected to my early 2008 Mac Pro. In case you’ve forgotten my setup, here are two photos to remind you. Those of you who read this blog regularly know that my battle station (work area) has 4 displays that I use on a regular basis. Standard disclaimer: I am not a photographer and I am not a color expert.
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