Monitor color calibration

Hi guys
I just changed my monitor for an Acer X213W 21.9 inch (1680X 1050). How can I calibrate it without spending a lot of dollars ? n fact I found that the colors are much cooler than my Viewsonic VP920b. Ther is no way of using software such as elements to change colors if your monitor is off.
Thanks
Luc

You might have adobe gamma already on your machine.
It should be in control panel.
You could also see if there is any info on your monitor on the web someone might have posted settings.

Hi Simon
Sadly the adobe monitor callibration is not available for PSE 7 or with LR 2.0. After visiting PS, I read that the one available with older version of PSE such as version 5, is only good for CRTs and not for LCDs displays.
After reading your comment, I found that in my Paintshop Pro x2 there is an option for calibrating a monitor it is in file menu / color management / monitor calibration, Its a seven steps, where you have to take visual decisions on contrast, brightness and color RGB settings. The results are not bad but far from beeing perfect. After reading how to calibrate a monitor in the 123di_5.0X (13di.com) training disk (69.95$us), I learned that its very difficult to calibrate an LCD monitor by eye even if you are using a software for help, and that the only way to get it right is by using a calorimeter such as the datacolor spyder 3 elite (360$cdn, 289$us). I have to say its an expensive proposal. But as Vincent Bockaert demonstrate in his training disk, the elite allows you to generate different .icm files one for the day time while your room received natural light and during the night while your room is receiving artificial light (fluorescent, incandescent, etc.). After checking with a salesman, he confirmed that the elite can be installed on any number of computers. I am trying now to find a few friends that are interested and I planned that we buy one and share the price between us. By the way, Vincent B. mentionned also, that many laptops have LCD monitors thare are only six bits per channel instead of eight , With only six bits the colors generated are only 2^18 instead of 2 ^ 24, and that a tool such as the elite is a must to get a decent result, if your supplied .icm is not accurate.I intend if we buy it to let you know, how it performed for all of us.

Have a nice day
Luc Poirier

Hi Luc

You most probably know, I also use 123.com, great source for info. I only do not like it when it repeatedly ask to renew the password, it seems to be way to sensitive.

I think you on the right track calibrating your monitor and unfortunately all at a cost. I have been doing it for years and has always been happy with the results. Problem is it can still be difficult, even if the monitor is calibrated. The reason is you are interfacing with other peripherals like printers, web, public printing and more. At the end its important to develop a understanding for all this....

I used different systems through the years and of the most reliable is the simple system I started off with many years back, a Colovision product called ColorPlus...great little unit.

I then moved on to a Hue and today I have two units. the basic system and the Pro unit. If you interested I can get one off to you and if you happy with it you can buy it from me....

Later I were lucky to get a very special Samsung screen at a giva-way price and included was another.....

With each of them it is possible to use them across different systems and the reason is without the unit its worthless. For example is you need it today for printing or what ever and its not at home then....

What level of sophistication do we need at home? Again I do not think to much, if you can calibrate, match and set CMYK for example then you can do a lot....

Its interesting what you say with regard a laptop screen, I did not know.

Let me know about the Hue, where do you live?

Best

Siegfried

Luc,
Unfortunately the statement "calibrating by eye is very difficult" is a MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT. Our eyes are just not that well tuned to do it successfully. Also, you still have the problem of calibrating your printer (and scanner if you have one). Though I will admit that some of the printer and paper manufacturers do make decent profiles.
Realistically, the only way to do it well is to get some sort of hardware calibration device. I have been using an X Rite (previously Monaco) for several years and very happy.
Steve

Hi Swandy
I am not too concern about the printing, because its a lot cheaper to get pics processed by a lab such as the one at Costco.ca or at their wharehouse directly for an 8X10 inch (203.2mmX254mm) is less than 1.50$cdn so less than one euro with an hour service. What I really want, is to get sure my two monitors are showing the true colors of the pic file their displaying. I am also sure Costco.ca use highly accurate printing calibration, and always fresh media in their laser printers.

I have three final questions for you.
1-Are you sure the results with your monitor calibration equipment is accurate enough ?
2- Is the calibration process laborious or fairly easy ?
3-Does your unit take into account the environment light while generating the .icm profile ?
Regards
Luc Poirier

Hi Luc,
(1) I don't know if they are "accurate enough" but it is MUCH BETTER than I was able to get with Adobe Gamma and any other visual calibration I attempted. (Windows XP System).
(2) I use the Monaco EZ Color software with the Monaco Optix calibrator. It is VERY EASY!!!
(3) Yes during the setup it does allow you to measure ambient lighting. But I am sure the newer models (the Color Menki is the newest one) do a better job at that.

I also use Costco when I am printing large amounts of prints - like after vacations for an album or a family function. As long as the one you use allows you to download their Printer Profiles (mine does), you are fine. But you are correct that you still need your monitor to be calibrated.
What I have found is that my device - again it is an older one - gets the colors perfectly. Occassionally I will see a difference in the brightness between the monitor and the print, but I can adjust for that if I feel it is necessary.
Steve

Siegfried wrote:Hi Luc

You most probably know, I also use 123.com, great source for info. I only do not like it when it repeatedly ask to renew the password, it seems to be way to sensitive.

I think you on the right track calibrating your monitor and unfortunately all at a cost. I have been doing it for years and has always been happy with the results. Problem is it can still be difficult, even if the monitor is calibrated. The reason is you are interfacing with other peripherals like printers, web, public printing and more. At the end its important to develop a understanding for all this....

I used different systems through the years and of the most reliable is the simple system I started off with many years back, a Colovision product called ColorPlus...great little unit.

I then moved on to a Hue and today I have two units. the basic system and the Pro unit. If you interested I can get one off to you and if you happy with it you can buy it from me....

Later I were lucky to get a very special Samsung screen at a giva-way price and included was another.....

With each of them it is possible to use them across different systems and the reason is without the unit its worthless. For example is you need it today for printing or what ever and its not at home then....

What level of sophistication do we need at home? Again I do not think to much, if you can calibrate, match and set CMYK for example then you can do a lot....

Its interesting what you say with regard a laptop screen, I did not know.

Let me know about the Hue, where do you live?

Best

Siegfried

Hi Siegfried
One of the professor working with me , bought a Huey Pro 1.5.0 last year, and he said that I can borrow his for testing. If its positive I will contact you so we can make a deal . The only problem is that I live in Canada near Montreal. Anyway I will let you know if it turns positive.
Thanks again Siegfried
Luc

Hi Siegfried
Thanks again , for your help. I have not tried the Huey ro because the old version does not support Vista nor Windows 7. I finally made my choice on a Colorvision Spyder 3 Elite from Datacolor. The results are outstanding. My two monitors were calibrated and had previously a blueish color that was totally removed after calibration. The Elite recalibrated them with the following gammas
Results
1- Viewsonic VP_920 series gamma 2.26 color temp 6500K
2- Acer X213 gamma 2.18 color temp 6500 K

Conclusions
1- Most monitors sold are with a blueish cast, and definitely require calibration
2- I didn't go for the Spyder 3 studio, because my printer is a Canon S9000 (799$cdn) bought in 2002, and its inks are not standing the test of time. In fact I have pics that were printed in 2002 and hidden in wooden boxes, and looking at them today show that the colors are fainting. The worst thing is the new Canon colors with a lifetime expendancy of over 20 years are in the same cartridges but the S900 gives an error message when trying to use them. I will keep buying my prints from Costco.ca
3- The Spyder 3 elite is easy to use, and relatively fast
4- License agreement is any number of software installation at the same adress, and a maximum of five laptops. The software requires a supplied serial number, that does not need connecting to the internet. Registration seems to be not necessary, but if you do, Datacolor gives you access to their site for technical support and software upgrade.
5- Datacolor refuse to create two different .icm files if your two monitors are connected to the same video card, saying that windows does not support two .icm at the same time on the same video cards. In fact mine does and its working perfectly so far.Datacolor ask to use one monitor per video card.A workaround is creating two separate .icm declaring only one monitor present at each calibration time.
6- recalibration required after every two months because time change the colors of your monitors
7- Do not touch any adjustments (brightness/contrast, etc.)on your monitor after calibration, or otherwise you will loose your calibration.

Thanks to you and all who contributed to this thread
Luc Poirier

ardo wrote:

Siegfried wrote:Hi Luc

You most probably know, I also use 123.com, great source for info. I only do not like it when it repeatedly ask to renew the password, it seems to be way to sensitive.

I think you on the right track calibrating your monitor and unfortunately all at a cost. I have been doing it for years and has always been happy with the results. Problem is it can still be difficult, even if the monitor is calibrated. The reason is you are interfacing with other peripherals like printers, web, public printing and more. At the end its important to develop a understanding for all this....

I used different systems through the years and of the most reliable is the simple system I started off with many years back, a Colovision product called ColorPlus...great little unit.

I then moved on to a Hue and today I have two units. the basic system and the Pro unit. If you interested I can get one off to you and if you happy with it you can buy it from me....

Later I were lucky to get a very special Samsung screen at a giva-way price and included was another.....

With each of them it is possible to use them across different systems and the reason is without the unit its worthless. For example is you need it today for printing or what ever and its not at home then....

What level of sophistication do we need at home? Again I do not think to much, if you can calibrate, match and set CMYK for example then you can do a lot....

Its interesting what you say with regard a laptop screen, I did not know.

Let me know about the Hue, where do you live?

Best

Siegfried

Hi Siegfried
One of the professor working with me , bought a Huey Pro 1.5.0 last year, and he said that I can borrow his for testing. If its positive I will contact you so we can make a deal . The only problem is that I live in Canada near Montreal. Anyway I will let you know if it turns positive.
Thanks again Siegfried
Luc

Hi Luc

Great news, I am happy for you....reading the forum recently I notice in-depth flash control, hdr, technologies, calibration and so much more....are we getting pro or are we just playing?

I really enjoy the level of engagement you guys go to, I never managed to go that deep....a weakness of me....

Best and happy colors

Siegfried

Hi Siegfried
Going pro , maybe not, but having the proper tools to work with most definitely.
Luc