CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

WrxSTI · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 6

Hi all...I've been searching for a colorimeter recently to help calibrate my PC monitor ( Sony FW-900) and wanted to use ColorHCFR with WinDAS, but the only good colorimeter I found that works with it is this Xrite DTP-94... I found it in a Monaco OPTIX XR package on eBay (160$ shipped) - apparently these haven't been sold for a long while, well as I was messing around with the best offer (first time I used it) I didn't figure it would be accepted and binding... it is only later that I noticed the package is from 2004.

It is brand new in box but I am not sure what to do if it has been sitting all these years...should I still buy it or just... cheap out and not pay? Rolling Eyes

Apparently it uses glass filters so should not be so prone to drift and aging like the organic-based colorimeters, but I don't know, seven years is a long time. What would you do?

**kal** · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't buy it. 7 years is way too long. $160 is too much as well. If you were going to use it with ChromaPure and turn it into a DT-94 PRO (by having it recalibrated) then I'd say it's worth getting if you got it for close to free. $160 is too much however.

If you're on a budget and want to use ColorHCFR then I'd get a new Display 2/LT for around $100 and be done with it. It'll likely be considerably more accurate out of the box as it should be new.

Link:

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&ref_=nb_sb_noss&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Ax-rite%20eye-one%20Display%20%20&field-keywords=x-rite%20eye-one%20Display%20%20&url=search-alias%3Delectronics&ajr=0#?_encoding=UTF8&tag=curtpalmecrtp-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Kal

WrxSTI · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 6

Thanks. At this point, that seems like the best idea. I'd look at something of higher tier, but the calibration is on a hardware basis (via the monitor's 4-pin TTL port and Sony service program) so I need to do all of the pattern generating and measuring manually, therefore the newer meters like the i1 Display 3 which are based on automated profile creation etc. can't help me much.

The LT is a bit cheaper than the Display 2. I assume the hardware is identical and any software limitations of the LT such as gamma/white point should be non-existant when used with HCFR?

Thanks

**kal** · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject:

**kal** · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:03 pm Post subject:

WrxSTI · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 6

Yes, sorry. I meant, assuming I use it with the retail software. I watched a couple of videos of it and it didn't seem to offer any manual measurements or targets like HCFR does. ChromaPure and the Display 3 would probably work fantastic, however $440 is a bit steep for me, so the Display LT will have to do, for now.

Thanks

BTW, really well done greyscale calibration guide on the site here, I read it a few times, great job...will help me a lot in calibrating this CRT Wink

**kal** · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks! Good luck with the calibration!

Kal

WrxSTI · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 6

Hey again, just saw a Sencore CP5000/Color Pro III & IV sold used locally, for around $80. Not sure how old it is. Are these still worth anything or is it not worth the money?

**kal** · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:20 am Post subject:

The CP5000 is an older Chroma 5. If you get it recalibrated for use with ChromaPure then it's not that bad of a deal, assuming it hasn't drifted way too far. I wouldn't bother with the Sencore software.

Kal

WrxSTI · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 6

These stopped being made at least a couple of years ago, am I right (I found a review from 2003)? I have no way of getting it recalibrated locally, and the meter + shipping it to you guys or someone else who can do it + the service would probably cost as much as just buying the i1D3 with ChromaPure.

I assume in its current state a new i1D2 would probably trump it in every way accuracy wise? Think that's my best bet after all.

**kal** · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:48 pm Post subject:

WrxSTI · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 6

I was asking about this Sencore CP5000, a new i1 Display 2 would most likely be more accurate in every way than it, right (assuming the Sencore was as old as it is and not recalibrated).

Because those are my only two options now:

- New i1D2 from eBay ~150 with shipping
- CP5000, used, no where to recalibrate

**kal** · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention and simply looked at the thread title (I post in a lot of threads every day). Wink

Nobody can know how far off an older Chroma 5 unit of unknown origin is or whether a new Display 2 will be more accurate than that old Chroma 5 without actually having both in hand and measuring them. All we can do is compare presumably accurate units which is what I do in my FAQ "Which meter is right for me?".

You can calibrate the CP5000 (aka Chroma 5) here: http://www.curtpalme.com/ChromaPure_Chroma5.shtm

If you're looking at the absolutely cheapest way to calibrate, go with a $100 new Display LT (same hardware as the Display 2) and then use the free ColorHCFR software. See my guide here for the how to's and links to purchase and support my guide: http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457

If you want something easier to use, consider ChromaPure. If you want something more accurate, consider a better meter or upgrading it to a "PRO" level.

Kal