CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

JaniH · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 70 Location: Finland

I was asked about this, so I'll post it also here. A lot of this was originally wrote by Ile, I've just translated, so thanks to him.

First, check Brian Hampton's great tutorial here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=35291

You'll need Optical program which can be downloaded here: http://www.colorvision.com/sup_dl-upgrades.shtml You'll also need a serial number during installation, buy it from somewhere. Or if you are too lazy for that, ask me or somebody else for that. Wink

Basically the procedure is following:

- Install Optical. Plugin Spyder to PC and position it to the screen.

- Open Optical.
Select:
Edit -> Preferences
Sensor -> Spyder USB
Calibration mode -> Precision
Recalibration -> Never
OK

And then: Tools -> Colorimeter window

- Project 100IRE or some other bright window pattern. Select Calibrate sensor -> OK.

- Take reading button takes reading. As described in Brian's text, target values for x and y coordinates are x = 0.313 and y = 0.330. Basically adding more red increases x value and removing blue increases y, but like usual, everything effects everything. Check your values through 10-100IRE and adjust corresponding the readings you get. There's no way you get exactly 6500K through the whole brightness spectrum (without gamma correction in HTPC/scaler), but you can probably get +- 250K quite easily, depending tube condition, projector adjustments, luck etc.

Adjustment is quite easy to do, you'll just have to iterate a lot.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting that. Looks very interesting.

Ridebreck · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

Great post! I'm very interested in doing this sometime soon. BTW, can somebody confirm this for me: isn't "G2"="Gain" and "Drive"="Bias", or is it the other way around? I keep getting confused on that.

Brian Hampton · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1173

G2 can == Bias or.. Sometimes G2 is seperate from the bias control.

I don't know about "drive" I don't hear that one so often but gain is refer-ing to the upper end of the greyscale like a contrast control for each color.

-Brian

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

This is interesting, but it seems a bit wrong. You must calibrate the reflection off the screen, if not taking into account the screen, this doesn't seem much better than calibrating by eye using Avia or such.

Dave

Ridebreck · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject:

I should have been more specific. My question was as it relates to Marquee settings. Instead of Gain and Bias, you have G2 and Drive.

JaniH · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 70 Location: Finland

Ile · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:23 pm Post subject:

Good quality screen doesn't chance colour temperature. Twisted Evil

Least with my screen there wasn't any difference between readings straight from PJ compared to readings from screen. So I measure from PJ, because sensor is much easier to place that way. There is no need for tripod, I just hang sensor in the middle of the screen by that lcd-panel clip and cord. It also take readings faster with low levels that way.

madpoet · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 851

Just got my Spyder 2 Pro in the mail yesterday Smile

DB Cooper · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject:

Cool Mad, let us know how it goes.
I have been thinking of getting one of these, but, I remember reading that thread over there saying these are not ideal for fp.

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

madpoet · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 851

The 2 Pro is better than the other models... it is intended for FP environments.

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

madpoet · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 851

Yep. Check this out:

"The ColorVision® Spyder2PRO Studio™ 2.0 now provides the digital professional with the ultimate tool for color consistency through virtually all display and presentation methods. Along with the traditional CRT, LCD and notebook calibration capabilities the new Spyder2PPRO Studio 2.0 calibration software also color corrects your multimedia front projector with the same precision, ease-of-use and affordability you have come to expect from the color experts at ColorVision. "

Additionally I talked with Brian before buying, and the setup guide shows you how to set it up for a projector.

madpoet · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 851

I'll also note... the sensor is the same between all of them I think. It's just the software that varies.

And from the FAQ:

"I have been using Spyder2PRO to calibrate my monitors, and now want to calibrate my projector with it as well. What do I need to know for this new process?

The largest difference between monitor and projector use is the greater sensitivity to ambient light with projectors. If you wish to have good quality projection display, a very dark location is required. If your location is not dark, your dynamic range and saturation will be compromised. Monitors are calibrated with the Spyder in direct contact to the display, while projection screens are calibrated with the Spyder at a distance from the screen, aimed directly at the screen. Beyond that, running Spyder2PRO on a projection surface is not much different than running it on a monitor, and with fewer user controlled variables to consider. Just reset the projector to Factory Defaults, set the Spyder2PRO target as Gamma 2.2/Native Whitepoint, position the Spyder in front of the screen according to the on-screen directions, and allow the calibration routine to run. Then use your new profile whenever you are displaying images through your projector. You can even choose to build extra profile versions for use in less ideal ambient light conditions. "

God_TM · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 122 Location: Hillsboro, OR

madpoet · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 851

It has a tripod mount and the profiles in the software... it's pretty easy to do honestly. I've heard it's not exactly precise, but it's better than eyeballing it.

**kal** · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:17 pm Post subject:

G2 is *not* gain on any projector (as far as I know!) G2 is a completely separate setting that has to be set up right to give the right voltage to the tube's Grid 2 (hence the name).

Every manuf. has slightly different names for the black gain and the white gain for each of the 3 tubes.

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

Thanks guys, I'll have to pick one up if Mad likes it.