Monitor Calibration & Profiling

[Sam Smith]

Quick question. I have calibrated my monitor using a Spider 3 express. How often should I re-calibrate it? My thought is that it will degrade over time and I will not notice.
The monitor is a HP w2207h.

[Peter Ryan]

Quick question. I have calibrated my monitor using a Spider 3 express. How often should I re-calibrate it? My thought is that it will degrade over time and I will not notice.
The monitor is a HP w2207h.

Spyder 3 allows you to do updated calibrations and these should probably be done at least every month.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Sam,

To be honest, there's very little drift in modern LCD screens - I re-profile mine about twice a year. The good news is that the spyder 3 has a check profile feature so you can tell if it's drifted.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Sam,

The good news is that the spyder 3 has a check profile feature so you can tell if it's drifted.

THAT's the feature I was trying to think of - seniors moment there.

[Colin Southern]

THAT's the feature I was trying to think of - seniors moment there.

I know the feeling; turned 50 the other day ... I'm now a card-carrying member of grey power

[Sam Smith]

I know the feeling; turned 50 the other day ... I'm now a card-carrying member of grey power

Thanks. I have year to go before 50 but CRS seems to have come early for me.
I didn't realize how big of a difference calibrating my monitor would make.

[arith]

I would like to know if Spider 3 Pro will work with nVidia GeForce 8400GS, this is the thing that controls my monitor, a Samsung 2032BW.

Some details:

NVIDIA System Information report created on: 10/28/2010 12:18:10
System name: ********

[Display]
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 8650 Triple-Core Processor (2403 MHz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, 32-bit (Service Pack 3)
DirectX version: 9.0c
GPU processor: GeForce 8400 GS
Driver version: 182.50
Stream processors: 8
Core clock: 500 MHz
Shader clock: 1250 MHz
Memory clock: 333 MHz (666 MHz data rate)
Memory interface: 64-bit
Memory: 512 MB
Video BIOS version: 62.98.12.00.00
IRQ: 18
Bus: PCI Express x16 Gen2

[Components]

nvCpl.cpl 2.4.370.04 NVIDIA Control Panel Applet
nvCplUI.exe 2.4.370.04 NVIDIA Control Panel
nvWSS.dll 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Workstation Server
nvViTvS.dll 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Video and TV Server
nvMoblS.dll 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Mobile Server
NVMCTRAY.DLL 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Media Center Library
NVOGLNT.DLL 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Compatible OpenGL ICD
nvDispS.dll 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Display Server
NVCPL.DLL 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 182.50
NV4_MINI.SYS 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Miniport Driver, Version 182.50
NV4_DISP.DLL 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 182.50
PhysX 909.02.03 NVIDIA PhysX
nvGameS.dll 6.14.11.8250 NVIDIA 3D Settings Server

[Colin Southern]

Thanks. I have year to go before 50 but CRS seems to have come early for me.
I didn't realize how big of a difference calibrating my monitor would make.

Are portraits looking a little different these days?

[Colin Southern]

I would like to know if Spider 3 Pro will work with nVidia GeForce 8400GS, this is the thing that controls my monitor, a Samsung 2032BW.

Hi Steve,

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't, but if you want to be 100% sure, why not send them an eMail and ask?

[arith]

I didn't think of that Colin; I suppose I was wondering if it replaced nVidia and therefore also PhysX which would mean my video might not work.

I just don't know how this lot works. Suppose I better try and find an email address.

[Colin Southern]

I didn't think of that Colin; I suppose I was wondering if it replaced nVidia and therefore also PhysX which would mean my video might not work.

I just don't know how this lot works. Suppose I better try and find an email address.

As far as I know, all cards support icc profiles which - at the end of the day - are little more than a translation table that's uploaded to the card.

[Colin Southern]

PS: I should add that although a colorimeter like the spyder III can assist you to calibrate your monitor (I say "assist" because it can't do it for you) (calibration involves adjusting monitor controls) ... what we're mostly talking about here is PROFILING. Calibration and profiling are NOT the same thing.

[arith]

PS: I should add that although a colorimeter like the spyder III can assist you to calibrate your monitor (I say "assist" because it can't do it for you) (calibration involves adjusting monitor controls) ... what we're mostly talking about here is PROFILING. Calibration and profiling are NOT the same thing.

That is good because I have only a brightness control, but nVidia has lots of controls like gamma and contrast and alot of exotic ones as well.

Can't afford to pay for something that won't work.

[Colin Southern]

That is good because I have only a brightness control, but nVidia has lots of controls like gamma and contrast and alot of exotic ones as well.

If you get the Spyder and profile your monitor, you'll have to do it all over again if you touch any of the nVidia controls. The Spyder does it's thing so you don't have to adjust video card controls.

[arith]

I sent them an email, but I suppose you are supposed to wait more than a day. I noticed the cheapest monitor that only has 95% of adobe colours cost £400. If I had piles of money I wouldn't even bother with landscape and do portrait instead, with a hasselblad. Cor

[Sam Smith]

I had yo stay up late to calibrate it. But yes the one I went back and looked at different. Of they are the one with terrible background. the 17 hour, 7 days a week workdays ends this coming week. We are doing a complete production floor reset. Then I will be able to reshoot.

[Dave Humphries]

I had yo stay up late to calibrate it. But yes the one I went back and looked at different. Of they are the one with terrible background. the 17 hour, 7 days a week workdays ends this coming week. We are doing a complete production floor reset. Then I will be able to reshoot.

I get the message Sam I shouldn't be moaning about a few 9 - 11 hour days 5 days a week. I feel for you mate. Hope it's all worthwhile. Is that production floor as in a factory style assembly line?

[arith]

Actually I don't think they like selling the stuff, I sent them an email and nothing no reply, and of course I've got to have it in writing that it works on my rather different system.

They better reply soon or I will go for a cheaper system.

[Sam Smith]

Dave,

It is industrial laundry. We process about 90,000 lbs per day with (10)1200 pound capacity washing machines, 2 pant and shirt presses, 3 Dryers, conveyors, boilers, waste water treatment system. Garment sort systems. It would be easier if we shut down production but we have not. I have to ensure we are able to continue the next morning or have a suitable work around for each phase. Ther hardest part was re routing the water and electric systems without interuption. Life in Engineering. Put of all this I have only missed starting production on time by 10 min. 1 time. Electric issue. Didn't feel it was safe.

[arith]

That sounds like a lot of work Sam.

I stopped doing employers favours, once I did 72 hours straight because of the three day week, but didn't even get thanked for it. I hear the constant mantra your job is what gives you feeling of worth, but in actual fact it is your hobby or interests.

Hope you get some time off soon.