A

Anonymous

Question

Need advice on monitor calibration

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
March 29, 2018
8 replies
2933 views

Hi All

I'm considering updating my Spyder Express 4 old I know but it still works to the Spyder 5 PRO, thing is I have dual monitors and the Spyder Express 4 can only calibrate a single monitor profile.

I've Googling about the Spyder 5 PRO but can't find a definitive answer as to whether the Spyder 5 PRO can calibrate both monitors.

So if anybody has an answer I would like to hear from you and of course any other options or suggestions would be most appreciated

Cheers

Ged

This topic has been closed for replies.

josephlavine

Community Expert

According to Datacolor, the answer is yes. Please follow the link.

Spyder5 Family Precise Monitor Calibration | Datacolor

D Fosse

Community Expert

OK, they may have changed policies with the latest versions. I know for a fact that up to and including Spyder 3 Express, it was single screen only.

People attempted to trick it by physically disconnecting the screen and rename the profile, then connect the other screen. And it still didn't work! Profiles have internal and external names and the previous profile would still be overwritten.

I think the Express edition is why Spyders have a somewhat bad reputation. The Pro and Elite should be excellent. Don't forget that even Eizo bundle Spyder sensors. No doubt they have tight specifications and get the best units, but they wouldn't do that if Spyders were as bad as some people say.

rayek.elfin

Legend

As far as I am aware, the hardware of all three Spyder versions is identical. An inexpensive path to high-grade colour management (without silly workaround tricks) is to purchase the Express, and then install DisplayCal instead of the bundled software.

DisplayCAL—Open Source Display Calibration and Characterization powered by ArgyllCMS

That's what I've been doing for the past few years. I got better colour calibration results compared to the Pro version, and much more flexibility. Works without issues with my three screen setup.

Bob_Hallam

Legend

X-Rite's ColorMunki Display will calibrate multiple monitors at a reasonable price

ICC programmer and developer, Photographer, artist and color management expert, Print standards and process expert.

occulus.nigra

Inspiring

How does ColorMunki compare with Spyder?

I'm looking for a monitor calibrator in the US$ 100-200 range.

Grateful for suggestions / recommendations.

TIA

Bob_Hallam

Legend

Both will do the job Some Color Munki bundles allow printer and monitor profiling which is an advantage over spyder. Spyder can calibrate different monitor phosphors or LCD results as a colorimeter, and ColorMunki uses the latest ICC Max standards for profiling.

My vote is for Color Munki today, but that may change if the other horse makes a move.

ICC programmer and developer, Photographer, artist and color management expert, Print standards and process expert.

rayek.elfin

Legend

Dave, just wondering (side question): you mention printer profiling. To profile a printer, we need to measure the printed swatches. Any vendor yet offering a combination device to do this? So, monitor and print swatch profiling simultaneously?

rayek.elfin

Legend

Well, I have a three screen setup and it works just fine. So in theory you ought to have no trouble at all calibrating both screens with DisplayCAL. But be prepared to spend some time!

rayek.elfin

Legend

I can confirm that the Spyder Pro version support multiple screens (I have one myself). But I preferred DIsplayCal, because it gave me a better calibration, and has more options. As D Fosse states, it is more convoluted, but the steps are the same. It guides you through the entire process.

At the very least you'll be saving yourself additional costs - but I don't know if your Spyder 4 is still viable. Just test, I say, with DisplayCAL.

A

Anonymous

Thanks Rayek

I'll give it a try tomorrow with my Spyder 4 and see what happens, if it works on both screens that will be a free bonus.

Cheers guys for the tips

If not I'll go for the Spyder 5 pro

davescm

Community Expert

If you are comfortable with using the command line then download Argyll CMS and use that. I use it with an i1 pro Spectro, as I also do printer profiles, although for monitors the i1 Display Pro has a very good reputation.

Dave

D Fosse

Community Expert

I've never used Spyder software (just a couple of sensors) - but I'm pretty confident the Pro edition does multiple monitors. It's true that the Express edition is limited to a single monitor. It will overwrite any previous profile.

I did try DisplayCal once, and it looks like a very comprehensive piece of software, with loads of options. Can be a bit overwhelming if you're new to it.

Spyders have a somewhat bad reputation. Don't really know why, the sensors I tried were very good. But the best one is the i1 Display Pro (dichroic glass filters guaranteed not to fade). It also has the added advantage of being supported everywhere, so it's a safe investment. I'm using it with Eizo ColorNavigator.

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

Ged, Dag is the go to guy for this sort of info, although davescm is pretty good with it.

A

Anonymous

Cheer's Trevor, looking forward to their input

rayek.elfin

Legend

You may want to install DisplayCAL—Open Source Display Calibration and Characterization powered by ArgyllCMS instead, and use your Spyder Express 4 to calibrate both screens. Much more capable software as well compared to the Express one.

It is quite professional calibration software, open source, and free. I did the same with my Spyder Pro, and have experienced no issues. Calibration does take more time, but is more precise than the simpler Spyder software (in my case).

A

Anonymous

Thanks I'll check it out

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