Calibrate your Own TV

[Bebop]

http://www.colorvision.com/profis/profis_view.jsp?id=402

[Paul S.]

Far from accurate and not all that good.

[picopir8]

I dont know much about the TV model but I know several professional photographers who swear by the PC version.  It is highly rated by a number of photography/computer magazines.  I seriously doubt that colorvision would have dropped the ball on this product.  In fact I have yet to hear anything bad about this product from anyone who has actually seen/used it.  If you know of any accuracy issuses then please post the source so we can see for ourselves.

[Bebop]

Didn't have time to do any search. Someone actually tested it?

[kevbeck122]

It's not out yet, but a quick search came up with this:

The prototype Spyder TV software starts with some setup instructions, including advice on reducing the amount of light in the room. It then asks what type of display you have (direct view, flat panel, or rear projection -- with support for front projection targeted for the fall). Next, the software prompts you to bring up the display's setup menu and confirm which of the five controls are available, and then enter the scale used on the menus to measure them (e.g., 0 to 100 on some products, or -30 to 30 on others).

The actual calibration begins by using the Spyder device to measure the current state of the display using a black and white checkerboard pattern displayed from the test DVD. The software prompts you to move the Spyder to the appropriate target square on the display to take each reading. Then the software calibrates the color temperature by taking a series of readings as you adjust the menu to the bottom, middle, and top of the scale, and reports the proper value for you to set.

Then the fun begins. For each control, starting with brightness, you walk though the calibration process with the black and white targets, again starting with the bottom, middle, and top of the scale. "And then the math takes over," says Levey. In no more than seven more readings, the software leads you through adjusting the setting to various points along the scale as it takes additional measurements in order to close in on the best setting. Repeat for the other controls (contrast, tint, and color), and you're done in around 15 to 20 minutes.

"This will be the next best thing to having a professional calibrator come to your house," says Levey. "People care, they really do care. It's going to deliver a marked improvement over the out of box scenario."

For users who want to delve deeper, the software then offers a post-calibration analysis to compare the before and after settings, and display the results with interesting test images to see the changes in areas like highlights and shadows. Levey recommends repeating the calibration process every four months or so to keep the display in peak form (as compared to imaging and arts professionals who may re-calibrate their monitors monthly or even daily). You also will need to re-calibrate after changing components, says Levey, "or if your kid or dog goes up and changes the settings."