Apple 30" Cinema display V Hp 30"

[Jerry Skrocki]

Originally Posted by perrycho

Thanks Jerry for all the info. So what sort of a gamut does Apple or HP support?
Perry

Apple does not make it easy to compare it's Cinema Displays to other those of other companies. While newer manufacturers are using NTSC (RGB) and Adobe RGB as a unit of measure, Apple is using CMYK.

The 30" Apple Cinema Display is SWOP Certified (Specifications Web Offset Publications) making it an ideal monitor to proof for press. It has been measured to cover over 95% of CMYK color. While that may sound impressive, it is only about 70% of NTSC (RGB) color. It is long overdue for an upgrade.

The HP 30" LCD covers 92% of NTSC color and like the Apple Cinema Display does not have a separate LUT for calibration. With these models, calibration is done through the video card.

The NEC 30" LCD in comparison covers 102% of NTSC color, has a separate 12 bit LUT a greater contrast ratio and response time.

Here are some profile comparisons done with the Apple ColorSync Utility:

[Martin_Doudoroff]

Originally Posted by AndrewRodney

You want the NEC software ($99). It supports a number of existing Colorimeters like the Spyder 3 although I'm not sure I'd go out and buy that unit if I didn't already have one since you can get a bundle with the software and a new X-Rite EyeOne Display for not much more than just what the instrument normally costs (IOW, the bundle is a screaming deal).

The fact that you're using and are pleased with the 3090 pretty much seals the deal for me. One thing that is confusing me: where do you find a bundle for the 3090 w/spectraview? I can only find such bundles for the 2490 edition.

[AndrewRodney]

Originally Posted by Martin_Doudoroff

One thing that is confusing me: where do you find a bundle for the 3090 w/spectraview? I can only find such bundles for the 2490 edition.

It may be so new, its not showing up yet. I got the bundle with the 2490, the latest software supports the 3090 too. NEC doesn't get brownie points for updating their web page often.

[Martin_Doudoroff]

Originally Posted by AndrewRodney

You want the NEC software ($99). It supports a number of existing Colorimeters like the Spyder 3 although I'm not sure I'd go out and buy that unit if I didn't already have one since you can get a bundle with the software and a new X-Rite EyeOne Display for not much more than just what the instrument normally costs (IOW, the bundle is a screaming deal).

Follow up question, Andrew: I'm a little confused about the advantages of an integrated calibrating system, particularly if it entails running additional software on your computer. I can see how a monitor might be independently calibrated and the computer told to send it straight AdobeRGB data or something like that, but that does not appear to be what's going on with these NECs. What's the difference between plugging the EyeOne into the monitor and using SpectraView II as opposed to just plugging the EyeOne into the computer and using EyeOne Match?

[AndrewRodney]

Originally Posted by Martin_Doudoroff

Follow up question, Andrew: I'm a little confused about the advantages of an integrated calibrating system, particularly if it entails running additional software on your computer. I can see how a monitor might be independently calibrated and the computer told to send it straight AdobeRGB data or something like that, but that does not appear to be what's going on with these NECs. What's the difference between plugging the EyeOne into the monitor and using SpectraView II as opposed to just plugging the EyeOne into the computer and using EyeOne Match?

Most LCD's alter the calibration in 8-bit on the graphic card. Newer, better, more robust solutions call for applying the LUT in high bit inside the unit. That results in less banding. In addition, you're not altering the brightness and other controls by pushing buttons (which have a higher number of steps in terms of fineness of control), instead, all the adjustments are being handled between the hardware in the display and the software driving it. Its also known as DDC although this is a rough standard. So the result is, you simply tell the software what target calibration you wish (white point, gamma, luminance and in this case, contrast ratio). The software controls the display internally. So its a one button affair. In addition, this product allows you to build multiple target calibration aim points, for example, differing contrast ratio's for Matt versus gloss inks. In the software, it can swap on the fly the conditions and the profile.

With an EyeOne and say the EyeOne software, all the calibration is happing 8-bit in the graphic card LUT and you have to push a bunch of buttons on the display while looking at the software feedback to get to the target calibration, and you're aiming for one calibration target. Its more work, its less accurate. You could do this with this NEC but considering its built to take advantage of its host software, and allow you to control the display internally, and more, the bundle with the software and puck is less than getting it as a 3rd party solution, its really the way to go. AND you can download the X-Rite software and use the same puck on a different machine.

[perrycho]

Originally Posted by AndrewRodney

Most LCD's alter the calibration in 8-bit on the graphic card. Newer, better, more robust solutions call for applying the LUT in high bit inside the unit. That results in less banding. In addition, you're not altering the brightness and other controls by pushing buttons (which have a higher number of steps in terms of fineness of control), instead, all the adjustments are being handled between the hardware in the display and the software driving it. Its also known as DDC although this is a rough standard. So the result is, you simply tell the software what target calibration you wish (white point, gamma, luminance and in this case, contrast ratio). The software controls the display internally. So its a one button affair. In addition, this product allows you to build multiple target calibration aim points, for example, differing contrast ratio's for Matt versus gloss inks. In the software, it can swap on the fly the conditions and the profile.

With an EyeOne and say the EyeOne software, all the calibration is happing 8-bit in the graphic card LUT and you have to push a bunch of buttons on the display while looking at the software feedback to get to the target calibration, and you're aiming for one calibration target. Its more work, its less accurate. You could do this with this NEC but considering its built to take advantage of its host software, and allow you to control the display internally, and more, the bundle with the software and puck is less than getting it as a 3rd party solution, its really the way to go. AND you can download the X-Rite software and use the same puck on a different machine.

Hi Andrew,

All this computer Jargon is confusing me LOL. At the moment I use spyder pro on my HP LP2564 to calibrate my monitor and I just follow the spyder pro software instructions to calibrate it.

So what you are saying is I don't really need any hardware like spyder pro to calibrate the NEC, if so how do I know what values are correct. Is that a silly question?

If I do need hardware to calibrate which is the best hardware to purchase? I am still keen on spyder pro 3 as I still need to calibrate my 2 other 24" HP monitors plus at the moment Datacolor allows about a 150 trade in if you own an older model when purchasing the spyder pro 3

Perry

[AndrewRodney]

Originally Posted by perrycho

So what you are saying is I don't really need any hardware like spyder pro to calibrate the NEC, if so how do I know what values are correct. Is that a silly question?

No, you need hardware to calibrate the NEC like any other display.

The best hardware unfortunately is no longer manufactured (the fine OPTIX from X-rite). But an EyeOne Display is also a very good product.

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