The Spyder 2 Pro - updated for profiling digital projectors

ColorVision add projector profiling to the Spyder2 Pro

The Spyder2 Pro gives good results profiling CRT Monitors and LCDs.

It does a good job with laptops as well, and now ColorVision have released an update to the software that allows you to profile digital projectors.

Profiling Projectors and monitors

Keith has looked at this new functionality and some other changes in the software...

This review is intended as an update covering the new functionality only - there are more detailed reviews of the Spyder 2 Pro and Spyder2express elsewhere on the site.

What has changed?

The latest release of the Spyder 2 Pro software (download here) offers some general improvements and bug fixes to version 1, but the two most welcome changes are a noticeably faster calibration process and the ability to calibrate LCD projectors (other types such as DLP are supported, and CRT projectors should probably be fine).

I'll not go over details covered in the original review, but the software essentially works just the same as before when calibrating your monitor, and it does it just fine...

Profiling a digital projector?

I've regularly given introductory talks to various groups of people of why colour management can a worthwhile contributor to the bottom line of your business ("Right first time - more often" sums it up pretty well).

Almost invariably I'm using an LCD projector that the organisers have set up for use.

In many ways this is the best way I can give real examples of what may well be unfamiliar concepts.

Without exception, every projector I've ever used has been noticeably 'wrong' in it's colour.

Show a nice picture on the big screen, let everybody decide that it looks great, then turn round my laptop with its profiled screen and the difference just jumps out at you.

I took the picture at the left, at an event where I'd previously been speaking. The image on the screen is my own photo of a sunset at Cape Kiwanda in Oregon (gallery version)

Although I've corrected the overall photo for the mixed lighting, the greenish tint in the projected image is quite clear.

The process of profiling and calibrating a projector is not much different from doing a monitor. You just need to measure the light being reflected off the projection screen (or wall if need be). You have to be a bit more careful about extraneous light, but within reason this can be allowed for.

The software

A new choice is available when initially opening the application - Projector The Grey Balanced Calibration option is there since apparently some projectors profile better with it switched off. See the summary below for a minor help issue with this screen.

There are a wide range of ways you could set up your monitor - best stick to the suggested ones unless you have a specific need

When profiling a projector system you need to hold the sensor directly in front of the screen, as in this suggestion shown in the software.

What's being shown here is a tripod adapter, although it's not clear what is what.

It's actually this thing... available from ColorVision, or included with the latest version of the Spyder 2 Pro. I actually made the equivalent from a tripod ball head and a large lump of Blu-Tac (very useful stuff to keep in your camera bag!)

The sensor should face the screen and be about a foot away from it

Before the calibration process starts, there is a target cross projected to help ensure that everything is aligned.

The process itself consists of the whole screen being changed to different colours and brightnesses, while the sensor records the reflected light.

After this the profile is built and you should save it with a meaningful name.

Note that on many PCs you can only apply one profile to a video card, so with most laptops you can have your screen correct or your projector, but not both (see our note on profiling dual monitor PC systems)

You can make new measurements under higher ambient light conditions if need be, which should give better results (I was unable to fully test this feature).

It's probably taken you longer to read this review so far than it would to profile a projection system...

Summary

Quick and easy to use -- I'll have to try it out 'in the field' to see just how easy it is to set up when I'm giving talks and lectures. There are many locations and venues where I've spoken that could not easily be dimmed for calibration, but if I'm setting things up myself, it looks to be very useful. -- I'll add a comment in a few months when I've used the device 'for real' a few times.

The increase in speed of profiling is also useful, if you have several machines to do.

One minor issue I noticed was that the help documentation does not seem to have caught up with the new functionality - it has no information on projectors.

Update (7 Sept) - it seems that the European download site had a slightly earlier version (2.0_6 rather than 2.0_8) This has incomplete help info. The version should be corrected, or if you are not sure, you can go to the US site at http://www.colorvision.com/sup_dl-upgrades.shtml
Update (April 07) Feature Update - Spyder2PRO Ambient light measurement

Overall - very useful enhancements to a good product.

More Info

Spyder 3 Elite - multiple monitor support and projector profiling
Spyder 3 Pro - multiple monitor support for profiling
The Spyder 2 Pro - original review
Eye One Display 2 Monitor calibration and profiling device from GretagMacbeth - also allows ambient light measurement.
An Introduction to colour management article by Keith and collection of CM info.
Colour management links on this site
The Viewing page - basic monitor set-up
Reviews - Other equipment and software reviews by Keith.
Why don't my prints match my screen?
A short article showing why there is more to getting your prints to match your screen, than just calibrating your monitor. It's the vital first step, but you do need to consider some other factors for best results.

Updated range

Spyder products feature comparisons

Information from Datacolor:

Spyder3 V3 vs V4 software features (May 2010) - S3Elite V4 review

Gamma choices	1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2,4	Unlimited	Unlimited
Colour temp.	5000K, 5800K, 6500K, Native	Unlimited	Unlimited
Ambient light measurement
Multiple display calibration
ReCAL - Recalibration assistant
StudioMatch, multiple display targeting
Front projector calibration
Expert console
Software-based brightness control
Luminance adj. automated for Mac
Iterative grey balance option
Compare & chart display gamuts
Maps display evenness
Graph & compare display's tone response
Charts white luminance & contrast
Compare various monitor (OSD) settings

Product features (late 2009)

Target User	Home user & digital imaging enthusiast	Home user & digital imaging enthusiast	Serious & professional photographers	Professional photographers, photography studios and professional users of all kinds	Photographers, fine art printers, production professionals
Measurement Device	Datacolor Spyder2	Datacolor Spyder3	Datacolor Spyder3	Datacolor Spyder3	Datacolor 1005 Spectrocolorimeter
Gamma Choices	Fixed (2.2)	Fixed (2.2)	4 choices: 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 (16 target combinations)	Unlimited choices, user defined	Unlimited choices, user defined
Colour Temperature	Choices Fixed (6500K)	2 Choices 6500K/Native	4 choices: 5000K/5800K/ 6500K /native (16 target combinations)	Unlimited choices, user defined	Unlimited choices, user defined
Custom Targets				Yes, unique custom choices (NTSC, PAL/ SECAM, Cineon, L-Star)	Yes, 3 levels of colour targets, plus extended gray targets
Embedded Ambient Light Sensor/Desktop Cradle					Desktop cradle /calibration tile
Aperture Size	14.5mm diameter	27mm diameter	27mm diameter	27mm diameter	7mm diameter
Ambient Light Measure					N/A
ReCAL, Recalibration Assistant					N/A
Expert Console
Custom B/W Luminance Control
Display History Utility					N/A
SpyderProof Interface
Multiple Display Calibration					N/A
Studio Match					N/A
Front Projector Calibration					N/A
Gamma Curve Editing
CheckCAL, Calibration and Profile Check					N/A
L-Star* Workflow Option
Custom Curves Capability
PreciseLight Functions
Hi-Bit Profiling Option
Precision Gray Axis Algorithm

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