Datacolor User to User Support Group.

I can NOT make both my monitors look the same!
Can someone here help with some experience?

I can ask teck support after the holiday but I'd like to get my new
device working now. (Beside, my experience so far is that their tech
support if rather lame.)

So here is the setup:


With XPpro I have two Samsung 213t monitors running on one Asus EAX
1600xt graphics card.  

One monitor is running analog and one digital.
One is one yr. older than the other.
There are slight differenced in the presets possible depending on
Analog or Digital, but basically they both start out pretty much the
same before profiling.

I remove the Catalyst control panel as I have read that can be a
problem when there are two many bits of software trying to run
profiles. I'm trying to keep it simple.

I've used the Sypder in a darkened room multiple times on each monitor
but I had to disable my primary monitor to force the Spyder to proflie
my secondary one. After I named and saved the secondary profile I
re-enabled both monitors and assigned the correct profile to the each
monitor.

Consistently, the Primary (digital) monitor has a yellowish cast and
the analog one seems more correctly white (to my eyes).

Which one is right?  Can I trust EITHER one?  ( I think not if they
are not the same the tool obviously failed. ) 

And mostly, what can I do to make this expensive tool work.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for whatever you come up with.  I doubt I am the
first with this problem?

In a message dated 12/25/2006 5:55:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
swp91011@... writes:
Consistently, the Primary (digital) monitor has a yellowish cast and
the analog one seems more correctly white (to my eyes).

Which one is right?  Can I trust EITHER one?  ( I think not if they
are not the same the tool obviously failed. ) 
You haven't mentioned what happens when you make a print. Which one gives 
WYSIWYG?
It wouldn't surprise me if they both did. 

Richard (Brooklyn)

I haven't tried a print yet as I just read all the targets and created
the profiles last night with PrintFix Pro.

However, on the face of it, if one monitor shows white as yellowish
and one does not and I adjust the image so it looks good on one it
would have to have different colors than if I had adjusted it on the
other to look equally as white. 

They can't BOTH be right. 

I'm going to reconnect the monitors today and switch the way ther are
run so that the analog one from earlier becomes the digital one today etc.

That may tell me if I just have one sick monitor. 

.....Phiegze

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CorrPro96@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 12/25/2006 5:55:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
> swp91011@... writes:
> Consistently, the Primary (digital) monitor has a yellowish cast and
> the analog one seems more correctly white (to my eyes).
> 
> Which one is right?  Can I trust EITHER one?  ( I think not if they
> are not the same the tool obviously failed. ) 
> You haven't mentioned what happens when you make a print. Which one
gives 

> WYSIWYG?
> It wouldn't surprise me if they both did. 
> 
> Richard (Brooklyn)
>

In a message dated 12/25/2006 4:15:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
swp91011@... writes:
I haven't tried a print yet as I just read all the targets and created
the profiles last night with PrintFix Pro.

However, on the face of it, if one monitor shows white as yellowish
and one does not and I adjust the image so it looks good on one it
would have to have different colors than if I had adjusted it on the
other to look equally as white. 

They can't BOTH be right. 
What you are after is WYSIWYPrint. If your print from the yellow monitor has 
the same yellow tint, you are getting WYSIWYPrint. You can then adjust the 
monitor image to the whiteness you are looking for, and the print will be the 
same.

Richard (Brooklyn)

In a message dated 12/25/2006 4:15:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, swp91011@... writes:

I haven't tried a print yet as I just read all the targets and created
the profiles last night with PrintFix Pro.

However, on the face of it, if one monitor shows white as yellowish
and one does not and I adjust the image so it looks good on one it
would have to have different colors than if I had adjusted it on the
other to look equally as white.

They can't BOTH be right.

-- 

There is still the problem - what is wrong with my Spyder2 if it can't
make both monitors neutral or the same?



--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, David Miller <dm2363@...> wrote:
>
> >In a message dated 12/25/2006 4:15:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> >swp91011@... writes:
> >
> >I haven't tried a print yet as I just read all the targets and created
> >the profiles last night with PrintFix Pro.
> >
> >However, on the face of it, if one monitor shows white as yellowish
> >and one does not and I adjust the image so it looks good on one it
> >would have to have different colors than if I had adjusted it on the
> >other to look equally as white.
> >
> >They can't BOTH be right.
> >
> 
> To improve your visual matching between your monitor and your print:
> 
> - The monitor has to be calibrated. Use the Spyder (or other 3rd party
> equivalent) and calibrate your display to D65, gamma 2.2
> 
> - You need to turn on softproofing in PFP 2.0 to display the image on
> your calibrated monitor with the printer profile taken into account; or;
> you need to open the image in Photoshop (with it's working space set to
> Adobe RGB), go to the View:Proof Setup:Custom menu, select your
printer profile
> and rendering intent, and turn on paper black simulation (this is the 
> equivalent
> of what PFP 2.0's softproof shows).
> 
> - You need to view your print under a proper light source. Proper light
> sources are NOT any of the following: incandescent table lamps;
incandescent
> overhead lights; flourescent lighting (office or otherwise); bright
sunlight.
> We would recommend that you get one of the widely available
"daylight spectrum"
> lamps, which come configured as floor-standing lamps or
desktop-style lamps,
> and view your prints that way. You can also get an Ott-light, which
is an
> even more specialized version of the same kind of bulb, but for most
people,
> the more generic lamps are fine.
> 
> When you've calibrated your monitor to D65, the color of white has a
specific
> color temperature, and visually, this should be very close to the color
> temperature of your paper white when you've printed through the PFP
2.0 profile
> and you're viewing it under the controlled light source as described
above.

> 
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> 
> -- 
> David Miller
> Senior Software Developer, Digital Color Solutions
> ColorVision
>

Hi,

I am no expert.  I saw this thread developed on another forum.  The 
conclusion is that Windows in its current iteration does not support 
individually calibrated monitors i.e. more than one monitor profile.  
It cannot use 2 different profiles at one time, just one or the other 
which might explain what you are describing.  Check this out with 
Microsoft information if you need verification.  It is said that 
Vista may provide this feature.  In addition you will need a video 
card that will support 2 profiles as well.  Above is summary of what 
I remember and is subject to error.
HTH

Paul

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Phiegze" <swp91011@...> 
wrote:
>
> There is still the problem - what is wrong with my Spyder2 if it 
can't
> make both monitors neutral or the same?
> 
> 
> 
> --- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, David Miller <dm2363@> 
wrote:
> >
> > >In a message dated 12/25/2006 4:15:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> > >swp91011@ writes:
> > >
> > >I haven't tried a print yet as I just read all the targets and 
created
> > >the profiles last night with PrintFix Pro.
> > >
> > >However, on the face of it, if one monitor shows white as 
yellowish
> > >and one does not and I adjust the image so it looks good on one 
it
> > >would have to have different colors than if I had adjusted it on 
the
> > >other to look equally as white.
> > >
> > >They can't BOTH be right.
> > >
> > 
> > To improve your visual matching between your monitor and your 
print:
> > 
> > - The monitor has to be calibrated. Use the Spyder (or other 3rd 
party
> > equivalent) and calibrate your display to D65, gamma 2.2
> > 
> > - You need to turn on softproofing in PFP 2.0 to display the 
image on
> > your calibrated monitor with the printer profile taken into 
account; or;
> > you need to open the image in Photoshop (with it's working space 
set to
> > Adobe RGB), go to the View:Proof Setup:Custom menu, select your
> printer profile
> > and rendering intent, and turn on paper black simulation (this is 
the 
> > equivalent
> > of what PFP 2.0's softproof shows).
> > 
> > - You need to view your print under a proper light source. Proper 
light
> > sources are NOT any of the following: incandescent table lamps;
> incandescent
> > overhead lights; flourescent lighting (office or otherwise); 
bright
> sunlight.
> > We would recommend that you get one of the widely available
> "daylight spectrum"
> > lamps, which come configured as floor-standing lamps or
> desktop-style lamps,
> > and view your prints that way. You can also get an Ott-light, 
which
> is an
> > even more specialized version of the same kind of bulb, but for 
most
> people,
> > the more generic lamps are fine.
> > 
> > When you've calibrated your monitor to D65, the color of white 
has a
> specific
> > color temperature, and visually, this should be very close to the 
color
> > temperature of your paper white when you've printed through the 
PFP
> 2.0 profile
> > and you're viewing it under the controlled light source as 
described

> above.
> > 
> > 
> > Best regards,
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > David Miller
> > Senior Software Developer, Digital Color Solutions
> > ColorVision
> >
>

Go to
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/colorcontrol.mspx

and download the Applet from there. This will allow to control the profiles 
on-the-fly. Also allows you to manage and control  all your other profiles 
as well.

Hope this helps the problem.

Roger Richards

-----------------------------------------------------
Roger Richards Photography
www.rogerrichardsphotography.co.uk

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "bwinkjet" <bwinkjet@...>
To: <colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 4:36 AM
Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Need help with Spyder Pro 2


| Hi,
|
| I am no expert.  I saw this thread developed on another forum.  The
| conclusion is that Windows in its current iteration does not support
| individually calibrated monitors i.e. more than one monitor profile.
| It cannot use 2 different profiles at one time, just one or the other
| which might explain what you are describing.  Check this out with
| Microsoft information if you need verification.  It is said that
| Vista may provide this feature.  In addition you will need a video
| card that will support 2 profiles as well.  Above is summary of what
| I remember and is subject to error.
| HTH
|
|

I did name the Monitors and Graphics card and OS but I will do so
again to be  clear

The OS is XPpro

Both monitors are Samsung 213t LCD monitors and both are running from
one PCI Card; 

The Graphics card is an Asus PCI  EAX 1600xt.

I am running one care via the Digital output of the card and via the
Analog output.

I would like to upgrade.
I have the Suite but I bought the parts separately.
I do not see any serial numbers on the Spyder.
I do see serial numbers on the PrintFIx Puck 0005487
I think both are registered.

Do I qualify for the Suite upgrade at $90?

Thanks

  



The room totally darkened save for the one monitor I calibrating.
I use the SAME settings to calibrate each monitor.
I disconnect each monitor in turn as I can not figure out how to get
the Spyder  to run on and anything but the primary monitor and I want
to make sure there is no confusion about which monitor is being profiled.



After calibrating both I reconnect them and assign each with it's
designated profile.

Aside from printing I find it difficult to trust the device or
software if the two monitors don't match.



--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CDTobie@... wrote:
>
> 
> In a message dated 12/25/06 5:55:25 AM, swp91011@... writes:
> 
> 
> > I can NOT make both my monitors look the same!
> > 
> There are several levels on which you could be attempting this, so
the answer 
> is not simple...
> 
> > Can someone here help with some experience?
> > 
> Only if I know just what you are attempting to do, and what
monitors, OS, 
> type and number of video cards, type of each monitor involved,
ambient lighting 
> level, and settings used are...
> > 
> > I can ask teck support after the holiday but I'd like to get my new
> > device working now. (Beside, my experience so far is that their tech
> > support if rather lame.)
> > 
> All tech support starts with a first tier that is intended to help
people 
> find their serial numbers, and do other basic things. Your job is to
ask clear 
> and specific enough questions to get forwarded to the correct
advanced support 
> person. Thats not lame, its normal. Also, asking via email, instead of 
> insisting on a human voice, is more effective, as it allows for
bumping support to the 
> corrrect people much more easily.
> > 
> > So here is the setup:
> > 
> > 
> > With XPpro I have two Samsung 213t monitors running on one Asus EAX
> > 1600xt graphics card. 
> > 
> > One monitor is running analog and one digital.
> > 
> Less than ideal, but better than one CRT and one LCD...
> 
> > One is one yr. older than the other.
> > There are slight differenced in the presets possible depending on
> > Analog or Digital, but basically they both start out pretty much the
> > same before profiling.
> > 
> Still failed to note if they are LCD or CRT...
> > 
> > I remove the Catalyst control panel as I have read that can be a
> > problem when there are two many bits of software trying to run
> > profiles. I'm trying to keep it simple.
> > 
> That should be fine, as long as your monitors work properly without
it. Still 
> didn't mention OS either... or number of video carts, or their
type... that 
> effects the level of control you will have on Windows, but not on
the Mac, so 
> this all is important to the correct answer...
> > 
> > I've used the Sypder in a darkened room multiple times on each monitor
> > but I had to disable my primary monitor to force the Spyder to proflie
> > my secondary one.
> > 
> 
> Not if you are using Spyder2PRO, the package intended for advanced
multiple 
> monitor matching. If you are using plain Spyder2 software, all you
can do is 
> get relative, not absolute, matching, which is fine for two monitors in 
> different spots, but won't tune two monitors to a tight match
side-by-side...
> 
> >  After I named and saved the secondary profile I
> > re-enabled both monitors and assigned the correct profile to the each
> > monitor.
> > 
> Thats something of a hack, you are trying to use a wrench as a
hammer; get 
> Spyder2PRO if you wish to tune monitors to match one another...
> > 
> > Consistently, the Primary (digital) monitor has a yellowish cast and
> > the analog one seems more correctly white (to my eyes).
> > 
> Your eyes are influenced by the dominant whitepoint in the room, so
they 
> can't really be trusted for this. But thats not really an issue in
this case, as 
> you don't have much in the way of tools for anything but a simple
calibration 
> anyways with the basic Spyder2 package...
> > 
> > Which one is right?  Can I trust EITHER one?  ( I think not if they
> > are not the same the tool obviously failed. )
> > 
> "The tool" will do different things at different settings. If you
choose 
> Native Whitepoint, and don't match the whites in some other manner,
then they 
> would (appropriately) be different. If you choose, say 6500k, and
balance them 
> either with RGB gains corrections, or let the Spyder2 software do it
at the 
> videocard level, then they should both have similar whitepoints...
BUT if you 
> aren't running both through the same (nonPCI-Express) video card on
Windows (none 
> of this info is in you note) then you still can't get both to match,
as Windows 
> won't treat them both seperately, so you would have an OS level
failure that 
> custom ICC profiles and video correction data can't fix, you'd have
to get a 
> Dual PCI Express card, or a second videocard to make that work.
> > 
> > And mostly, what can I do to make this expensive tool work.
> > 
> Doesn't actually sound like you have the expensive tool, it sounds
like you 
> have the moderately priced version... Spyder2PRO offers lots of
extra tools for 

> checking and adjusting your monitor for multiple monitor setups.
> > 
> > Any ideas?
> > 
> Lots, but thats as much as I can offer from the info given...
> 
> Happy Holidays,
> C. David Tobie
> Product Technology Manager
> ColorVision Business Division
> DataColor Inc.
> CDTobie@...
> www.colorvision.com
>

On 27-Dec-06, at 7:53 AM, CDTobie@... wrote:

>  Which brings us to the question: if the company is closed, and I'm on 
> vacation, why am I answering business email? <G>
>

... because, Mr Tobie, you're a crazy workaholic dedicated to color 
accuracy and the inkjet output utopia... i bet ur home is painted RGB 
with ambient lighting set to optically produce the perfect 2.2 gamma...

but for now turn off that damn computer and bring in the new year with 
the rest of us! :D


:-P ghi

I believe Paul is correct on this. I'd like to also add that although your video card has two connections, you cannot profile BOTH monitors. I believe this is the case with one video card. You will need two video cards to profile both monitors. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Troy

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "bwinkjet" <bwinkjet@...> 
Hi,

I am no expert. I saw this thread developed on another forum. The 
conclusion is that Windows in its current iteration does not support 
individually calibrated monitors i.e. more than one monitor profile. 
It cannot use 2 different profiles at one time, just one or the other 
which might explain what you are describing. Check this out with 
Microsoft information if you need verification. It is said that 
Vista may provide this feature. In addition you will need a video 
card that will support 2 profiles as well. Above is summary of what 
I remember and is subject to error.
HTH

Paul

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Phiegze" <swp91011@...> 
wrote:
>
> There is still the problem - what is wrong with my Spyder2 if it 
can't
> make both monitors neutral or the same?
> 
> 
> 
> --- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, David Miller <dm2363@> 
wrote:
> >
> > >In a message dated 12/25/2006 4:15:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> > >swp91011@ writes:
> > >
> > >I haven't tried a print yet as I just read all the targets and 
created
> > >the profiles last night with PrintFix Pro.
> > >
> > >However, on the face of it, if one monitor shows white as 
yellowish
> > >and one does not and I adjust the image so it looks good on one 
it
> > >would have to have different colors than if I had adjusted it on 
the
> > >other to look equally as white.
> > >
> > >They can't BOTH be right.
> > >
> > 
> > To improve your visual matching between your monitor and your 
print:
> > 
> > - The monitor has to be calibrated. Use the Spyder (or other 3rd 
party
> > equivalent) and calibrate your display to D65, gamma 2.2
> > 
> > - You need to turn on softproofing in PFP 2.0 to display the 
image on
> > your calibrated monitor with the printer profile taken into 
account; or;
> > you need to open the image in Photoshop (with it's working space 
set to
> > Adobe RGB), go to the View:Proof Setup:Custom menu, select your
> printer profile
> > and rendering intent, and turn on paper black simulation (this is 
the 
> > equivalent
> > of what PFP 2.0's softproof shows).
> > 
> > - You need to view your print under a proper light source. Proper 
light
> > sources are NOT any of the following: incandescent table lamps;
> incandescent
> > overhead lights; flourescent lighting (office or otherwise); 
bright
> sunlight.
> > We would recommend that you get one of the widely available
> "daylight spectrum"
> > lamps, which come configured as floor-standing lamps or
> desktop-style lamps,
> > and view your prints that way. You can also get an Ott-light, 
which
> is an
> > even more specialized version of the same kind of bulb, but for 
most
> people,
> > the more generic lamps are fine.
> > 
> > When you've calibrated your monitor to D65, the color of white 
has a
> specific
> > color temperature, and visually, this should be very close to the 
color
> > temperature of your paper white when you've printed through the 
PFP
> 2.0 profile
> > and you're viewing it under the controlled light source as 
described

> above.
> > 
> > 
> > Best regards,
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > David Miller
> > Senior Software Developer, Digital Color Solutions
> > ColorVision
> >
>

That shouldn't matter for Spyder2 to Spyder2PRO upgrading. But Datacolor is closed until after New Years, so you will need to wait to contact them for an upgrade. Which brings us to the question: if the company is closed, and I'm on vacation, why am I answering business email? <G>

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Division
DataColor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com


I can answer that David. Because you folks seem to truly care about your customers and how the Colorvision software and hardware works for us. Dave Miller helped me immensely on his own time a few weeks ago to get a novice like me up and running and that kind of customner service is sorely missing these days. I will remain a Colorvision customer as long as the company exists for that reason. And no, I did not get paid for that if anyone is wondering. :-)

Troy

Because you are a true Professional and you love your work and think you
have a superb product worth every Penny.
Oh and thanks for that and the great support you guys do for your product,
CD and Dave Miller.
Have a great upcoming year and look forward to your ever progressing
products.
 
Paul Nieuwenhuize
 


  _____  

From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of CDTobie@...
Sent: Thursday, 28 December 2006 4:54 a.m.
To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [colorvision_group] Re: Need help with Spyder Pro 2



In a message dated 12/26/06 8:21:59 PM, swp91011@... writes:




I did name the Monitors and Graphics card and OS but I will do so
again to be  clear



Sorry didn't see that, in fact if I'd seen the info below I would have been
able to give more precise answers...



The OS is XPpro



Thats helpful...



Both monitors are Samsung 213t LCD monitors and both are running from
one PCI Card;

The Graphics card is an Asus PCI  EAX 1600xt.



Thus you are not able to actually run unique calibration for both monitors.
Since videocard level whitepoint adjustment happens at the videocard
calibration level, and you can't adjust the whitepoint uniquely for both,
while they are on the same Windows videocard, unless is a PCIexpress card.



I am running one care via the Digital output of the card and via the
Analog output.



Definately not goint to allow unique calibration... you'll need a second,
low cost videocard for that. Or lacking an extra slot, a single PCIexpress
card, assuming you have an availble PCI slot...



I would like to upgrade.



I assume you don't mean your videocard, but your Spyder software...



I have the Suite but I bought the parts separately.
I do not see any serial numbers on the Spyder.



Its on the USB plug, on a small label.



I do see serial numbers on the PrintFIx Puck 0005487



Thats a hardware device serial, like the one on the Spyder USB plug. In both
cases there are also software serial numbers, which you do NOT want to
publish on a public list...



I think both are registered.

Do I qualify for the Suite upgrade at $90?



That shouldn't matter for Spyder2 to Spyder2PRO upgrading. But Datacolor is
closed until after New Years, so you will need to wait to contact them for
an upgrade. Which brings us to the question: if the company is closed, and
I'm on vacation, why am I answering business email? <G>

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Division
DataColor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com

David - thanks for your fast response once again.
Yes as I said my card is a PCI express card (Asus PCI  EAX 1600xt.)
But I don't know if that matters.

I can create two profiles and I can use the Microsoft Utility to
assign a distinct porfile to each AND the profile DOES make a
difference so I think it is funtioning on some level.

However - even after I checked to make sure each monitor was capable
of creating accurate (looking) whites -  I still can't make BOTH look
good as the same time.

I am still unclear if the a PCI card is capable of what I want.
I have seen PCI (PCI Express) cards with two DIGITAL outputs as
opposed to what I have which it one analog and one digital.

There is not pressure now - I can work with one good monitor, but I do
need to figure out what's wrong and what I can do to fix it.
I am not convinced my card it up to the task or that it is not defective.

So - can you tell me once again - can WinXp and one  PCI express card
anlong with the Microsoft Color app manage two profiles and two
monitors simultaneously (in theory at least).?




--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CDTobie@... wrote:
>
> 
> In a message dated 12/26/06 8:21:59 PM, swp91011@... writes:
> 
> 
> > I did name the Monitors and Graphics card and OS but I will do so
> > again to be  clear
> > 
> Sorry didn't see that, in fact if I'd seen the info below I would
have been 
> able to give more precise answers...
> > 
> > The OS is XPpro
> > 
> Thats helpful...
> > 
> > Both monitors are Samsung 213t LCD monitors and both are running from
> > one PCI Card;
> > 
> > The Graphics card is an Asus PCI  EAX 1600xt.
> > 
> Thus you are not able to actually run unique calibration for both
monitors. 
> Since videocard level whitepoint adjustment happens at the videocard 
> calibration level, and you can't adjust the whitepoint uniquely for
both, while they are 
> on the same Windows videocard, unless is a PCIexpress card.
> > 
> > I am running one care via the Digital output of the card and via the
> > Analog output.
> > 
> Definately not goint to allow unique calibration... you'll need a
second, low 
> cost videocard for that. Or lacking an extra slot, a single
PCIexpress card, 
> assuming you have an availble PCI slot...
> > 
> > I would like to upgrade.
> > 
> I assume you don't mean your videocard, but your Spyder software...
> 
> > I have the Suite but I bought the parts separately.
> > I do not see any serial numbers on the Spyder.
> > 
> Its on the USB plug, on a small label.
> 
> > I do see serial numbers on the PrintFIx Puck
> > 
> Thats a hardware device serial, like the one on the Spyder USB plug.
In both 
> cases there are also software serial numbers, which you do NOT want
to publish 
> on a public list...
> 
> > I think both are registered.
> > 
> > Do I qualify for the Suite upgrade at $90?
> > 
> That shouldn't matter for Spyder2 to Spyder2PRO upgrading. But
Datacolor is 
> closed until after New Years, so you will need to wait to contact
them for an 
> upgrade. Which brings us to the question: if the company is closed,
and I'm on 

> vacation, why am I answering business email? <G>
> 
> C. David Tobie
> Product Technology Manager
> ColorVision Business Division
> DataColor Inc.
> CDTobie@...
> www.colorvision.com
>

Phiegze,

> So - can you tell me once again - can WinXp and one  PCI express card
> anlong with the Microsoft Color app manage two profiles and two
> monitors simultaneously (in theory at least).?

I don't think the problem is with managing the two profiles, it is with 
managing the two calibration tables (LUTS) that are produced when you 
calibrate AND profile your two monitors. You have to have a graphics card 
that can handle the two calibration tables and correct each of its outputs 
separately, or two graphics cards that can only handle one calibration 
table.

Have a look at this :-
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/dual_monitor_calibration.html

Bob Frost

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "" <swp91011@...>

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, 5shooter1@... wrote:
>
> I believe Paul is correct on this. I'd like to also add that 
although your video card has two connections, you cannot profile BOTH 
monitors. I believe this is the case with one video card. You will 
need two video cards to profile both monitors. Someone please correct 
me if I'm wrong.
> 
> Troy

I have a dual monitor setup under Win XP that is driven from a single 
video card (NVidia Quadro FX 3400).  The monitors are an IBM C220P 
(CRT) and a DELL 1905FP (flat panel).  I have profiled them both 
using the Spyder2 Pro and am able, using the Microsoft Color Control 
Panel Applet, to have the appropriate profile applied to each.

Win XP does NOT support profiles for two monitors off a singel video 
card in its native form.  MS did release the color control applet to 
allow this to be done.  Without it, you would need to have a separate 
video card for each monitor.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/c
olorcontrol.mspx

As it installs, it requires you to manually set the profiles each 
time you boot.  You can, however, add a parameter to the command 
string to have it done automatically at boot time using the profiles 
you assign to each monitor - assign them using the manual mode.  To 
have it run automatically, add a "/L" to the end of the command 
string (here is mine):

"C:\Program Files\Pro Imaging Powertoys\Microsoft Color Control Panel 
Applet for Windows XP\WinColor.exe" /L

Create a version of it with this parameter and place it in your 
Startup folder.  When Win XP starts, if the profiles make a visible 
difference, you can watch the profile for the primary monitor get 
loaded and applied to both monitors and then later when the applet 
runs, you can see the secondary monitor get modified to reflect its 
profile.

I always use the same name for my two profiles so that I do not have 
to keep changing the profile id that is being used by the applet.

This works on my system.  I also found that since my CRT monitor is a 
bit old, I had to use the video card application to boost the 
brightness and contrast a bit to get it back in the range where I 
could do the correct setup with the Spyder 2.  With the flat panel, I 
had to try to tame the contrast and brightness down a bit.  During my 
boot process, I can actually watch the intermediate step where the 
video card software applies these corrections before the applet 
applies the profiles.

My guess is that the applet is the early release of support from the 
next Windows level.  Apple has been way ahead of MS on this.

I hope this helps,

Rollin

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CDTobie@... wrote:
> That may get you two profiles, but the million dollar question is 
whether it 
> gets you distinct calibration data (VLUTs) for each of those 
monitors... 

As to the vLUTs, I cannot answer.  I can say that the distinctive 
profiles (created using the Spyder2) are applied to the monitors and 
that I am able to soft proof in Photoshop which is what I want.  Is 
there a way to tell if the vLUTs are being set?

In my case, I use the CRT for my image and the flat panel for the 
tool pallets, etc. under PS.  I can get a very good calibration on 
the CRT but, at best, I can get the flat panel close. As I said in 
the earlier note, I used the video card application plus the (few) 
controls on the flat panel to tame down the brightness and contrast 
to an "acceptable" level.  I then calibrated it with the Sypder2 but 
don't bother redoing it very often.  I do recalibrate the CRT on a 
regular basis.

This works for me but I am always open to a better solution.  Every 
time I think I understand computers (been playing with them for 40 
years) and color management, I find out how little I do know.

Rollin