Monitor calibration question

[boydaa]

There are a few of us at the office considering purchasing the Spyder 3 Pro to calibrate our monitors. My question is, could we purchase one and split the cost between the 3 of us and each use it to calibrate our monitors or does the device have to remain attached? Aside from the fact we would be cheating the company out of 3 sales by only purchasing 1 copy, is there any technical reason we could not do this.

[camrajoky]

Many Software mfg place number of use limits to install the software. This is to avoid the discribed copyright infringement. Generally you are allowed to make one copy of software for personal use.

[boydaa]

Understood, I just wondered if anyone had tried it....and if it worked?

[boydaa]

Thanks, I spoke with the mfg and resolved my question.

[PhotoshopAbuser]

Originally Posted by boydaa

Thanks, I spoke with the mfg and resolved my question.

And.....

[boydaa]

They said I could install in on all my systems, regardless of the number I had. Now, splitting the cost between three different people is against there license, witch I assumed it would be. I just wanted to know from a technical standpoint if it was possible to do this, in other words, was there any technical reason to leave the device attached. I am simply exploring all the options. Chances are I will just purchase this for myself, but there were some other guys in the office the wondered if we could split the cost and all of us use it.

[PhotoshopAbuser]

Man, if you are going to split it 3 ways go with the ColorMunki!

[boydaa]

Yeah, I am still researching the products. I am not familiar with all the options, and still not sure that ethically I want to split it with others. I understand the whole license thing with software vendors, but sometimes I just want to go the less expensive route.

[Eero Makela]

Spyder License is only for one computer
Eye-One Display 2 by X-Rite does not have any restrictions Also the software on the I12 is easier to use
Spyder has real time Ambient monitor the Eye-One does not

[Eero Makela]

Best 2 sites I have found

Monitor Calibration

Monitor Calibration and Profiling

[boydaa]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

Spyder License is only for one computer
Eye-One Display 2 by X-Rite does not have any restrictions Also the software on the I12 is easier to use
Spyder has real time Ambient monitor the Eye-One does not

Response I received from Colorvision this afternoon:

"Yes, you can use this on all your systems.
Regards,

DataColor, Consumer Products Division
Email Support Representative"

I was also considering the Pantone Huey, which would be only a little more than the Spyder 3 Pro split three ways...and it would be legal, and has ambient monitor. Any opinions on the Huey?

[PhotoshopAbuser]

No opinion here. I still use my Spyder2

[Rodeoshooter]

My question would be if Monitor calibration is so important why does PhotoShop not address it? I think if it was that important then Adobe (PhotoShop) would be trying to make money on it!

[boydaa]

Good question, and I am new at this so keep the opinions flowing. I currently run a dual monitor setup, and they monitors do not look the same. I am getting a new monitor in a few days and thought I would look into calibrating my monitors. If some people are of the opinion that this is not needed, then please enlighten me. I am still researching, and may decide not to purchase any type of calibrator, but at least thought I would look in to it.

[matthewlrigdon]

Originally Posted by Rodeoshooter

My question would be if Monitor calibration is so important why does PhotoShop not address it? I think if it was that important then Adobe (PhotoShop) would be trying to make money on it!

Macs come with a program built in that assists you in "calibrating" your monitor (I use quotes because the naked eye is not the best color calibrating system out there. It's remarkably easy to fool). I think Vista has one, too. Even XP might have had one (I'd have to look and I don't feel like it right now)

to get accurate color calibration, you have to have hardware. Adobe's never been a hardware company, so they prefer to let others deal with the hassle of manufacturing.

Adobe does have a seat on the ICC board and they make sure to implement those standards into all their products.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by Rodeoshooter

My question would be if Monitor calibration is so important why does PhotoShop not address it? I think if it was that important then Adobe (PhotoShop) would be trying to make money on it!

They use to!!! Adobe Gamma Remember

Using Adobe Gamma on Windows

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by matthewlrigdon

I think Vista has one, too. Even XP might have had one (I'd have to look and I don't feel like it right now)

The one in Vista is way better then the one in XP (XP you can download a add on that allows better control)


The Eye-One automatically updates the Monitor profile after it completes the setup.

BTW: once you get use to a calibrated screen it no longer looks red

Any one remember this (look at the pictures with the RGB squares)

Calibrating your monitor

[Rodeoshooter]

The problem is some people can "see" color and some are blind as bats when it comes to telling color apart. And I am speaking of the "normal" people.

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

The one in Vista is way better then the one in XP (XP you can download a add on that allows better control)


The Eye-One automatically updates the Monitor profile after it completes the setup.

BTW: once you get use to a calibrated screen it no longer looks red

Any one remember this (look at the pictures with the RGB squares)

Calibrating your monitor

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by Rodeoshooter

The problem is some people can "see" color and some are blind as bats when it comes to telling color apart. And I am speaking of the "normal" people.

That's why I bought a hardware device that does all the work. No need to see the colors, the software does all the calibration for you. I could never figure out the RGB squares with Adobe Gamma.

[matthewlrigdon]

Originally Posted by Rodeoshooter

The problem is some people can "see" color and some are blind as bats when it comes to telling color apart. And I am speaking of the "normal" people.

You're color fidelity also tends to drop with age. Many people's corneas change colors (if I remember correctly, towards yellow) which will affect your ability to judge accurately.

Of course, if you calibrate by eye, everything will like right to YOU. If you use a machine, everything may look "wrong". And if you're color blind (and a surprising number of people don't realize they are color blind, I mean, how could you tell?), you should probably just stick to black and white

Although, you can actually do color correction even if you're color blind.