57U
03-28-2005, 04:54 PM
Read about this in Popular Science. They said $250. Anyone used it?
http://www.colorvision.com/products_highlight.shtml
Spyder
http://www.colorvision.com/products_highlight.shtml
Spyder
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View Full Version : Datacolor Spyder TV - Calibration
57U
01-05-2006, 04:03 PM
I bought one of these from a "friend". It works very well and is very quick.
http://www.colorvision.com/spydertv_usa.shtml
The entire "calibration" took 36 minutes (for my first one) and there is no "guesswork" on contrast, brightness, colour, tint and colour temperature.
The unit helps you to optimize these user settings. It doesn't do service menu settings or sharpness.
Good product.
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DatacolorSpyderTVreview.php
The above report talked about "repeated requests". I also encountered this, but only once (not 4 times like they did). I simply assumed that the device didn't get the "reading" quite right. I did not find the unit "favours red". (My TV recently had a pro calibration)
http://www.colorvision.com/spydertv_usa.shtml
The entire "calibration" took 36 minutes (for my first one) and there is no "guesswork" on contrast, brightness, colour, tint and colour temperature.
The unit helps you to optimize these user settings. It doesn't do service menu settings or sharpness.
Good product.
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DatacolorSpyderTVreview.php
The above report talked about "repeated requests". I also encountered this, but only once (not 4 times like they did). I simply assumed that the device didn't get the "reading" quite right. I did not find the unit "favours red". (My TV recently had a pro calibration)
mikehbkwm
01-05-2006, 08:27 PM
Yeah I saw a review on it a while back, but can't remember what site it was on. Looks pretty cool though, but I don't want to spend the $250 for it.
smark1958
04-21-2006, 12:06 PM
I bought one of these from a "friend". It works very well and is very quick.
I am thinking about buying one of those, but I don't have a laptop PC. My desktop PC is in another room, but not too far away to use a USB extension cable.
Do you have to be at the TV and PC at the same time in order to make adjustments? Based upon what I've read, that doesn't seem to be the case.
I am thinking about buying one of those, but I don't have a laptop PC. My desktop PC is in another room, but not too far away to use a USB extension cable.
Do you have to be at the TV and PC at the same time in order to make adjustments? Based upon what I've read, that doesn't seem to be the case.
57U
04-21-2006, 12:14 PM
It would be a big pain in the butt, almost impossible, to try to do the calibration with the PC in another room. You need to use the DVD player, the PC and the TV in consort many, many times.
DVD player test pattern
TV setting
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV
New DVD test pattern
TV setting
Take picture with PC,
Change setting......
You're probably looking at say 100 trips back and forth.
That doesn't even include the original setup where you tell the PC how the TV is set up to begin with - which settings it is on, what the ranges are, etc.
If you have a laptop, the entire procedure takes 1/2 hour. If you were running back & forth 100 times...
DVD player test pattern
TV setting
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV.
Take "picture" with PC
Change setting on TV
New DVD test pattern
TV setting
Take picture with PC,
Change setting......
You're probably looking at say 100 trips back and forth.
That doesn't even include the original setup where you tell the PC how the TV is set up to begin with - which settings it is on, what the ranges are, etc.
If you have a laptop, the entire procedure takes 1/2 hour. If you were running back & forth 100 times...
mikehbkwm
04-21-2006, 12:32 PM
Yeah I think I'll just stick with my DVE. :) I'm not that anal about PQ.
smark1958
04-21-2006, 12:56 PM
It would be a big pain in the butt, almost impossible, to try to do the calibration with the PC in another room. You need to use the DVD player, the PC and the TV in consort many, many times.
Thank you.
Thank you.
mjones73
04-21-2006, 02:34 PM
Might be worth dragging the PC out to the TV.
smark1958
04-21-2006, 03:08 PM
Might be worth dragging the PC out to the TV.
and the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
On second thought, it would be easier to move the TV - it rolls! :)
and the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
On second thought, it would be easier to move the TV - it rolls! :)
terryfoster
04-21-2006, 03:31 PM
"Look at it roll! Now we can watch Jackie Gleason while we eat!"
smark1958
06-13-2007, 03:07 PM
This SpyderTV review isn't favorable:
http://www.avrev.com/equip/spyder_tv_datacolor/index.html
http://www.avrev.com/equip/spyder_tv_datacolor/index.html
brector
06-13-2007, 03:32 PM
I haven't heard from many that like them. For a little more cash you can get something better
Ratman
06-13-2007, 04:57 PM
For a little more cash you can get something better
Any recommendations?
Any recommendations?
57U
06-13-2007, 04:58 PM
This SpyderTV review isn't favorable:
http://www.avrev.com/equip/spyder_t...olor/index.html I read the following quote from the article with concern.
First it set black and white levels by prompting me through the user-available brightness and contrast controls. The settings it achieved were accurate... The result was correct for 6500K, while the color temperature control on the set was in the warm or low setting, but then it proceeded to direct me to change that setting to the medium position where my meter read approximately 8500K. . The first thing you do when using the Spyder (at least the version I have) is set the colour temperature.
I've done 100's of TVs and it's always chosen the correct (warm) setting. It DOES NOT ask you to change the colour temp on the TV AFTER the other settings. The colour temperature is the FIRST thing that's set and is the first thing you should always set - when using AVIA, DVE, Etc.
I can only assume that this person screwed up somehow. Edit - the "pro" version allows you to use a different timeline - see my later post below. Obviously not a good idea if you don't know what you're doing.
I do not go only by the readings on the Spyder report - they are in the ballpark, but this is also a bit of art, as well as science, so I always check by eye to ensure good brightness, colour and tint. It has, very occasionally given me "incorrect" colour readings on LCDs, but it's instantly recognizable and easily corrected.
He also states SpyderTV Datacolor, which retails for a manageable $699 I purchased mine for $200, so I assume he's talking about some "package".
http://www.avrev.com/equip/spyder_t...olor/index.html I read the following quote from the article with concern.
First it set black and white levels by prompting me through the user-available brightness and contrast controls. The settings it achieved were accurate... The result was correct for 6500K, while the color temperature control on the set was in the warm or low setting, but then it proceeded to direct me to change that setting to the medium position where my meter read approximately 8500K. . The first thing you do when using the Spyder (at least the version I have) is set the colour temperature.
I've done 100's of TVs and it's always chosen the correct (warm) setting. It DOES NOT ask you to change the colour temp on the TV AFTER the other settings. The colour temperature is the FIRST thing that's set and is the first thing you should always set - when using AVIA, DVE, Etc.
I can only assume that this person screwed up somehow. Edit - the "pro" version allows you to use a different timeline - see my later post below. Obviously not a good idea if you don't know what you're doing.
I do not go only by the readings on the Spyder report - they are in the ballpark, but this is also a bit of art, as well as science, so I always check by eye to ensure good brightness, colour and tint. It has, very occasionally given me "incorrect" colour readings on LCDs, but it's instantly recognizable and easily corrected.
He also states SpyderTV Datacolor, which retails for a manageable $699 I purchased mine for $200, so I assume he's talking about some "package".
brector
06-13-2007, 05:23 PM
Any recommendations?
The Eye-One 2 tool. Everything I've read about it compared to the spyder products says it is better. And around $250 now
The Eye-One 2 tool. Everything I've read about it compared to the spyder products says it is better. And around $250 now
brector
06-13-2007, 05:34 PM
And here is a link for the spyder2 express for $59 :wow:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11183986&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4017810&Mo=12&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=56704&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11183986&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4017810&Mo=12&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=56704&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
smark1958
06-13-2007, 11:03 PM
I purchased mine for $200, so I assume he's talking about some "package".
I think he's referring to the SpyderTV Pro because the paragrah that begins the TV calibration is titled SpyderTV Pro. That may also account for some differences between your software and what he tested.
I think he's referring to the SpyderTV Pro because the paragrah that begins the TV calibration is titled SpyderTV Pro. That may also account for some differences between your software and what he tested.
57U
06-13-2007, 11:58 PM
Yeah, the Pro version seems to be more costly, but that version is not necessary for a typical user.
http://www.gosale.com/4923384/colorvision-datacolor-spyder
I also see that the pro can go to any step in the process - that's an advantage I suppose, but it's not if you go to the "wrong step" at the "wrong time".
offers a new timeline feature that allows the installer to jump to any step in the wizard-driven process...
http://www.gosale.com/4923384/colorvision-datacolor-spyder
I also see that the pro can go to any step in the process - that's an advantage I suppose, but it's not if you go to the "wrong step" at the "wrong time".
offers a new timeline feature that allows the installer to jump to any step in the wizard-driven process...
brector
06-14-2007, 10:18 AM
Yeah, the Pro version seems to be more costly, but that version is not necessary for a typical user.
http://www.gosale.com/4923384/colorvision-datacolor-spyder
I also see that the pro can go to any step in the process - that's an advantage I suppose, but it's not if you go to the "wrong step" at the "wrong time".
From what I have read, they all use the same sensor. So just get the cheapest package. And also, from what I have read, no one uses the spyder software, they use CalMan or something else
http://www.gosale.com/4923384/colorvision-datacolor-spyder
I also see that the pro can go to any step in the process - that's an advantage I suppose, but it's not if you go to the "wrong step" at the "wrong time".
From what I have read, they all use the same sensor. So just get the cheapest package. And also, from what I have read, no one uses the spyder software, they use CalMan or something else
