monitor profiling...
Daniel M (7 points) | Thu, 2007-02-01 05:28I'm trying to profile my cinema display and the macbook pro to match colors better between them. I am using Monaco Optix XR calibration hardware.
When I profile the cinema, I set gamma 2.2 and 6500k. This seems to match the laptop display. Just to be sure and more accurate, I decided to also profile the laptop.
When I profiled the laptop with the settings of 2.2 and 6500k, the contrast was very low and looked sort of washed out. I compared the color space in the profiles and found that they were very different. (see the attached image)
The wireframe is the original profile and the color (smaller) is the one created by the profiler.
Interestingly enough, the color space comparison between the Cinema default and the one created is very close (giving the edge to the new profile).
any ideas?
thanks
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I was wondering why you are trying to match the two displays in the first place?
Color-correct calibration is essential to getting good results and accurate output, but instead of trying to match the two monitors, you should be trying to match your target output.
Example: If your designing for offset print, and since each press is different, ask the printer for a calibration test sheet from the press that will be running your (color-critical) job. If they don't have them readily-available, find another printer.
Take this test sheet and calibrate your monitor(s) to that. CMYK Blacks should look rich, but not over-saturated and you should be able to tell the difference between 100% K (grayscale) black and CMYK black on-screen.
Your screens will look different in different rooms (speaking of the laptop here), in different lighting conditions, and even different depending on how long you've been staring at a screen.
Personally, I've never used 3rd-party calibration software, but instead rely on Apple's built-in monitor calibration and a fresh set of eyes. I re-calobrate for each color-critical job using a press sheet and/or every other week regardless if I think I need it or not.
I also have dual monitors that don't match (which used to drive me nuts), but I only rely on one for color-critical stuff. The other, I use for floating palettes, rss feeds, instant messenger, etc.
In short, you can calibrate the two monitors to match, but I just because they match doesn't mean that they are correctly calibrated. You should be calibrating them with your final output in-mind.
Hope this helps,
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group