ControlCAL on Mac's for Dummies (like me)

[Hudda]

Turbe asked me to post some thoughts on using CC for the ahem... challenged.

If you are using a Mac without a Windows partition you might consider a couple of things.

First, if you do not want to create a partition for XP SP2 or Vista on your Mac, you will need to get a hold of a dedicated Windows-based machine with requisite HDD, processor and Ram. The HDD is not really an issue these days given standard very large sizes. The processor needs to run at 2 ghz I believe and minimum ram is 512 MB.

Second, if you have a working Windows partition (Turbe recommends Fusion because of it's useful "Unity" feature), you really should just go ahead and order either the Keyspan USB to Serial adapter or the ControlCAL USB to Serial adapter. These are definitely supported. From what I could tell, most others do not seem to be and they will give you much grief and NOT work.


I tried to use my Macbook to activate the ISFccc modes with ControlCAL and I must say it was a miserable failure. One of the reasons I switched to Apple was ease of use. I did not really want to create a virtual drive with any version of Windows on it. I did successfully create a partition with Bootcamp (I have Leopard) but I could not for the life of me get Fusion to recognize it, hence it did not work. I did try to use the Bootcamp setup which I loaded with XP SP2 to run ControlCAL but here again, I ran into lots of errors and problems. In the end, I just bought a 1 GB memory stick, installed it into a old Compaq desktop I had in the attic and it all worked easily.

Also, if you do decide to use your Mac to create a virtual machine in order to use ControlCAL or any other Windows-based application, do remember you must then load anti-virus software on that partition.:thumbsdown: Yeah, yeah, I know I'm "supposed" to have it for OSX too but after nearly two years of using my Mac I've had no problems whatsoever and I'm free of expensive and buggy Norton crapware.

And a couple more: Some of the commands Turbe says to use such as Ctrl-V for pasting your name, email addy, and activation key are based on PC keyboards. I'm sure there is a corollary for Mac but you will need to figure this out too unless you use a PC as I recommend.

Don't forget, the Workflow Turbe and D-Nice came up with is only applicable if you are actually calibrating your display using meters, etc.. If you are just activating the ISFccc modes and plugging in D-Nice's settings, the workflow does not apply. Nor does it make sense if you start with p.2 of the profile. P.1 STARTS with Contrast. P.2 does not.

My only other suggestion to you Turbe would be to consider hiring someone who knows how to write detailed instructions for the average consumer (dumbed down) to get folks through the process. This is not a criticism, please don't take it as such. What I refer to is a much-expanded version of you have already done for "first users" in which each and every next step is spelled out precisely. Ex: You say "you don't activate the profiles, you activate CC". Then you say "start CC, then load the profiles into CC" but you don't say how. At least it wasn't clear to me.

All in all, this is a great and CHEAP way to activate your ISFccc modes. Thank you Turbe! You too D-Nice!:clap:

Hudda

[Turbe]

I did successfully create a partition with Bootcamp (I have Leopard) but I could not for the life of me get Fusion to recognize it, hence it did not work. I did try to use the Bootcamp setup which I loaded with XP SP2 to run ControlCAL but here again, I ran into lots of errors and problems. In the end, I just bought a 1 GB memory stick, installed it into a old Compaq desktop I had in the attic and it all worked easily.



Hi, thanks for posting this..

However, there is one major area of confusion.. :devil:

With VM Fusion (on Intel based Macs), you do not need to (or want to) create a separate partition (and you don't use a current Windows partition created via Bootcamp). VM Fusion creates a virtual partition on your OS X Partition. This is why VM Fusion is the way to run Windows on OS X IMO.

You simply run the VM Fusion Setup/Installer on your standard OS X installation. The Installer will ask for your Windows CD and auto install the best settings for that Windows O/S. :thumbsup:

BTW, you don't need to allocate the default 40GB for that virtual windows partition (it will ask during Fusion's installation and you can change it), 10-20GB is fine for ControlCAL unless you plan on running other Windows applications.



Also, if you do decide to use your Mac to create a virtual machine in order to use ControlCAL or any other Windows-based application, do remember you must then load anti-virus software on that partition.

VM Fusion includes Anti Virus Software (12-month subscription) for free. :D

The docs could be better but I did post the following:

Step-by-Step: Activating the ISFccc Memories and Entering Posted Settings (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2218&postcount=16)


:clap:

[jimnfla]

My experiences using a Mac are a bit different.

On a desktop MacPro I initially setup Bootcamp with Widows XP. I then used VMware Fusion to create a virtual machine using the Bootcamp partition. I have CalMAN and ControCAL running in Windows XP. I have run CalMAN with a I1Pro to calibrate a nearby Sony LCD TV.

I recently bought a MacBook Pro and loaded Vista on a Bootcamp partition. I have used CalMAN and ControlCAL on the laptop to calibrate my Pioneer Pro-151FD. Absolutely no problem using either program. I activated the ISF Day and Night modes and used D-Nice’s settings as a starting point (thank you D-Nice). A few tweaks to the RGB controls and the measurements looked good enough for the Super Bowl. ISF Day is brighter than Pure with the same contrast setting – from 34 fL to about 48.5 fL.

A minor note – Ctrl-V (paste) and Ctrl-C (copy) are the same on a Mac keyboard as they are on a Windows PC.

Thank you Turbe for your work with ControlCAL. ISF modes do make a difference!

[bgaspers]

OK, so I've run into a problem with ControlCal in VMware Fusion. I'm using a Keyspan 19H USB-Serial adapter, which works just fine with VMware Fusion. The problem is, the lowest available COM port available is COM10, but ControlCal only allows you to select up to COM9. This means I can't use ControlCal at all.

Any suggestions, or will an update to ControlCal be needed? The Keyspan adapter had plenty of COM ports available above 10.

[Turbe]

Did you install the Keyspan drivers for OS X? If so, uninstall them. Actually, I would uninstall the Windows drivers first, then the OS X drivers.

Just install the Windows drivers in your VM.

[bgaspers]

Did you install the Keyspan drivers for OS X? If so, uninstall them. Actually, I would uninstall the Windows drivers first, then the OS X drivers.

Just install the Windows drivers in your VM.

The Windows drivers are installed in my VM (XP Pro) and the Keyspan adapter is recognized just fine. I never had the drivers installed on OS X.

[Turbe]

ControlCAL can't use > COM9, I didn't have that problem with the Keyspan drivers in Fusion so I don't know why that happen. Perhaps, look at the Fusion config and see if there is anything that applies..

[bgaspers]

I ended up having to reassign the default COM1 to the higher COM range, then reassign the Keyspan COM10 back to COM1. For some reason, VMware still thought COM1 was busy, but a couple restarts fixed that and was then able to run the calibration (or at least put D-Nice's offsets in).

One quick question on the offsets: I'm assuming that if the recommended offset is -10 and my factory setting is 510, then I would put 500 in for the new setting?

[Turbe]

One quick question on the offsets: I'm assuming that if the recommended offset is -10 and my factory setting is 510, then I would put 500 in for the new setting?

correct :thumbup:

[stevec325]

This is the first application that I cannot get to run under Fusion on my MBPRO.

ControlCal v1_41 gives the following error when started:

"Failed to initialize drawing surfaces. Please check that your graphics card meets the minimum requirements and that your drivers are up to date. If your graphics card has little memory, try switching your computer to a lower resolution."

Huh???

UPDATE: I changed the setting in Fusion's "Virtual Machine -> Settings -> Display" to use the DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics option. Odd, that no other software ever used required this setting. But, that change seemed to allow the program to launch.

[gsmith999]

I got the same message on my Macbook Pro running Parallels. I finally gave up and bought a used PC laptop.

[Turbe]

Is there anything like this option in Parallels?

UPDATE: I changed the setting in Fusion's "Virtual Machine -> Settings -> Display" to use the DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics option. Odd, that no other software ever used required this setting. But, that change seemed to allow the program to launch.Is there a setting in regards to allocating Video Memory? If so, make sure there is at least 32MB for Video.

ControlCAL does require DirectX....

[stevec325]

From what I understand, DirectX 9.0 is not yet supported in Parallels. I've heard reports of some experimental things on the Mac forums that works in varying degrees. Requiring DirectX 9.0 may be a show stopper for using ControlCal with Parallels.

Fusion is vastly superior to Parallels in almost every regard (opinion mine). Well worth the $80 - if just to run ControlCal :)

[Turbe]

Directx 8 is all you need and I know ControlCAL runs under Parallels (Intel Mac) because I have Users running it on Parallels.. There must be a setting.

I haven't run Parallels for a long time, so I can't remember.

[stevec325]

Oh - cool. I didn't look for DirectX 8... just 9.

There probably is a similar setting to that in Fusion, which enables DirectX support. I don't run Parallels either, so I don't have any idea where to look for it in the options.

[bodosom]

There must be a setting.

In the Hardware section of the config you select video. Select enough memory and enable 3d acceleration.

[TimV]

This is the first application that I cannot get to run under Fusion on my MBPRO.

ControlCal v1_41 gives the following error when started:

"Failed to initialize drawing surfaces. Please check that your graphics card meets the minimum requirements and that your drivers are up to date. If your graphics card has little memory, try switching your computer to a lower resolution."

Huh???



I am getting the same error on my MacBook Pro running XP sp2 via Boot Camp. Has anyone else seen this and been able to fix it to where ControlCAL will run? Thanks.

[Turbe]

He's running Fusion (which requires a specific setting to be enabled 'use the DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics option'), not bootcamp.

Do you have an Intel based Mac? What Video Card is in your model?

Lastley, update XP by using Windows Update (you want to make sure you have a current DirectX version, drivers for your video card too).

Bootcamp should be straight forward (assuming Windows Updates) and most of the Pros that have Macs use Bootcamp vs the Virtual Machine software.

[TimV]

He's running Fusion (which requires a specific setting to be enabled 'use the DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics option'), not bootcamp.

Do you have an Intel based Mac? What Video Card is in your model?

Lastley, update XP by using Windows Update (you want to make sure you have a current DirectX version, drivers for your video card too).

Bootcamp should be straight forward (assuming Windows Updates) and most of the Pros that have Macs use Bootcamp vs the Virtual Machine software.

My machine is a new MacBook Pro, so yes, it is an Intel based mac. The video card is the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT. I will try to update my video drivers and see if that works.

[Turbe]

Also, SP3 is available... Many use bootcamp, the issues usual are with those running Windows under Parallels or VMFusion.

[FredT]

I've got Windows 7 RC running under VirtualBox on a Mac Mini attached to my Pioneer 111FD. I would like to get the ControlCal/USB to Serial Adapter bundle to have a go at activating the ISF modes. What are the chances that this will work?

[Turbe]

I have no experience with VirtualBox, is there an option to enable DirectX support?

Download and Install ControlCAL and see if it runs... :D

[FredT]

I have no experience with VirtualBox, is there an option to enable DirectX support?

Download and Install ControlCAL and see if it runs... :D
I'm back finally. I downloaded and ran ControlCal and got a couple of messages:

1. As ControlCal starts it says "Failed to initialize Direct Music Audio." I clicked OK.

2. ControlCal shows warning box. Click OK,

3. ControlCal opens a Terminal window and a profile window, then "Error! Cannot open COM1."

So, does ControlCal need sound? If so I can further research this. VirtualBox is supposedly emulating a standard sound card, but Win7 doesn't see it.

And the COM1 error: is that because there is no USB to serial converter attached?

Thanks.

[Turbe]

ControlCAL does need complete DirectX Support (though ControlCAL doesn't need .NET support).. it's a trade off but more of an issue for Mac Users... There may be an option for DirectX Support as there is with VM Fusion and Parallels.

ControlCAL defaults to COM1, if not not available, you will get that error message.

[FredT]

ControlCAL does need complete DirectX Support (though ControlCAL doesn't need .NET support).. it's a trade off but more of an issue for Mac Users... There may be an option for DirectX Support as there is with VM Fusion and Parallels.

ControlCAL defaults to COM1, if not not available, you will get that error message.
I'm running VirtualBox version 3, which does support DirectX, and I have it enabled. Is the audio message related to that?

[Turbe]

Yes..

Do you know what version of DirectX VirtualBox supports? Also, are there options to enable components of DirectX?

[FredT]

Yes..

Do you know what version of DirectX VirtualBox supports? Also, are there options to enable components of DirectX?
Yes..

Do you know what version of DirectX VirtualBox supports? Also, are there options to enable components of DirectX?
I don't know the answer to the question of which version works. I do know that some parts work and others don't. There are no options to specifically enable components. Can you tell me which component or version must work in order for ControlCal to work?

A different question: would this work better, or at all, with Bootcamp? I see that there have been mixed results there.

If I eventually give up on the Mac approach (it would pain me greatly to do so, so I'm nowhere near doing so yet), would one of the $300 netbooks work?

Thanks.

[Turbe]

Bootcamp works since basically your Mac becomes a PC..

I also use VMware Fusion, you can download and try that for 30 days...

I have an Asus 1000HE netbook (>8 hrs battery), screen (use 1024x768 mode) is small but ControlCAL works great...

[FredT]

Bootcamp works since basically your Mac becomes a PC..

I also use VMware Fusion, you can download and try that for 30 days...

I have an Asus 1000HE netbook (>8 hrs battery), screen (use 1024x768 mode) is small but ControlCAL works great...
I think I'll stay with the virtualization programs for now because I can run them on an external firewire drive and not have to mess with partitions on my internal drive. I found that Parallels also has a 30-day trial and claim to support DirectX9.

What I think I'll do is just give it a try with VirtualBox, and if that doesn't work move on to VMware Fusion or Parallels. Does that sound reasonable? If so I'll order the PRO-111FD bundle and get started.

[FredT]

Update on the audio problem:

I discovered that I needed to download a driver. I did that and installed it, and the audio problem cleared. But (and a really big one), now running Control crashes Windows; the program window opens as a black box and Windows is frozen. I uninstalled and reinstalled ControlCal, but still no go, so I think that experiment is over and I move on to another program.

[FredT]

I'm back to tell about my experiences running ControlCal on my Mini. After my failure with VirtualBox, I next tried Parallels. The setup was slick and easy and there were no indications of any problems to come, but when I ran ControlCal, I got the same audio error message that I had with VirtualBox. That was all for Parallels, as I didn't want to waste time trying to squash bugs.

So on to my last chance, VMware Fusion. Ii also installed and got Windows 7 going very easily. They recommended leaving 3D acceleration turned off, but ControlCal didn't like that, so I turned it on and ControlCal ran fine. At that point I figured it was all going to work, so I ordered the serial adapter/cable bundle. When it arrived and after installing the driver for the USB to serial port adapter, I was up and running. Once I got the hang of how the program works, it was a piece of cake.

[Turbe]

Once I got the hang of how the program works, it was a piece of cake.

Thanks for the update Fred... :D

IMO and as you have experienced, VMFusion is the only good VM option for the Mac....

[arabesc]

As I know, OSX is applying some default colour management for the TV that was attached as a secondary monitor. Whether it requires any special care before calibration?

[greg2046]

Hello,
I'm a Mac user, but I don't want to install XP on my Mac.
I also have laptop with XP but I have this error message when launching Contolcal: ''Unexpected error occurred when running the game''.
My configuration is:
- AMD Athlon XP-M 1800+
- 768 MB RAM (with video memories)
- S3 Graphics ProSavage 32 MB (share)
- XP Pro SP2
- Diect X 9.0
- 1024x768
Could you help me ?
Thanks.

[Turbe]

Sounds like DirectX issues, try increasing the shared video memory above 32MB.

Also, for older computers, see: http://www.controlcal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148

Make sure your video card has the current drivers.

[greg2046]

Thank you for such rapid answer ! :-)

[goro007]

Hi all. I'm itching to calibrate my Kuro but I'm having a problem installing ControlCal. I have tried installing ControlCAL 1.5 on 4 pcs and a Mac running VMFusion and have been unsuccessful ie the installer doesn't appear to install the program at all. Three of the pcs are Xp and one Windows 7 (Windows 7 on the Mac). Am I doing something wrong? *I am just running the .msi file. *In all cases a small empty black window flashes up and disappears and there are no ControlCAL files installed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.*My preference is to run ControlCal and HCFR on my MacBook pro.

[Turbe]

goro007, Did you check this setting?

They recommended leaving 3D acceleration turned off, but ControlCal didn't like that, so I turned it on and ControlCal ran fine. At that point I figured it was all going to work, so I ordered the serial adapter/cable bundle. When it arrived and after installing the driver for the USB to serial port adapter, I was up and running. Once I got the hang of how the program works, it was a piece of cake.

[goro007]

Hi all
I reinstalled DirectX and disabled Norton etc and restarted my PC and bingo - it worked. :clap:

Really happy about that. Now on to the serious business

goro007