Colorimeters and Spectroradiometers / Spectrophotometers [Archive] - Calibration Forums

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Turbe
05-08-2008, 03:39 PM
http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=concomanddiyc-20&l=ur2&o=1
Colorimeters vs Spectroradiometers / Spectrophotometers:

A Tristimulus (TriStim) Colorimeter measures the color dynamics of a display by using three separate meters. Each of the three meters sits behind a filter that isolates a particular color. Using a Tristimulus Colorimeter is conceptually equivalent to using a normal white light meter and putting different filters on it for measuring different colors. The filters in a Tristimulus Colorimeter are modeled, and the results weighted, to mimic the human eye's response to Red, Blue and Green.

A Spectroradiometer / Spectrophotometer works by sampling the spectrum in very small bands and then using an industry standard formula to calculate the Red, Blue and Green response.



Common meters available for DIY Video Calibration:

1) EyeOne Display LT / EyeOne Display 2 (I1D2) [COLORIMETER] - A great value. Limited largely to grayscale work, but can be used either off of a screen (direct-view or FP) or facing a projector lens (i.e., with a diffuser). Reasonably fast and will work with real-time measurements. [Display 2 includes X-Rite's iMatch PC Monitor Calibration Software, Display LT does not].

2) Spyder2/Platinum/3 [COLORIMETER] - A great design that is hampered by consistency issues. These can be anywhere from near reference (e.g., the hand-picked Platinum models) to significantly off-spec. Latest model (Spyder3) should only be used with non-phosphor-based displays (e.g., direct-view LCD). Long-ish integration times means that you can't use it real-time for making changes to controls (a significant limitation).

3) Chroma 5 [COLORIMETER] - This is an OEM-only meter that takes all of what is good about the DisplayLT/Display2 and makes it a bit better: improved accuracy, dynamic range and speed. Lightning fast integration times mean that this is the basic entry-level for anyone calibrating a bunch of displays. Consumers/Prosumers will also appreciate the improvements, though whether these are "worth it" is something of an individual choice. Personally, I really like the reduced lag between making a control adjustment and being able to see it in the measurements, but I place a pretty good value on the cost of my free time. From the factory, these do not come with a diffuser, though good quality ones are not expensive (they do require "profiling", though).

4) DTP-94 / DTP94 [COLORIMETER] - A good meter comparable to the Display2, above. This unit was X-rite's desktop calibration product (under the Monaco brand), but it was discontinued when X-rite bought GretagMacbeth. If you find any of these for sale from a vendor, they are NOS (new, but old stock), at best. Given the filter degradation over time, I'm not sure I would spend the money on one of these now unless I new it was cared for properly (see below). EDIT 4/1/2010: X-Rite is now making the DTP-94 / DTP94 available again via the OEM Channels.

5) EyeOne Professional (I1 Pro) [SPECTRORADIOMETER] - This is an "entry-level" spectroradiometer. Rather than using filters, it uses a holographic grating to split the incoming light into a "rainbow" and spread the resulting beam across a linear array of sensors. Since there are no optical filters, it will not degrade over time due to humidity, but it is sensitive to mechanical jarring (i.e., don't make it a habit to toss it around). Because of its design and cost consideration, this unit has an extremely limited dynamic range in which it can operate when compared to the filter-based units, above. The up-side is that it is your best hope when calibrating something "weird" short of spending several thousand dollars on a better spectro (e.g., Orb Optronix).

Caring for your filter-based unit [COLORIMETER]: Any of the filter-based units mentioned above will have their performance degrade over time as the filters absorb/release moisture and generally age. As a result, any filter-based unit should be looked at as something that will need to be periodically replaced (2 - 4+ years, depending upon model, care, and environmental factors). To maximize the life of the units, keep them in a dark environment and with a good-quality dessicant pack or three (I use doubled-up plastic storage bags). Cheap dessicant packs give off dust as they absorb moisture/disintegrate, and dust will ruin the unit faster than humidity will.

I put my colorimeters (filter-based color meters) into one Ziploc bag that is mostly sealed. I then put that bag into a larger bag that contains a couple of dessicant packs. The outer bag is then sealed full after pressing out as much air as I can. When treated this way, a filter-based unit should last for several years of occasional use (I'm not really sure about the upper end). - Bill Blackwell at SpectraCal




Recommended (but not on Plasmas):

Eye-One Display LT/2 devicehttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21GplIp78VL._SL500_AA200_.jpg

X-Rite Eye-One Display LT (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FX-Rite-Eye-One-Accurate-Calibration-Conscious%2Fdp%2FB000NRODT4%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delec tronics%26qid%3D1210288686%26sr%3D8-1&tag=concomanddiyc-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)

UPDATE:
We now have the X-Rite Display 2 (with X-Rite's iMatch software for PC Monitor Calibration) available bundled with CalMAN and ControlCAL. Click HERE to Purchase (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/announcement.php?f=12&a=11) (already have ControlCAL? Contact Us (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/sendmessage.php) for pricing/rebate information and other options).

X-Rite i1 Display 2/LT Device Specifications

Device Type: Three channel colorimetric sensor
Interface: USB data and power supply
Data format: Luminance (cd/m2), chromaticity coord. x, y (CIE 1931)
Refresh rate: Monitor frequencies: 40Hz to 150Hz
Physical dimensions: Length 84mm, width 64mm, height 35mm
Weight: Measurement device 131g, counter weight 33g
Measurement range: Luminance: Black point: 0.02cd/m2
White point: 3,000cd/m2
Illuminance: Suitable for use in Graphic Display Proofing per ISO/CD 12646 Standard
Accuracy: With respect to Eye-One Pro on reference monitor (white 6500K), chromaticity coord. x,y +/-0.004
Short-term repeatability: Luminance 0.3% at Y=75 cd/m2 (white 6500K) Chromaticity coord. x,y <+/-0.001 at Y=75 cd/m2 (white 6500K)
Power conditions: Power Required Powered by USB, no additional charger required
USB low power class device





Chroma 5 devicehttp://i33.tinypic.com/rua9nc.jpg


UPDATE:
We now have the Chroma 5 available bundled with CalMAN and ControlCAL. Click HERE to Purchase (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/announcement.php?f=12&a=11) (already have ControlCAL? Contact Us (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/sendmessage.php) for pricing/rebate information and other options).

X-Rite Chroma 5 Device Specifications



Luminance Range: 0.05 - 1000 cd/m^2
Accuracy:

For 1.0 cd/m^2 <= Luminance <= 1000 cd/m^2, Luminance: +/- 3%; White (x and y): +/- 0.002; Color (x and y): +/- 0.004
For 0.05 cd/m^2 <= Luminance < 1.0 cd/m^2, Luminance: +/- 5%; White (x and y): +/- 0.006; Color (x and y): +/- 0.006


Repeatability:

For 1.0 cd/m^2 <= Luminance <= 1000 cd/m^2, Luminance: +/- 0.5%; White (x and y): +/- 0.001; Color (x and y): +/- 0.001
For 0.05 cd/m^2 <= Luminance < 1.0 cd/m^2 Luminance: +- 2%; White (x and y): +/- 0.002; Color (x and y): +/- 0.002


Measurement: Luminance may be displayed as either foot Lamberts (fL) or cd/m² (Nits)
Measurement Speed: 350 ms (3 samples per second)
PC Interface: USB





Eye-One Pro devicehttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/484459.jpg

UPDATE:
We now have the I1Pro available bundled with CalMAN and ControlCAL. Click HERE to Purchase (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/announcement.php?f=12&a=11) (already have ControlCAL? Contact Us (http://www.controlcal.com/forum/sendmessage.php) for pricing/rebate information and other options).


X-Rite i1Pro Device Specifications

Spectral measurement device,supported measurement modes:
Reflectance single measurement
Reflectance scanning measurement with automatic patch detection
Emission: radiance measurement (monitor measurement)
Emission: irradiance measurement (light measurement)
Spectral analyser: Holographic diffraction grating with 128 pixel diode array
Optical resolution:10nm
Physical sampling interval: 3.5nm
Spectral data: Range: 380 to 730 nm in 10nm steps
Measurement aperture: 4.5mm diameter
Measurement geometry: 45°/0° ring illumination optics, DIN 5033
Light source: Gas filled tungsten (Type A)
Physical filters: No or UV cut (Filters not exchangeable)
Inter-instrument agreement: Average dE*94 0.4, max. dE*94 1.0
(Deviation from X-Rite manufacturing
standard at 23°C for single measurement
mode on 12 BCRA tiles, D50, 2°)
Short-term repeatability: ΔE*94 <= 0.1 (D50, 2°), with respect to the mean CIELab value of 10 measurements every 3 seconds on white
Data format:
Spectral radiance (mW/nm/m2 /sr);
Luminance Y (cd/m2)
Measurement range: 0.2 to 300 cd/m2
Short-term repeatability: x,y: +/- 0.002 typical (CRT 5000°K, 80 cd/m2)
Type: Cosine-corrected diffuse light measurement head
Diameter: 6.0 mm
Data format: Spectral irradiance (mw/nm/m2), Illuminance Y (lux)
Physical dimensions: 6”L x 2.6”W x 2.6”H (151 x 66 x 67mm)
Weight: 6.5 oz (185g)
Power conditions: Device powered by USB. No additional charger or battery required. USB 1.1 high power device.



Others (not Recommended):

ColorVision Spyder 2 and 3 Series (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=ColorVision%20Spyder&tag=concomanddiyc-20&index=blended&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)
NO ONE should be using a Spyder probe to calibrate a Kuro. They are the absolute worst.
Posted HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15504053&postcount=6406).



CalibrationForums.com / ControlCAL.com is an authorized reseller for SpectraCal.
SpectraCal is an authorized X-rite OEM reseller. Why does that matter?
When you buy an X-rite meter from SpectraCal, you know:


The meter you receive from SpectraCal is a brand-new meter.
The meter you receive from SpectraCal is the current revision of the meter.
The meter you receive from SpectraCal is never B-stock, refurbished material, or gray market cut-outs.
The meter you receive from SpectraCal has been calibrated at the factory.
The meter you receive from SpectraCal has a recent calibration date. The calibration of the meter is certified for one year. When you buy from SpectraCal, you know that you get a full twelve months’ use of the meter before it may need recalibration.
The meter you receive from SpectraCal carries an original X-rite factory warranty.


Warranty
All X-Rite meters purchased from SpectraCal (through the links on www.CalibrationForums.com (http://www.CalibrationForums.com) / www.ControlCAL.com (http://www.ControlCAL.com)) are backed by a strong one-year warranty. Click here (http://www.spectracal.com/Documents/L15-013_Warranty_Ser_en.pdf) for full warranty details.

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