[Comer]

I found this absolutely excellent calibration guide through AVS and bought an Eye One LT colour/light meter from here. It cost me €200 including VAT and import duty. Calibrating my VW60 was so surprisingly easy and it's great to finally have some understanding of the graphs and terminology that has confused me for all these years.

Good luck

[dwhite]

There's already a long thread about this in the Room acoustics and audio video calibration subforum.

I agree with the op it is worth doing.

[Mad Monk]

I used the EyeOne LT as well. It does a great job!

[spooney]

Considering a professional ISF calibration is available for around 50% more at my place I wonder if I should spent my time on this?

[Comer]

Well it depends, if you are the kind of person who likes to tweak, if you change your projector very often, as in every couple of years. Remember that as a bulb ages on a projector it usually needs to be re-calibrated.

Also, it's really good fun (in a masochistic kind of way)

[tryingtimes]

So the LT model is enough? I've seen those go on ebay for £70 occasionally.

[spooney]

Originally Posted by Comer

Well it depends, if you are the kind of person who likes to tweak, if you change your projector very often, as in every couple of years. Remember that as a bulb ages on a projector it usually needs to be re-calibrated.

Also, it's really good fun (in a masochistic kind of way)

I agree and this is what makes me think: I tend to tweak around for hours hence trying to avoid getting started

BTW: You can buy the device directly from the Apple store for 179 Euro including delivery. They offer a newer and more advanced model for 260 Euro (see iMac - Monitors)

[Comer]

Originally Posted by spooney

I agree and this is what makes me think: I tend to tweak around for hours hence trying to avoid getting started

Good point, but the reason why I keep tweaking is that I'm never sure if it's correct or not. With proper calibration you can be confident that you are already getting the best out of your projector and just sit back and enjoy the movie.

tryingtimes, yes it's accepted to be pretty good. It's not as good as the professional meters at reading below 10ire, but at this kind of money...

[tryingtimes]

It was more the software which comes with the LT versus the "display 2" version I was wondering about. Or were you using other software?

[Comer]

The first few pages of the guide I linked to explain it all. The eye one display 2 comes with software for digital photographers, but the sensor is the same as the eye one lt. The softeware you use is ColorHCFR which is free download from here

[Avi]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

So the LT model is enough? I've seen those go on ebay for £70 occasionally.

I believe that the Display LT is being phased out in favour of the Colormunki Create. I also undertand X-Rite are now OEMing the Gamma 5 (engine used in the D2/LT/etc).

The D2 etc is a decent entry level meter as an into to calibration.

AVI

[Avi]

Originally Posted by Comer

tryingtimes, yes it's accepted to be pretty good. It's not as good as the professional meters at reading below 10ire, but at this kind of money...

Some factors to consider are that it depends on the PJ output etc and if you're measuring off the screen or lens. The other critical consideration is the low light reading handling of the software. This is a gross "generalisation" but if the PJ is calibrated to D65, the lamp has achieved burn in and your measuring at the screen the result may become less accurate/repeatable at 30% stim and below (varies by meter/PJ). Some of what you may consider "pro" meters i.e. i1pro are less accurate at low light reading than some filter based colorimeters.

AVI

[tryingtimes]

I see - I definitely need to do my monitor for photography too, so I'll keep looking for the "i1 display 2".
I also saw a really cheap Monaco Optix XR - but find it hard to see comparative reviews as this is an older model (which comes with the DTP94 sensor).
The sensor itself is well regarded I think (and compatible with HCFR), so I might take a punt (it's £56)

[Avi]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

I see - I definitely need to do my monitor for byphotography too, so I'll keep looking for the "i1 display 2".
I also saw a really cheap Monaco Optix XR - but find it hard to see comparative reviews as this is an older model (which comes with the DTP94 sensor).
The sensor itself is well regarded I think (and compatible with HCFR), so I might take a punt (it's £56)

Comparison (post #160 on)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...t=dtp94&page=6

I have a DPT94. Some advice I was given by Derek at Spectracal (Calman)-

"The DTP94 is a great meter the only downside is it needs recal every 10 minute or so. The Chroma5 is a bit more accurate and does not need recal.

FWIW, all the meters we sell the Gamma5, Chroma5, i1Pro and Hubble all work very well and for the most part would calibrate a display to a level most would not be able to tell the difference visually. It's the features, speed and convenience that really set them apart. An example is if you need a non-contact meter and deal with ambient light then the Hubble is the way to go. If you are going to be doing lots of advanced CMS/CCA work then the i1Pro is a must. If you want speed and convenience but can’t afford a Chroma5 then a Gamma5 will do. If you can afford only one meter and really want that last little bit even thought it’s not a visible difference then get an i1Pro. If you are going to get into calibration professionally even if it’s just part time then the first meter to get is an i1Pro the second would be a Chroma5. Once you start to make some money then maybe add the Hubble to your kit."

AVI

[tryingtimes]

Originally Posted by Avi

Comparison (post #160 on)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...t=dtp94&page=6

I have a DPT94. Some advice I was given by Derek at Spectracal (Calman)-

"The DTP94 is a great meter the only downside is it needs recal every 10 minute or so. The Chroma5 is a bit more accurate and does not need recal.

FWIW, all the meters we sell the Gamma5, Chroma5, i1Pro and Hubble all work very well and for the most part would calibrate a display to a level most would not be able to tell the difference visually. It's the features, speed and convenience that really set them apart. An example is if you need a non-contact meter and deal with ambient light then the Hubble is the way to go. If you are going to be doing lots of advanced CMS/CCA work then the i1Pro is a must. If you want speed and convenience but can’t afford a Chroma5 then a Gamma5 will do. If you can afford only one meter and really want that last little bit even thought it’s not a visible difference then get an i1Pro. If you are going to get into calibration professionally even if it’s just part time then the first meter to get is an i1Pro the second would be a Chroma5. Once you start to make some money then maybe add the Hubble to your kit."

AVI

Thanks Avi - How do you do a "recal' every 10 mins"? What's used as the reference to calibrate light meters?
Edit: Is it as simple as putting it complete darkness and pressing something on the software?

[Avi]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

Thanks Avi - How do you do a "recal' every 10 mins"? What's used as the reference to calibrate light meters?
Edit: Is it as simple as putting it complete darkness and pressing something on the software?

The black level re-calibration simply involves placing the light sensing face against an opaque black surface and issuing a command from the software to measure the internal temp. No external light should be allowed to enter the meter which can be a PITA when the unit is attached to a tripod (another challenge !) at the other side of the room. I paid about £120 a couple of years back based on feedback from the HCFR team on the DTP94. I was also going to purchase an i1pro if any came up on ebay but the big concern is version (D is current and quickest reading) and when it was last factory calibrated as it should be done once a year.

AVI

[tryingtimes]

hmmm - as the DTP94 was discontinued a year or so ago, I'm guessing that they might not be as accurate any more - even in their original unopened package.

[Avi]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

hmmm - as the DTP94 was discontinued a year or so ago, I'm guessing that they might not be as accurate any more - even in their original unopened package.

As I understand it the filters can be affected by humidity so I guess in theory a relatively new product exposed to high humidity may be less accurate than an older product not exposed. I don't recall seeing any actual data on drift or even if this would be perceivable with the naked eye. Also bear in mind that accurate is a relative term with regard to the tolerances of these products.

The X-Rite Gamma 5 colorimeter and Calman standard software package is around $279 from Spectracal via Curtpalme site.

AVI

[tryingtimes]

That's a great price for the Gamma 5 Avi.
Anyway - I thought I'd take a punt at the Monaco Optix XR as it includes the software needed for my photographic work - then I can use HCFR for the projector.
I thought it was pretty good price for something which is meant to be better that the Spyders.

They have 12 more units afaics for anyone else interested:
Ebay item# 370087260827

Cheers
tt