Hey guys , ive gone back many pages in here to see if i can find info on it as i hate seeing double posts in forums but im looking for a genaral calibrating machine really only for personal use for my projector and the odd plasma TV .

Has anyone had experience with these :

http://www.progressivelabs.net/

I wouldnt expct TOTAL perfection as id love to be able to but budget will not alow but definately something to bring us up to a very very close colour calibration .

Thanx all and would love to hear back with some feedback .

Adam .

I have the PL CA-6X colorimeter and software package, as well as CalMAN and the EyeOne Pro. Both packages work extremely well, and benefit from great support from their makers. I've had great results with both, and can recommend them highly.

With that said, if you are new at calibrating, I feel that CalMAN is a better choice for the beginner. It has very extensive documentation containing theory as well as how-to's that opens alongside the measurement windows, and beginner-to-advanced levels, allowing it to provide you more sensor info as your skill increases. You can also build custom measurement pages that show you only what you want to see as you do a calibration. The PL software, on the other hand, really isn't for beginners, but is a professional-level package from the get-go. It gives you lots of info about what the sensor is seeing, but no hand-holding, so you pretty much need to know what you are about before you start using it. It does have a neat auto-grayscale function that works with AVIAPro and the GetGray disc. These discs can provide an audio signal when the grayscale patterns step that triggers a reading and auto-advance by the CA-6X software. It's very cool and can make short work of grayscale runs.

BTW, this wasn't meant to denigrate either software package. I just wanted you to know some of the high points I've seen with each package.

I also have the CA-6X and CalMAN. I would agree about the software. But remember CalMAN is only software and their S/W works with many meters, including the Progressive Labs one, and the Progressive Labs software will work with many different probes as well. Each S/W package has its strengths and weaknesses, and I would tend to agree CalMAN is more appropriate for a beginner. When it comes down to meters, IMO the PL C-5 meter is one of the best (if not the best) of the tristimulus meters on the market. It is much more convenient to use than the i1Pro in that it is plug-in and go - requiring no periodic calibration as does the i1Pro. I use mine with both the PL software and the CalMAN software.

Common wisdom is the i1Pro is more accurate but I've never seen any hard data to back that up. My eyes tell me the C-5 gives a better calibration on my projector than the i1Pro, but this may be because I have a 3-chip DLP (C3X) with a supposedly spikey spectrum and the sampling of the i1Pro might not be adequate to measure it.

In any event, I would give a thumbs up for the PL C-5 meter. You might also check out this post and thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12853039&postcount=81 where Tom Huffman reported good results with the C-5 meter.

I also have the CA-6X and CalMAN. I would agree about the software. But remember CalMAN is only software and their S/W works with many meters, including the Progressive Labs one, and the Progressive Labs software will work with many different probes as well. Each S/W package has its strengths and weaknesses, and I would tend to agree CalMAN is more appropriate for a beginner. When it comes down to meters, IMO the PL C-5 meter is one of the best (if not the best) of the tristimulus meters on the market. It is much more convenient to use than the i1Pro in that it is plug-in and go - requiring no periodic calibration as does the i1Pro. I use mine with both the PL software and the CalMAN software.

Common wisdom is the i1Pro is more accurate but I've never seen any hard data to back that up. My eyes tell me the C-5 gives a better calibration on my projector than the i1Pro, but this may be because I have a 3-chip DLP (C3X) with a supposedly spikey spectrum and the sampling of the i1Pro might not be adequate to measure it.

In any event, I would give a thumbs up for the PL C-5 meter. You might also check out this post and thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12853039&postcount=81 where Tom Huffman reported good results with the C-5 meter.

You are absolutely correct about each package being able to use multiple probes. Somehow that slipped my mind. Recently I upgraded my CA-6X software and license so I could use my I1 Pro with it as well as the CA-6X/OpticOne. Unfortunately, the Consumer version of CalMAN I have doesn't currently support the CA-6X probe (the much more costly Pro version does, though). Also correct about CalMAN usually being a software-only package, though I bought mine as part of an I1 Pro/CalMAN bundle from Bill and the gang at SpectraCal a year ago.

We do support both the CA-6X and the C-5 in our Pro package, though the CA-6X is one we have been thinking of deprecating to the consumer version. If enough non-Pro calibrators ask, we probably will do it. :)

We do support both the CA-6X and the C-5 in our Pro package, though the CA-6X is one we have been thinking of deprecating to the consumer version. If enough non-Pro calibrators ask, we probably will do it. :)

"Deprecating"...my poor CA-6X...<sniff>....;)

I've got one I might sell (CA-6X) to upgrade to C5.

I take it the only reason people are jumping to the C5 is so that it can do LCD or are their other advantages ?

Some of us are just dumb and "upgrade" becasue they are the next thing, and we don't have the next thing sitting in the box of stuff we don't use anyway :)

I take it the only reason people are jumping to the C5 is so that it can do LCD or are their other advantages ?
It's faster and more accurate than the CA-6X.

It's faster and more accurate than the CA-6X.

Bill:

Can you quantity in terms of relative percentages how much faster and how much morer accurate it is...

Thanks.

The Chroma5 does not require a dark calibration offset and has built in ambient temperature compensation, so more accurate. The exposure times on the C5 are around 1.5 seconds and on the 6X it takes 3-5 in low light, so faster.

The C-5 probe with the integration time set correctly will typically run anywhere from .5 second per measurement to 1.0 seconds per measurement based on the display type being measured. We have never found a display which requires greater then a one second integration time to return repeatable values.

The CA-6X probe which we discontinued selling eighteen months ago was a fixed rate detector design which in operation returned 2.5 measurements per second at any light level. The CA-6X required a "dark" measurement to be performed at the start of a calibration session. The CA-6X was not designed to be used for measurement of LCD flat panel displays due to having a wider field of vision then required for LCD flat panel assessment.

The C-5 has better low light level sensitivity and has a revised filter compliment which allows it to work very well with a wide variety of displays which are currently available.

We presently support eighteen different instruments with our software package which may be purchased separately if desired. We work with most Minolta instruments virtually all of the Sequel/GretagMacbeth devices including the i1Pro, and OTC-1000/Hubble, Photo Research models including the PR-650, PR-655, PR-670, and PR-680.

Ok , so here goes , i just purchased this 1 off ebay :

http://cgi.*********.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290204713308&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=019

I decided to go the CA-6X as im not interested in doing LCD and its mainly for my CRT projector and my plasma so for the savings over the C5 version and seeing im not making a business out of it , this worked out perfect .

Thanx heaps for the advice here guys , i got heaps of info on the product here and now ill study other threads on how to use the bloody thing ... lol .

Adam .

Their CD says it *is* a C5.

He does confirm its the CA-6X

Cliff's must just be being lazy and sending all his CD's out with "C5" printed on them now :D:D. Cliff, we do need to think up a new name for your software :). I liked "Optic One" when you were making them for the Avia guys, but I bet that name's off limits now. Use the probe name for the suffix, if necessary, maybe

PL6-CA6X
PL6-C5
etc.

Or something more snazzy and well known:):
GetGray-CA6X,
GetGray-C5,
etc. ;)

Where are those marketing majors when you need them :D:D

The CD-says C-5 because the seller has a C-5! The seller also owned the CA-6X. I have not become so lazy that I can not relabel a CD (at least not yet). The software has a serial number file which supports a number of instruments which we work with.

I was just kidding of course :D. I can personally assure everyone Cliff/Progressive Labs is very hard working and quick to respond to it's customer needs. :)

I can personally assure everyone Cliff/Progressive Labs is very hard working and quick to respond to it's customer needs. :)

+1!:D

I have the PL CA-6X colorimeter and software package, as well as CalMAN and the EyeOne Pro. Both packages work extremely well, and benefit from great support from their makers. I've had great results with both, and can recommend them highly.

With that said, if you are new at calibrating, I feel that CalMAN is a better choice for the beginner. It has very extensive documentation containing theory as well as how-to's that opens alongside the measurement windows, and beginner-to-advanced levels, allowing it to provide you more sensor info as your skill increases. You can also build custom measurement pages that show you only what you want to see as you do a calibration. The PL software, on the other hand, really isn't for beginners, but is a professional-level package from the get-go. It gives you lots of info about what the sensor is seeing, but no hand-holding, so you pretty much need to know what you are about before you start using it. It does have a neat auto-grayscale function that works with AVIAPro and the GetGray disc. These discs can provide an audio signal when the grayscale patterns step that triggers a reading and auto-advance by the CA-6X software. It's very cool and can make short work of grayscale runs.

BTW, this wasn't meant to denigrate either software package. I just wanted you to know some of the high points I've seen with each package.

I also just purchased the 6x sensor and software and can "really" understand what you mean about it not being meant for beginners (like me)... it has a very steep learning curve.

Sounds like I should get a copy of this CALMAN until I understand more about what I am doing!

Does the HD-DVD of DVE have the GreyScale with audio signals that you are mentioning??

If not, I will also need to get a copy of GetGray!

Boy do I have a lot to learn! :D

I also just purchased the 6x sensor and software and can "really" understand what you mean about it not being meant for beginners (like me)... it has a very steep learning curve.

Sounds like I should get a copy of this CALMAN until I understand more about what I am doing!

Does the HD-DVD of DVE have the GreyScale with audio signals that you are mentioning??

If not, I will also need to get a copy of GetGray!

Boy do I have a lot to learn! :D


HiHoSteveo:

As someone who went through the learning curve not more that 4 months ago I can tell you that it is not that bad...a little perserverance and few lates and you will be there...

A must have though is CalMAN and its documentation and support make the difference between being able to and failing to get over the hump...

HTH

Sounds like I should get a copy of this CALMAN until I understand more about what I am doing!

Does the HD-DVD of DVE have the GreyScale with audio signals that you are mentioning??
We have a "pattern auto sense" feature that does not require the beep. The HD DVE disc is about all that you need for calibrating an HD DVD source (the SD side is still missing a few intermediate steps in the grayscale).

Bill

We have a "pattern auto sense" feature that does not require the beep. The HD DVE disc is about all that you need for calibrating an HD DVD source (the SD side is still missing a few intermediate steps in the grayscale).

Bill

Bill, your website mentions that the software is designed for the Spyder2 sensor...

After further review I see several sensors mentioned (none of them the C6X or C5) and several different software packages or versions.... which one do I need for the C6X?

I do have the DVD that Tom Huffman graciously created and an SD copy of Avia which is all I have used in the past.

Bill, your website mentions that the software is designed for the Spyder2 sensor...

After further review I see several sensors mentioned (none of them the C6X or C5) and several different software packages or versions.... which one do I need for the C6X?

I do have the DVD that Tom Huffman graciously created and an SD copy of Avia which is all I have used in the past.

The Spyder2 was with CalMAN v2. We have since released v3 which supports a very long list of hardware. Our website is in the process of being moved to www.SpectraCal.com which will have all of the updated information on v3.

Here is the list of what CalMAN v3 Pro supports: Current list (http://www.datapopuli.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=800)

Meters:
CalMAN Simulated meter
ColorVision Spyder2, Spyder2express, Spyder2platinum
DataColor Spyder3
x-rite Display2, Display2, Display2 LT
x-rite Gamma5 with CalMAN calibration tables
x-rite Gamma5 - OEM'd by many manufactures
x-rite manacoOPTIX xr, DTP94
x-rite eye-one Pro
x-rite eye-one Monitor
Sencore ColorPro II (RS-232 and USB)
Sencore ColorPro III, IV and V (RS-232 and USB)
Sequal Imaging Chroma4
Sequal Imaging ChromaTech LUM
Sequal Imaging SIP meters - OEM'd by many including Sony, NEC, Mitsubishi, Barco, LaCie
x-rite Chroma5 with factory calibration tables
x-rite Chroma5 with CalMAN calibration tables
x-rite Chroma5 - OEM'd by Progessive Labs as the C5
x-rite SigmaRGB - OEM'd by Progessive Labs as the 6X
x-rite Hubble - OEM'd by Sencore as the OTC1000

Sources:
Generic Calibration (DVD)
GetGray Calibration (DVD)
AVIA Guide to Home Theater (DVD)
Digital Video Essentials (DVD) (HD-DVD)
CalMAN V3 HTPC pattern generator (IP/Sockets - Remote or Local pattern control of your HTPC)
ColorFacts V6 HTPC pattern generator (Local app only)
Lumagen VisionHD series (RS-232)
Lumagen Radiance XD (Manual mode until it has RS-232 for it's patterns)
DVDO VP series (RS-232)
Pixel Magic Systems CrystalIO II (Manual mode until it has RS-232 for it's patterns)
AccuPel HDG-3000 (RS-232)
AccuPel HDG-4000 (RS-232 / USB) native support with 1% patterns
Sencore VideoPro 300, 301, 400, 403 (RS-232)
Quantum Data 801Gx, 802Bx, 881x and 882x (RS-232)

Yep, I'm pretty deficient in moving the website over. :oops:

Okay so the v3 should work for me then.... I will download the demo and see if I can figure it out...... :-)