SpyderTV Review - Page 3

Sounds like the original Spyder2. However, I do not get mine unil next week, so if someone else has the full Spyder2PRO v2 package, they can post what the rev levels are.

If that's the same as the SpyderTV, then there may not be an obvious way to check to see which sensor you have.

Arno - The two Spyders I have also said 3CL for both, and I was explicitly told I had the old hardware. I think that also explains the anomalies between the PRO and TV readings I was getting, since I was using the shipping software (e.g., it might have been expecting slightly different inputs).

Basically, I'll probably have to check with Colorvision to see how an end user can find out which sensor he or she has.

Arno - The math stays the same with the spreadsheet model. The issue is whether the "raw" xyY data itself is accurate, and with my limited testing, the Spyder2 looks very usable. We'll have to see how much more accurate/precise the new unit is once I get it.

I do not expect CRT FP folks to get much more out of the new sensor, btw.

Later,
Bill

Now if someone could convince the wife to let me have a CRT FP, then I could give it a real test!

Interesting. The differences I got were even more severe when I pulled the light grate off the Spyder2 and used it with the SpyderTV software (remember: I was one of the early beta folks who just got a Spyder2 with the new shell).

Arno - The grocery store looks a little far with gas at $3/gallon!

Later,
Bill

Stanger - the nearest reason I can think of is to pull together a basic calibration faster than you can get with the PRO. That is, you probably get a better result faster with the TV than you do with either Avia/DVE or the PreCAL routine in the PRO. Also, I do not have a PDP to check how well the PRO handles calibrating Plasma displays. For FP connected to a HTPC, you are probably better off with the PRO. Where you have a bunch of displays that are not connected to PCs, then go for the TV. My guess is that the TV plus the PRO software upgrade will be +/- $30 as the PRO standalone within about four months.

One strategy: buy the TV a discounted as possible ($230 according to Froogle), and then try to get the "loyalty discount" (25% off) by buying direct from Colorvision (this may not work since, by definition, an upgrader already has the product; I am taking FlipFlop's experience to indicate that the PRO upgrade works with the TV as well as the base or Plus versions). I would be careful about buying the Spyder2PRO from internet discounters right now since you may not get the v2.0 meter. Be careful when purchasing the PRO - most deep discounters are probably pushing older stock.

Later,
Bill

FlipFlop - Good to know! Did you get the "loyalty discount" when purchasing the upgrade or did you buy it retail?


Scott - That line is, perhaps, somewhat blurry these days. I would agree with you in spirit, but I have seen way too many Windows error screens on the Plasma displays at airports for me to make too much of a TV vs. monitor distinction. In essence, a TV is really just a monitor with a tuner attached.

Later,
Bill

lewdog - this is a good start if you lack a mathematical model to really dial it in (it pretty much works regardless of what display type you are using). What you miss in this method is the ability to really maximize your contrast while maintaining proper color balance (e.g., white snow is really white, not bluish white). Embedded in contrast maximization is making sure your gamma is relatively flat and within parameters (e.g., 2.2 for HD).

Where this method will really help is with displays that are quite good direct from the factory (e.g., Epson projectors - at least my EMP-TW500, and reputedly InFocus HT projectors). For projectors that may be further out of whack, or that have weird gamma curves/color temperatures as their defaults, then you may want a more detailed view into what is happening.

2ntense - I would be curious as to whether the "secret sauce" in the SpyderTV sensor (Spyder2+ ?) might be specifically designed to handle displays like the HS51 that have dynamic irises. The Spyder2 was not bad with my Optoma, but it is a relatively bright and straight-forward DLP. The low light level of the HS51 may give you some really weird numbers if you aren't careful.

Later,
Bill

Damdy-cash - you really need to play with the contrast/brightness controls for each primary before locking in that profile. Otherwise, you will probably get very visible color errors with that much of a shift.

lewdog - I think that to do justice to the answer of "why gamma", I should really just point you to Poynton's gamma FAQ (and the others, for that matter) at www.poynton.com.

lewdog - I'll take you at your word that you understand what gamma is, so I'm a bit confused about the second half of your question. Not to be pedantic, but there is an equation that relates stimulus to luminance [Y, or light output]; this equation would be what is being modeled. Gamma is the name of the exponential term that makes it all work. I guess I'm missing where your confusion is unless it is "how does the gamma equation work", at which point I refer you back to Poynton. And then we go 'round again.

At some point, someone needs to yell out, "Third Base", before we go too far down this path.

Later,
Bill