[Dominic Chan]

JVC have been providing automatic calibration software for various models of their D-ILA projectors. Each projector model requires a specific version of the calibration software; see the list here which I have summarized in post 2:

Support Information & Download for JVC Products | JVC

The software is very effective in compensating for the drift and aging of the projectors' internal components, in particular the lamps and the D-ILA panels. The main limitation of the software is that they support only very specific meters (see post 2), many of which have now become obsolete.

There are 3 options available to use alternative (officially unsupported) meters to perform JVC Autocal. The options are listed chronologically; Option 3 is probably the best choice. Note that the JVC software has a Log Only mode which reports the measurements of the projector's grey-scale and Primary/Secondary colours without performing the actual calibration, so you can test it without any risk.

Option 1. Software developer Steven D. ([email protected]) has come up with a replacement DLL that allows additional meters to be used with the JVC software, using the ArgyllCMS "Spotread.exe" as the measurement engine. In principle any meter supported by ArgyllCMS can be used; see the list here:

Argyll Documentation Top

Root of Argyll CMS documentation

www.argyllcms.com

The software is currently (as of December 2020) still in alpha status.
The download link for version 0.1.4 is:
GitHub - scyomantion/FakeSensor: Fake Spyder 4 Sensor DLL that uses ArgyllCMS

Option 2: Software developer @OMARDRIS has developed alternative DLLs using X-rite SDK (Software Development Kit). They work with the X-rite i1Pro3, i1Display Pro (Retail version and most OEM versions), but apparently not with the Colormunki Display and its spin-off models because of different lock codes, even though the software driver is the same. Due to licensing restrictions the DLLs are only available by contacting the developer.

Option 3: Software developer @OMARDRIS has developed alternative DLLs that allow the Light Illusion ColourSpace (all versions including ZRO) to connect to JDC Autocal. See the following post for details and download link:
Using ColourSpace

This thread is intended only for this aspect of Autocal, and is an information thread, not a support thread. I'm assuming you already know how to run Autocal with the officially supported sensor, but here's a step-by-step guide written by @giomania:

Using Alternative Meters for JVC Autocal Software

Is there a guide written up somewhere for this specific method? I have the Calibrite ColorChecker Display Plus (which I'm told is equivalent to the i1Display Pro), ColourSpace, a Lumagen Radiance Pro 4446, and the JVC DLA-RS2000. I ran AutoCal with a SpyderX, but now my black levels are...

www.avsforum.com

Additional discussion threads on JVC Autocal:
Autocal for 2015 models; most of the information is applicable to other recent models of the e-shift projectors:

JVC Calibration Software V6 For 2015 Models...

JVC Calibration Software V6&V7 For 2015 Models (X9000,X7000,X5000,RS400,RS500,RS600) As the new version of the software only works with the new models, I decided to create a new thread. I will try to organize it better later as I'm running out of time right now. DISCLAIMER: When you save the...

www.avsforum.com

Discussion thread on older models:

JVC Auto Calibration

There has been interest expressed by several members about this feature but the forum has been remarkably silent in its replies. When Cine4home did a 'whats new' technical review of the X series in 2012 it included a section about the feature and said: 'We are excited to see how well the...

www.avsforum.com

This post will be updated when further details are available.

 

[Dominic Chan]

List of meters confirmed to be functional with the DLL. It appears that the DLL is not dependent on the version of Autocal; e.g., if the meter works with v9 it should also work with v11.

DLL based on X-rite SDK: Works well with all versions including the latest Autocal 12 v1.10 (for NX FW3.5), using the i1Pro2, i1Pro3, and i1Display Pro (including the Plus). There's also DLLs that can replace the Datacolor Spyder 5 with the newer Spyder X for the older versions of Autocal.

DLL based on ArgyllCMS: The DLL works well the the i1Display 3 (retail and OEM), but is a little tricky to use with the i1Pro2 and the SpyderX, because they require a calibration step prior to reading the patterns.

Please provide feedback on your experience with specific meter, projector model, and version of Autocal software.

Year	Model	Autocal Version	Native Support	Verified ArgyllCMS Support
2011	RS65, X90	1	Spyder3
2011	RS65, X90	2	Spyder4
2012	RS56/66, X75/95	3	Spyder3
2012	RS56/66, X75/95	4	Spyder4
2013	RS49/57/67, X500/700/900	5	Spyder4
2015	RS400/500/600, X550/750/950	6	Spyder4	“Irrelevant - Use V7”
2015	RS400/500/600, X550/750/950	7	Spyder5	i1Display Pro, Spyder 5, Klein K10, Jeti 1211
	RS4500	8	Spyder5, i1Pro2	Klein K10, Jeti 1211, delay 1s.
2017	RS420/520/620, X570/770/970	9	Spyder5, i1Pro2	i1Display Pro; i1Display Pro Plus (software version unknown)
2018	RS440/540/640, X590/790/990	10	Spyder5, i1Pro2	i1Display Pro; Klein K10, Jeti 1211, delay 1s
2019	RS1000/2000/3000, NX5/7/9	11	Spyder5, i1Pro2	Klein K10, Jeti 1211, delay 1s.
2019	RS1000/2000/3000, NX5/7/9	12	SpyderX, i1Pro2	Requires v0.1.4 or later

Note: In the table above, where i1Pro2 is listed you can also use the i1Pro. Same for i1Display Pro Plus, where i1Display Pro is listed.

 

[Dominic Chan]

Instructions on using the ArgyllCMS DLL:

1. Install ArgyllCMS. You can get the latest version of the Windows Executables from Argyll Color Management System Home Page. Unzip the file to a location of your choice. Note: if your sensor is natively supported in Windows (e.g., the x-rite i1Display Pro), you only need spotread.exe and not the full ArgyllCMS.
2. Make a copy of the JVC Autocal software folder and place it on you desktop as the working copy. Delete the files dccmtr.dll dcxmtr.dll, or rename them to something else for backup.
3. Download the patch from Releases · scyomantion/FakeSensor and unzip it. In most cases you need the 32-bit Win32 version. Make a copy of the FakeSensor.dll file and rename the copy to dccmtr.dll (for Spyer 4/5 emulation) or dcxmtr.dll (for Spyder X emulation).
4. Copy all the files in the downloaded folder to the working Autocal folder.
5. Edit the autocal.ini file to change the path of the spotread.exe command to the location of your spotread.exe inside ArgyllCMS.
6. Run Autocal. Note that the software still shows the original Spyder meter icon, but when you click on it, the software will use the ArgyllCMS spotread to do the measurements using the actual meter you have.

EDIT 2020-11-22
Instructions on using the x-rite SDK DLL:

1. Make a copy of the JVC Autocal software folder and place it on you desktop as the working copy. Delete the files dccmtr.dll and dcxmtr.dll, or rename them to something else for backup.
2. Download the x-rite SDK patch from the link provided by the developer and unzip it. You need to contact the developer for the download link: x-rite SDK DLL
3. Copy all the files in the downloaded folder to the working Autocal folder, overwriting any existing files with the same name if prompted. [NOTE: The file "dccmtr.dll" is for the Spyder5 and the file "dcxmtr.dll" is for the SpyderX.]
4. Run Autocal. Note that the software still shows the original Spyder meter icon, but when you click on it, the software will use the x-rite meter to do the measurements.

Please note that the i1D3 and the i1Pro2 are both meant to read off the screen, unlike the Spyder5. They can also be used facing the projector lens, but that would require the ambient light diffuser to be in place.

 

[Twelton43]

Thanks Dominic. Appreciate your efforts here.

Please forgive my ignorance here... trying to connect the dots.

So the changes are being made in the auto cal software installed on the PC or laptop being used? There are no changes to the JVC firmware required (this no warranty considerations)?

So you aren’t replacing the files, simply renaming it.

You lost me on the ArgyllCMS. Not sure how that factors in. It needs to be installed on the PC as well?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dominic Chan]

Thanks Dominic. Appreciate your efforts here.

Please forgive my ignorance here... trying to connect the dots.

So the changes are being made in the auto cal software installed on the PC or laptop being used? There are no changes to the JVC firmware required (this no warranty considerations)?

So you aren’t replacing the files, simply renaming it.

You lost me on the ArgyllCMS. Not sure how that factors in. It needs to be installed on the PC as well?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You have to rename and replace.

I have expanded the instructions to make it clearer.

 

[OMARDRIS]

Hi,
Maybe a hint, which is helpful for the users of the popular sensor "I1Display Pro" (EODIS3) - Retail/OEM/Plus from Xrite.
These sensors are automatically recognized by Windows and installed as "Human Interface Device" (HID).
For these sensors it is not absolutely necessary to install the ArgyllCMS-Driver, because the program "Spotread.exe" recognizes the HID devices and establishes a connection. I have tested this on several computers.
The same applies to the programs HCFR and DisplayCal.
Peter

 

[Kerlucun]

I tried with the program 'Projector Calibration Software 10 v1.00', it was a failure because I only got the following error message: "Can not detect the sensor try again".
Spotread.exe launch via cmd command run properly

 

[Dominic Chan]

I tried with the program 'Projector Calibration Software 10 v1.00', it was a failure because I only got the following error message: "Can not detect the sensor try again".
Spotread.exe launch via cmd command run properly

Are you using matching (32 vs 64-bit) versions of spotread and dll? Did the spotread window pop up? Did you name FakeSensor.dll to dccmtr.dll?

 

[OMARDRIS]

"Can not detect the sensor try again".

Which sensor is it?
Maybe SpyderX ?

 

[Kerlucun]

Yes I use matching 32b for spotread and FakeSenSor.dll rename dccmtr.dll
I run a second trial with the win64 version and got a system error for the dll loading (incorrect format).
I did not see the spotread popup.

@OMARDRIS My sensor is the Xrite I1 Display 3 OEM

 

[Kuky]

Maybe the path in the ini file is incorrect if you do not see the popup?

 

[SirMaster]

I have not tested this yet, but I am wondering if ambient mode works with the i1D3 for doing gamma calibration.

Ambient mode meaning the i1D3 takes readings through it's diffusor cover which should help in getting the lowest points of the 33 step Quality gamma calibration nice and accurate.

"Spitread.exe -a" accesses a sensor's ambient mode if it has one.

The i1 Pro 2 also has an ambient mode (with diffusor cap) and could be used for more accurate gamma calibrations probably if it was placed close enough to the lens (useful if this is the only meter someone has access to).

 

[Dominic Chan]

)

I have not tested this yet, but I am wondering if ambient mode works with the i1D3 for doing gamma calibration.

I tried that with the previous version of the hack which was not based on ArgyllCMS, and it didn’t work well. I believe others found the same.
I found no advantage of Spyder5 facing lens compared with i1D3 facing screen, even though “gut feel” predicts otherwise.

 

[SirMaster]

)

I tried that with the previous version of the hack which was not based on ArgyllCMS, and it didn’t work well. I believe others found the same.
I found no advantage of Spyder5 facing lens compared with i1D3 facing screen, even though “gut feel” predicts otherwise.

I’m wondering if maybe since it wasn’t ArgyIICMS is why it didn’t work well. To read a meter in ambient mode means it has to interacti with it and read it's numbers differently.

ArgyIICMS works great with ambient mode with the i1D3 in HCFR and DisplayCAL and I have calibrated some projectors fully from the lens this way when I was calibrating then in a pace where there were not going to be installed. So I couldn’t account for the screen anyways.

 

[Chad B]

I used it semi-successfully with an RS500, and hope to test on an RS4500 very soon. Using the Klein K-10, there was a problem with the ultra fast Klein reading before the pattern was fully rendered, and after reporting this, Steven kindly updated the package with a variable delay. I also tried using a Jeti 1211 to do a color only run, which was successful and resulted in much more accurate colors than I have gotten with any Spyder 5 or the i1D3 (using Steven's previous tool). Thankfully, the Jeti wasn't unbearingly slow even with the dark before-after readings of the JVC software (which I wish they would make optional).
I just installed the new version and specified a .3 second delay and can't wait to try it! It is possible that as little as .1 second is needed, so when I have the opportunity I'll try different settings.
I expect even after adding the small delay that the process will be much, much faster with the Klein than either the Spyder or i1D3. Also, being able to use the Jeti for color should eliminate the need for custom color profiles to correct for meter inaccuracy, which can't be done on the newer models in HDR mode.
Big thanks to Steven for this!

 

[Chad B]

One other note, I found that I had to modify the autocal.ini file before copying it to the JVC autocal software folder. If I tried to modify it after copying it, my computer refused to allow the change.

 

[Kerlucun]

Maybe the path in the ini file is incorrect if you do not see the popup?

I verify that the path is correct by copy it and then paste and execute this copy in cmd window.

 

[Dominic Chan]

I also tried using a Jeti 1211 to do a color only run, which was successful and resulted in much more accurate colors than I have gotten with any Spyder 5 or the i1D3 (using Steven's previous tool). Thankfully, the Jeti wasn't unbearingly slow even with the dark before-after readings of the JVC software (which I wish they would make optional).

JVC Autocalcal actually has always provided the ability to use a correction matrix

JVC Auto Calibration

Thank you SirMaster! I found the same link. Weird how Windows 10 did not have the driver in its database. Works now! Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk Hi all, So for some reason my efi es2000 is not working with auto cal. The driver is the 2.40 and states it's working properly under...

www.avsforum.com

(It's post 991 if the above link does not work properly). I believe this too was discovered by Steven D.

 

[Dominic Chan]

I verify that the path is correct by copy it and then paste and execute this copy in cmd window.

There is now an updated version (0.1.2) which also includes a sensor test. It requires FakeSensor.dll so make sure it's not renamed when running the sensor test. Note that no other application can be using the sensor in the background.

 

[Chad B]

Testing on the RS4500 was not successful. I don't know if maybe I did something different than I did for the RS500, but I spent some time going back over my steps and redoing everything to no avail. An error came up after clicking on the Spyder5 icon. I will probably wait to do more testing until I get back to my RS500 at home.