Monitor calibration

[wavemachine]

Originally Posted by deena

As an afterthought, I have a PC and a laptop. Can you use the Spyder 3 on multiple monitors or only the one?

Yes you can, I use a dual monitor PC although I am running Windows 7 if that makes any difference. I believe for a while there were problems getting multi monitor support for calibration hardware on PC's but I am not sure if that was an operating system, graphic driver or just a revamp of the code for the people at DataColor.

[deena]

Chris (jet_kit): did you buy the 'pro' version or the 'express'? I was looking at the website and found this

Spyder3Express is for calibrating a computer with a single monitor. If you have more than one display please see Spyder3Pro or Spyder3Elite.

I need to calibrate my pc monitor (lcd) and also my laptop, and if I read this correctly then I would only be able to do one of them with the express, which bumps the price up a little. Is it worth looking at other colorimeters or is this the best?

Has anyone got the 'express' and using it on multiple monitors?
I'm now thinking does 'multiple monitors' mean more than one monitor attached to the pc or does it include a laptop

[wavemachine]

If you mean you have your LCD plugged into your laptop alongside the laptop display and want to calibrate both displays in a dual monitor setup then yes you will need the pro version. If you mean you have a desktop PC with a single display and a Laptop with it's built in screen then I believe they let you install the software on up to 3 computers you use.

[deena]

Thanks Dave! I think I've got it now . My PC with single display is independant from my laptop. I read the quote about multiple monitors and panicked. I"m going to go for the express.

[jet_kit]

Sorry Deena,
I was a bit slow picking this up but fortunately wavemachine nailed it. If you're just setting up two separate monitors/laptops the Express is what you need.
Good luck

[deena]

I went ahead and purchased a Spyder3Express from Amazon. I followed the instructions, including deleting any Adobe Gamma in Start Up, resetting my monitor to 'factory settings', and updating the software via the website. It feels as if the monitor has got a blue cast now, and I'm not happy at all . Has anyone else had this problem? I've uninstalled and re-installed a couple of times too. Agghhh, I feel as if I've just wasted 70 pounds which could have gone towards a new lens

[Markulous]

I've a Spyder and never had any probs. There are a couple of possibilities:
1. The monitor was too 'warm' before and only appears to have a blue cast
2. The monitor won't adjust correctly - I've an old monitor I use as my secondary and it won't adjust contrast enough now (it's an old CRT - great in it's day but getting old now but fine as a secondary monitor)

Why not put up an image that is "correctly" calibrated and let's see how it looks

[deena]

Thanks Mark. I'm now beginning to think that the cast is only affecting the frames/toolbars in windows. The actual photos look Ok ( I think!!). The 'quick reply' box that I'm typing in now is even surrounded by a light blue frame ! Is that normal??? Maybe this is what it should look like Maybe I"m going mad

Here is a photo of a white flower (I dont know if this is the best example to use). But I would appreciate if anyone does see a blue cast. Thanks.

[Markulous]

Looks good from here - definitely no blue cast

[deena]

Cheers Mark. I've also changed my 'colour scheme' to silver (under Display Properties> Appearance), which has helped. I think you were right. My monitor was probably too warm to start with.