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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
stinky colour on new monitor

Shadow
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Feb 5, 2007, 9:53 PM

Post #1 of 15 (807 views)
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stinky colour on new monitor	Can't Post

I have a new 19" lcd screen, that no matter how hard I try the colour just isn't as good as I'd like it to be. The yellow on colour bars always looks a sickly green colour.

Has anyone used any of the calibration software - would this be able to get the monitor to look normal? I have no idea how this stuff works.
At my old job (when I had a "real" job) the engineer would come in with a suction thingie for the monitor and I'd go on break then come back and it would be adjusted. (Wish I had paid attention!)

Thanks
H

Jeko
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Feb 6, 2007, 12:11 AM

Post #2 of 15 (799 views)
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Re: [Shadow] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

If your doing photos, you should accurately calibrate your monitor so that the prints look how they should after you adjust them.

Search for the Pantone Spyder 2 Pro.
Here it is at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...dedTroughType=search

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Postal Boy
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Feb 6, 2007, 9:58 AM

Post #3 of 15 (778 views)
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Re: [Jeko] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have heard that LCD monitors are notoriously bad for calibrating since they are backlit the way they are. Is this still true, or does it totally depend on the LCD manufacturer? I know that mine are terribly difficult to manage, and a CRT is much more flexible.

-Postal

Jeko
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Feb 6, 2007, 10:05 AM

Post #4 of 15 (776 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can not speak for all LCDs, but I do have two that I calibrate readily enough. One is a lap top, while the other is a panel monitor... both adjust as readily as my two CRTs.

The spyder 2 device that actually measures the screen uses a baffle attachment for the LCDs. Perhaps LCDs had problems before that was employed?

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

szerangue
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Feb 6, 2007, 12:44 PM

Post #5 of 15 (773 views)
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Re: [Shadow] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yep, its called the Spyder Pro 2... a necessity if you want to color correct your photos..
Miracle Pictures
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GmElliott
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Feb 6, 2007, 12:53 PM

Post #6 of 15 (772 views)
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Re: [Shadow] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Problem is if you really do the calibration correclty for "PRINT" your white point should be at D65 or warmer. Your whites will take on an iced-tea tint. It's ugly...real ugly but considered standard for print.

I don't print my own images- I send them out to get processed. My calibration is done via OS X (expert mode). It's not as comprehensive but at least your tonality will be in the ballpark with neutral greys and no color casts.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Jeko
Enthusiast

Feb 6, 2007, 3:27 PM

Post #7 of 15 (759 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am not familiar with the D65 white point location. Is it part of "PRINT"?? Was "PRINT" that attempted direct printing protocol? I've personally only used one printer/paper combo for anything that I sell, so I had it profiled as well to finish the full circle (its an ultrachrome/ceramic combination for superior color retention). It is always a dead-on match to my monitor when done correctly (monitor calibrated and printer profile properly applied in PhotoShop CS2).

Also, if you save your image in the color space of your output equipment (ex sRGB for Sam's club's Fuji equipment), they too should be pretty close once equipment's auto adjustments are disabled.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Shadow
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Feb 6, 2007, 3:37 PM

Post #8 of 15 (759 views)
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Re: [Jeko] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I noticed that the bottom of the box is broken so maybe something got damaged.

I'll return it and hopefully the next one will be better. No matter what I did I couldn't get a good picture, despite the fact it is the same brand as the one I replaced.

Thanks for the info everyone

DarrenS
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Feb 6, 2007, 4:10 PM

Post #9 of 15 (753 views)
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Re: [Shadow] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

You've already gotten some good answers Heidi, I'll just recommend an awesome display/calibrator combo. Could not be happier with the NEC LCD1990SXi display with SpectraviewII calibration software and a GretagMacbeth Eyeone-2 colorimeter. It's really easy to use and super accurate.

Actually, I could be happier with a display that could reproduce all colors in the aRGB space, but they're still too pricy at this point.

Oh and I concur w/Glen. Calibrate to D65 white point, native gamma (usually 2.2), and intensity under 120 cd/m2 (I use 100). The room you're in must be almost free light hitting your display and ideally painted a neutral color like gray or brown. And don't wear a bright shirt when editing photos. The light reflects onto the monitor and throws color off a wee bit.

Here is a decent starter-article on the complex world of color management. Don't expect to absorb color management in a day. Took me a good month to figure it all out http://visual-vacations.com/...t/cm_101/01intro.htm

Darren

Shadow
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Feb 6, 2007, 4:24 PM

Post #10 of 15 (746 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Darren.

My NEC died within a year. I have a benq which I find is a big orangish and now the acer. My last screen was an acer and I really liked it, but the 19 inch isn't as nice of a picture.

I'll get a new one.
Thanks for the info on the colours.

H

Shadow
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Feb 6, 2007, 4:25 PM

Post #11 of 15 (745 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

I used to colour correction for movies and tv that was going to Germany (back when I had a "real" job). Got used to their standards where white had to be white or else.
An ice-tea coloured white will surely drive me batty!! Laugh

Thanks for the info! I'll give it a whirl.

GmElliott
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Feb 6, 2007, 4:26 PM

Post #12 of 15 (745 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Color management is the most perplexing subject for me to understand.

All I know is the concept is to get the monitor to display colors the way your viewing environment will- taking in to account the temperature of ambient lighting (D65 closest to Sunlight?) and ink/paper stock. So many elements in the equation my head spins.

My only experience with calibration was when I owned a Lacie Electron Blue 22" CRT with a Lacie Blue Eye "Hardware" calibrator. Rather than tweaking the video card LUTs it would adjust the guns in the CRT to match a given spec. Problem was I never got good off blacks. They'd always be saturated with a maroon cast. I was on and off the phone with Lacie 100x..finally gave up and sold the monitor. Still have the Blue Eye calibrator but am afraid to use it again.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

(This post was edited by GmElliott on Feb 6, 2007, 4:27 PM)

DarrenS
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Feb 6, 2007, 4:34 PM

Post #13 of 15 (740 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's pretty complex stuff. Another reason why it's funny to hear some people minimise the work of us photographers ("so all you do it take pictures and get paid thousands, huh?" Laugh

). But it sounds like you have a good grasp.

D65 is closest to sunlight at arctic noon hour. Approx 6500k, but D65 <> 6500k...one could write a whole book on this single, often misunderstood point alone Crazy

. I still don't understand it so it's perfectly clear in my head...yet.

Edit: here's a good source for light bulbs for viewing prints: https://www.solux.net

(This post was edited by DarrenS on Feb 6, 2007, 4:37 PM)

DarrenS
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Feb 6, 2007, 5:00 PM

Post #14 of 15 (733 views)
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Re: [Shadow] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well that sucks about your nec! The one I bought has a 4-year warranty so it won't be an issue.

(scroll down to the bottom for color-critical category)
http://www.necdisplay.com/products/

Shadow
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Feb 6, 2007, 5:20 PM

Post #15 of 15 (728 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] stinky colour on new monitor [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks!!