AV Foundry VideoEQ

[jostenmeat]

I just learned about this. There is an EAP program that I am considering right now, in order to save $200. Still comes to a grand. However, that is still $3,500 less than the Radiance XE, AFAIK.

This is great for non-CMS PJ owners. I don't need a scaler at all, my need for a deinterlacer is pretty minimal, and I have absolutely no need for DNR or EE.

This is pretty cool for those in a position like myself, making CMS ownership much more accessible. Still, I have to mull over $1,000 (plus other equipment) to dial in color correction.


http://avfoundry.com/videoeq.php

http://www.spectracal.com/videoEQ.html

http://www.spectracal.com/purchase.html

whaddya think bandphan?

 

[jostenmeat]

I have for now decided against it, unless the AVS powerbuy happens to be a real steal. I just learned that there will indeed be a powerbuy.

The reason not to get this unit is because any future upgrade for me will certainly have CMS. It is getting much more common to have it included, and one day I expect any mid-level PJ to have it.

Not necessarily an easy decision. I would be much more likely to pull the trigger if I knew it would be useful to me for many years.

 

[docrings]

I have for now decided against it, unless the AVS powerbuy happens to be a real steal. I just learned that there will indeed be a powerbuy.

The reason not to get this unit is because any future upgrade for me will certainly have CMS. It is getting much more common to have it included, and one day I expect any mid-level PJ to have it.

Not necessarily an easy decision. I would be much more likely to pull the trigger if I knew it would be useful to me for many years.

I think the "Pro" version will offer full CMS control, and using the CalMan software will be as simple as plugging in to a laptop via USB and using a mouse to manipulate the grey scale and CIE points directly to program the VideoEQ. Amazing, and completely re-usable on whatever monitor you are using (via HDMI). Set it, and forget it!

Go to www dot curtpalme dot com/VideoEq.shtm

The videos on CMS control are amazing... especially at this price point!

 

[jostenmeat]

Thank you so much for the link. Man, this unit is pure awesomeness. Argh! lol

Hmm, I suppose I can maybe get this thing, and enjoy what it can do with my RS1. Then in a year or two, or more, I can get something like an RS15 (or whatever the current equivalent might be). Won't quite have the native contrast of the RS25, etc, but I can actually use some of the extra brightness of the lower line. I do wonder at what point that the "lower line" includes CMS. I also wonder just how much more powerful this CMS is over display-included CMS software. I imagine there might quite a difference. I'm also surprised at how diminutive this unit is.

I'm going to need to spend some time following discussions on this unit during the next week or so.


EDIT: ok, I already now learned that the second video is not for the VideoEQ, but Calman software. The price may add up, once I add software, colorimeter/spectroradiometer, whatever else.

EDIT #2: Calman Home version will not work with the VideoEQ. Only the Enthusiast and Pro versions.

EDIT #3: Man, would I enjoy trying Calman 4.0 with this thing.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well, Maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I guess we are talking about display color calibration, right?

I assume you need to mess with your primaries and secondaries.... after all manual calibrations done?

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457

 

[majorloser]

I would assume something like this would do nothing extra for my Epson 7500UB?

Seems like it adds all the ISFccc features for displays that don't have them?

 

[jostenmeat]

Well, Maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I guess we are talking about display color calibration, right?

Yes, as well as parametric greyscale, and gamma, besides the CMS (the real thing I want, but I can really use all those listed), and you can have FOUR separate calibrations.

If the video-interview was not exaggerating about getting it as good as it possibly can get in terms of "reference", and not subjective tweaks, in just half an hour, that is pretty darn cool.

I assume you need to mess with your primaries and secondaries.... after all manual calibrations done?

I don't know. . . what you are asking . . . and even if I did understand what you were asking, I wouldn't know. I have learned a few things so far. Saturation and brightness are said to have minimal effect on each other. What these tool(s) can do is help de-saturate. You CANNOT add saturation. But, that's ok because it seems as if all displays are over-saturated rather than under-saturated. When you de-saturate any color, you may give up some luminance (because there is no perfect display, all have imperfections), and compromises towards luminance will be a subjective decision.

I've never owned any measuring tool or pro software for calibration.

I was hoping that others can teach me about this stuff. Hah.

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457

I used to have that page bookmarked for a while, but it's been a long time since I've been through it, and I need to go through it again. Man, that's a big, long page. I've also ran into this page as well very recently, from the same forum.

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19701

I would assume something like this would do nothing extra for my Epson 7500UB?

Seems like it adds all the ISFccc features for displays that don't have them?

I don't know, you tell me. Aren't you an ISF calibrator? What software have you used for calibration, and did that ever include CalMan products? Thanks.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well, I really don't want to appear sarcastic in anyway, since I'm really not an expert on the issue. I'm learning here too

Regarding the mentioned guide I specifically refer to this part:

It seams the guide suggested the fact most display parameters should be adjustable with simpler build-in cms, with exception of color range definition, which some displays may set too wide, resulting in incorrect color gamut.
Advanced CMS would be the only way to fix that...

I assume, your target is to automatically calibrate the display?

 

[jostenmeat]

I assume, your target is to automatically calibrate the display?

That would be cool.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That would be cool.

Yes it would

Anyways, I borrowed Spyder 3 from my work and I'll try to follow to steps this w'end. Before that I used Avia DVD with color filters, but now this method appears to be way too barbaric

 

[majorloser]

I don't know, you tell me. Aren't you an ISF calibrator? What software have you used for calibration, and did that ever include CalMan products? Thanks.

I would assume the better of the two units can give the same color adjustments that are part of the ISFccc requirements. But there is more to the ISFcc requirements, like all of the setting must apply to two modes, night and day.

http://www.imagingscience.com/ccc/pdf/ISFccc.pdf


It would definitely be a nice add on if it does have two modes. But you'd have to compare if it's really worth it to you. Adding a $1,000 instrument to a projector you may replace before too long or just buy something like my Epson 7500UB at a discount since it's last years model. I'm not sure how much gain you can get from a projector that wasn't designed for higher color definition.

Hopefully they'll be at EHX this year so I can check it out.

I loaded the trial version of CalMan on my new laptop a few weeks ago. Haven't had much time to play with it. The trial version has a simulated instrument just to play with the software. To use it with my Sencore CP5 they require me to get the ColorPro license. A little steep for my pocket. Sencore stuff in general is just astronomically priced.

I use the original Colorfacts(?) software that came with the Sencore unit. (I think that's what it's called. )

I'm thinking about getting the "CalMAN Enthusiast Complete Calibration Kit" for $1999. The only problem is I'd still have to bump up to the ColorPro by CalMan to use with the CP5 I have or with a X-Rite Hubble that I really want.

The deal they have with the calibrated Spyder3 looks like a good deal for home use.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks much for your response! Please do report with any future impressions, whether it be the trial software, or a live demo. I also appreciate your thumbs up on the Spyder 3.

major, I think it's not just 2 calibration settings like we typically see with ISFccc, but actually 4 completely individual settings. (I was even curious how easy it could be to copy/paste an entire reference/65k setting, making a second one with subjective tweaks, etc). I guess I'd probably have to write it all down, and go from there.

I understand your thoughts about upgrading a PJ. In all honesty, I am trying to stave off upgraditis. If I ever upgrade, I am somewhat certain that I only will when I land on a steal, like I did with my present PJ, or perhaps as used from someone I trust.

I am a big fan of JVC PJs, and every post I have looked for (and I've ran search functions) when both an LCD, whether Pana or Epson, and a JVC were owned in the same home, the preference has always been for JVC. The exceptional black detail, along with the tremendous capability of on/off, is something that will keep me coming back, at least until someone makes an LED with comparable performance and value. The thing is that their present RS25/35 cost a whole lot of money. Even the older RS20 can get absolute black extremely close to a Kuro's black level/luminance. The RS10/15 are much more affordable. Probably the most important difference between the two lines is in fact the CMS. Well, the above are my impressions anyways.

I have also learned that the VideoEQ is more than the typical CMS device. The popular Lumagen Radiance HDP/HDQ for example do not have primary saturation controls like the VideoEQ does. A long time ago, I checked out some screenshots of Radiance XD use, and I can tell you it looks considerably less user friendly than the VideoEQ video demo. That counts for something, because I am a complete noob.


edit: I've been tempted by sub builds too. I was recently tempted by media servers. If I upgrade PJ in the future, I am going to try to wait for a 3D capable, because they are right around the corner.

 

[majorloser]

You know you're gona make me spend lots of money.

Been holding off buying calibration toys.

 

[jostenmeat]

You know you're gona make me spend lots of money.

Been holding off buying calibration toys.

LOL. Perhaps not. In fact, most likely not. I have had a tendency to drool a lot without pulling the trigger for, well at least it seems to me, a while now. It probably hasn't been THAT long, but it sure feels like it!

I think it's a good habit. Because when I drool, then I learn a few things about any given product. When I can accumulate enough knowledge on a few candidates for upgrade, then I can choose more wisely.

What does make it easier to spend on something like this is that in the end it is educational to me, and anything I learn can be applied to any and all future displays. See, I'm trying to justify!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The deal they have with the calibrated Spyder3 looks like a good deal for home use.

fyi:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17537847&postcount=15

The Enhanced S3 is only available for use with CALMAN. The profile you need for it is not loaded into the meter directly. There is a specific file for your meter serial number, that is downloaded from Spectracal the first time you use your meter (I think they may send you a file as well with your ES3).

The Enhanced C5 from Spectracal does add a calibration table to the C5 for LED displays. The Enhanced C5 is also calibrated to a reference device for the rest of its calibration tables.

This does not affect someone using software other than CALMAN, AFAIK. Though some other software would have to know how to access the LED table.

You can get more direct answers to your questions by visiting the Spectracal site.

 

[majorloser]

The software I'm using now is Colorpro 6000. I haven't bothered loading it on my new laptop since I need to get the Windows 7 drivers for the Sencore CP5.

I've read the info on Spectracal's site about the Spyder. They say that not all of the units they receive are able to be used because of the errors.

I am so out of it lately. Need to get back into this stuff.

 

[jostenmeat]

I assume you need to mess with your primaries and secondaries.... after all manual calibrations done?

I've been reading still. Looks like you are right in that all calibrations that can be done in the display should be done first. The mantra is to use as little external VP as necessary.

The deal they have with the calibrated Spyder3 looks like a good deal for home use.

One person has stated that for detailed CMS work, that a Chroma 5 or Eye One Pro would be much better.

Man, this crap can add up fast!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

also found this:
http://lists.apple.com/archives/colorsync-users/2009/Nov/msg00175.html
looks like both
- DTP94b
- EyeOne Pro Rev D
clear winners over:
- Eye One Display 2
- Spyder 3 Elite

 

[majorloser]

The Eye One Pro is the best of the "lower" end units. But as you said, it adds up damn fast!

But it's only money!