I seem to be having trouble calibrating my new NEC Mod: P221 W / SpectraView II Software and calibration hardware kit.
It looks as if the calibration hardware and software are working correctly except I seem to be experiencing over saturated colors, particularly the reds. For example, the red R on the “flickr” home page is not red, but a neon/ fluorescent pink.
I have read the read me and instructions a few times but have failed to find info to help me correct this problem.
After allowing the monitor to warm up I have calibrated the system a few times. The results are consistent with over saturated colors, particularly the reds. This is both viewing pictures from the hard drive and through the browser.
I have the windows 7 OS
Nvidia GeForce GT 240 Graphics card with the latest drivers downloaded.
NEC MultiSync P221 W Monitor Serial # 9Z103455NA
This is the monitor and Calibration hardware/software kit.
I contacted the NEC but the best advice they could give is to plug the calibration hardware USB cable into the back of the computer rather than the front of the computer. They claim that this is because sometimes the front USB plug will not work as well as the plug in the back of the computer.
I am ready to return this kit but I thought I would first see if I could get help here.
On a side note, how does one know if the monitor is properly calibrated? In other words, what technique or system is used to verify proper calibration.
I recently experienced a similar problem with my NEC monitor and overly saturated colors after migrating to Win7.
Turns out that the problem wasn't with the monitor or SpectraView at all, but rather with the NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GS graphics card in my computer. Makes sense now, seeing that color saturation isn't controlled by the monitor calibration.
Anyway, I went to the Windows Control Panel, clicked on 'Appearance & Personalization', clicked on the 'NVidia Control Panel' , then 'Adjust Desktop Color Settings' on the left.
Seems that the 'Digital Vibrance' slider was cranked up way too high. How that happened, I'll never know (I didn't even know it existed!). I brought it down to +20%, checked it against the places I was seeing oversaturation (don't use the NVidia examples), then made a print at WalMart and checked it against the screen. That setting did the trick! No guarantee that this will solve your problem, but I thought I'd throw my solution out there. While you're in the NVidia control panel ('Adjust Desktop Color Settings'), check to ensure that the 'Other Applications Control Settings' button is checked and not 'Use NVidia Settings'. This ensures that the SpectraView calibration isn't being overidden by NVidia's own settings.
BTW, I created my own custom 'Photo Editing' target setting in SpectraView (with advice from color management guru & NEC user Andrew Rodney) rather then using their 'Photo Editing' canned setting What works well for me is a White Point at D65, Gamma at 2.20, Intensity (brightness) at 115.0 cd/m2, and a Contrast Ratio at 250:1.
Again, your mileage may vary.
"On a side note, how does one know if the monitor is properly calibrated? In other words, what technique or system is used to verify proper calibration.
I don't mean to sound flip, but when your print closely matches your screen, then your calibration is successful, bearing in mind that there is no 'perfect' match between transmissive (monitor) and reflective (print) media.
John,
This seems to the ticket. You were right, mileage did very. With my video card I only needed to turn the 'Digital Vibrance' down to 43 (it was also set at 50) for the desired results.
Thanks for the easy to follow instructions and bonus Photo Editing target settings, too.
Discussion
4 repliesI seem to be having trouble calibrating my new NEC Mod: P221 W / SpectraView II Software and calibration hardware kit.
It looks as if the calibration hardware and software are working correctly except I seem to be experiencing over saturated colors, particularly the reds. For example, the red R on the “flickr” home page is not red, but a neon/ fluorescent pink.
I have read the read me and instructions a few times but have failed to find info to help me correct this problem.
After allowing the monitor to warm up I have calibrated the system a few times. The results are consistent with over saturated colors, particularly the reds. This is both viewing pictures from the hard drive and through the browser.
I have the windows 7 OS
Nvidia GeForce GT 240 Graphics card with the latest drivers downloaded.
NEC MultiSync P221 W Monitor Serial # 9Z103455NA
This is the monitor and Calibration hardware/software kit.
I contacted the NEC but the best advice they could give is to plug the calibration hardware USB cable into the back of the computer rather than the front of the computer. They claim that this is because sometimes the front USB plug will not work as well as the plug in the back of the computer.
I am ready to return this kit but I thought I would first see if I could get help here.
On a side note, how does one know if the monitor is properly calibrated? In other words, what technique or system is used to verify proper calibration.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Richard
Turns out that the problem wasn't with the monitor or SpectraView at all, but rather with the NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GS graphics card in my computer. Makes sense now, seeing that color saturation isn't controlled by the monitor calibration.
Anyway, I went to the Windows Control Panel, clicked on 'Appearance & Personalization', clicked on the 'NVidia Control Panel' , then 'Adjust Desktop Color Settings' on the left.
Seems that the 'Digital Vibrance' slider was cranked up way too high. How that happened, I'll never know (I didn't even know it existed!). I brought it down to +20%, checked it against the places I was seeing oversaturation (don't use the NVidia examples), then made a print at WalMart and checked it against the screen. That setting did the trick! No guarantee that this will solve your problem, but I thought I'd throw my solution out there. While you're in the NVidia control panel ('Adjust Desktop Color Settings'), check to ensure that the 'Other Applications Control Settings' button is checked and not 'Use NVidia Settings'. This ensures that the SpectraView calibration isn't being overidden by NVidia's own settings.
BTW, I created my own custom 'Photo Editing' target setting in SpectraView (with advice from color management guru & NEC user Andrew Rodney) rather then using their 'Photo Editing' canned setting What works well for me is a White Point at D65, Gamma at 2.20, Intensity (brightness) at 115.0 cd/m2, and a Contrast Ratio at 250:1.
Again, your mileage may vary.
I don't mean to sound flip, but when your print closely matches your screen, then your calibration is successful, bearing in mind that there is no 'perfect' match between transmissive (monitor) and reflective (print) media.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for the advice. When I get home tomorrow I will give this a try.
Oh, and don’t worry about sounding “flip” I have read enough of your insightful replies and comments to know where your heart is.
Gosh, there is so much to learn when staring from zero.
Richard.
This seems to the ticket. You were right, mileage did very. With my video card I only needed to turn the 'Digital Vibrance' down to 43 (it was also set at 50) for the desired results.
Thanks for the easy to follow instructions and bonus Photo Editing target settings, too.