[Ron Ressler]

David,

I received a few posts from Frank Elite and he’s suggesting a device called “Datacolor Spyder3 Elite” designed to calibrate monitors. He also mentioned the company offers a tool intended to calibrate an HDTV.

What are your thoughts about it?

Thanks,

Ron

[Ron Ressler]

Hi Frank,

When you say Steve is right, which of his postings do you mean? He said a number of things on the subject.

Regarding: Datacolor Spyder3 Elite:
I have my computer-monitor (of course) and an HDTV as the preview monitor. My question is this, (I just glanced at their site) when it talks about calibrating your monitor, which monitor? The computer’s or both computer and previewing monitor?

Is the point of this device to transform a regular monitor into the same thing as a PVM monitor?

Thanks,

Ron

[Ron Ressler]

My project is a long story to explain. To the point; I’m not just starting out. I have a finished product and my editing skills are quite advanced. My mistake was to ignore color-calibration. At present I am re-formatting several editing-elements from standard to widescreen HD. While I am in this last stage I want to learn the calibration side of it. During the time we’ve been discussing it, I’ve read other postings on this site about it. I see its a confusing subject in that everyone has a totally different approach and mentality about it. It reminds me of posts I read a long time ago about “when to deinterlace.” That subject also had dozens of opinions flying around as well.

In any event, I will stay on track and learn about these color monitors just as I learned about everything else.

[Ron Ressler]

Steve,

My video projects are intended for TV broadcast. That’s why I’m digging into this, to obtain some clarity on the subject.

The comedy of the whole thing is, I have no clue how to use the damn thing once I have it. I cant find a single book or “how to” video on the web on the subject of “how to use your color/reference monitor.”

[Ron Ressler]

David,

Or are you saying that a regular TV can be calibrated to the point where it can be used as any other reference monitor?

Ron

[Ron Ressler]

David,

You are obviously full of excellent video knowledge but the issue at hand “is not” calibration of a home television. We’re talking about calibrating a video “before” its broadcasted to televisions.
I think my original post mixed you up because I was talking about the settings on the HDTV I’m using to preview my editing.

In the end, no matter how perfect I adjust the HDTV’s colors it would have no effect on the final rendered video I want to air. Steve means that in order to have my rendered-video’s colors calibrated correctly, I would need to use a professional color-monitor during the editing process.

Thanks,

Ron

[Ron Ressler]

Hi Steve,

You said it was too small for editing..
Regardless of which color monitor I buy, I do not imagine using it beyond calibration purposes (unless I am misunderstanding the way its used). I thought that once I get the calibration out of the way I could continue my editing on any HD monitor I like. In other words, I would keep both monitors hooked up throughout the editing process.

This aspect of editing is all brand new to me. Remember Denzel Washington in the Philadelphia movie? “Explain it to me like I am a 4 year old.”

Thanks,

Ron

[Ron Ressler]

Steve,

I found a craig’s listing for an 8″ Sony PVM, model 8045Q

It’s referred to as a “field monitor”

Would there be any downside to use a small screen, intended “field monitor” for desktop editing – color calibration?

SPECS.:
8 inch HR Color video Monitor HR Triniton CRT
Model: Sony PVM-8045Q
-Super Fine-Pitch 8-inch Color Monitor with 450 TV lines of high resolution
-Comb filter for NTSC
-Component inputs (Y/R-Y/B-Y or RGB or Y/C)
-External sync or sync on green
-Underscan, and pulse cross
-AC/DC operation
-Front panel gain and bias controls
-Worldwide TV standard options (NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and NTSC 4.43).
-Accepts external sync
-Wired remote control capability
-Both 12V DC and 110V AC

[Ron Ressler]

This is getting interesting. I’m eager to read David’s response.

I want to rename the Subject to: “Calibration Wars”

[Ron Ressler]

Steve,

Please take a look at the post David Abrams left for me and tell me your thoughts about it.

Thanks,

Ron