Color Management and Calibration

S

shortnstout

Well-known member
It is a big topic but I wasn't sure what section of DVXuser to put it in.
I am getting very into Color Correction and Color Grading, etc., but I want to know exactly what I am doing to the image so I need to get a total color management workflow. I used to have the Spyder system and work off a good NEC CRT, but I lost the Sypder and I'm thinking of starting from scratch. The Spyder3 is interesting. Any other ideas? What kind of monitor should I have for professional level HD work?

But we all know the color corrector's monitor is only one spot in the flow, so how to we make sure the movie spectator is seeing what they should be seeing? I have David Lynch's DVD of shorts and he provides a calibrator for your TV on the DVD (with instructions). This seems to be very important for home viewing and would even make things easier for some smaller indie theaters. Does anyone know of a workflow for getting something like this set up, that is in line with the actual calibration of your monitor in your editing sweet? I feel like one of these calibration systems like Spyder should have put that out to include on a DVD.
Hmm. just found this for setting up a TV:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ion_STV100_SpyderTV_Colorimeter.html#features
Is there a reason to get this? Or could you do this with the regular Spyder3 also?

Thanks, I'm looking forward to this Color Management discussion:beer:
 
First, forget anything but a CRT for grading.
I own the expensive Sony MEU WX2 Monitor Engine and the propper LCD Monitor that comes with it - the best (and most expensive) LCD production monitor solution Sony has to offer in the moment and it looks like a bad joke compared to my Sony CRT computer monitor.

On the other hand, there is no such thing as consistent color (not even contrast) out there in the audience.
Some guys have CRTs, some LCD/PLasma and some have beamers or watch it on the computer.
All the flat panel TVs and most beamers are only capable of 6bit color depth, 8 if you are lucky. Displaying black as black in an other problem.

Every consumer TV has a whole bunch of image "improofers", some use them some don´t. Some crank color and sharpness all the way up and use od ratios in scaling and what not.

So there is no chance to make sure that they see what you see.

But you can at least make sure that your scenes are consistant.

Frank
 
Thanks for the reply! Do you suggestions for a CRT for HD video?

Even though as you say you can't guaranty consistency between your monitor and the audience screen, is there a way to get it in the ballpark by using something like the Spyder3TV? I would think if you used the Spyder3Pro on your monitor and then the Spyder3TV on a TV then you'd be fairly consistent. Granted, you can't calibrate everybody's monitor for them. But I'd think this would be a solution if I were to put a TV in a gallery (which I do as a video artist sometimes). Also, have you seen calibration settings on DVDs with instructions? I'm curious about how to do that or if you think it is not worth it. On this Lynch DVD he gives a picture and tells you to adjust the contrast so you can just barely make out the difference between two black bits (kinda like the built in Apple calibrator,etc.).
Thanks again!
 
Yes. I got a Sony GDM-FW900 CRT wich is the best (Computer)monitor Sony ewer made.
Super flat Triniton tube, 16:9 (actualy 16:10) 24" cabable of more than native 2K resolution.
When they came out, it was THE reference monitor (mostly used in pre print) - same league like the professionel Eizos.

Bad: They don´t make em anymore
Good: You get them cheap on Ebay

I use a Spyder3Pro for calibrating and I´m more than happy with it.

Using a TVSpyder on a TV would help a lot, but a calibration DVD would be at least better than nothing.

Frank
 
Thanks,
I'm thinkin of going with a CRT and a Spyder3Pro, but I can't find a Sony GDM-FW900 anywhere, which is too bad because in addition to your advice I read some great reviews. Is there a comparable model out now? I can't find any computer CRTs at BH at all. Any other CRTs you can recommend?
cheers,
Noah
 
correction, I have found a used as-is GDM-FW900 on ebay for next to nothing, obviously not what I want. But aren't CRTs only supposed to be reliable for color for a few years anyway (whether or not they are "fully functional")?
thanks again,
n
 
Don´t worry.
The Spyder will take care of that problem and remind you now and then to recalibrate.

You are not gonna find new ones cause Sony os not maling them anymore.
But the used ones are fine (and cheap - they used to be 4000 Euros when new).

I have 2 of those Monitors, both over 6 years old and 2 in the basement as a reserve - they all calibrate wonderfull.



Frank
 
Well, if I can find a good used one I'll buy it. Thanks for all the input! Have you looked at the Sony Luma series like the LMD-2050W? Though its LCD its supposed to be pretty good.
What is the definition of a broadcast monitor? Is your Sony GDM-FW900 a broadcast monitor? On NoahK's Color DVD they suggest using a broadcast monitor and not a computer monitor.
Either way, do you have to use something like the Matrox MXO or MXO2 for monitoring accurately through any of these screens?
thanks,
n
 
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