Datacolor has been in the HDTV and computer monitor calibrating scene for some time now. Its latest model, the Spyder3HDMI, is just the latest calibration tool in a long line. This model, however, has a clever new trick: it doesn’t need a computer or DVD player. Nope, the Spyder3HDMI feeds all the necessary color targets and dialogs directly into the HDTV. Hopefully it works as well as it sounds.
The older models required you to hook a sensor to the front of the HDTV or project screen and then connect it to a computer. A DVD player then provides the HDTV a series of color patterns and while the user adjusts the TV’s display settings step-by-step. I have one. It works well, but it’s definitely not a system that an above-average Luddite could handle. The whole process takes about 25 minutes, but the results are worth it.
The new system at least sounds like it takes a lot of the guess work out. The process probably isn’t automatic and users will likely still need to adjust the TV’s settings manually, but at least a computer isn’t involved anymore. Stay tuned for more details. (bad pun courtesy of Datacolor’s PR flack)
Datacolor® and Portrait Displays Demonstrate New Generation TV Calibration System – Spyder3HDMI®
New System Automatically Calibrates TVs Using Integrated Software
2010 International CES
January 04, 2010 08:00 AM Eastern Time
LAS VEGAS–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Datacolor®, a global leader in digital color management technology, along with its product development partner, Portrait Displays, Inc., announced they will demonstrate an incredible breakthrough in TV calibration with their new Spyder3HDMI® calibration system. The companies will display the new TV color calibration technology at their booth located inside the HDMI TechZone in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Consumer Electronics Show (South Hall, Booth #20309)“Consumers are making significant investments in their home theater systems but often lack the knowledge or proper tools to get their big screen TVs to perform at optimum levels”
Spyder3HDMI automatically calibrates any digital TV using an HDMI connection, eliminating the need for a computer or cumbersome third party solution that requires OSD adjustments. The software, including all dialogs and color targets, is embedded directly into the TV for easy calibration. With Spyder3HDMI, professional color adjustments are no longer proprietary to only sophisticated users or installation technicians but available to everyone. Anyone can now benefit from properly calibrated color to maximize their viewing experience. The built-in, step-by-step process calibrates the color of each TV to its specific environment.
“Consumers are making significant investments in their home theater systems but often lack the knowledge or proper tools to get their big screen TVs to perform at optimum levels,” says Christoph Gamper, Vice President, Consumer Business Unit, Datacolor. “Spyder3HDMI takes the frustration and guesswork out of calibrating your TV and simplifies the process by embedding the software and step-by-step instructions directly into the TVs operating environment. Once calibrated, consumers will see an amazing difference in the viewing experience, as well as a reduction in their energy consumption because a calibrated TV is more energy efficient,” Mr. Gamper added.
TV manufacturers, Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are invited to visit Datacolor and Portrait Displays at the HDMI TechZone to learn how easy it is incorporate the color calibration software into their TV product line. Calibration set-up instructions can be designed to match each manufacturer’s On-Screen Display (OSD) for a seamless, customized look.