This is the fourth Datacolor product I own. I still have the original SpyderPro, Spyder2Pro, Spyder3Print and the newest addition the Spyder4Pro. I also own an Eye-One Display but prefer my Spyders any day of the week. The Spyder's user interface ( Wizard ) is so much more user friendly than the Eye-One that I will not recommend the Eye-One to my clients. I've had more tech support questions about the Eye-One than I care to mention.Besides being a photographer I'm also a freelance Macintosh Tech that installs Mac systems and teaches color management and workflows using Lightroom, Bridge and Photoshop. As mentioned I'll recommend the Spyder to my clients over the Eye-One for a number of reasons. First the monitor profiles are excellent, I can't ask for any better and of course the user interface, the wizard, is much more user friendly than the Eye-One. With the Eye-One Wizard I don't know if it's asking me to do something or if it's telling me the results and I need to do something else, it gets confusing for my clients. Enough said about the Eye-One!... Let's move on to the Spyder4Pro.
The Spyder4Pro package consists of the Spyder4Pro unit, Stand, Software Installation Disk for Mac/Windows and Quick Start Guide. I know this isn't important but the design of the Spyder4Pro is really sleek and sexy! Mama-Mia! The USB cable attached is nicely supple so there's no need to twist the USB cable for the unit to remain flat on the monitor's screen. Also a little trick is to tilt the monitor up slightly so there is additional weight of the Spyder4Pro pressing against the monitor screen for a nice tight "seal". I recommend doing this regardless of profiler brands.
Installing the software is straight forward. Install the software using the installation disk and let the installer find the latest Spyder4Pro driver via the internet. ( Also Datacolor is very, very good about updating their drivers in a timely manner... another big plus with Datacolor ) During installation enter the serial number that's on the DVD sleeve label, the installer will contact Datacolor servers and return a License Code that will be used if you need to re-install the software. There's an option to print the License Code, which I recommend, and also Datacolor emails the License Code to you for safekeeping. I'm going to guess here, once you have the License Code you don't need to be connected to the internet for further installations... I could be wrong!
Once the software is installed attach the Spyder4Pro directly to the computer's USB port if possible. USB hubs/keyboards sometimes don't have enough power to run a unit so this is the best approach. Launch the software and you are greeted by the Spyder4Pro Wizards's Welcome screen. The screen prompts are easy to understand and have a Help and "?" button if further explanation is needed. The first time around you'll be prompted to do a "FullCAL" ( Full Calibration ) and on subsequent calibrations there will be options to not only run "FullCAL" but to "ReCal" and "CheckCAL".
After the "Welcome" screen, that suggests/recommends certain display settings, there is the "Measuring Ambient Light" screen. Place the Spyder4Pro on it's stand in front of your monitor and click the "Next" button and the Spyder4Pro will read the amount of light falling on the monitor. The "Ambient Light Analysis" screen will display the results. You'll have the option to "Keep current settings" or "Accept suggested settings". Select your choice and click "Next" to bring you to the Calibration screen! Hang the Spyder4Pro over the monitor and slide the counter-weight along the USB cable until it's nicely balanced and center the Spyder4Pro right over the outline shape. Click "Next" and the Calibration process begins... I nice feature is the software displays the status of it's brightness readings in realtime and checks the stability of brightness over a period of time. My Apple Cinema Display is getting long-in-the-tooth and I could see that it was having trouble staying stable at the recommended brightness setting. Calibration completed in about 7 minutes and the "Saved Profile" screen appeared. I saved the profile adding the current date in the file name and set the Calibration Reminder for 2 Weeks.
Next is the "SpyderProof Calibrated View" screen where you can switch back and fourth from the profiled calibrated monitor view and uncalibrated monitor view. This gives you an idea on what the profile is doing. Clicking the "Next "button brings us to "Profile Overview" screen where you can compare old and new profiles and how they related to each other in a specific Colorspace. Looking at my results... dang I think I need a new monitor! You can "Quit" or there's an "Advance Analysis" feature that can test the profile's "Gamut", "Tone Response", "Brightness and Contrast", and "White Point at Different OSD Settings". But I'll let you play around with this!
My monitor is dead neutral displaying a grayscale in Photoshop CS5.1 there is no rain-bowing in any of the gray steps. ( Meaning there's NO color banding/color contamination along the grayscale )
Spyder4Pro is great for novices and advance users alike. The software has nice advanced features that users can grow with.
When I received it and opened the box, I was impressed with the user guide that they provide. It is a simple guide to show you how to install the software and get the setup started. I am not a technical guy so I appreciate this type of easy to follow guide with illustrations and clear instructions. The install process was easy and the software recognized my monitor (a Dell P2311Hb) automatically. The time to install the software program and do the calibration took a total of about 20 minutes. And what a difference between before and after calibration! I now have a reference for the correct colors and know that what I see on the display is what they should be. It is money well spent and has me asking myself why I waited so long to do it.
I would recommend this product to anyone wanting to manage color on their display. It is worth the investment!
Buy Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 Colorimeter for Display Calibration Now
This is the third colorimeter that I've owned in ten years or so, and my experience in printing color goes back to the film and darkroom days, so I accept that there is no perfect color device.I was initially disappointed with the first few profiles I created using this product after providing information about my laptop's display. The profiles had either a definite yellow or green cast. They were far better than my uncorrected display, but not really what I needed for accurate viewing and printing.
So I experimented with telling the software that my display's characteristics were different from what I know them to be. Although this laptop has LED backlighting, I finally got a good profile when I entered that it was fluorescent backlighting.
Compared to other calibration software that I've used previously, this software provides very limited options for modifying settings. Mostly, you pick the characteristics of your display from dropdown boxes, and the software then decides on the whitepoint and gamma. There is no obvious way to change them. That is odd for "professional" software. In fact, this is the most basic and least flexible software of the three colorimeters that I have owned. Perhaps I'm overlooking some features, but that is not surprising given that there is no manual--another disappointment for a $169 supposedly professional tool.
Read Best Reviews of Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 Colorimeter for Display Calibration Here
This product is primarily intended for serious to professional photographers and graphic designers with print as a final product. It calibrates your monitor color for accuracy (most monitors are not accurate) so in the post processing workflow, you are accurately processing your images for print. It really is not a "needed product" unless you are a graphic designer or serious to professional photographer with clients and you are printing to final output. Otherwise, I opine you do not need this product. Conversely, if you earn any money from your work, you cannot be a professional unless you calibrate your monitor and utilize it during your workflow. You also need to remember that using this product will not ensure others who digitally see your work will view color rendition accurately because you use this product. Everyone's monitors are calibrated differently, are of varying quality, and many people do not even understand color space or profiling. This is why pros convert images to srgb (standard RGB color space)for digital distribution because it is the "lowest common denominator" and nearly all browsers ONLY display in Srgb and only expensive monitors can display better color profiles. Even then, chances are people are viewing an inaccurate color representation of your image and don't even get me started on what Facebook does to your images.As a part-time professional, I use a Dell UltraSharp U2410 24-inch Widescreen LCD High Performance Monitor with HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort and HDCP (dual setup which is why I use the Pro series of Spyders) for post processing. I also shoot in the Adobe RGB color space from my camera (Nikon D300s 12.3MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens)and post process in that same color space. This is where the Spyder, combined with a quality monitor like the U2410 really shines because it allows me to work in the wider color gamut (smoother shade transitions). I can then send to the print house in that color space or convert to Srgb (actually the preferred color space for most professional print houses).
I owned previous Spyders including the Datacolor DC S3P100 Spyder 3 Pro. So, I was very familiar with the system. It is incredibly easy to setup and use but you should allow at least 30 minutes for first use. The package contains the Spyder4 unit, stand, rubber cup for CRT monitors, software and a quick guide with detailed instructions on the CD. Before installing, check for a new version of the software as Datacolor frequently updates all its products. Whatever you do, do not lose the serial number included on the CD sleeve. Without that serial number, you cannot install the software.
Prior to installing let your monitors warm up for at least 1/2 hour (I never post process until monitors are warmed up). I also recommend updating your graphics card drivers prior to installing and do a full reboot. Installing the software is easy as is plugging the Spyder into a USB port. Of course, install the software first (it should automatically check for a newer version on install). The Spyder itself is a sleek device. When using it, you will simply follow instructions by lining up the device on the screen with an outline. I suggest you slightly tilt your monitor back for a better "seal" that will block out any light from either side. Also, adjust the light in the room to a setting that you would normally use. The Spyder uses ambient light measurement to calculate how to color map the profile. On the USB there is a counter-weight that goes behind the monitor to stabilize the device. Perfect design in my opinion. On first use you will need to do a full calibration. SIMPLY follow the instructions (no need to rehash them here). Allow some time for this process and do not leave your monitor until you adjust the brightness/whitepoint setting as indicated by the software. On successive calibrations, you have an option of a quick "recalc" which is must faster. I normally do a full calibration every time by habit.
Spyder has never crashed my system (Windows 7) and always performed flawlessly. I think better results are achieved with higher end monitors designed for color accuracy from the start. Either way, if you are in the image or graphics design business, this is a must have product. There are much more expensive options out there. However, Datacolor has always done a fine job by me and I stick with them because of that and the frequency at which they update their drivers. Plus, I can now color profile my Ipad. How cool is that?
SidebarI am unable to rate how well this product works with TV's because I simply do not use it for that purpose.
Want Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 Colorimeter for Display Calibration Discount?
For anyone that doesn't know what this device does, it will create a monitor profile for Windows or Mac to allow for more accurate color. For professionals, accurate color on your monitor is a MUST. For hobbyists, the further you get into photography/videography, the more likely you are to want accurate colors. The Spyder 4 Pro fits this bill.Packaging:
This part is fairly straightforward. You have a rather wasteful and useless plastic cover that covers the entire box of the Spyder 4. Removing it is just a matter of cutting two pieces of tape (for a more exciting time, I suppose you could rip it open with your teeth). Once that's off, you have a cardboard box covering more protective plastic. The cardboard cover has system requirements and rudimentary directions for using the Spyder.
Install/setup/Manual:
What is it with these companies? The documentation for the Spyder and the i1 Pro is... anemic at best. I would call it a quick start guide at best. It should be noted that the software really does walk you through the process, so a manual isn't strictly needed, but would be nice from a troubleshooting/learning the capability of the device better perspective.
You're given what is essentially a fold up pamphlet. Each step is given in English, Spanish, French German and Italian.
There is, however, some confusion about what is included. There are actually two install and calibration tools shown on the pamphlet. The first is the Spyder 4 Elite/Pro/Express. The other piece shows the install and calibration for Spyder 4 TV HD, which is a different device completely. Well, not completely. You get a different set of accessories with the 4 TV HD (elastic bands). You probably know what device you bought, but the cost side stepping could be confusing.
The setup is fairly easy once you ensure you are looking at the proper set of instructions for your device. Install the software. Plug the device in. Run the Spyder Pro 4.5 software.
You must activate the software to use the device with the datacolor software (there are third party apps for calibration that you can use with this, though you're going to spend almost as much on that software alone as you do for the device itself).
Calibration:
Plug it in, follow the instructions, keep hitting next and you're done. It's bang on simple. In this it is similar to the ColorMUNKI from X-Rite.
Ensure your screen has been powered on for at LEAST 30 minutes. Check your lighting conditions (best to calibrate under the conditions you use most often). Reset your monitor and set it to the 6500k color temperature. Hit next.
Choose your display type and choose the display to be calibrated. You can calibrate multiple monitors with the Pro and Elite models only. There is a work around on this for the Express, though it requires you to rename profiles, uninstall the Spyder software and manage the profiles with Windows separately. Since you should recalibrate your display every month or two (or more if you are a pro), the workaround for using the Express may not be worth the time spent installing the software, calibrating, renaming profiles and then managing in Windows for the few dollars it saves.
It should be noted that there is an included suction cup. ONLY use this on a CRT. Do NOT try to use the suction cup on your LCD!
Choose what you can change within the monitor in terms of color/contrast/brightness. Press next.
The next screen you choose to recalibrate, check calibration or perform a full calibration. First time you need to do a full calibration, but from then on you should be OK with a simple recalibration. I usually leave the gamma/white point/brightness drop downs on the Recommended settings as this is what professionals use, meaning whatever I do on my display should match wherever I may want to print or what have you. Press next.
Check ambient light (Express model doesn't offer this). Accept the recommended brightness/white point and press next (change this only if you know what you want your display to be calibrated to). Press next.
Place the Spyder on your screen. The counter weight is OK, but getting the Spyder to sit in the outline on screen could be a bit annoying depending on your monitor calibration. The i1 Display and ColorMUNKI from X-Rite use this same basic premise for calibration, so it doesn't matter what company you go with from this perspective. Once you have the device situated, press next.
You will see color patches flash on the screen as it goes through the calibration process. When it gets to brightness, where the user needs to manually intervene, it stops. This is where the process can be tedious. This process doesn't self update. What I mean is, you make an adjustment on your screen, you press update in the software to refresh the reading. Compared to the i1 and ColorMUNKI, this is kind of obnoxious. Both of those devices automatically update the reading while you make adjustments. Once you have the reading to match the target as closely as possible, press Continue.
Unplug the Spyder and name your profile. Set the calibration reminder, save and you're done.
It should be noted that you can also run the same type of quality tests with the Spyder 4 Pro as you can with the i1 Display Pro, so it is closer to the i1 Display than it is to the ColorMUNKI.
You can also use the Spyder to calibrate an iPad/iPhone, though I have neither so I cannot comment on how well this does/doesn't work.
Comparison to i1 Display Pro/ColorMUNKI:
Let's get this out of the way. The ColorMUNKI, while nice, is NOT as feature rich as the Spyder Pro 4 Pro. The ColoMUNKI is probably more in line with the base model, the Spyder 4 Express.
In terms of the end point calibration, all three devices provided me with a monitor calibration that was visually the same to me across the board. Neither of the three devices, used to calibrate 2 laptop LCDs and the same monitor (Dell U2410) connected to both laptops were all visually the same to my untrained eye.
For a hobbyist, the ColorMUNKI or the Spyder 4 Pro would be perfect. Given the more granular controls though, I would HIGHLY recommend going with the Spyder 4 Pro if the choice is ColorMUNKI or this.
If the choice is i1 Display Pro or a Spyder 4 device, and you're willing to spend the extra money for the Spyder 4 Elite, either device would be perfectly suited to your use and perform as you would expect. In terms of software and usage, as best I can tell they both offer similar capabilities and both are pretty easy to use. The Spyder 4 may have a leg up given it has a 7 color sensor...I'm not sure what sensor type is in the i1 Display Pro.
If you're a hobbyist and looking to calibrate your display, this device is perfect. It's easy to use and fast. If you're an advanced hobbyist or professional, you are almost certainly better served spending the money on the Elite version.
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