Datacolor SpyderX Pro (Monitor Calibration tool) $129.99

Went for it. Thanks OP.

Thanks OP. Missed out the previous sale, so ordered 1.

Can this be used on TVs? Apparently the packaged software is limited compared to like https://displaycal.net/ (free) is this true?

or you can use gamma charts to calibrate your pc monitors. It is time consuming but after it's done you're good for a long while.

evilYoda wrote: ↑ or you can use gamma charts to calibrate your pc monitors. It is time consuming but after it's done you're good for a long while.

Isn't the whole point of a calibration tool to cut down on panel to panel variations by measuring the exact hardware you have in front of you? How does a chart help with that?

I upgraded from a spyder 5 earlier this year and have to say the new "X" line is super quick when compared to the "5".

Is it really worth it for anyone else but artist? Does it make a difference in anything? Or is it mainly for artist that need to have the same color calibration on multiple screen/workspace?

Zaraki wrote: ↑ Is it really worth it for anyone else but artist? Does it make a difference in anything? Or is it mainly for artist that need to have the same color calibration on multiple screen/workspace?

It made a huge difference on my new Dell laptop. I was OK with the default calibration, but the before and after are night and day with the factory settings being "cool" and understated when compared to the calibrated image(s).

It's not just about colour accuracy, it's also about default colour temperature. I've been calibrating my household monitors for 5+ years and have gone through quite a few of them. Based on that experience I'd generalize that 90% of monitors are factory adjusted heavily towards the cool/blue spectrum. A monitor calibrated more towards the warm spectrum is (to my eyes anyways) much more pleasing to the eye and vibrant.

I have a triple dell monitor setup but no matter what adjustments I make the colors don't perfectly match between them (even if I match the temps, levels, etc). Would this tool manage to get them in sync?

You'll never get a perfect match. But with calibration it'll be close.

OneAndTrueHeir wrote: ↑ Isn't the whole point of a calibration tool to cut down on panel to panel variations by measuring the exact hardware you have in front of you? How does a chart help with that?

If the intention is to calibrate 2 monitors then yes. If not then this is a waste.

Where does it do the work? Does it follow the output device or the display? Does it plug into the usb port of the TV/monitor and magically communicate over some protocol? Or does it only work for certain PC operating systems, and the calibration is lost if the os is reinstalled or if another pc is plugged in?

gromacs wrote: ↑ Where does it do the work? Does it follow the output device or the display? Does it plug into the usb port of the TV/monitor and magically communicate over some protocol? Or does it only work for certain PC operating systems, and the calibration is lost if the os is reinstalled or if another pc is plugged in?

Software on your PC (e.g. DisplayCal) displays test colours on your display device (e.g. monitor).
SpyderX is placed over your display device to measure what colour is actually being displayed by your monitor and communicates the result back to your computer.
The software looks at the difference between what it's trying to displayed and what is actually being displayed to create a colour correction profile.
The colour correction profile is installed into your operating system.

I just game and watch video on my displays and I think it's worth the money to have my picture looking right.

Notes:
- If the device sending the signal isn't a PC, then it can't really install any colour correction profile, but simply calibrating the white point (RGB balance and brightness when the picture is pure white) can still improve the picture quality tremendously.
- Your display's colour will drift as it ages so a recalibration once in a while is recommended.
- DisplayCal isn't straightforward and it works weirdly with some displays. My LG 32QK500's white still looks pinkish compared to my BenQ EX2780Q's white after calibration. But I blame the LG being a shit monitor and I will forever avoid this brand because the settings don't behave as you expect them to and the documentation is poop.
- If you like stuff like dynamic contrast or HDR, then I'm not sure how calibration for that would work.

Don't need this all the time, but wish there are places to rent it for like half a day or something.

a shame the local library doesnt go buy one for loans. It would be very well appreciated.

Some idiot would probably scratch the lens in short order if it's for rent / borrow.

Debating just buying one and renting it in my condo complex lol id prolly pay it off.

What is the difference between the Pro and the Elite version?

I have a spyder4. Worthwhile upgrade?