SpectraCal Software Supports DataColor Spyder4 With Enhancements!

Software developer SpectraCal, Inc. announced support throughout its video calibration software line for the new Datacolor Spyder4.  CalMAN and CalPC version 4.6, announced by SpectraCal today, will support Spyder4 hardware whether purchased from SpectraCal, Datacolor, or any Datacolor reseller. 

Those who buy from SpectraCal will receive a bonus:  SpectraCal’s version of the meter, dubbed the Spyder4 Enhanced, contain additional calibration matrixes to improve calibration of LED displays, projectors, and other display technologies important to home users.

“We enhance each meter individually in our NIST-traceable calibration lab,” explained SpectraCal Marketing Manager Alex Nguyen.

Nguyen explained that the added precision will only benefit users of SpectraCal software; other users will see no change.

Innovations in the Spyder4 include double-shielded filters.  According to Datacolor, these improvements greatly improve long-term stability and improve meter accuracy, on average, by 26% compared to the Spyder3.  

“We’re very impressed with the repeatability of the Spyder4,” said Darrell Bird, director of the calibration lab at SpectraCal.  “It’s a major improvement,” Bird said.

“Datacolor is excited to see SpectraCal supporting our renowned line of colorimeters with their great software,” said Brian Levey, Datacolor’s Global Vice President of Sales. 

CalMAN is the top selling software for calibrating home theaters and other video displays.  CalPC is SpectraCal’s comprehensive solution for calibrating computer monitors.

To help launch the new bundles, SpectraCal is offering significant discounts during the month of March.  For example, CalMAN with a Spyder4, normally $299, is on sale for $229 in March.

For more information, please go to www.spectracal.com

Home Theater Forum Interviews CTO Derek Smith

Great interview from Home Theater Forum with CTO Derek Smith!

SpectraCal Spotlight: David Abrams

The SpectraCal Spotlight is a new monthly column focused on asking questions of AV professionals. Learn about these experts, their business, and perspective on the AV industry. Read what is possible and hopefully gain some useful insight.

January's spotlight is on David Abrams, President of the company Avical. Click to read the full Q&A.

Increase Tax Savings in 2011, Drive New Revenue in 2012!

Are You Taking Advantage Of All Of Your 2011 Tax Breaks Before Year End?   Contact us at 1-877-886-5112 to learn more about adding calibration services to your business, available packages, and how to take advantage of our great leasing options!

Businesses & Professionals: SpectraCal and Southern California Leasing urge you to talk to your accountant or tax specialist on the tax benefits to company purchases before the end of 2011! Right now the purchase of new equipment for your business could result in up to 100% tax write off, if you purchase between now and the end of the year. SpectraCal and Southern California Leasing have teamed up to bring you some amazing leasing options to take advantage of these tax breaks by offering a great leasing program for qualified SpectraCal customers!

CalPC: Faster, Better, Stronger

SpectraCal is excited to release CalPC v4.42 which brings numerous updates to make PC calibration easier and more powerful than ever before! This includes the updated PC Client allowing each user to register and calibrate up to three PC systems, increased from one machine, essentially tripling its original value. CalPC's hardware support has also been increased to include the i1Display2, X2, Spyder2, Spyder3, OEM i1Display, DTP-94, and ColorMunki for improved PC calibration performance, accuracy, and speed. Additional software enhancements have been made to CalPC for a more streamlined and smoother calibration experience.

NEW SpectraCal PC Calibration Training Webinar ($59) – register to learn through this 60 minute webinar the process and workflow of calibrating your PC displays using SpectraCal's CalPC software. All CalPC purchases (starting at $249) in the third week (Dec 12-18) of December will get the PC calibration webinar included for 75% off. Buy during the fourth week of the month and get 50% off, buy in the fifth week for 25% off. An exclusive code will be emailed with your purchase invoice. Order today to get a biggest discount possible!

SpectraCal On Home Theater Geeks 82

CTO Derek Smith talks on Home Theater Geeks #82 about video calibration and the future of home video. Click and listen!

Professional Display Calibration for the Most Demanding Color Perfectionists

Professional Display Calibration for Color Perfectionists

Color Perfectionists, from enthusiasts to professionals, know that a calibrated and profiled display is a critical element in a successful and efficient creative workflow.  Nobody wants to spend a lot of time at their monitor perfecting images only to find that their display wasn’t accurately showing the file.  What you see on your monitor (or projector) has to match your digital file or you will never be happy with the result no matter how much time you devote to perfecting it. In our world, perfection is not too much to ask for. i1Display Pro delivers.

	When X-Rite introduced the ground-breaking i1Display Pro in June, SpectraCal was the first independent software vendor to announce support for custom OEM versions of the new colorimeter. We are now excited to announce that SpectraCal has deepened this alliance by expanding CalMAN’s support to include X-Rite’s own retail version of the i1Display Pro!
	The i1Display Pro combined with the award-winning CalMAN software provides photographers and digital content editors a powerful calibration tool to optimize both their PC monitors and TV displays! The i1Display Pro is the ultimate consumer solution for users who demand speed, options and flexibility to attain color accuracy.

Color Perfectionists shouldn't guess when it comes to on-screen color accuracy. The color you see on your monitor or projector is the color you should expect from your printer. Once you take the guesswork and frustration out of calibrating and profiling your displays, you'll save time and money while gaining full creative control over your images.

In the month of October, SpectraCal is selling the X-Rite retail version of the i1Display Pro, bundled with both X-rite’s software and CalMAN DIY Edition, for an introductory price of $379! The CalMAN DIY Edition which supports the retail version of the i1Display Pro is available for download from the SpectraCal web site for $199.  

This is the most powerful and least expensive entry level package ever offered! If you’ve been waiting for a great performing display calibration package within your budget for your media room or home theater, this is the kit for you! 

For more information on the CalMAN DIY w/ i1Display Pro package, call 1-877-886-5112 or contact sales@spectracal.com.

CalMAN Becomes The First Independent Software To Support X-Rite's Retail i1Display Pro Colorimeter

When X-Rite introduced the ground-breaking i1Display Pro in June, SpectraCal was the first independent software vendor to announce support for custom OEM versions of the new colorimeter. We are now excited to announce that SpectraCal has deepened this alliance by expanding CalMAN’s support to include X-Rite’s own retail version of the i1Display Pro!

CalMAN Version 4.4 DIY Edition will support any retail version of the i1Display Pro, making it the first independent software in the market to do so. The retail version of the i1 Display Pro had previously not been compatible with any software other than X-Rite’s.

 “The retail i1Display Pro provides the most powerful and least expensive entry level package we’ve ever been able to offer,” says Alex Nguyen, Marketing Manager at SpectraCal. “If you’ve been waiting for a great performing display calibration package within your budget for your media room or home theater, this is the kit for you!”

“Wherever you buy your i1Display Pro retail version, CalMAN will support it,” says Nguyen, explaining that this can make a huge difference in convenience to users worldwide.

In the month of October, SpectraCal is selling the X-Rite retail version of the i1Display Pro, bundled with both X-rite’s software and CalMAN DIY Edition, for an introductory price of $379! The DIY Edition of CalMAN which supports the retail version of the i1Display Pro is available for download from the SpectraCal web site for $199.

Read the full press release here.

 

For more information on the CalMAN DIY w/ i1Display package, call 1-877-886-5112 or contact quote@spectracal.com.

SpectraCal and Klein Instruments Announce K-10 Cinema Pro Optimized for Home Theater

Klein Instruments and SpectraCal announced today the K-10 Cinema Pro. The Cinema Pro is a new version of Klein’s heralded K-10 non-contact colorimeter, optimized for home theater video calibration.

By removing features unneeded in home theater calibration, Klein was able to create an instrument that is even more accurate than previous K-10s, while costing less

“The K-10 was designed to serve a wide variety of uses,” says Luhr Jensen, the K-10’s inventor. “By removing features the home theater calibrator doesn’t need, we’ve been able to create a version that is even more accurate at the measurements needed in the home theater, and also reduce the price.”

Among the features Klein removed in the Cinema Pro are the short focus aiming light option, the external aiming light switch, various calibration files not used in home theater, and Klein’s software utilities.

“The Cinema Pro edition is optimized for use with CalMAN,” Jensen says, referring to SpectraCal’s video calibration software CalMAN, the software solution used by nearly all professional home theater calibrators. “You don’t need the external switch when CalMAN lets you turn the laser on and off from software.”

To promote the introduction of the K-10 Cinema Pro, Klein Instruments and SpectraCal have teamed up to offer an unprecedented low price of $4995.  

Save $1000 off the $5995 MSRP in October! Read the full press release here.

Advance Your Career With Training and Certification

In today’s competitive workplace, there are numerous benefits to industry certifications. Certifications have taken on a life of their own in medical, legal, architectural, audio visual and IT industries. It has become an essential part of job skills training, personal development and advancement.

• Industry certifications provide professional credentials and a method of recognizing achievements and knowledge level.
• Certifications improve job performance through increased knowledge and pride in working to an industry recognized standard.
• SpectraCal creates strategic partnerships between companies enabling key alliances, bringing new capabilities and sales opportunities.
• Ultimately, a certification program can increase company differentiation from competitors.

We offer a comprehensive display calibration certification program to the commercial audiovisual and digital signage industries. These courses are designed to bring an individual the education they need, from a deep understanding of display technology and design, to in depth technical training in display calibration. 

Upcoming Training Events

ISF Commercial Training

• Mountainside, NJ / November 9-10 / Verrex Corporatio
• Orange County, CA / December 8-9 / Hiperwall UC Irvine

ISF Level I and Level II

• Munich, Germany / October 3-5 / AV Top
• Boca Raton, Florida / November 15-17 / ISF World HQ Woodfield CC 
• Las Vegas, NV / January 9-11 (2012) / Coming Soon

SpectraCal Pro Video Monitor Optimization

• Los Angeles, CA / October 11th, 2011 / Volutone - Van Nuys, CA
• San Diego, CA / October 14th, 2011 / Volutone - Van Nuys, CA
• Phoenix, AZ / October 17th, 2011 / Severtson Screens Mesa, AZ
• Denver, CO / October 19th, 2011  / Coming Soon

For full course descriptions, registration, and certification information call 1-877-886-5112 or inquire at training@spectracal.com. If you want to see additional dates or locations in your area let us know.

The Chase For Visual Quality

It’s well known that color, brightness and contrast are the primary drivers of digital video quality. These factors are quite often even more important than resolution. Recent color improvements in televisions and video projectors, the desire to enjoy entertainment media on smaller, lower quality devices, and the newer digital color standards have created a unique need for an enhanced video color processing technology using visual perception models to improve the quality of the video experience outside the cinema theater.

To understand visual perception modeling, consider a bed of flowers on a bright sunny day. The flowers look very colorful. As the sun goes down, the flowers appear less colorful and have lower contrast. Did the flowers lose color? No, the physics of flower light absorption and reflection still apply, and the flowers have the same purity of color. What makes them appear less colorful? The answer is the adaption of human vision. As the brightness decreases, the perception of colorfulness and contrast decreases. The human eye adapts. Perceived brightness, colorfulness and contrast are all interrelated. If an image is brighter it looks more colorful. If it is more colorful it looks higher contrast.

A second key element of visual perception modeling is the perception of memory colors such as sky blue and flesh tones. Human vision is highly sensitive to changes in these memory colors, with viewer reaction being quite negative if they don’t look accurate and real. The perception of these memory colors is not only adaptive, but the three dimensional volume of memory colors is difficult to define in any standard color space across all brightness levels. White, brown, red, olive and yellow skin tones at different brightness levels all cover a fairly large three dimensional color volume and can only be well defined mathematically in a perceptually adaptive color space. This makes it more challenging to process flesh tones and other memory colors differently than other colors in an image’s gamut.

An additional factor to consider in driving optimal visual quality is the viewing environment. It is well known that perceptual contrast is reduced if the human eye is adapted to a surround that is brighter or darker than the viewed image. Contrast enhancement has been added to motion picture film viewed in dark cinema theaters since motion film’s  inception. This is one reason for the frequent observation, “Movies just look better in theaters than at home.” Including the contrast reduction caused by ambient light adding to the emitted or reflected video image, one can see that contrast enhancement is a prime requirement to fully optimize viewing quality in various viewing environments.

Can a standard display produce a highly accurate rendition of movie images so that a home audience has a professional cinematic experience, despite the effects of their own viewing environment? Is there a way to optimize image perception to effectively take you from any viewing environment into the optimized cinema theater viewing environment? The answer is “Yes.” 

To be continued...

 Spoilers @ 1-877-886-5112

SpectraCal @ CEDIA EXPO 2011 Videos

Check out these videos of what SpectraCal was showing off at CEDIA EXPO 2011.

SpectraCal Introduces The eeColor Image Processor


SpectraCal and basICColor Announces Highly Capable Colorimeter: DISCUS


Nanosys Quantum Dot LCD TV @ SpectraCal Booth


CEDIA 2011: SpectraCal Talks About Video Calibration


SpectraCal Explains How Its CalMAN Software is Integrated with DVDO Processors


If you close your eyes, it's almost like you were there :)

We're a 2011 CEPro BEST Award Winner!

For a third year in a row SpectraCal's CalMAN software is a CEPro BEST award winner in the category of Tools, Testing & Calibration. We're very happy to again be awarded this recognition and to add it to the Custom Retailer EXC!TE award in early August. Thank you CEPro for the awareness you have brought to SpectraCal, our design team for making the industry's best software, and to our users who make it all possible with your support!

SpectraCal @ CEDIA EXPO 2011!

CEDIA EXPO (September 7-10) is the leading tradeshow in the residential electronic systems industry and SpectraCal will be there to showcase the latest and greatest in display calibration and digital signage technology. Here’s a sneak peak at what we’ll be showing at CEDIA!

The basICColor DISCUS is a high-end colorimeter for the accurate measurement of color monitors, flat-panel displays, and projectors.  It can be used in contact or non-contact mode.  In non-contact mode, it features a laser pointer for aiming. SpectraCal enhances each DISCUS individually in its Seattle calibration lab, adding support for additional device types.  Each DISCUS ships with a Certificate of Performance verifying its accuracy on each device type. Read the full press release and check out the product page!

 

The eeColor™ Image Processor takes the home theater experience to a new level. eeColor processing now complements accurate display calibration with enhanced color rendering and room light compensation. The eeColor Processor incorporates chromatic adaptation and visual perception models with full, three-dimensional color processing for the first time in video systems. Read the full press release and check out the product page!

 

The CalMAN Expert with SpectraCal C6 & DVDO iScan Duo Package is a powerful video calibration bundle crafted to provide you with the results you are looking for at an extraordinary price.  With the new dedicated Duo Workflow, CalMAN provides unprecedented system communication and optimization of your video display hardware. Full package details here.

Digital signage is the latest in interactive marketing and communication and SpectraCal provides you with the full solution that includes the advance SpinetiX HMP devices. The SpinetiX HMP100/HMP200 is a compact digital signage player that simplifies publishing information, audio and dynamic content to your display through internal Fusion software with 720p/1080P output across the network, 4GB/8GB of internal memory plus USB for external storage, and a lifetime warranty. Learn more about digital signage here.

 

Questions? Call +1-877-886-5112

 
Many exciting SpectraCal announcements and demonstrations will be shown at CEDIA 2011.Come visit us at booth #4961 if you're attending or stay tuned to our Facebook for all the latest CEDIA details!

SpectraCal and basICColor Announce Highly Capable Colorimeter

DISCUS demolishes previous color meter price/performance benchmarks

(Seattle, WA) – September 6, 2011 – SpectraCal, Inc. and basICColor announced the DISCUS colorimeter, providing accuracy in colorimetry previously available only with much more expensive instruments.
 
 “We were amazed when we measured the DISCUS in our calibration lab,” says Derek Smith, SpectraCal’s founder and Chief Technology Officer. “We didn’t think this level of sensitivity and repeatability was possible with such a moderately priced tristimulus device,” Smith said.

“We’re very pleased that SpectraCal has chosen the DISCUS to anchor its product line,” says Karl Koch, basICColor’s Managing Director. “CalMAN is respected around the world, and SpectraCal’s support of DISCUS will certainly speed its adoption in with professional video calibrators.”  

basICColor created the DISCUS to bring affordable high-end accuracy to the pre-press proofing market, and turned to SpectraCal to introduce the instrument to professional video calibrators.  basICColor appointed SpectraCal exclusive distributor in North America, and non-exclusive Master Distributor throughout the rest of the world.  

DISCUS support is included in the current version of SpectraCal’s award-winning CalMAN video calibration software, the de facto standard in the CEDIA industry. (CalMAN Commercial and Expert licenses support the DISCUS.)    

The DISCUS will be demonstrated in SpectraCal’s booth 4961 at CEDIA Expo, the annual trade show of the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, September 8-10. 

Visitors to Booth 4961 can receive an introductory discount. SpectraCal is building a DISCUS reseller network. Prospective dealers should call +1 877-886-5112 North America, or +1-605-274-6055 international.

For more info, please go to www.spectracal.com/DISCUS, or contact prosales@spectracal.com.

Read the full press release here.

SpectraCal and Entertainment Experience Announce Next Generation Image Processor

SpectraCal, Inc. and Entertainment Experience announced the eeColor image processor, providing unprecedented control over video images.

Leveraging over 35 years of research in visual color science by experts from Kodak, universities, and Hollywood film production, eeColor produces “the brightest and most colorful moving images that I have seen,” says Mark Fairchild, Director of the PhD Color Science Program at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Jason Turk, chief engineer at AVScience says eeColor is “like nothing else on the market.”  eeColor adds “a vibrancy to the colors that I have never seen to date,” Turk says. Derek Smith, SpectraCal’s founder and Chief Technology Officer, explains that this is partly because eeColor for the first time allows full use of displays’ ever-expanding capabilities. “Manufacturers have been hard at work expanding the color capacity of their displays,” Smith says, “But to achieve image fidelity, we’ve had to turn all the expanded capacity off.  With eeColor, you can now make full use of the expanded color gamut current displays allow, while still maintaining accurate flesh tones,” Smith explains.  eeColor utilizes proprietary technology based on newly understood physics of adaptive vision. Learn more about the eeColor image processor with the full press release.

SpectraCal Announces Unique ISF Training Event In Munich, Germany

With training and certification being key to our customer’s success, SpectraCal is excited to announce a three-day ISF training course in Munich, Germany on 3-4-5 October 2011. This unique opportunity is sponsored by SpectraCal and its German partner AV T.O.P. Already one of Europe’s leading and most respected independent consumer electronics testing laboratories, AV T.O.P. has now partnered with SpectraCal as its distribution partner for the German-speaking regions. Come learn and take advantage of this unique opportunity beginning the last day of Oktoberfest!

The course will be led by Joel Silver, in English, along with a number of assistant instructors from the HDTV, high end projection, and display calibration fields. Occasional real-time translation will also be available for native German speakers as necessary. Upon request, some German-translated support materials can also be made available.

This is a European-wide event and we invite everyone in the EU, and beyond, to join us for this unique event. Come early to experience Oktoberfest on your own or join us for a special evening event scheduled for October 3rd (more details to follow). This is the only European Joel Silver-led ISF seminar scheduled for the remainder of 2011, so take advantage of this special opportunity to learn and grow with your international peers. Space is limited, so register today!

Course: ISF Three-day Comprehensive Course – Basic and Advanced Video Calibration Training and Certification, includes 16 CEU credits for CEDIA members.
Primary Instructor: Joel Silver
Dates: 3-4-5 October 2011
Location: AV T.O.P. Messtechnik GmbH
Address: Max-Planck-Strasse 7, 85716 Unterschleissheim, Germany

For registration and certification information click above, call +1-605-274-6055 (USA Toll Free 877-886-5112) or inquire at training@spectracal.com. We hope to celebrate with you there!

From Design To Execution: SpectraCal's Complete Digital Signage Solution

A 2009 Info Trends Study found that digital signage increases average purchase amounts by 29.5% and overall sales volume by 31.8% for businesses through providing an effective medium to engage and inform customers of new products, sales, and current promotions. The benefit of digital signage goes beyond sales to include:

• Enhances Location Experience
• Dynamic Communication Channel
• Cost Effective 
• Time Efficient 
• New Revenue Stream and More!

Despite its numerous benefits current digital signage solutions are rarely simple, reliant or convenient.  High cost, complex interface, and hardware failures are issues that have tarnished its proven reputation to be a highly effective business tool to increases consumer sales, brand loyalty, and repeat purchases. We are here to fix that.

SpectraCal has partnered with Swiss company SpinetiX to provide a streamlined and powerful complete digital signage solution that redefines the industry standards and solves these common issues.  From setup to training to content management we provide the services and professionals that will help you design and execute your complete digital signage strategy.

Join us for one of our FREE webinars to learn more about this dynamic field of business marketing and how SpectraCal’s complete solution is unmatched in providing you with the digital signage results you are looking for!

Contact us today toll-free at 1-877-886-5112 or email digitalsignage@spectracal.com to see how SpectraCal’s complete digital signage solution will bring your messaging to life!

SpectraCal and X-Rite Announce Next Generation SpectraCal C6™ and OEM i1Display Colorimeters

SpectraCal, Inc. and X-Rite Incorporated are proud to announce two new professional colorimeters –the SpectraCal C6™ and an OEM i1Display – both customized versions of X-Rite’s recently released i1Display Pro device. Developed by X-Rite and customized for SpectraCal, the SpectraCal C6™ reads up to 5x faster, measures more accurately at lower light levels, and offers greater versatility than its predecessor, the Chroma 5. Read the full press release here and buy the SpectraCal C6 and the OEM i1Display at their July only preorder prices today!

Thinklogical Premiers New Product Integration with SpectraCal

Thinklogical, a worldwide provider of fiber optic infrastructure, extension and routing systems for the Pro A/V industry, will be showcasing color correction technology in their line of VelocityKVM and DVI fiber optic receivers at InfoComm 2011. Thinklogical has successfully partnered with SpectraCal to develop seamless product integration for color correction. This new feature provides an efficient, cost-effective advantage when deploying Thinklogical systems in a Pro A/V environment. Read the full press release here.