Scalawag Loc: Far SW Texas

Has anyone used the Spyder4Pro S4P100 system to calibrate this monitor
(23 in. LCD, using hdmi input) or the ones listed in my manual as
similar models, apparently w1858, w2348h, and w185?

I really like this monitor but never have really been able to see
how to make sense of the adjustments for accuracy..mostly can
adjust Brightness and Contrast, but don't see any Gamma adjustments
for example.

I may not really need to know this now as I am looking at the
Spyder and That is my main question....
Haven't had much success with info on that either. (I don't
google well.) Does this calibration need my manual intervention
or does it do its magic directly to the computer and then to the
hdmi input which I use for the HP monitor?

I also use a separate, dual, different model VGA monitor at the same
time for comparisons, even though it gives quite a different
appearance than the main HP. (Mainly use this one for tools in
LR and/or PS, and files.) I assume I would have to disconnect each
monitor and calibrate one at a time.

Really appreciate any help. I think the Spyder4Pro is the best for my situation,
2 monitors on desk top and a largish laptop. Both using Win7 if that matters.
My home printer is really only good enough for reasonable prints. Not particularly
interested in calibrating it as long as I can get it fairly close to the monitor(s)
by eye. If/when I get those calibrated for print I will first send one to Adorama, Bay,
MPIX etc. Those are the prints I want to match my main monitor.
(I had sent off a dozen pix at one time for print
and all were slightly darker than what was shown on
my hdmi monitor (I had only adjusted it to my eyes to what looked right).
Too late to correct the prints! Of course had I only sent one
in, I probably would have thought only that one was dark...getting old,
but trying to go with the flow. Better than the alternative.)
Thanks again.
Vernon :?

Doe Loc: N, Augusta, South Carolina

I have the Spyder4pro to calibrate my HP laptop. It was not the easiest thing to do because my laptop wants to always go back to it's original settings when the screen saver comes on. I doubt your monitor would have that to deal with. So, I guess what I am saying is the Spyder4 is a good calibrator and I would recommend it......

Wendy2 Loc: California

I used the ColorMunki Display. Calibrating the monitor works effortlessly on both a PC and a Mac. But my PC has the same problem that Doe mentioned, reverting back to the original screen. I don't know to prevent that from happening. The new Colormunki profile has been saved and I have to keep going to that profile and resetting it. In my opinion, if you have the same problem with your PC, that will be harder to do than calibrating the monitor because it takes additional steps every time you use your computer.

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

Really its not recommended, or a good idea to try to calibrate laptops. My Dell is 99.9% accurate as is. :)

Wendy2 Loc: California

Monitors come with a fairly standard blue cast. When you view the photos on your monitor they are not represented correctly because the world is not blue. As you edit photos on an un- calibrated monitor and then print them you will get some very strange colors, especially skin tones. Experts in the field of photography suggest that calibrating your monitor is one of the first steps necessary in producing accurate colors in your prints.

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

What I saw, is what I see, and what my printer prints. My screen is neither too cool, or warm. But pretty neutral. The old cathode ray monitors were absolutely in need of calibration, but I haven't found this so with the LCD's.

Calibration is over stressed, and is more or less designed to sell you something rather expensive; if I do say so. An intelligent adjustment of the contrast, and brightness is usually all that's needed. You can use a standard gray scale graph, for that. And "IF" you do have a color problem, will show it up.

Scalawag Loc: Far SW Texas

Thanks to all for the inputs (and Doe for the answer to my PM).
I will make some manual adjustments
and then I think I will test by sending in for a
couple of mid-sized prints from 2-3 printers.
(Lots of opinions/recommendations on these.)
If they are still too dark I don't mind
making a purchase like the Spyder, if it works!
Regards and thanks again.

Wendy2 Loc: California

Your computer's screen may be an exception to the rule. I have a 21.5 Mac desktop that is only 9 months old and calibration was absolutely necessary....big difference. Same is true on my PC laptop. Do you have an hp printer too? My mother in law has an HP PC and an HP printer and her PC was never calibrated and it prints fine. I think each situation is very individual and one has to determine what works for them.

Wendy2 Loc: California

Hi Doe, I just discovered how to keep my PC monitor from reverting to the factory settings. Go to "Run" and type in msconfig.exe and uncheck "intel(R) Common User Interface". There were 3 instances of this and I unchecked all 3 and my computer retains the new calibration!

If it doesn't work for you, you can always go back and re-check the items you unchecked.