$300-ish Calibration system for Projector and Computer (photography)

My Home theatre room has a SonyVW60 which was never calibrated by any meter, only blu-ray disc onscreen.
(btw I'm on my 2nd bulb with about 300 hrs on it.)

Since Oct-2009, when I bought my CanonT1i, I've really taken Photography as another hobby.

I'd like to get a "decent" Calibration system for my Projector and Computer (current is iMac 27" ).
I use Aperture 3 and Adobe CS5 for my Photography stuff.

Looking here, this seems a decent system for my $300-ish budget.
Spyder3 Elite™

I've read this FAQ, CurtPalme.com Forum Which Meter Is Right for Me?, which ranks the Spyder low.

For those that have (or used) the Spyder 3 elite for front projector and computer screen were you satisfied by its ability?
I appreciate your help in me making an informed decision, I know nothing about this but can learn.

Yea, 2 years using my PJ w/o it being "really" calibrated, and never for computer....better late than never.

Honestly have never calibrated or owned a projector, but B&H has a few videos of demonstrations by a DataColor rep. Worth viewing.

http://www.video.bhpho​tovideo.com …4e6bbf1bee3836e​657f&rf=bm

Know nothing about projectors either, but according to shootsmarter.com, the ColorMunki is good (and a bit above budget)

I just spend 20 minutes on the phone with "Lou", http://www.spectracal.​com/contact.html, he's their "Home Theater Enthusiast Sales" person and very knowledgeable in Projectors/TV/Computer monitors.

He gave me different options with pros/cons with:
X-Rite i1Display 2 Colorimeter, $250 meter + software
http://www.spectracal.​com/i1Display-2.html

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mtbdudex wrote in post #10668326
I just spend 20 minutes on the phone with "Lou", http://www.spectracal.​com/contact.html, he's their "Home Theater Enthusiast Sales" person and very knowledgeable in Projectors/TV/Computer monitors....

...I've got some more thinking to do.....lots of info he gave me.

What a racket that company has going...

You can get a Spyder3 Express puck for $80 and use it with this free software:

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/colorimetre/ind​ex_en.php

And, there are more places to buy an X-Rite DTP-94 puck.

http://www.integrated-color.com …_Code=Display+C​alibration

mtbdudex wrote in post #10668326
I've got some more thinking to do.....lots of info he gave me.

What am I missing?
You mentioned "Projector" in your first post, right?

Of these three, unless I'm mistaking, only the ColorMunki will calibrate a projector.
iOne D2 and DTP-94 are for screen only.

René Damkot wrote in post #10669325
What am I missing?
You mentioned "Projector" in your first post, right?

Of these three, unless I'm mistaking, only the ColorMunki will calibrate a projector.
iOne D2 and DTP-94 are for screen only.

René;
Speaking with the "Home Theater Enthusiast" person Lou directly at SpectraCal definitely both are also good for front projectors and computer displays.

Also, from the "CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum" FAQ page I linked to.

ChasP505 wrote in post #10669044
What a racket that company has going...

You can get a Spyder3 Express puck for $80 and use it with this free software:

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/colorimetre/ind​ex_en.php

And, there are more places to buy an X-Rite DTP-94 puck.

http://www.integrated-color.com …_Code=Display+C​alibration

Thx for info and links.

I agree and it's why I use it.

ChasP505 wrote in post #10669044
free software:

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/colorimetre/ind​ex_en.php

I also found his link that gives a hands down easy approach for using ColorHCFR

IMAGE LINK: http://www.curtpalme.c​om/forum/viewtopic.php​?t=10457

"Unlike the (only slightly) lower priced Spyder meters, the X-Rite Eye One Display 2 is calibrated at the factory as they come off the assembly line. As such, our experience has been that they are all reasonably accurate consistent from unit to unit. This factory calibration most certainly has a lot to do with it".

If correct, when are the spyders calibrated? For calibrated they must be, or the whole exercise is pointless.

Lowner wrote in post #10678569
If correct, when are the spyders calibrated? For calibrated they must be, or the whole exercise is pointless.

Of course, you're not going to accept a statement like this are you Richard? I've viewed videos by both DataColor and X-Rites reps, and they seem to always tip their hat to each other and comment that the competition makes a very decent product.

Chas,

You know me too well!

It's just that some products seem to appear more frequently than others here when problems occur. Sending out untested units onto the market would explain why but seems a guaranteed way to go bust.

Lowner wrote in post #10679265
It's just that some products seem to appear more frequently than others here when problems occur. Sending out untested units onto the market would explain why but seems a guaranteed way to go bust.

Here's my guess and my take on the entire monitor calibration consumer market:

I think that DataColor must batch sample their products for QC, rather than examining each individual widget. I can't see how X-Rite can QC inspect and calibrate every single unit either, but evidently their QC seems to be tighter than DataColor's.

Now regarding the consumer market for monitor caliration devices... I believe that X-Rite's products are mostly purchased by experienced individuals... those with a high technical aptitude or have been around digital photography for a long time. OTOH, Spyder customers are more often first time buyers and they buy a Spyder product because they aren't aware that there are competing products available. "Spyder" has become the generic word for monitor calibration device, just as "Kleenex" is interchangeable with facial tissue. When someone recommends getting a monitor calibration device, they say, "You need to get a Spyder".

Am I delusional, or has 35 years in manufacturing, sales, and marketing taught me anything?

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but can someone please share where it is possible to buy a DTP-94 punk now? ICC doesn't seem to sell them anymore, and SpectraCal is going on their usual spiel about how they are the only ones selling it (and they don't seem to sell them standalone too).

Thanks for your help!