News

Home Theater Calibration with Datacolor ColorFacts Professional 6.0 (21/12/2005)

Stand M07, ISE 2006

Integrated C3 module provides direct access to compatible High-end Displays such as selected models of the Pioneer 6G PURE Vision Black Plasma TV Series

Datacolor, world-wide leader of color management technologies announces market-launch of the ColorFacts professional color calibration system version 6.0. In addition to a new sensor and extended measuring functions the new, integrated C3 software module offers advanced calibration functions on the device control software which expand the factory defaults. The ColorFacts C3 method for optimizing the image parameters has been certified by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF). Already at this stage, a number of d isplay manufacturers, such as Pioneer with a selection of i ts new 6th Generation Plasma TV series, offer direct interfaces for ColorFacts Professional 6.0, allowing individual customization of the panel settings.

"ColorFacts Professional 6.0 has been developed with the professional high-end home cinema market in mind and is targeted at developers and experts who install equipment for their customers", says Felix von Vogelsang, Sales Manager EMEA for the Home Theater Division at Datacolor. "Equally, test labs that measure characteristics and performance of video display systems are interested in using ColorFacts Professional as a reference system."

"Our 6th generation plasma TVs - the PURE Vision Black series - incorporate our PURE Drive 2HD digital video processing to deliver optimal picture quality from a wide variety of sources. Images are clearer, smoother, sharper and more realistic than ever before. At the same time we are however convinced that each panel can still be optimized by individual customizationto the source devices that are connected to it, as well as by taking into account the actual viewing and lighting conditions", comments Marnix Somers, Director of the Plasma Business Division at Pioneer Europe. "By building a direct C3 interface for certified solutions such as ColorFacts Professional into selected 6G Plasma TV configurations, we ensure that our customers can get the best possible image quality with our high-end panels, while allowing our business partners to add value via an optional calibration service."

Datacolor ColorFacts Professional 6.0 is a color measuring and calibration system for optimizing display units such as plasma and LCD TV, and front and back projectors. It consists of hardware and software components. The solution is based on a sensor that measures the PAL and NTSC signals as well as the new HDTV format on the screen and then transmits the measured data to a computer that has calibration software installed. The latest version of ColorFacts Professional 6.0 comes with the advanced Spyder2-Colorimeter and can support more than a dozen third-party sensors. Moreover, the ColorFacts Professional software boasts a direct interface to most commercially available signal generators. Among the innovations in ColorFacts Professional 6.0 the screen calibration method deserves particular mention. The ColorFacts C3 module which is integrated in the application provides direct and full access to the connected display for any devices that it supports - such as selected Pioneer's 6G plasma TVs - which goes way beyond the menu functionality offered by a remote control. What's more, the expert can use the C3 to store protected calibration data on the set, preventing the owner from inadvertently changing (and losing) the settings.

Other innovations: Calibration wizards for high-quality video wall projections, control and monitoring centers for calibrating dig ital displays based on DLP and L CoS technology, Internet integration, new color spaces, and much more.

"We work closely with our customers in the video calibrating market, in order to find out what matters to them when it comes to our products", says Christoph Gamper, Datacolor's General Manager for the EMA ColorVision Business Unit. "We listen to our customers and respond to their needs - for example the demand for analytical tools to be used in the growing DLP and LCoS display market. The results are reflected in our products. The takeover of the calibration specialist Milori and our cooperation with the technology expert Mark Hunter are good examples for our approach."

The Windows-based calibration software of ColorFacts Professional 6.0 in combination with the Spyder2 Colorimeter and a suitable attachment make up a complete system for analyzing and optimizing display parameters - directly on screen. A software wizard takes the user through the calibration process which involves a few mouse clicks to initiate specific tests for evaluating luminance distribution, grayscales, contrast, or primary and secondary colors. Another wizard a scertains constant measurements by p erforming a " dark reading " at the sensor prior to each pass. This works by obscuring the light opening completely so that the sensor can reset its zero point. Another wizard is in charge of c reating reports. ColorFacts even has an integrated Database Creator for systematically archiving the results.

ColorFacts Professional 6.0 - characteristics:

¥ Target-oriented, menu-driven color measurement programs
¥ Intuitive, fully customizable user interface
¥ Internally or externally generated test images
¥ C3 calibration
¥ Wizard for synchronizing different measuring instruments
¥ Automatic display of all important screen parameters without user intervention
¥ Wizard for display calibration
¥ Measurement and display of gamma values
¥ Target-specific image correction using the "bull's eye" principle
¥ Measurement and display of feasible color spaces
¥ Free choice of reference color system: (NTSC, ATSC/HDTV, PAL/SECAM, user-defined)
¥ Definable calibration targets (A, B, C, D50, D55, D65, D75, E, 9300 K, user-defined color temperature or coordinates)
¥ Import and export of various formats (*.csv, *.bmp, *.jpg, *.pdf)
¥ Integrated address book
¥ Calibration of video walls and multi-display systems
¥ Full reporting
¥ Direct integration of test DVDs (Avia, Video Essentials, PF Test Disc)
¥ Direct integration of signal generators

Complete English version of ColorFacts Professional 6.0 available immediately at a price of 2,050.00 Euro. The ColorFacts software included in Version 6.0 is available for 1,900.00 Euro. A German-language menu interface will be available as a free download for existing customers in spring 2006.

www.colorvision.ch/hometheater