Color calibration may be a not so very often topic heard while talking about devices and new technology today, but it is an important process to let all of your displays shows the same actual colors. If your work requires accurate depiction of colors like photography or printing, Datacolor SpyderX Pro Vs X-rite ColorMunki Display are two reliable tools to have that will ease your jobs but, before shopping see which model will be your best choice and how to use them below.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
– Do you need to Calibrate Computer Display
– How to Calibrate Computer Display
– What are Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
– What Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display Look like
– How are the Colorimeter in Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
– How to Install Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
– How to use Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
– Datacolor SpyderX Pro Vs X-Rite ColorMunki Display
Display Calibration
Almost all of us at least used the computer for something whether it is for professional purposes like work related tasks or just to view your social media accounts. This high technology device is everywhere today so it is hard to imagine living without one. What seems many of us not paying attention is when to color calibrate the monitor because it is not an issue for the majority of people or computer users yet it does for anyone whose works are related with editing lots of colors.
Display calibration is not a new thing because our operating system is already coming with the menu to let its users calibrate their monitor manually whether it is Windows or Mac OS. This process is necessary because in fact, our monitor is not always showing the correct colors and this is the issue when tested prints are different than what we have done to improve it. For casual users who are only using the computer to work on text and numbers, this process is not necessary in the slightest.
However, for users like photographers or designers who need to make sure that the result in physical form will be the same as they intended it to be, calibrating the monitor is one step to achieve the goal. It is of course not the process for all people, especially those whose works are shared online since uploading files will alter the quality as well and we can’t control how other viewers will see the image or videos we are working on.
Display Calibration Methods
Color calibration can be cheap or expensive as you need it to be because as it has been mentioned above, Windows and Mac OS are already coming with their own calibrating menu so we can use it anytime. If you have never done it before, the steps are overall very simple so anyone whose used to computer can do it without any issue. However, these adjustments specifically gamma, brightness, contrast, and color balance are judged by our own eyes.
Its accuracy is not something we can be proud of just like measuring a temperature with our skin so it is definitely not made for professional or any serious users who need to get the best result. This is why there is display calibration tool which is designed to deliver a more accurate judgment on which color should be displayed by our monitor. The issue about display calibrator is most of them are quite expensive so only enthusiast or professional may want to afford them.
About Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
If you are going to need the monitor to display the correct color whether it is only one or across several displays at once, then a display calibrator is definitely for you. In the market, we don’t have many of them, unlike other computer peripherals which are coming from a wide range of manufacturers both inside and outside the United States. This is why we should be able to shop quickly and when it comes to calibrator, Datacolor and X-Rite are always the most popular.
We are sure if you ever look for calibrator these names will just pop up in almost every page we open because they are currently leading the market and it is not surprising since they do offer the same reliable performance and more importantly, simpler calibration process. They have quite the options to choose from several models currently available and as for Datacolor, they just release new tools based on the classic Spyder5 that you can check on our Datacolor SpyderX Pro Vs SpyderX Elite.
These brothers are highly rated but most of the specifications and features are the same with Elite being the more capable option. As for X-Rite, their new model is i1Display Pro but the popularity of its ColorMunki is still undeniably strong. Today we are going to see how the newer SpyderX Pro compared to this highly adored calibrator and let users to choose which model will suit their taste the most. However, since Datacolor just released this version, its price will certainly be higher than X-Rite.
The most similar thing about these two besides their capabilities to calibrate monitor reliably is the price range since they are equally a middle ground between basic and high or marketed more towards novice users and budget professionals. The SpyderX Pro is replacing the Spyder5 Pro so if you ever used the older version, overall the performance will be the same. On the other hand ColorMunki is the little brother of i1Display Pro and what’s interesting is it used the same colorimeter as the new flagship.
Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display Design
The old Spyder5 Pro is coming in black fashion but this new machine is sporting a different fashion, in pure white yet the form factor or design is still the same while the ColorMunki is also still with its older thick and narrow colorimeter. What makes the new SpyderX Pro an upgraded model of its predecessor is the colorimeter because now it is slightly redesigned with lens protecting the sensor and filters as opposed to the classic tools to elevate longevity.
When X-Rite ColorMunki Display was first release the technology or design it has were still new and it is because the colorimeter has new 3 RGB channels with organic glass filters to ensure users about its durability. Similarly, it has a little weight on the cable to stabilize the tool when you placed it in front of the monitor by hanging it above the display. While X-Rite send the product with installation CD, Datacolor only send the product code and ask us to download their latest program on the site.
Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display Colorimeter
Datacolor SpyderX Pro is loved by many and when it was first released with the Elite version, we are surprised to see the new colorimeter used in both versions are the same. This new colorimeter has been improved from the older tool because the new generation sensor comes with lens placed in front of it and it is said to be able to improve reading accuracy as well as protect them while being used, making the unit last longer than its predecessor.
On the other hand, ColorMunki Display from X-Rite is using the popular 3 RGB channels colorimeter, the same we see on the new i1Display Pro featured with organic glass filters. Comparing this tool to the one we get from Datacolor, it is also versatile for projector calibration because the tool is convertible with a mini stand which then creates a similar standing form of a projector when you need to calibrate it as well.
Installing Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
When it comes to ease of use, Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display are the same because the step to install and set the prior adjustment are almost identical. We need to install their software and register the product first when using Datacolor then we will be guided to set some options such as which sensor being used in SpyderX Pro or deciding standard profile and ADC check for laptop and iMac which only have brightness settings as their screen adjustment in ColorMunki.
Using Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display
The prior settings are actually straightforward and easy to complete before we are going to be guided into the main menu where all the works are done. The first screen of Datacolor software will be reminding you of the preparation before calibrating monitor such a letting it on for min 30 minutes or checking the room light while X-rite profiler instantly detect which monitor we currently use after we select what device to calibrate between monitor and projector.
If the software is for SpyderX Elite, we will also have the same projector option but not in Pro version. The X-Rite profiler after this step will let you choose to calibrate in Easy or Advanced mode depend on which you see better but what you may want to notice that the Easy mode doesn’t adjust brightness and have the ambient light as mandatory. Datacolor software on the other hand will start the step by step calibration process and overall they are similarly easy to follow.
Comparison
Overall Datacolor SpyderX Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki Display are a reliable calibrator and they are working similarly good to show you the most accurate color in the displays whether it is only one or several. The prominent difference is probably on the ability to calibrate projector with ColorMunki which is not possible with Datacolor Pro software. As for details in adjustment, the new colorimeter of SpyderX Pro seems to be richer.
Datacolor SpyderX Pro vs X-Rite ColorMunki Display
Conclusion
Both of these display calibrators are equally good and works great for beginners or more serious users who want to try calibrating their monitors. However, if we are to choose, we do feel more comfortable with Datacolor software and since the SpyderX Pro use new technology, its colorimeter is more reliable as well.
