Monitors

Rik · Sep 11, 2008, 11:24:42

Try this, Steve:

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps10_colour/ps10_1.htm

To be fair, it's a huge area and not one which is easily summarised. The whole concept of colour space is tricky to get to grips with - essentially, what we are talking about is a restricted portion of the visible spectrum. By tagging images with a particular profile, we allow more accurate 'translation' of the intended colours between different devices. Monitors are RGB, which has a far wider gamut than most printers, which are CMYK (though, usually, the printer driver is an RGB device and makes the translation for you). The other thing a profile takes into account is the dynamic range of the device, always higher for a radiant model (eg a monitor) than a reflected one (eg a print).

It's probably easier to try and answer your questions than explain the whole subject, but try the primer as a starter.

Steve · Sep 11, 2008, 11:33:27

Thanks Rik , I do need to get to grips with basic science so I understand what effect my changes in image colour will have on the eventual output and indeed achieve the colours I want to achieve without trial and error.

Rik · Sep 11, 2008, 11:40:23

Well, the best place to start is by remembering that all this stuff was dreamt up by people who's lives were spent achieving accurate colour reproduction.

IOW, they went through a lot of training (3-5 year apprenticeships, degrees etc). Don't be hard on yourself if you don't, immediately 'get it', I had lots of mentors patiently explaining the issues until I clicked.

Simon · Sep 11, 2008, 12:40:52

I'm not sure I buy all this calibration business. Who's to say what's right or wrong? Surely it all depends on your own eyes, and if it looks good to you, isn't that as 'right' as it can be? I used a calibration DVD on my TV, and after following all the tests, and tweaks, I ended up losing all the depth of blacks, and readjusted it myself!

vitriol · Sep 11, 2008, 12:44:08

At Samsung we had colour analysers, was easy with them !

Rik · Sep 11, 2008, 12:45:25

It's not calibrating to be pleasing to the eye, though, Simon, it's calibrating to accurately reproduce colour and grey scale. I wouldn't calibrate my TV as I do the monitor. It's right because the software measures what is displayed against what should be displayed, and corrects as necessary. The resulting colour will then match all stages of the reprographic process providing that they all use colour profiles.

Simon · Sep 11, 2008, 12:54:09

But if it being 'correct' isn't pleasing to the eye, you're going to end up adjusting it again, so it's all a bit pointless, isn't it? Am I being difficult?

Rik · Sep 11, 2008, 12:56:55

Yes.

It depends on how you use the monitor. The Eizo has a number of modes I can flick through, so I have one set up for graphics, with absolute colour accuracy, calibrated by machine. I have another for watching DVDs, calibrated by eye, another for text (lower brightness) and so on. There is only one correct settings for doing photographic work, but I wouldn't want to view the forum with it for a day! 8)

Simon · Sep 11, 2008, 13:00:15

Oh, I couldn't be doing with all that fiddling about. Set it and forget it is my motto!

Sebby · Sep 11, 2008, 13:10:00

Quote from: psp83 on Sep 11, 2008, 11:13:24
Nope.. got no colour ink in the printer

psp83 · Sep 12, 2008, 21:54:56

The huey still not came

And they haven't picked the monitor up yet, was meant to pick it up yesterday..

Can't they do anything correct

except for taking your money!!!

Sebby · Sep 12, 2008, 22:44:20

If they don't collect it, then that's their problem. You've done your bit now.

Rik · Sep 13, 2008, 09:40:41

Quote from: psp83 on Sep 12, 2008, 21:54:56
And they haven't picked the monitor up yet, was meant to pick it up yesterday..

Charge them rent.

psp83 · Sep 23, 2008, 12:08:59

They still haven't picked the 2nd one up yet.. 2wks tomorrow.

Is there any law that says i can keep it ?

Simon · Sep 23, 2008, 12:50:47

Rik will know. I suspect, after a certain amount of time, it becomes yours.

Lance · Sep 23, 2008, 12:55:32

I don't think it is unreasonable for you do write to them saying if it isn't collected by end of Friday, you'll start charging storage costs. Send it first class recorded though!

Sebby · Sep 23, 2008, 13:10:57

Quote from: Lance on Sep 23, 2008, 12:55:32
I don't think it is unreasonable for you do write to them saying if it isn't collected by end of Friday, you'll start charging storage costs. Send it first class recorded though!

Or if they don't collect it, it'll be thrown out... Except it won't really.

Rik · Sep 23, 2008, 14:16:59

Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, Paul, it is a criminal offence to demand payment for unsolicited goods from a consumer. Any goods delivered can be kept, for free, by the consumer. So, give them a period, say 7 days, to collect the monitor, advising that after that time you will assume ownership of the monitor and that title in same shall pass to you.

psp83 · Sep 23, 2008, 15:28:48

Quote from: Rik on Sep 23, 2008, 14:16:59So, give them a period, say 7 days, to collect the monitor, advising that after that time you will assume ownership of the monitor and that title in same shall pass to you.

Its been 2wks already since i first contacted them, i'm not going to keep chasing them to pick it up when its not a free phone number!

So i can class the monitor as mine now

Rik · Sep 23, 2008, 15:31:39

Technically, yes. A court would have to be satisfied you'd acted reasonably, Paul, which is why I suggest sending them a letter using the Recorded delivery/Signed for service and setting a time span for them to take action. If they ignore that, a court would almost certainly find in your favour.

(It used to be covered by the Unsolicited Goods Act, which stated that if they failed to collect within six months, the goods automatically passed to the recipient.)

psp83 · Sep 23, 2008, 16:33:51

Will email be good enough? insted of snail mail?

Rik · Sep 23, 2008, 16:37:16

It's harder to prove receipt, Paul.

psp83 · Oct 28, 2008, 12:30:32

I still have the 2nd monitor.

Delivery was 10th September 2008 (1 day late for what i paid for)

Phoned them on 10th September stating they sent 2 when i only ordered 1, they said it would be picked up on the 11th September 2008, no one came as i stayed in all day.

Its now 28th October 2008 and i've not heard anything from them.

I did send them a letter but the royal mail site has not been updated to say if its been signed for or not so i guess it's lost in the post!

What shall i do now? keep it?

Rik · Oct 28, 2008, 12:32:50

Get your money back from RM for failing to get a signature for starters, Paul, then send a second 'signed for' letter giving them seven days to arrange to collect the monitor at a time convenient to you, after which you will take the monitor to be an unsolicited gift, and yours to dispose of as you wish.

psp83 · Oct 28, 2008, 12:36:02

Quote from: Rik on Oct 28, 2008, 12:32:50
Get your money back from RM for failing to get a signature for starters, Paul, then send a second 'signed for' letter giving them seven days to arrange to collect the monitor at a time convenient to you, after which you will take the monitor to be an unsolicited gift, and yours to dispose of as you wish.

Should i ask for compensation for keeping the monitor this long if they do pick it up?