The SpyderTV HD is a gizmo that takes the guesswork out of configuring a display by sensing the output through a USB sensor connected to a PC. What you get in the package is the Spyder device, some cables to hang it in the middle of your screen, a software disc and test pattern output in both DVD and Blu-ray formats.
After hanging the 'Spyder4TV‘ on the monitor, you reset the TV/monitor to its default settings and the software then guides you through the adjustments you need to make. However, it takes slightly longer than that statement would suggest, because you need to let the screen warm up for at least 30 minutes beforehand.
What’s nice about the software is that it allows you to store the calibration against the name of the TV, which is useful if you use it to calibrate many screens and not just one It's worth noting that the actual settings might change over the life of the hardware, so it might be something you'll do every few months or so.
So what do I think of what the SpyderTV HD does? It's not quite up to the calibration that photography professionals might desire, but it’s better than mucking about in the hope of hitting a settings sweet spot by accident. I had only two issues, the first of which is that you're supposed to reduce ambient light to test by drawing the curtains, which is not how I watch TV. That meant I needed to brighten the display somewhat from optimum. The other problem was caused by my Sharp Aquos and its dynamic contrast ratio control.
The Aquos does a trick where in a dark scene it lowers the backlight to make things really dark, but that entirely ruins some movies. It should be a de-selectable feature, but on mine it seems to remain active whatever I do That’s a personal problem and not one the Spyder4TV can address, but it’s worth knowing that on occasion display makers aren't very helpful in this objective.
At $129.99 this is probably too much for a typical home user with one big TV and a couple of monitors, although I'd be keen to have it handy But for any business that relies on display quality, it's is an effective means to tweak displays to their best. Having them set to the best possible output can reduce eye-strain and improves the working environment.
Those that use colour professionally should take a look at Datacolor’s higher-end calibration tools, which are aimed at providing colour accurate settings for print and media presentation.
Gef the most from your TV by using your PC to calibrate it.
Spyder4TV HD Specifications
System RequirementsOperating System | Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X (10.4 and up) |
Monitor Resolution | 1024x768 or higher |
Video Card | 16-bit or higher |
RAM | 128MB, 100MB hard disc |
Player | Blu-ray, DVD |
Remote Control | TV, Player |
In the box | Spyder4TV HD colorimeter, SpyderWeb TV mount, software CD, Blu-ray disc, DVD disc (NTSC and PAL), Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card |
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