Colorvision, SPYDER3 Tv, Colorimeter (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

If you are trying to squeeze the best picture quality out of your HDTV with its myriad of picture settings, the Spyder3 TV calibrator is a step in the right direction beyond DVD programs with their visual calibration. The suction cup device attaches to the center of your screen and you run a Windows software program of various test patterns (takes about 30 minutes) and then you have a report of optimum display settings. This did make an improvement, but there are several issues to be aware of. First, each device connected to your HDTV (DVD, DVR, cable box, etc.) has its own color decoding circuitry), so only the DVD source can be calibrated with the included software. So, you will still have to manipulate other sources. And if your TV does not save settings per input, an overall calibration can be problematical, at best. Second, most TV manufacturers vary the color palette from optimum, so their TV's stand out in a showroom. This is usually defined as red push, so flesh tones have a sunburned look and other colors are less accurate. These settings can only be accessed through a hidden service menu and need proper adjustment with professional equipment. Second, my DVD player has its own color menu settings, so I contacted Colorvision support for advice on where to start with base settings, but got no response. That's a negative in my book! At its Christmas sale price on Amazon, the Spyder3 TV was worthwhile. At its regular price, it is too expensive for the end results. If you want the best and most accurate viewing from your HDTV, it is still worth the expense ($300-400) to have a knowledgeable professional do the calibration.

The Spyder3 seemed pretty well made, but the included instructions were a bit skimpy. Install the software on a laptop, attach the Spyder3, and follow the prompts; pretty simple. After darkening the room, changing the plasma settings as per the instructions and all that, the calibration itself is easy if a bit tedious. It would help to have someone man the TV and DVD remote while you work the computer. One little gripe; the suction cup that's supposed to hold the Spyder3 to the plasma screen kept letting go after 2 or 3 minutes. Got annoying enough to get the tripod out and use that instead. Anyway, after all was said and done, found the resulting recommended settings too dark. Popped in Rattatoie BlueRay, and just couldn't stand how dark everything was. Paused at a night scene, and found a lot of detail was being swallowed up in the shadows. However, only needed to brighten the picture a bit to reveal the lost details, and didn't need to adjust the contrast for resulting highlights. Overall, am satisfied with the color balance, but a bit disappointed with the how dark the recommended settings were. Maybe if the room wasn't "darkened" as recommended for calibration, but left instead with normal ambient lighting? Also, found that for regular TV viewing, even after my own setting tweaks, the picture was a wee bit dark. But that's more of a TV rather than a calibration issue I suppose. I'd like to try one of the Pantone systems as a comparison, but overall can't complain for the Spyder3's simplicity.Oh BTW, tried it on my computer monitors too. Worked fine.

I bought the Spyder 3TV along with the DVE DVD for my 52inch Samsung. What every one has said about the Spyder not having some options for adjustment is true, they could have made the computer program have more options for some adjustments or have more set up options. Now, I took the DVE DVD and did a comparison with what the Spyder 3TV said my LCD should be set at. The only difference was the brightness. The Spyder program told me to set the brightness lower then the DVE DVD, but not by much. How ever, I did find out that there are some bad Spyder 3TV probes. After doing some reviews on the Spyder probes that some are being shipped that are not calibrated properly, sometimes you do get a bad apple thats why I bought the DVE DVD as well as the Spyder. The one I have works and works great. My LCD looked good out of the box, but now the picture looks great. I'm thinking about taking my lap top and putting up a few advertisements, not charging as much a Best Buy charges but maybe $50 to $100 to set up other TVs. I have already set up about 20 TVs for friends and family, why not get paid for it....

I used this on my new Panasonic 50 inch plasma, 9 year old Hitachi 53 inch rear projection, and front projection tv setup in my basement.Took around 40 minutes for each calibration.It did a very nice job with the colors (main reason I bought it due to my color blindness), as well as the rest of the settings.Really could see the difference on all three.My wife even commented on how nice the colors looked, and she NEVER notices the tweaks I make to the settings. (She's not a big Tech geek like me).The Plasma settings were much "cooler" and not as bright as the original settings (or my attempt at manually setting it up).Should extend the life of my plasma and cut down on my electric bill.I'd recommend this.Only one problem.Don't use the suction cup to hold the unit in place. It will fall off in a second. Instead, use the sliding counter-weight to center it and then lightly lean a tripod up against it to keep it against the screen.Other than that, it's great...

I was at first nervous to use this but I said what the heck and tried it. Was very easy to use!! The first TV took me 30 minutes by the 3rd it only took me 10. Pictures looks great! I have tried the DVD versions of the calibrators and was never impressed. I felt this had done it's job. I only gave the product 4 of 5 as I would have liked to see more features on and possible a update. Definitely would recommend this to anyone who wants to get the most out of a LCD TV.