i1Display Pro review

The i1Display 2 has been a reliable and popular calibration device for several years. However, when we first looked at it, many people were still using CRT based displays and LCD displays only had fluorescent back-lighting inside them.

Display technology has moved on, with wider ranges of colours (gamut) and new LED based back-lighting.

Keith Cooper has been testing X-rite's latest display and projector calibrator, the i1 Display Pro, an all new design of colorimeter.

There is a more basic version called the ColorMunki Display (full review), which is aimed at a wider market. This review looks in detail at the 'Pro' version. It compares specifications between the devices later in the review and offers some thoughts as to what might best suit different users.

The examples shown are using Apple Macs, but the software generally works in the same way on Windows machines.

Buy the i1Display Pro or Colormunki display at Amazon.com ... or try at Adorama

Monitor Profiling

Only the other day I was visiting a company to give them some photography training and I discovered that not one monitor in their design department was calibrated.

Colour variation between screens was accepted as 'just one of those things' and thought to be part of the difficulties of getting accurate colour.

Fortunately I had a monitor calibrator with me and was able to show the difference it made to my laptop - colour management isn't about perfect colour (whatever that is), in a business context it's about getting things right first time more often. I believe quite a few calibrators are now on order (we don't sell equipment or software by the way)

It won't magically make your prints match your screen, but it should help improve things. If you can't say that the colours on your screen are accurate, then how can you be sure what to expect when someone else looks at your images or prints them.

I'm going to assume that if you are reading this review then you've probably decided you need some form of calibration...

However, just in case you are still wondering just what this 'Colour management' stuff is, I've a very short guide to colour management page that might be of help. There are also links to further information at the end of this article.

i1Display Pro

The key new hardware features are listed by X-rite as:

new optical system
new filter technology
new spectral calibration architecture
supports all modern LCD display technologies including; CCFL, White LED, RGB LED, and Wide Gamut display technologies as well as projectors.

Software has also moved on from the old i1Match software used previously for monitor calibration and profiling.

The new device uses i1 Profiler software - this is an updated version of what I looked at in our i1Profiler reviews

X-rite lists new functionality as:

Ambient Light Measurement – automatically determine the optimum display
Ambient Light Smart Control – automatically monitor changes in ambient light conditions
Flare Correct - compensate for flare light (or glare) falling on surface of display
Intelligent Iterative Profiling, - an adaptive technology that produces optimised results for maximum colour accuracy
Automatic Display Control (ADC) technology automates the adjustment of your display's hardware (brightness/back-light, contrast, and colour temperature) eliminating manual adjustments

I'll look at some of these later and try and separate the useful from the marketing led ;-)

What do you get

The design of the new i1 Display device is a quite different one from the normal 'puck' style, such as the i1 Display 2 below.

In the photo below, you can see the diffuser at the top, which is used for measuring ambient light.

If you move your mouse over the image you can see how it rotates out of the way to reveal the sensor itself

The black object to the left is the counterweight. This attaches to the USB cable and hangs behind your monitor when measuring it. The lead should be long enough for most display setups and the device worked fine plugged into one of the USB ports on our Apple monitor.

There is a light on the side of the device which flashes during operation in a reassuring way. If you leave the device connected for ambient light measurement, then I suppose it helps remind you that it's on your desk...

The sensor has a huge lens in front of it - be careful handling the device, since fingerprints won't benefit the long term accuracy of the device.

The 1/4-20 standard tripod thread is on the bottom of the unit.

If you're setting up a projector, then you will need a tripod head that tilts 90 degrees.

The measurements for projectors are carried out with the diffuser out of the way of the sensor.

The software runs on Macs and PCs, but it's worth noting that it won't run on older PPC based Macs.

Monitors

I tried the i1 Display Pro on a MacBook Pro laptop and my own dual display Mac Pro desktop machine.

If you already know the new i1 Profiler software, then there is nothing new here. You are effectively using a different measuring device to run the same software that you would be using with an i1 Pro spectrophotometer.

So for all those people who wondered why you couldn't use an i1 Display 2 with i1 Profiler, then answer was (as widely guessed) that a new measuring device was on its way.

If you've an i1 Display Pro device plugged in, then i1 Profiler shows that the monitor/projector profiling parts of the software are enabled.

I'll cover some of the basic aspects of display profiling here, but if you're interested in the more advanced options, I'd suggest also having a look at the particular review of monitor profiling in i1 Profiler that I wrote a short while ago.

The majority of users should be comfortable with the basic/default setting for their monitors.

The only aspect I'd normally alter, is to use a reduced luminance of 100 cd/m2 for my desktop screens.

This lower luminance can help me get better shadow detail in my prints, since having your monitor too bright is the most common cause of prints coming out too dark.

Note the text to the side of the settings - this is context based help and offers some assistance in choosing your settings.

There is no shortage of options, although I'd suggest that very few people will make use of some settings (and even fewer actually have a good reason to do so ;-)

One example, from a more specialised setup, might be measuring the light from your print viewing cabinet, to match colours more accurately.

This is however beyond the sorts of use I really require for any of our work here at Northlight.

Whistles and bells?

You can see that there is a setting for the grandly named 'Ambient Light Smart Control'.

This will adjust your monitor profile based on ambient light characteristics.

I'm told by X-Rite that this is most definitely not the Pantone huey 'randomly adjust my monitor when the sun goes behind a cloud' feature that I regularly tell people to deactivate.

That said, the idea of my monitor setup changing of its own accord is not one I'm comfortable with, and was pleased to see that it defaults to 'off'.

Creating a profile

The device will measure a number of colours on your screen, and can set screen brightness automatically if the feature (ADC) is available.

The device reports back the position of the ambient sensor cover, and reminds you to move it if need be.

Here's the device attached to my laptop, ready for measurement.

In general, I'd always suggest carrying out calibration in dimmed lighting, so as to minimise any interference with the measurements (particularly since the detector covers quite a lot of the device's screen 'footprint'.

The whole screen flashes different colours during the measurement process, which takes a few minutes.

After the readings are taken, you can see target/measured colours.

I usually set a meaningful profile name, but then again I test a lot of different kit - for most people, just take the suggested name.

I always put profiles at the system level, since one profile covers all my uses of the computer. However, you might have multiple users who prefer different setups for different tasks, where the user level profiles are more appropriate.

If you do take this approach, then be very careful that you know just who is logged in to the machine if you are looking at an image on the screen.

A whole stack of 'test images' are available for before/after comparison. To my mind, too many, and with not very clear names (YMMV)

Display curves and a 3D gamut display are also available for your perusal and amusement.

Using the i1 Display pro for projectors

I tested projector profiling using a Sony VPL-CX21 XGA projector connected to my laptop - once again the software is very similar under windows.

The base of the device has a 1/4" standard tripod mounting underneath, so you will need to tilt your tripod head to point the sensor at the screen.

The ambient diffuser can be used as a stand, if you've somewhere it can rest during the process.

You can just follow the on screen instructions for projector calibration.

The only white point setting for projectors is 'native'. It's suggested that this is due to the typical viewing environment and that any other set point would diminish display brightness. Whilst this is true, I'd have liked to have the choice...

You may want to alter the controls 'by eye' on the projector before the process, since I've found that getting the projector looking reasonably OK before calibration can make for better final results.

See the ColorMunki Display review for a more comprehensive look at aspects of projector calibration

Advanced features

The software offers numerous more advanced profiling and measurement options.

I'd suggest that unless you know you need them and more importantly -why- you need them, then such items are for the curious wishing to experiment.

The majority of potential users (myself included) are well served by the good range of standard options.

I've covered some of these options in the i1 Profiler software review, which is based on using an i1 Pro spectrophotometer, rather than the i1 Display Pro colorimeter reviewed here.

You can import and add colours to the target set that is used in the profiling process or profile QA (quality assurance) and profile optimisation.

The spot colours will need to be in a CxF3 (Color Exchange Format 3) library.

You can add Pantone spot colours via the Pantone Color Manager software.

QA functionality

The display QA functionality is, I'm sure, of use if you are looking after a large number of colour critical displays and want to spot variation and change, or which are 'best'.

Display QA Workflow (from X-Rite)

Visual validation using pre-defined and user defined images
Measurement based validation using industry standard targets and reference data sets (SWOP, Gracol, Fogra, etc.)
Measurement based validation using PANTONE colour and libraries
Measurement based validation using colours extracted from user defined images
User defined PASS/FAIL deltaE tolerance for average and maximum values
Colour accuracy trending over time (per connected display)
Display Uniformity Test
Measure white point and luminance uniformity over 9 locations on display
User defined PASS/FAIL tolerance

The quality test runs colour found on the standard ColorChecker card

After running the display QA test for my MacBook Pro, it failed!

As you can see, some colours are not close enough to meet the dE 1976 requirements.

Results can be graphed over time for recording the inevitable slow decline of your monitor's performance...

The Display Uniformity feature allows you to measure your monitor’s ability to display colour consistently across the whole screen. Data is collected by measuring the centre and then at eight additional points around the perimeter of the screen.

Results are reported in luminance difference (dL*) as well as color difference (dE).

Dealing with reflections?

One of the advanced features of the i1 Display Pro solution is a means of addressing the effect of ambient lighting on your screen.

This is certainly an issue, and one of the reasons that real colour purists dress in black and work in exceedingly dull looking offices...

However I'm minded to think that if reflected light from your screen is that much of a problem, then you should address your working environment first, not tweak your monitor settings to try and cope.

Using i1 Profiler with the i1 Display Pro allows you to create monitor profiles that allow for such effects.

You do this by taking additional measurements with the sensor not in contact with the screen. This light measured is a combination of screen output and reflections.

It's worth noting that X-rite's notes suggest that using this mode may lead to 'reduced colorimetric accuracy'.

Comparison with ColorMunki Display

We have a lengthy review of the ColorMunki Display, which covers this in much more detail, but it's worth pointing out the key differences between the two packages:

(Data from X-Rite)

Features	ColorMunki Display	i1Display Pro
Recommended For:	Serious & professional photographers and designers	Professional photographers, studios, designers, prepress or any imaging pro
KEY FUNCTIONS
Monitor Profiling:	YES	YES
Projector Profiling:	YES	YES
HARDWARE
Colorimeter Device:	ColorMunki Display	i1Display
Ambient Light Measurement:	Luminance	Luminance & Colour
Threaded Tripod Mount:	YES	YES
Integrated Ambient Diffuser:	YES	YES
Integrated Counter Weight:	YES	YES
Measurement Speed:	Standard	5x faster than Standard
All in One Design:	YES	YES
Status LED:	YES	YES
Support for New & Emerging Display Technologies:	CCFL, White LED, RGB LED, Wide Gamut, New Future (field upgradable)	CCFL, White LED, RGB LED, Wide Gamut, New Future (field upgradable)
SOFTWARE
Platform:	ColorMunki	i1Profiler
User Interface:	Wizard - Easy & Advanced modes	Wizard - Basic Mode
	-	User Driven - Advanced mode, direct access workflow
White Point:	Pre-defined	Pre-defined, Custom or Measured
White Luminance:	Pre-defined	Pre-defined, Custom or Measured
Contrast Ratio:	Native	Native or User Defined
Tone Response:	Pre-defined options (1.8, 2.2)	Pre-defined (1.8, 2.2, 3.0, sRGB)
Ambient Light Smart Control:	YES	YES
Flare Correct:	YES	YES
Characterization Target:	Iterative	Iterative and Optimised based on PANTONE colours or specific images
Display Calibration
X-Rite ADC (Automatic Display Control):
Apple and Other DDC Displays:	YES	YES
Multiple Display Profiling:	YES	YES
Multiple Display Matching:	Yes - Display Match feature	Yes - Save, reuse, & share workflows
Profile Validation:	Visual	Visual and Numeric
Display Quality Assurance:	NO	YES
Display Uniformity Test:	NO	YES
Ambient Light Monitoring:	YES	YES
Ambient Light Correction Over Time:	YES	YES
Profile Reminder:	YES	YES

The ColorMunki software is designed to be simpler to use, but is essentially doing the same thing, if you stick to the simpler options.

Conclusions

The new colorimeter represents the latest from X-Rite and follows on from the very popular i1 Display 2 (and basic i1 Display LT version)

Advances in monitor technologies are covered by this new device (along with the option of updating aspects the device for future display technologies)

As a monitor calibrator, it works quickly and effectively, and profiles compare favourably with devices many times as expensive.

If I was looking for a comprehensive profiling solution for print and display, I'd certainly consider i1 Profiler with an i1 iSis for measuring and creating my printer profiles and an i1 Display Pro for my monitors.

I've not included any detailed numbers here, but the profile for my laptop (after a few more adjustments) seemed smoother in the shadows than that made with an i1 Pro spectrophotometer (the i1Display Pro being a colorimeter).

The software can seem a little complex if you were just looking for a monitor calibrator. To my mind the software still has rough edges in the usability department - nothing you won't get round, but it still feels like V1.0

Indeed, for basic calibration it's worth looking at the ColorMunki Display (full review). This is also a colorimeter which handles multiple monitors and projector profiling. It's noticeably slower to run, but for individual users this might not be so important.

• Note that the ColorMunki Display is -not- a replacement for the original ColorMunki, which is a Spectrophotometer and used for printer profiling -and- monitor calibration. More about Colorimeters and Spectrophotometers

The device does lack a bit of the solid feel of the old i1Display2 - I like to keep precision instruments in a drawer out of the way of dust and cups of tea - so having it sit on my desk all the while (for ambient light monitoring) is not a way I'd personally want to use it, even with the diffuser in place.

The ambient monitoring and 'flare' options certainly do work but are not, I suspect, included for more critical users.

I'd have preferred to see more comprehensive and detailed help directly available (explaining -why- there were certain options available for example). As such you have a myriad of options available in advanced mode, but no reason to pick anything in particular - although as I've said, you should perhaps take that as a hint that you don't need them...

I should note that X-Rite's web site does have more information available, but I feel it would be more use if some of it was included with the application.

The software installs quite a few background processes, that look for the device being plugged in, or handle ongoing ambient light measurement (if you wanted it for some reason). I found these mildly irksome and removed the startup items on my Mac - of course this means that I have to fire up an extra bit of software (i1 Profiler tray) when I want to use the calibrator, but I regard that as a minor issue compared to one less coloured icon along the top of my screen that I can't disable. Remember that I do quite a lot of testing and experimental work on my machines, so having assorted processes running for an application I might only run every other week is just one more potential conflict.

At the moment, the i1Display Pro hardware is only supported by the i1Profiler software - I'd expect this to change over time, much as it did with the i1Display 2, where the device was widely sold in the OEM market with monitors.

The i1 Display Pro comes with the Pantone Color Manager software.

Upgrade offer
Until September 30th, 2011, purchasers of a ColorMunki Display can trade in another colorimeter and receive a $25 rebate. Purchasers of an i1Display Pro can receive $40. The rebate offer is currently only valid in the U.S. and Canada.

Summary

Monitor calibrator with support for multiple monitor systems and projectors.

Uses i1 Profiler software for calibration and profile creation.

Also comes with PANTONE Color Manager software

Manufacturer details: X-rite

Software requirements

Macintosh

Intel CPU
Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6 [with latest upgrades installed]
1GB of available RAM
2GB of available hard disk space
Monitor resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels or higher
Dual display support requires either 2 video cards or a dual head video card that supports dual video LUTs being loaded
Powered USB port
DVD drive or high speed internet connection to download the software
Internet connection for software updates
User must have administrator rights to install, uninstall the application

Windows

Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP or better CPU
Windows XP 32 bit or 64-bit, Windows Vista 32 or 64-bit, Windows 7 32 or 64-bit
Latest service packs installed
1GB of available RAM
2GB of available hard disk space
Monitor resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels or higher
Dual display support requires either 2 video cards or a dual head video card that supports dual video LUTs being loaded
Powered USB port
Network adaptor installed and driver loaded
DVD drive or high speed internet connection to download the software
Internet connection required for software updates
User must have administrator rights to install, uninstall the application

"i1Display Pro includes an end user license agreement (EULA) allowing a single user the ability to install and run unlimited installations of i1Profiler software on any number of computers that he/she owns."

Before calibrating your monitor on Windows PC systems, you should check to see that Adobe gamma is turned off if it was installed. We've got a short guide to removing Adobe Gamma that might be of help.

More Info

ColorMunki Display - full review
i1Profiler - overview
i1Profiler - monitor profiling
i1Profiler - print profiling
Pantone Eye One Display 2 - monitor profiling. The measuring device is an Eye One Display 2 from GretagMacbeth, and uses the Eye One Match software. This review has additional information to that in our original GretagMacbeth Eye One Display 2 review, and compares features between the Display 2, Display LT and Huey.
An Introduction to colour management article by Keith and collection of CM info.
Colour management links on this site
The Viewing page - basic monitor set-up
Reviews - Other equipment and software reviews by Keith.
Why don't my prints match my screen?
A short article showing why there is more to getting your prints to match your screen, than just calibrating your monitor.
It's the vital first step, but you do need to consider some other factors for best results.
Why are my prints too dark - some basic suggestions to this common problem.

You can search all the hundreds of articles on the site for more information

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