Header banner
Revain logoHome Page
Elmito Yeager photo
1 Level
1244 Review
49 Karma

Review on ๐Ÿ“บ Colorvision SPYDER3 TV Colorimeter - (Discontinued) Enhanced for SEO by Elmito Yeager

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Spyder 3 TV by Colorvision

If you are trying to get the best picture quality from your HDTV with its many picture settings, Spyder3 TV Calibrator is a step in the right direction compared to DVD programs with their visual calibration Direction . The suction cup device attaches to the center of your screen and you run a Windows program with various test patterns (takes about 30 minutes) and then get a report on the optimal display settings. This resulted in an improvement, but there are a few issues to be aware of. First, each device connected to the HDTV (DVD, DVR, cable box, etc.) has its own color decoding scheme) so only the DVD source can be calibrated using the software that came with it. So you still have to manipulate other sources. And if your TV doesn't save settings for each input, overall calibration can be problematic at best. Second, most TV manufacturers deviate from the optimal color palette to make their TVs stand out in the showroom. This is usually defined as a red cast, making skin tones look bleached by the sun and making other colors less accurate. Access to these settings is only possible through the hidden service menu and requires adjustment of professional equipment. Second, my DVD player has its own color menu settings, so I asked Colorvision support for advice on where to start with the basic settings, but got no response. This is a minus in my book! For the price at Revain's Christmas sale, the Spyder3 TV was worth it. At its usual price, it's overpriced for the end results. If you want the best, most accurate picture from your HDTV, it's still worth paying ($300-$400) to have the calibration done by a knowledgeable professional.

Pros
  • Well built
Cons
  • No insurance