How to Color Calibrate a Projector to Get Accurate Web Colors

August 13, 2015 2:16 PM

I need to do a presentation of a new website to some serious bigwigs, so I want to make sure that the colors presented are as spot-on as possible. Can anyone offer up advice on how to calibrate my 4000 ANSI Lumens projector so that the colors projected will most closely the original web design?
posted by Jamesonian to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

If you're really serious about this, the first step would be to buy a colour probe that can calibrate projectors. The Spyder5ELITE is available for around $300. Here is a webinar on using that product. The XRite ColorMunki Display is available for around $200.
posted by clawsoon at 2:34 PM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

Nthing color calibration. I have a Spyder, it's a good product.
Also, if possible don't use a projector. A monitor or TV will have more accurate color.
posted by doomsey at 3:04 PM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

I'd definitely second the recommendation for a TV or similar display, even if it's a backup display, so that if someone comments on color you can make sure they are able to see it in a more controlled context.
posted by Aleyn at 6:28 PM on August 13, 2015

I suspect a big challenge is going to be the issue of black level and dynamic range. Can you eliminate all light in the room except for the projector? And once you've done that, can you minimize the reflection light off of walls and the ceiling? Just having a truly dark room with minimal light bouncing around will probably go a very long way.
posted by reeddavid at 12:10 AM on August 14, 2015

iPads have excellent color, can you bring one along to pass around?
posted by misterdaniel at 12:54 AM on August 14, 2015

If you want to get really, really serious, you need to make sure that your monitor/projector is keeping its calibration. Most cheap monitors and projectors drift over a few days. Some of them are impossible to calibrate in the first place, since they don't have the required fine-grained control over RGB and contrast levels.

Sometimes you can get around a bad monitor by applying a look-up table, or LUT, to your application and/or your whole desktop. dispcalGUI might help you with that, though it can be a challenge to set up. Spyder and XRite may have their own applications for that.

If you want to go completely nuts, look into HP's Dreamcolor line of monitors and laptops. But start saving your pennies up for that...
posted by clawsoon at 6:37 AM on August 14, 2015

At the very least, show the existing site (or other websites that they'd be familiar with) first. Seeing how the projector reproduces something they know, their brains can better translate your presented design.
posted by JackBurden at 8:39 AM on August 14, 2015