If you work in fields such as fashion photography, architecture, or art reproduction (to give just a few examples), you know the importance of color management. Accurate and consistent rendering of color on your computer monitor and printer is essential for delivering the results clients demand in color-critical assignments. NEC offers a wide range of hardware and software solutions designed for the professional photographer and video professional.
Here’s a brief look at the essentials of color calibration, including instructional videos provided by NEC. If you already know why it’s important, skip down to our guide comparing NEC’s top monitors for color-critical applications.
Let’s talk about color
With a wide variety of LCD monitors available, each monitor has properties that need to be taken into account for the accurate display and proper handling of color. The brightness and color temperature have to be consistent; this can be accomplished using a consistent brand of monitors, color calibration tools, and software.
Calibrate Early and Often
The goal of color calibration is to measure and adjust the color response of a device so it conforms with accepted color profiles. Color calibration is necessary for any device being used as part of a color-managed workflow.
The first step is to calibrate the hardware by measuring luminance and color of the white point and black point, using an external sensor. Next, an ICC profile is created for the operating system. An ICC profile is a set of data characteristic of a color input or output device, based on standards created by the International Color Consortium. NEC’s SpectraView series can take the ICC profile of any device—printer, monitor, etc.
SpectraView II Software
Designed for professionals with color-critical applications, SpectraViewII combines award-winning NEC display technology with a color-measurement sensor and sophisticated calibration software. The result is highly accurate, reliable, repeatable,feature-rich solution for display calibration and profiling.
The SpectraViewII system uses a color sensor to take color measurements of the display screen during calibration. The software analyzes these measurements and sends color adjustment commands directly to the display monitor. This means that color adjustments are made in the monitor rather than in the video graphics adapter. With SpectraViewII, the video graphics adapter is not used at all to make any gamma or Tone Response Curve corrections to the display, so the fidelity of the system is maintained.
NEC EA and PA monitors compared: Good, Better, Best
NEC offers SpectraView Reference Series Monitors designed for photographers and videographers for whom color accuracy is a necessity, in a wide variety of price ranges.
24-inch monitors
4K Resolution
EA244UHD-BK ($999.99)
NEC offers two 24-inch monitors, and the EA244UHD-BK is the higher resolution version with a 4k (3840×2160) widescreen display and IPS panel. It is compatible with the SpectraViewII calibration software and SVII-EA-Kit calibration software https://www.adorama.com/ncsviieakit.html (available for an additional $199), and is a good choice for videographers working in UHD.
Higher-End Color Capabilities
PA24W-BK ($960.99)
The second NEC 24-inch monitor has lower resolution (1920×1200) but is designed for more color-critical applications, thanks to its 1000:1 contrast ratio and accurate 100% coverage of sRGB color gamut and 99.3% of Adobe RGB. The PA242W includes internal 14-bit 3D programmable lookup tables (LUTs) for accurate color rendition, 10-bit DisplayPort and HDMI connectivity for the highest color fidelity and built-in USB hub with DisplaySync Pro. 5 programmable Picture Mode profiles for quick access to multiple color spaces. It is compatible with the SpectraViewII calibration software and SVII-EA-Kit calibration software https://www.adorama.com/ncsviieakit.html (available for an additional $199).
27-inch Monitors
Best Value
EA275UHD-BK ()
This 27-inch, 4K UHD monitor features a touch-sensitive, IPS LED-backlit LCD monitor with 3840×2160 resolution. It has an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust light intensity based on working area lighting. Compatible with the SpectraViewII calibration software and SVII-EA-Kit calibration software (available for an additional $199), it offers ColorSync and customizable settings.
Better Tech
EA275Wmi-BK ()
Also a 27-inch monitor with touch-screen technology, this model features 2560×1440 resolution but includes SpectraViewII software and a Spyder5 Full-Spectrum color sensor. It offers streamlined cable management and ControlSync technology, which allows users to control the settings of up to six units in a multi-monitor configuration. The included SpectraViewII software and Spyder5 color calibration sensor ensure that colors are rendered accurately. Calibration tools display color gamut, grayscale and color tracking, and Delta-E and luminance values. The display is automatically profiled and accurate ICC/ColorSync color profiles are generated and registered internally. The software features a colorimeter function, which allows direct measurements to be taken by the color sensor and the results displayed in a variety of different formats.
Best Tech
NEC MultiSync PA272W-BK-SV ()
The NEC MultiSync PA272W-BK-SV is a top-rated, energy-efficient 27-inch LED-backlit LCD desktop monitor with 2560×1440 resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and 1000:1 contrast ratio. It comes with the SpectraViewII color calibration kit; NEC says it’s the premier display for color-critical applications. Indeed, it provides 99.3% coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. It offers 14-bit 3D internal programmable lookup tables (LUTs) for calibration, MultiProfiler software provides complete control over the five picture modes, including the loading of any ICC profile directly into the monitor for optimal color space matching, and comes packaged with the MDSVSensor3 calibrator.
32-Inch Monitors: Two Excellent Choices for Color-Critical Applications
NEC A322UHD-BK-SV ()
The ultimate in reliable, accurate color. The 32″ MultiSync NEC PA322UHD-BK-SV with SpectraView is the premier desktop display for color critical work, from photography to pre-press to videography. Featuring a UHD resolution (3840 x 2160) IGZO technology IPS-type panel with wide gamut white LED backlight, this display provides 99.2% coverage of the Adobe RGB color space while consuming less power than comparable displays. It includes SpectraViewII software and NEC custom X-Rite i1 Display Pro-based colorimeter, and MultiProfile software which provides complete control over the five picture modes, including loading any ICC profile directly into the monitor for optimal color space matching.
NEC 32″ Widescreen IGZO ()
The PA322UHD-PK offers 14-bt 3D internal programmable Lookup Tables (LUTs), SpectraView II software and NEC custom X-Rite i1 Display Pro-based colorimeter, as well as MultiProfiler software, which provides complete control over the five picture modes including the loading of any ICC profile directly onto the monitor for optimal color space matching. The 32″ MultiSync PA322UHD is the benchmark desktop display for color accurate work, from photography to pre-press to video production. Featuring a 4K UHD resolution (3840×2160) IGZO technology IPS-type panel with wide gamut white LED backlight, this display provides 99.2% coverage of the Adobe RGB color space.
