Product Description

Today, all creative professionals understand that the cornerstone of the digital darkroom is a calibrated monitor. Professional photographers, graphic designers, ad agencies, publishers, and advanced amateurs now realize that a color managed workflow begins with accurate, on-screen color. Wherever color is critical, so too is a calibrated monitor. The ColorVision Spyder2PRO Studio, the next-generation of the award-winning Spyder product line, was specifically designed to meet the needs of the new digital creative professional.ColorVision Spyder2PRO Studio sets a new standard for professional monitor calibration. Combining the all new Spyder2 colorimeter and Spyder2PRO software, this innovative and advanced product delivers unrivalled calibration results forthe demanding digital imaging professional.The sleek, dual-phase Spyder2 hardware features precise calibration and highly accurate ICC profiles for CRT, LCD and laptop displays. The new software and graphical user interface provides ease-of-use previously unavailable in professional-level monitor calibration products. FREE bonus software is also provided in the package including nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 Standard Edition, PANTONE colorist, and ColorVision DoctorPRO to enhance, edit, correct, and specify colors on your images, screens, and printers. The Spyder2PRO Studio allows you to easily calibrate all of your monitors at a truly affordable price.Spyder2's state-of-the-art optical science and new ... Read more

Features

• Innovative, Next Generation Spyder2 Colorimeter: The new standard for on-screen color accuracy. Precisely calibrate your display and produce accurate ICC profiles for your CRT, LCD and laptop.
• State-of-the-Art Optical Science: Advanced photo sensors and color filter system provide a 5-fold increase in color sensitivity and consistent color readings. The new precision-molded filterpack and patent-protected light baffle produces accurate LCD display characterization.
• Sleek, Dual-Phase Hardware Design: Cutting-edge industrial design offers effortless LCD, CRT and notebook calibration.
• Multiple Monitor Calibration and Matching: Allows you to calibrate and profile multiple monitors on a single system or across an entire studio. (Mac and Windows).
• Exceptional Ease-of-Use with Wizard Software: Spyder2PRO software walks you through the entire calibration process with its intuitive interface. Comprehensive help screens guide you through each step to achieve your desired color setting.

Reviews (1)

Pretty Good When It Works
My Gripes with the Spyder2PRO (applies mostly to Windows platform):

1. You won't know if the unit itself is miscalibrated.
2. Although the basic documentation is good, it lacks details. Such as, "How does the ColorVision Profile Chooser program affect Window's Color Management Settings and how do the two interact?"
3. Sometimes, the Profile Chooser fails to load your profile when coming out of Windows' hibernation/standby state.
4. The other "value-add" software that comes with it is not that great. Just buy the regular Spyder2 package.

I work primarily with photoshop and web graphics and do not do any print color matching. I wanted to merely calibrate all my CRT, LCD and laptop monitors just enough so that there would be some tonal consistency. I wasn't going for professional pre-press accuracy.

The first Spyder unit I received wasn't properly calibrated at the factory so all my monitors turned out to be too red! Even after several attempts to recalibrate and profile... So after a few email exchanges with Tech support, I returned it for a new unit. (Thanks Amazon)

The second unit seemed to work fine. Except, now, I have this nagging feeling that if it wasn't, I wouldn't really know since I don't have a reference monitor.

In any case, it did a fairly good job of matching my two different LCDs as well as my CRT. (NEC 1760NX, Sony SDM-M51 and ViewSonic G90f) However, on my laptop, the Profile Chooser fails to reload the profile when coming-out of its hibernation state. When I asked tech support about this, they shot me a canned email that didn't really resolve the issue. Now, I have to reselect the profile each time I resume.

(Tech support was prompt in their response. But, it seemed like that they really didn't read my email thoroughly.)

Overall, I'm satisfied with the product and I would recommend the unit. (You really can't beat the price.) I think it could be better if it had the following:

1. Better documentation on how the ColorVision's color management software affects and interacts with the platforms (windows) exisiting color management software.
2. Some reference prints of some sort where I can compare my calibrated monitor with; so that I can know that I've come close to reference material. (I don't know if this is possible or not.)
3. Get rid of the software bugs! ... Read more

Product Description

The sleek, dual-phase Spyder2 hardware features precise calibration and highly accurate ICC profiles for CRT, LCD and laptop displays. The new software and graphical user interface provides ease-of-use previously unavailable in professional-level monitor calibration products.Spyder2's state-of-the-art optical science and new light detectors deliver a five-fold increase in sensitivity. A new filter pack system and patent-protected light baffle further increase the accuracy of on-screen color. Improvements to the calibration software utilize sophisticated gray balance and tonal response algorithms to produce superior color images, including exceptionally smooth gradient steps, life-like flesh tones and neutral grays ... Read more

Features

• Spyder2 - Next Generation Spyder Technology Sets the Standard for Affordable Monitor Calibration.
• The ColorVision Spyder2 features the all new Spyder2 colorimeter and monitor calibration for advanced amateurs and prosumers to create precise ICC display profiles for your CRT, LCD or notebook display.
• FREE bonus software includes PANTONE® colorist software.
• Improved Gray Balance and Tonal Response Provides demanding users with exceptionally smooth gradient steps and neutral grays.
• Unique Before and After Viewing Feature Allows you to compare your display with and without calibration.

Reviews (1)

Works quite well
I've used my Spyder2 on a Mac iBook and a Dell 2350 running Windows XP on a 17in Dell LCD flatscreen.The monitor calibrator and software in both cases did a much better job than I could do on my own with Adobe Gamma or other judgement-based calibrators.After calibration, pictures on my monitors appear much more like the prints I get from Kodak Gallery (formerly Ofoto), both in color and tone (to the extent that a projected-light RGB image can look like a reflected light CMYK image.)I haven't tested the system on a CRT monitor.

One gripe: I bought my system new from Amazon, and it came packaged as new, but the Spyder was scuffed and clearly had been used previously.It wasn't worth my time and energy to return it since it functions fine, but I don't think this was an honest business practice on the part of ColorVision. ... Read more

Features

• Home Cinema support - Capture, edit and output 16 x 9 widescreen video, and create surround sound soundtracks
• Automated editing - Let SmartMovie edit your movie for you
• Fix poorly shot footage using Studio's new cleaning and restoration tools
• Audio Filters - Apply professional-level effects such as Reverb, Graphic EQ and normalize
• Image Filters - Create exciting video effects, such as Old Time Movie, Ripples, Lens Flares and more

Features

• High quality video capture: get the most out of your PC's Hi-Speed USB controller!
• Works with any video device equipped with analogue video outputs
• Store hours of videos on your hard disk
• Restore damaged videos or edit them automatically in a few minutes with Pinnacle Studio¿ QuickStart
• Preserve and share your movies on CDs and DVDs*

Reviews (1)

Dazzle DVC 90 and Pinnacle Studio Version 9
I tried 3 different capture devices in one week, and this was by far the easiest to use and the most portable, with good quality images. Set up is simple, install discs, install Pinnacle Studio Version 9, which has a great instruction video for beginners on how to capture,edit and make movies. USB2 device, which I am using in conjunction with a laptop. Captured old analogue video images, and off many monitors at work with images I need to use for presentations. Reasonable price for what you get. ... Read more

Product Description

PrintFIX is an elegant, innovative solution that enables you to produce pro quality prints. Now you can maintain consistency from your monitor to any number of RGB printers at a remarkably low price.Works within Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Elements so you will be in a familiar application, eliminating the need for you to learn a new program.Adjust and fine tune your prints precisely, with DoctorPRO. You will get those corrections every time, not just from Photoshop, but from any color managed application, even from different computers.Using Photoshop's familiar editing tools, make real time changes, with visual feedback, then apply those changes to your printer profile in seconds. For the demanding user. DoctorPRO gives you control over your digital darkroom so you can spend more time creating instead of trying to figure out why "what you see" on screen doesn't match "what you get" from your printer. ... Read more

Features

• Features next-generation Spyder2 Colorimeter produces accurate ICC profiles for your CRT, LCD and laptop
• Advanced photo sensors and color filtering system provides 5-fold increase in color sensitivity
• Precision-molded filter pack and patent-protected light baffle ensures consistent color readings
• PrintFIX patch and reader accurately measures printer calibration targets for outstanding prints
• ColorVision offers free technical support and free software upgrades -- making it easy to leap into digital color control

Features

• Media server that changes PC into a TV/DVR combo
• Pause live TV; use instant replay; skip forward or back
• Program guide; search for shows by title
• Skip commercials or parts of TV shows in one click
• Shrink files and replay them on portable devices

Features

• Advanced SmartRT technology produces thousands of 2D and 3D effects for broadcast-quality sound
• Thousands of compositing effects -- work with up to 10 streams with real-time effects, true 3D color correction, chroma/luma keys and more
• Integrated DVD authoring -- create your own motion menus, buttons and automatic links
• CX Color Correction features both secondary and selective color correction, Dynamic Slow Motion and other high-precision effects

Features

• Import DVD-quality Videos via a standard USB port
• Works with any video device equipped with analogue video outputs
• Restore damaged videos or edit them automatically in a few minutes with Pinnacle Studio QuickStart
• Preserve and share your movies on CDs and DVDs
• Store hours of high-quality videos on your hard disk thanks to MPEG-2 video compression

Product Description

Serious Magic DV Rack Ruined footage. Unusable shots. Disaster strikes even the most skilled video producers. From bad levels, dropouts and audio pops to continuity and framing problems, these real nightmares cost you real money, wasted hours, and worse, lost clients.DV Rack is the first product that can prevent video disasters, help you shoot faster and let you get visibly better quality from your existing camera. It's powerful software that runs on a PC or laptop connected to your DV camera. DV Rack puts ten essential monitoring, production and evaluation tools at your fingertips letting you instantly preview, record, review, and evaluate your shots. Use it once, and you'll understand why so many videographers are talking about DV Rack. It stops problems before they stop you! ... Read more

Features

• Audio Spectrum Analyzer offers precise visual representation of signal information - giving you a better idea of microphone placement and orientation
• DV Rack's Digital Video Recorder(DVR) is better than tape and allows instant jumping to any section, for review or scrubbing
• Professional Field Monitor accepts direct DV input, displaying the image exactly as it will be recorded
• Waveform Monitor and Vectorscope monitors the post-compression signal as it's being recorded
• Monitor every video and audio frame for potential problems on your DVR display

Amazon Product Description

The Pinnacle PCTV USB2 TV tuner and video capture device lets you watch, control, and record live TV (cable or antenna) on your PC. You can also use it to import video footage from other sources likea VCR, camcorder, or DVD player. Video can be recorded using MPEG or DV real-timecompression. An interactive setup assistant makes installation fast andeasy.

Features

• Turn your PC into a personal video recorder (PVR); burn recording to disc
• Plugs into the USB 2.0 port of your computer
• Video can be recorded using MPEG or DV real-time compression
• Watch, record and pause live TV; import video footage from other sources like a VCR, camcorder or DVD-player
• Small and compact, and draws power from the USB port

Product Description

3-Port FireWire Host PCI AdapterPinnacle Studio MediaSuite is the best choice for video editors and multimedia enthusiasts. It features Studio Plus, the most advanced version of Pinnacle’s award-winning video editing application, Studio. The rest of the integrated suite includes software for recording and editing audio for your movies soundtrack. You can also retouch photos before integrating them into a film or turning them into a slideshow, complete with professional-looking menus. Once the movie is made, you can burn it to CD/DVD and make multiple copies quickly and reliably using the included burning and disc duplication software. ... Read more

Features

• InstantCinema; Burning and disc-duplication software
• Video-editing software suite for video editors and multimedia enthusiasts
• Advanced consumer video-editing and disc-authoring application, Studio Plus
• Photo editing with Corel Photobook; audio editing with WaveLab Lite
• Sophisticated media-management application; Instant Backup

Reviews (3)

Do not spend your money for this Software
This software has serious memory problems. It can not run smoothly and froze my computer on a regular basis. If you buy, you have to spend time for rebooting your computer.

Possible the worst software I even bought!
Do not, under any circumstances, buy this software! It has been a source of frustration from day one! First, this software has serious memory problems. It cannot run smoothly and froze my computer on a regular basis. The fact that I have a new Sony VIAO with all the bells and whistles, and the fact that subsequent video editing software run perfectly, has to point to an inefficient memory use by this software. Also, the videos that I tried to edit were your plain vanilla family trip clips, nothing extraordinary. Still this software couldn't handle them.

To add insult to injury, this software is full of locked features, yes even at that price! For example, if you want MPEG-4 computability, you need to purchase additional drivers ($10). If you want to use MP3 files, you need to purchase additional drivers. MP3? Isn't that an industry standard? Anyway the list of "premium" locked features goes on and on, even downloading the latest patch (9.4 at the time of this writing) doesn't help.

There are other serious flaws with this software, primarily around burning the DVD's. I can't fully report on these since unfortunately I only got to briefly sample these issues. Why you might ask? Because my computer kept on freezing before I ever got to finish editing the movie...

Nice video editing but beware of the audio
I have used Pinnacle Video editing software professionally for several years.My experience with Pinnacle has been positive and I have produced a lot of work with their software.I think Pinnacle has really pioneered video editing for home use as well.Indeed I'm quite familiar with their versions of Studio 7, 8, 9 and 9 plus.I recently purchased their STUDIO MediaSuite for home use.It seemed like a nice package to have video, audio and photo editing all in one.Actually, I didn't need the photo editing because I use Adobe's Photoshop Elements (a really solid piece of software).

The short answer is that the video component works quite well.The interface is easy to understand and use.I'm sure most folks would be up and running in no time.Don't forget to check their web site for product updates.

The sound editing capability is another story.Pinnacle has (apparently) licensed Steinberg WaveLab Lite as the audio editor.WaveLab Lite is a home version of its more robust professional software.The first big problem I ran into using WaveLab is that it has no ability to rip CDs.None.This is quite surprising since that is one of the claims Pinnacle makes for this software on the outside of the box.So if you purchase MediaSuite you will have to purchase a separate software for ripping CDs.The second problem is that neither Pinnacle nor Steinberg will support WaveLab Lite.This makes a certain kind of business logic sense Steinberg doesn't sell it and Pinnacle doesn't own it.Yet it's an orphaned software that no one will claim as their own and will not support. So be forewarned that if you purchase MediaSuite then you are on your own if you have any problems with it.

Other than that, this seems to be a fairly good product all in all. ... Read more

Product Description

The ColorVision SpectroPRO2 Suite combines the ColorVision Spyder2PRO Studio - the new standard for professional monitor calibration - with ColorVision SpectroPRO. Spyder2PRO Studio features the all new Spyder2 colorimeter and pro-level monitor calibration software to create precise ICC display profiles for your CRT, LCD, or notebook display. SpectrPRO delivers professional level printer profiling software bundled with a high quality spectrocolorimeter to create and edit RGB and CMYK profiles for color printers, PostScript printers and RIPs. ... Read more

Features

• The patent-protected Spyder 7-filter emissive colorimeter divides emitted light into more wavelength bands than conventional colorimeters, for more accurate calibration
• High-quality LED-Based Spectrocolorimeter allows you to build an exceptionally accurate printer profile in about 20 minutes
• New 125 patch target --users can choose between 27, 125, 150 or 729 patches, for a perfectly-set spectrocolorimeter
• ProfilerPRO and DoctorPRO work as great Adobe Photoshop plug-ins -- no more need to learn a new program
• Free technical support and software upgrades make it easy to leap into digital color control

Features

• Home Cinema support - Capture, edit and output 16 x 9 widescreen video, and create surround sound soundtracks
• Automated editing - Let SmartMovie edit your movie for you
• Fix poorly shot footage using Studio's new cleaning and restoration tools
• Audio Filters - Apply professional-level effects such as Reverb, Graphic EQ and normalize
• Image Filters - Create exciting video effects, such as Old Time Movie, Ripples, Lens Flares and more

Reviews (1)

Not bad....
So far this product has worked out very well for me on my laptop computer. Movie capture for DVD has been fast with no problems in audio going out of sync with Video as was common in Studio 8. Capturing direct to MPEG format for DVD has been a dream and allows me to have HOURS of video captures prior to making a movie.

Pinnacle Studio 9 and the Hollywood F/X programs come with the package. Studio 9 has no real new suprises in it (other than the direct MPEG capture). I've run into a couple of UI-related bugs, that are fairly easy to work around.

One thing to note is how incredibly TOUGH the Moviebox is. Made in Germany out of a cast aluminum shell and VERY high impact plastic, I'm pretty sure even the "pro-sumer" types would be impressed.

Pinnacle's support, however, is terrible. Hopefully you won't have too many questions about the product - if you do, don't expect answers from Pinnacle support - you won't get them. That's part of the reason for the 3-star rating.

If you're looking at the low-end Dazzle products from Pinnacle - don't bother - they're garbage. The Studio products are really the only ones to bother with. And if you have a notebook PC then *this* product really shines. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best ever
This is the Laptop of your dreams! If you don't buy it you will feel guilty for the rest of your life. It has loads of memory. It has great graphics. It is just all around a great system! Get it definately. ... Read more

Features

• Essential software suite for film and video production
• Real-time production tools; common user interface elements
• Professional graphics, video, audio, and DVD authoring applications
• Provides seamless, intuitive, and integrated workflow
• Includes Final Cut Pro HD, DVD Studio Pro 3, and Motion

Amazon.com Product Description

EditDV is an editing system that brings professional-level, 100 percent digital, nonlinear video editing to the desktop. Built from the ground up for the DV format, EditDV integrates batch-capture, editing, compositing, animation, and special-effects functions into a single, seamless video production environment.

Digital Origin's EditDV provides powerful, professional-style three- and four-point editing. Drag clips into the order you like, then press play. Fine-tune your production with film-style, side-by-side tail/head trimming for easy, professional, efficient results. Offering a wide variety of drag-and-drop digital effects, this application gives your digital video movies a professional flare.

Also included with this package of EditDV is a Digital Origin's 1394 FireWire card, a PCI card necessary to transfer (or "capture") digital video clips onto your computer. Digital Origin only sells the PCI IEEE 1394 FireWire cards with DV software packages. A two-meter, six- to four-pin FireWire card cable, Digital Origin MotoDV software, Digital Origin PhotoDV software, printed EditDV user guide, Sonic Foundry Soundforge XP 4.5, Pixelan SpiceRack QuickTime effects (50), Digital Origin EditDV key-cap stickers, and registration materials are also included. ... Read more