Analysis of colour management systems (CMS) and measurement devices for monitors - as instruments for calibration and profiling

摘要

In view of the increased use of the Internet and Cross Media Publishing one of the most important questions is: Are current monitors consistent and the corresponding CMS good enough to reproduce a coloured original or a proof? We have found that there is a large difference when displaying the same colour patch on multiple monitors. Also from CMS to CMS, there is variation on between profiles on how the colours are to be displayed. Largest variations come from the CMS software that makes the ICC-profile and from the monitor measuring devices used to calibrate and profile the monitor. Working with a CMS normally requires the use of a monitor measuring device which generates the data to calculate the deciding colour profiles. If different measuring devices generate different colour data (from the very same colour patch on a monitor) also variations in colour profiles (e.g. for the very same monitor) will be the consequence. So the readings of colour measuring devices become more interesting because of its importance for colour communication over the Internet. The difference in colour precision published by manufacturers of monitor -, CMS- and measuring devices (around deltaE 1) and the colour differences measured in this project (most between 3 and 15 delta E) is causing great concern.