Sharp NEC Display Solutions
MultiProfiler

ReadMe Information for Mac OS X

Version 1.2.00 - build 130904 - September 4 2013

About MultiProfiler

MultiProfiler is designed as a companion to NEC MultiSync PA and new P Series monitors. It provides complete control over the powerful and sophisticated technology in these models in an easy-to-use application.

NEC MultiSync PA Series monitors feature a custom-designed color processor called the SpectraView Engine. This sophisticated processor, combined with internal luminance, temperature and time monitoring of the monitor, and individual characterization and calibration of each unit during production, results in an unparalleled level of color control, accuracy and stability.

The wide color gamut and high-contrast LCD panel used on the monitor, coupled with the SpectraView Engine, provide the utmost in versatility; from the ability to accurately emulate colorspaces such as AdobeRGB and sRGB, to performing printer output emulations using ICC Profiles and internal 3D Look Up Tables.

MultiProfiler uses a two-way communications link with the display monitor to perform adjustments. Two different methods of communications are possible:

1. DDC/CI (Display Data Channel - Command Interface) - Communicates via the video graphics adapter and normal video cable. No extra cables are necessary. Support is required in the video graphics display driver in order to provide this functionality. This communications link is an industry standard developed by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association).

2. USB (Universal Serial Bus) - Communicates with the display via a USB connection from the host PC. A USB cable (not supplied) must be connected between the Mac and one of the upstream USB ports on the display. The display will also function as a USB hub.

MultiProfiler will automatically default to using the USB connection if detected. The Display listbox will show the model name of the display followed by "(USB)" when the USB connection is being used.

Release Notes

New Display Firmware

New firmware for the following display models is available which adds some functionality improvements.

P241W
PA231W
PA241W
PA271W
PA301W

Navigate to the following page for more information:

http://www.nec-display.com/dl/en/dp_soft/pa_fm_update/index.html

Known Issues

Mac OS 10.7.5 and Mac OS 10.8.0 - 10.8.2 - "No Communications" with Nvidia based graphics

A "No Communications" error may appear when using MultiProfiler on the above versions of Mac OS with Nvidia based graphics. Connect a USB cable between the Mac and one of the USB inputs (upstream ports) on the display. This issue is fixed in Mac OS 10.8.3 and higher.

Mac OS 10.7 and higher - "ICC Profile - Storage Location" is disabled

Mac OS 10.7 no longer allows users to store "shared" ColorSync profiles in the system folders. Therefore the Preferences option to set the ICC Profile storage location is disabled, and "Per user of this computer" will always be used.

USB support:

This version of MultiProfiler supports communicating with the display via USB. Connect a USB cable (not supplied) between the Mac and one of the USB inputs (upstream ports) on the display. Make sure the correct USB input is selected on the OSD. MultiProfiler will automatically select the USB connection instead of DDC/CI when the USB connection is detected.
If using the PA271W, PA272W, PA301W or PA302W with the Apple mini DisplayPort to DualLink DVI adapter, a USB connection to the display should be used due to communications compatibility issues with this adapter.

MultiSync PA231W, P232W, P241W and P242W:

The color gamut of the display is not wide color gamut, and is closer to sRGB.

For this reason, certain preset color gamuts such as AdobeRGB and DCI are not available, since they far exceed the color gamut of the display. Although MultiProfiler will allow the Picture Mode settings to be modified to include large color gamuts, keep in mind that the actual color gamut of the display is smaller, and will not be able to display colors outside of this gamut.

MultiSync PA231W, P232W and P242W:

The display does not have an internal luminance stabilization circuit. It is therefore not able to automatically set and maintain the luminance at an absolute value.

For this reason, the Brightness and Black Level controls are shown as a percentage values within MultiProfiler.

The DICOM mode is called DICOM Sim (simulation) because the lack of an absolute level for Brightness and Black Level means approximate values are used. True DICOM requires absolute values for Brightness and Black Level in order to create a very accurate response curve.

No communications or communications error when using a DisplayPort video connection:

In some cases MultiProfiler is not able to correctly communicate with the monitor if it is connected to the host PC using a DisplayPort video connection. If possible try using a DVI connection, or connect a USB cable to the display.

Supported Operating Systems and Macs

This version of MultiProfiler requires Mac OS X version 10.5 or higher.
This version of MultiProfiler is a Universal Binary and supports both PowerPC and Intel based Macs.
When using an optional USB connection to the display for communications (instead of using DDC/CI), MultiProfiler does not depend on the video graphics adapter and therefore the following compatibility issues do not apply. If you experience a compatibility issue it is recommended to use a USB cable to the display for communications.

The following compatibility issues only apply when using DDC/CI to communicate with the display (i.e. there is no USB cable from the Mac to the display):

The following Apple Macs require Mac OS 10.5.2 or higher in order to use MultiProfiler . MultiProfiler not compatible with these Macs using earlier versions of Mac OS due to issues with the video chipsets and drivers:

Intel based Macs using Intel graphics processors:

Intel Mac mini
13" MacBook with Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor
17" iMac with Intel GMA 950 graphics processor

Second generation MacBook Pro 15" and 17" that have NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics chipsets.

This issue is due to a hardware incompatibility with the Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor and can not be fixed by a future software update. Note that these monitors will otherwise function normally on these models of Apple Macs.

Mac OS 10.5.6 prevents MultiProfiler from being able to communicate with the display monitor on PPC based Macs. Customers should update to Mac OS 10.5.7 or higher to avoid this issue.

The 13-inch MacBook, and 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros with Mini DisplayPort video outputs released by Apple in October 2008 and January 2009 require Mac OS 10.5.7 in order to work with SpectraView using the DisplayPort to SingleLink DVI adapter from Apple. MultiProfiler will not be able to communicate with the display monitor when using Mac OS 10.5.6 and earlier on these machines.

The DisplayPort to DualLink DVI adapter required to run the LCD PA271W, or PA301W when using a DVI video input is not yet compatible with MultiProfiler. Use a USB connection for communications in this case, or connect the display via DisplayPort instead of DVI.

MacPro with Nvidia GT120 may not correctly detect the display is using Mac OS 10.5. Upgrading to Mac OS 10.6 may be necessary.

Supported Display Monitors

MultiProfiler supports the following NEC display monitor models:

NEC P232W
NEC P241W
NEC P242W
NEC PA231W
NEC PA241W
NEC PA242W
NEC PA271W
NEC PA272W
NEC PA301W
NEC PA302W
NEC MD301C4

Support and Troubleshooting

If you are having problems using MultiProfiler, please check the Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions sections of the MultiProfiler User's Guide.

Additional help is available at the Sharp NEC Display Solutions MultiProfiler support page.

"No Communications" or "Unable to communicate with display" error:

Confirm that DDC/CI is set to "ENABLED" on Tab 8 of the Advanced On Screen Display controls.
If using a MacBook, look in the System Preferences - Power Saver panel for a setting to select the graphics performance vs. battery life. Try selecting the opposite setting and restarting.
Connect a USB cable (not supplied) between the Mac and one of the USB inputs (upstream ports) on the display. Make sure the correct USB input is selected on the OSD. MultiProfiler will automatically select the USB connection instead of DDC/CI when the USB connection is detected.
Confirm that a USB 2.0 compatible cable is connected between the Mac and the display (if using USB).
If possible try using a DVI connection instead of DisplayPort.

Feedback

Sharp NEC Display Solutions welcomes your feedback on MultiProfiler. Please visit the Sharp NEC Display Solutions MultiProfiler support page and give us your comments.

Revision History

V1.0.00: April 19 2010

First release of MultiProfiler

V1.0.01: May 20 2010

Fixed an issue that caused certain ICC Profiles to crash MultiProfiler when creating a Print Emulation.
Improved application responsiveness when using multiple monitors.
Added USB communications support.

V1.0.02: July 1 2010

Added support for the MultiSync PA231W.
Improved application responsiveness when adjusting some controls.
Automatically disables ECO Mode and Auto Brightness for correct operation.

V1.0.03: November 15 2010

Added support for the MultiSync PA301W.
Fixed an issue that caused the gamma and white point to be reset each time the wizard is used.

V1.0.04: January 14 2011

Added support for the MultiSync MD301C4.

V1.0.05: July 1 2011

Added support for the MultiSync P241W.
Various minor bug fixes.

V1.0.05: August 1 2011

Fixed a bug that could cause a crash when clicking the "Edit" button in the Picture Mode panel.
Mac OS 10.7 compatible by removing support for saving profiles to the write protected system folder.

V1.0.06: June 4 2012

Added support for the MultiSync P232W.
Mac OS 10.5 or higher is now required.

V1.1.00: July 12 2012

Added support for 6 Axis Color Trim controls.
Added Quick Edit color controls.
Added Keyboard Shortcut functions.

V1.1.10: February 18 2013

Added support for the MultiSync P242W.

V1.1.20: April 19 2013

Added support for the MultiSync PA242W.

V1.2.00: September 4 2013

Added support for the MultiSync PA272W and PA302W.
Added new 'Quick Print Emulation' function.
Added new Display Settings 'Import' and 'Export' function.
Improved the speed of "re-synchronize" function.
Various minor bug fixes and improvements.