Sharp NEC Display Solutions
SpectraView II

ReadMe Information for Mac OS X

Version 1.1.36.00 - build 170928 - September 28, 2017

Contents:

 

About SpectraView II

SpectraView II provides automatic display monitor color calibration and profiling functions for supported models of NEC display monitors.

The software uses a two way communications link with the display monitor via the video graphics adapter and normal video cable. No extra cables are necessary.

This communications link is called DDC/CI (Display Data Channel - Command Interface) and is an industry standard developed by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)

The MultiSync PA Series of display monitors also feature using an optional USB connection to the display for communicating, instead of using DDC/CI. This can be used in cases where the video graphics adapter is not supported.

Support for the X-Rite iOne Display, iOne Pro, iOne Pro2, iOne Monitor, ColorMunki, and Datacolor Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4, and Spyder5 color sensors is included and automatically installed with SpectraView. Drivers for the BasICColor Discus must be installed using a separate installer application included on the CD-ROM or .DMG.

 

Release Notes

New Display Firmware

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

Navigate to the following page for more information:

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

 

Optional Launch Agent

SpectraView can optionally query the display monitor each time a user logs in to see if any settings have changed since the last calibration. This is normally only necessary if multiple users are logging into the same Mac. To enable this functionality copy the file "com.necdisplay.SpectraViewII.launch.plist" located in the "Extras" folder in the SpectraView DMG image to the "/Library/LaunchAgents/" folder on the system. Administrative rights will be required to copy this file. The SpectraView II application must be located in the Applications folder on the system.


Known issues:

PPC based Mac support discontinued

As of version 1.1.12, SpectraView no longer supports PowerPC based Macs. This is due to the lack of PPC support in 3rd party color sensor support libraries. Users with a PPC based Mac must use an older version of SpectraView.

Mac OS 10.6 and earlier support discontinued

Support for Mac OS versions 10.6 and earlier has been discontinued as of version 1.1.30.

Mac OS 10.7 and 10.8 support

In Mac OS versions 10.8.0 to 10.8.2, and Mac OS 10.7.5, support for monitor communications via DDC/CI is not functioning on some Macs, including systems with DVI video outputs, and when using a miniDisplayPort to DVI cable or adapter. Users with an NEC MultiSync PA or P series display (excluding P221W) can connect a USB cable between the host PC and one of the USB inputs (upstream ports) on the display to provide the necessary monitor communications via USB. This issue has been resolved in Mac OS 10.8.3 and all customers impacted by this issue are encouraged to update to OS 10.8.3 or higher.

BasICColor Discus

USB support with the MultiSync EX341R, P212, P232W, P241W, P404, P484, P554, PA231W, PA241W, PA242W, PA243W, PA271W, PA272W, PA301W, PA302W, PA322UHD, PA322UHD-2, V404, V404-T, V484, V484-T, V554, V554-T, X551UHD, X651UHD, X651UHD-2, X841UHD, X841UHD-2, X981UHD, X981UHD-2, EA244UHD, EA275UHD, EA245WMi, EA275WMi, EA295WMi, EA305WMi, EA304WMi, and EX241UN

NEC PA231W, PA241W, PA271W, PA301W: "No communications" error, "An error occurred while communicating with the display monitor" error, or screen flashes and monitor resets when using a DisplayPort video connection:

Mac Pro with Nvidia graphics card and dual monitors may not detect monitors correctly (versions of Mac OS up to and including OS 10.5.1):

The Mac Pro with Nvidia graphics card may fail to correctly detect the connected monitors if dual monitors are being used. SpectraView may either incorrectly detect no supported display monitors, or detect two identical monitors. This issue has been fixed in Mac OS 10.5.2 and newer.

To workaround this issue, perform the following steps:

  1. Disconnect the display monitor connected to the DISPLAY 1 connector on the rear of the Mac Pro.

  2. Shutdown the Mac and then power on (do not just restart).

  3. After the system has booted, connect the second monitor to the DISPLAY 1 connector.

  4. The system will detect the display monitor correctly.

  5. If the monitors are disconnected, reconfigured, or replaced, the above procedure may need to be repeated.

X-Rite iOneDisplay Pro:

X-Rite/GretagMacbeth iOne Pro or iOne Monitor: If using the X-Rite/GretagMacbeth iOne Pro or iOne Monitor

X-Rite/GretagMacbeth iOne Display:

X-Rite ColorMunki:

The "ColorMunki Create" version of ColorMunki is not supported by SpectraView. The "ColorMunki Design" and "Colormunki Photo" versions are supported.

The X-Rite ColorMunki Display device introduced in mid-2011 is not supported.

If the X-Rite ColorMunki software is installed, it will prevent SpectraView from accessing the device even if the main ColorMunki application is not currently running.

If you are using the ColorMunki software prior to version 1.1.0:

SpectraView  will detect if the ColorMunki software is running and give the option of closing it automatically.
To use the ColorMunki software again after SpectraView has closed it, you must manually restart the colormunki service or restart your system.

If you are using the ColorMunki software version 1.1.0 or newer:

You must turn off the ColorMunki Service in System Preferences > "X-Rite Devices" to allow SpectraView to access the device.
To use the ColorMunki software again you must turn the ColorMunki Service back on.

Photo Research PR-655, PR-670, PR-680, PR-730, and PR-740 Spectroradiometers

Monitor Calibration Setting file format change:

"An error occurred while communicating with the display monitor" message:

"No Communications" error:

DICOM Calibration:

Datacolor Spyder2 and Spyder3 color sensors:

NEC LCD2180WG-LED:

Large screen displays (40 inches and higher, except the X551UHD, X651UHD, X651UHD-2, X841UHD, X841UHD-2, X981UHD, and X981UHD-2):

Calibrating an NEC LCD3090WQXi with a Mac using a mini DisplayPort video output (e.g. 13-inch MacBook, and 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros):

NEC MultiSync PA series displays, EX341R, X551UHD, X651UHD, X651UHD-2, X841UHD, X841UHD-2, X981UHD, X981UHD-2, P232W, P241W, P242W, and P212- Color Gamut and preset Targets:

Supported Operating Systems and Macs

  • This version of SpectraView requires Mac OS X version 10.7 or higher. Earlier versions of Mac OS are no longer supported as of versions 1.1.30.
  • Installing SpectraView requires an account with administrator privileges.
  • This version of SpectraView supports only Intel based Macs. PPC based Macs are no longer supported as of version 1.1.12. 
  • The following Apple Macs require Mac OS 10.5.2 or higher in order to use SpectraView. SpectraView 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.
  • The following models of NEC display monitors are not compatible with SpectraView when using an Apple MacBook Air or MacBook 13" with Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor.
      • NEC LCD2490WUXi
      • NEC LCD2690WUXi
      • NEC LCD3090WQXi
      • NEC LCD4020
      • NEC LCD4620
      • NEC LCD5220
      • NEC LCD6520
      • NEC Multeos M40
      • NEC Multeos M46

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

  • Apple Macs with an Nividia graphics card or chipset and Mac OS 10.5.6 or higher may give a "No communications" error in SpectraView on some early production (before mid-2007) models of LCD90 series displays, including the LCD2690WUXi and LCD2490WUXi. Please contact NEC Technical Support directly for assistance.
  • Mac OS 10.5.6 prevents SpectraView 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 Single Link DVI adapter from Apple. SpectraView will not be able to calibrate NEC monitors when using Mac OS 10.5.6 and earlier on these machines.
  • The Apple DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter is required to run the LCD3090WQXi at native resolution (2560x1600) when using a Mac with a DisplayPort video output.
  • 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.
  • MultiSync PA Series, P212, P232W, P241W, P242W, P404, P484, P554, EA244UHD, EA275UHD, EA275WMi, EA295WMi, EA305WMi, EA304WMi, EX341R, V404, V404-T, V484, V484-T, V554, V554-T, X551UHD, X651UHD, X651UHD-2, X841UHD, X841UHD-2, X981UHD, and X981UHD-2 only - These models feature using an optional USB connection to the display for communicating, instead of using DDC/CI. This can be used in cases where the video graphics adapter is not supported. SpectraView will automatically select the USB connection instead of DDC/CI when the USB connection is detected.

 

Supported Display Monitors

SpectraView II supports the following display monitor models:

 

Supported Color Sensors

SpectraView II supports the following color sensors:

 

Support and Troubleshooting

For additional technical support, please visit the Sharp NEC Display Solutions SpectraView support page. A feedback form is available for direct assistance with SpectraView.

 

Revision History

V1.0.00: July 1 2005

V1.0.10: August 25 2005

V1.0.11: September 6 2005

V1.0.12: September 23 2005

V1.0.20: January 6 2006

V1.0.30: June 1 2006

V1.0.31: September 20 2006

V1.0.32: December 1 2006

V1.0.40: August 1 2007

V1.0.41: September 1 2007

V1.0.42: March 1 2008

V1.1.00: January 14 2009

V1.1.01: February 11 2009

V1.1.02: May 6 2009

V1.1.03: August 28 2009

V1.1.04: April 19 2010

V1.1.05: May 20 2010

V1.1.07: November 15 2010

V1.1.08: July 22 2011

V1.1.09: October 1 2011

V1.1.09-1: Build 111201, December 1 2011

V1.1.10: April 20 2012

V1.1.11: June 20 2012

V1.1.12: July 20 2012

V1.1.12.1: August 11 2012

V1.1.14: February 27 2013

V1.1.15: May 31 2013

V1.1.16: August 23 2013

V1.1.16.01: November 6 2013

V1.1.16.02: January 6 2014

V1.1.17: April 7 2014

V1.1.18: October 6 2014

V1.1.20: February 10 2015

V1.1.30: November 13 2015

V1.1.32: July 5 2016

V1.1.34: March 31 2017

V1.1.36: September 28 2017

Copyright

This file and all of the SpectraView software is Copyright © 2003-17 Sharp NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.

CryptoPP (www.cryptopp.com) Compilation Copyright © 1995-2006 by Wei Dai. All rights reserved. This copyright applies only to this software distribution package as a compilation, and does not imply a copyright on any particular file in the package.

Copyright © 2003-2006 - The International Color Consortium. All rights reserved. This product includes software developed by the The International Color Consortium (www.color.org).