Sharp NEC Display Solutions
SpectraView II

ReadMe Information for macOS

Version 1.1.40.00 – build 190909 – September 9, 2019

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 either via the video graphics adapter over the video cable – known as DDC/CI (Display Data Channel - Command Interface) – or via a separate USB connection to the display (supported models only). Using a USB connection to the display is highly recommended for compatibility and speed.

Support for the X-Rite i1Display, i1Pro, i1Pro2, i1Monitor, i1Studio, and ColorMunki, and the Datacolor Spyder3, Spyder4, Spyder5, and SpyderX 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 installation media or .DMG.

 

Release Notes

New 64-bit Build

SpectraView is now a 64-bit application. Due to the requirements for 64-bit applications, the minimum supported macOS version is now 10.12 and support for the X-Rite i1Display V2 sensor has been discontinued. A legacy 32-bit build of this application's version 1.1.39 is available if support for Mac OS X 10.7 - 10.11 or the X-Rite i1Display V2 sensor is required.

HDMI Video Signal recommendation

Due to the type of video encoding used with the HDMI signal from the Mac to the display, the color performance of the display is not optimal. The calibration accuracy with EA and EX desktop display models is also impacted when using an HDMI signal, which may result in higher than normal Delta E values.

It is therefore recommended to use a DisplayPort (DP) / Thunderbolt connection instead of HDMI when connecting to a Mac.

The following table outlines the recommended connections:

Mac model:Recommended connection:
DesktopMac mini with USB-CUSB-C to DP cable
Mac mini with Thunderbolt 2 / miniDPminiDP to DP cable
iMac with Thunderbolt 2 / miniDPminiDP to DP cable
iMac with USB-CUSB-C to DP cable
iMac ProUSB-C to DP cable
Mac ProminiDP to DP cable
NotebookMacBook Pro with USB-CUSB-C to DP cable
MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 2 / miniDPminiDP to DP cable
MacBook Air with USB-CUSB-C to DP cable
MacBook Air with USB-C hub with HDMI outputUSB-C hub with DP out
OthersMac with Thunderbolt 2 portminiDP to DP cable
Mac with Thunderbolt 3 portUSB-C to DP cable or USB-C hub with DP out

Notes:

Theme Support

Added support for the Dark Mode color theme available in the macOS starting from version 10.14.

New Display Firmware - Desktop Displays

New firmware for the following desktop 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

New Display Firmware - Large-screen Displays

Firmware Revision 1.7 (or newer) is available for the following large-screen display models, which adds functionality improvements by upgrading the internal SpectraView Engine features.

Navigate to the following page for more information:

https://www.nec-display.com/dl/en/dp_soft/pd_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.

Note:To use this feature when logging in as another user it may be necessary to change the ownership permissions, on the file, using the following commands from a Terminal window:

	sudo chown root /Library/LaunchAgents/com.necdisplay.SpectraViewII.launch.plist
	sudo chgrp wheel /Library/LaunchAgents/com.necdisplay.SpectraViewII.launch.plist

 

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 X 10.11 and earlier support discontinued

Support for Mac OS X versions 10.11 and earlier has been discontinued as of version 1.1.40.

USB support with the MultiSync displays:

(C751Q, C861Q, C981Q, EA231WU, EA241F, EA241WU, EA244UHD, EA245WMi, EA245WMi-2, EA271F, EA271Q, EA271U, EA275UHD, EA275WMi, EA295WMi, EA305WMi, EA304WMi, EX241UN, EX341R, P212, P232W, P241W, P242W, P243W, P404, P484, P554, P754Q, PA231W, PA241W, PA242W, PA243W, PA271Q, PA271W, PA272W, PA301W, PA302W, PA311D, PA322UHD, PA322UHD-2, UN462A, UN462VA, UN492S, UN492VS, UN552, UN552A, UN552S, UN552V, UN552VS, UX552, UX552S, V404, V404-T, V484, V484-T, V554, V554-T, V554Q, V654Q, V754Q, V864Q, V984Q, X551UHD, X651UHD, X651UHD-2, X841UHD, X841UHD-2, X981UHD, and X981UHD-2 only)

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:

X-Rite i1Display Pro:

X-Rite i1Pro or i1Monitor:

If using the X-Rite i1Pro or i1Monitor

X-Rite i1Display:

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.

Note: It is not recommended to connect this device using either USB extension cables or USB hubs as it may cause errors detecting or taking measurements from the device. Whenever possible connect it directly to the Mac.

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

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

"No Communications" error:

DICOM Calibration:

Datacolor Spyder3 color sensors:

NEC LCD2180WG-LED:

Large screen displays without SpectraView Engine:

LCD4020, LCD4620, LCD5220, LCD6520, M40, M40B, M40-2, M46, M46B, M46-2, P401, P461, P521, P551, P701, X431BT, X461UN, X462UN, and X461HB only

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):

Color gamut and preset Targets for displays with the SpectraView Engine:

NEC MultiSync PA series displays, C751Q, C861Q, C981Q, EX341R, P212, P232W, P241W, P242W, P243W, P404, P484, P554, P754Q, UN462A, UN462VA, UN492S, UN492VS, UN552, UN552A, UN552S, UN552V, UN552VS, UX552, UX552S, V404, V484, V554, V554Q, V654Q, V754Q, V864Q, V984Q, X551UHD, X651UHD, X651UHD-2, X841UHD, X841UHD-2, X981UHD, and X981UHD-2 only

 

Supported Operating Systems and Macs

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.

 

Supported Display Monitors

SpectraView II supports the following display monitor models:

 

Supported Color Sensors

SpectraView II supports the following color sensors:

Note:The X-Rite ColorMunki Display device introduced in mid-2011 and sold as the "ColorMunki Create" bundle is not supported.

 

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

V1.1.37: April 6 2018

V1.1.38: August 15 2018

V1.1.39: October 24 2018

V1.1.40: September 9, 2019

 

Copyright

This file and all of the SpectraView software is Copyright © 2003-19 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 International Color Consortium (www.color.org).