Windows 7 photo question

[Dan Murphy]

I just recently updated my desktop, another Dell. It has Windows 7.

In the past, using previous Dells, or any brand for that matter (I use a Lenovo laptop also) and XP or Vista, along with the default Windows Media Player, or Photoshop Elements or whatever, photos looked fine. Now with the new one, Dell Studio 8100 XPS, and Dell monitor SX2210, the colors on photos seem to be way blown out, very intense saturation. There is no specific saturation control on the monitor.

ETA....Video card is nVidia GeForce GTS 240. The is are brightness, contrast, gamma and digital vibrance settings.

Any thoughts from the experts here?

Thanks much.

 

[photo_chick]

More than likely it is simply a difference in monitor calibration. While software can make a difference, you did just upgrade your hardware.

Is it an LCD monitor? A lot of times they are set a bit bright to start with.

 

[mabas9395]

Time to get a basic monitor calibrator.

 

[VVFF]

Its either a difference in color gamut of the monitor vs. old and you aren't using the supplied color profile of the monitor OR you have the digital vibrance setting turned up.

It could also be a combination of these. First off, if digital vibrance isn't off...turn it off.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I checked the video card software. It does have a digital vibrance adjustment. It was default set at 90. I backed it down to 55. If I bring it to 0 (no on/off), the color goes b/w. The 55 makes a BIG difference.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I, too, would recommend calibrating your monitor.

Monitor calibration helps to standardize the colors and brightness that you see on your screen. You want to make sure that the whites on your monitor really ARE white, and the blacks are truly black.

For years, I used to think that my computer monitors were pretty good. But once I "bought in" to monitor calibration, I quickly saw that my computer monitors were actually tinted light-blue! All the whites on my screen were actually light-blue!

Your local computer store should have monitor calibration devices in stock. They usually run about $100. I, personally, use the Spyder3, but there are other brands out there, too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The calibrating device is hardware, or software?

 

[VVFF]

The calibrating device is hardware, or software?

Both, hardware to measure the screen, software to control it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the information.