MAC vs. PC colors

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steven Thompson
  • Start date Start date
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Steven Thompson

I resolved my previous ink issue...=)....Just bought an Epson brand ink
cartridge.

My question is: Why do colors from my MAC look so much better
(more accurate) than from my PC?

For printing I use Photoshop 7 on my MAC and Photoshop 5 on my PC.
 
Ok, I hate to be the one to reply to my own message, but for those who
are reading this, I have been told that the new versions of Photoshop
are most likely the culprits for producing good color.....=)
 
There is a differece on gamma value of PC and Mac monitors. PCs have a gamma
monitor value of about 2.5 when Macs have a corresponding value of 1.5.
That's why you may see differences on colors. Macs have a monitor gamma
1.4(?) and a software monitor driver gamma of about 1.8, this leads to an
actual 2.5 monitor crt value. PCs involve only a software monitor driver
gamma correction.
Try to lighten the photo (or darken it, I can't remember what you have to do
on PC) before printing it, and you will get same colors on both systems. Use
the levels and move the mid point to a value of about 1.4 (or 0.7?).
 
I am aware of the gamma differences..I was referring to the prints
only..Exact same photo,same printer,same paper,same ink ~ Different
version of Photoshop
 
BTW: I have the gamma on my MAC set to the Exact same gamma as my PC
~Image looks the same on both screens~
 
Even if images look same on both monitors, there are differences on how PC
and Mac handle gamma corrections. I supose you don't have different "colors"
but different "brightness". Try to change the lightness and you will get
same printings.
It's complicate how computers handle gamma corrections. If I understand
correct, Mac would print lighter than PC.

--
 
Addendum:
Each device has its own (internal) gamma:

PC:
monitor = 2.5
soft. monitor driver = 0
printer = ???
photoshop soft. monitor = 1.8 (by default), about 2.5 if you adjust the
adobe gamma.
photoshop RGB setup = 1.8 (or 2.2-2.5?), it must be set to 2.5.

Mac:
monitor = 1.4
soft. monitor driver = 1.8 (this convertion involved in any software
application too, including photoshop)
printer = ???
photoshop soft. monitor = 1.8 (by default).
photoshop RGB profile setup = 1.8

That's why I say that's a compicated thing.
Have you adjust the adobe gamma application for the PC?

But the difference is that the monitor driver gamma is involved in any
software application too, including photoshop.
 
If I understand you correctly, you are saying that monitor gamma affects
how my printed image will look?

I changed the gamma on my MAC in the main Preferences menu. There is no
difference in brightness at all on the two computers. I do belive if I
changed the gamma on an individual image in Photoshop that I could get a
similar result, but this seems like a lot of trouble.
 
I think I spoke to soon...LOL...
~The images when viewed on my mac do look (in photoshop)like how they print.

~The images on my PC also look (in photoshop) how they print

So I belive Yianni is correct in saying that the gamma on screen affects
the brightness in the final print. KUDOS to Yianni
Addendum:
Each device has its own (internal) gamma:

PC:
monitor = 2.5
soft. monitor driver = 0
printer = ???
photoshop soft. monitor = 1.8 (by default), about 2.5 if you adjust the
adobe gamma.
photoshop RGB setup = 1.8 (or 2.2-2.5?), it must be set to 2.5.

Mac:
monitor = 1.4
soft. monitor driver = 1.8 (this convertion involved in any software
application too, including photoshop)
printer = ???
photoshop soft. monitor = 1.8 (by default).
photoshop RGB profile setup = 1.8

That's why I say that's a compicated thing.
Have you adjust the adobe gamma application for the PC?

But the difference is that the monitor driver gamma is involved in any
software application too, including photoshop.

--

Yianni
(e-mail address removed) (áöáéñÝóôå ôïí áñéèìü åííéÜ áðü ôï email)

--
Click to expand...
 
I think I spoke to soon...LOL...

Like in a chat room... It happens because we are the same time online.

So I belive Yianni is correct in saying that the gamma on screen affects
the brightness in the final print.
Click to expand...

Something like this, to say the truth I can't totaly understand the whole
mater. Photoshop has two places with gamma values (RGB setup, adobe gamma
application).

I changed the gamma on my MAC in the main Preferences menu. There
is no difference in brightness at all on the two computers. I do belive if I
changed the gamma on an individual image in Photoshop that I could get a
similar result, but this seems like a lot of trouble.
Click to expand...

You are right. Think it's the simpliest method!
The other method is to put 2.5 on RGB setup for the PC ONLY (1.8 for the
Mac), and to adjust the adobe gamma application for the PC too. I don't know
but I think there isn't adobe gamma application for the Mac.

--
 
I think I found a fix to my problem.
You are right about not being able to adjust gama in Photoshop on the
MAC.This is OK because the colors look perfect anyhow. On the PC, I just
adjusted the gama in Photoshop and the colors on my display to match the
MAC.

I now get perfect prints from my PC.

Thanks for all your insights Yianni......=)
 
Larry said:
Because it's a Mac, and it has a lot more experience with accuracy :)
Click to expand...

The issues here are color management settings and profiling/calibration, not
platforms. If properly set-up. both boxes will produce virtually identical
results, both on screen and in print.
 
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