LaCie 526

B

Biges

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
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LaCie is known for using NEC monitors as a base for several of their monitors. So the 526 is very likely to be basically a 2690 with a different badge.

In reality there is no difference between the the Multisync and Spectraview models of NEC monitors. They have exaclty the same specification.

In Europe something is done to the Spectraview versions to allow hardware calibration with the Spectraview 4 software. In the US the only difference is that the Spectraview one comes bundled with the Spectraview II software (which is available separately there anyway)
 
It is just a rebranded NEC. Both LaCie and NEC will tell you as much if you ask. It isn't even altered, other than slight appearance changes. LaCie has done that for a long time. All their display products are NEC monitors.

You should be aware that the MultiSync/Spectraview difference is just a marketing thing in Europe. There is no actual difference in display hardware. In the US, if your order a Spectraview model, they just put a Spectraview kit in the box. You can also buy a display without it, and later buy the kit.

If your question is do the LaCie models have hardware calibration turned on the answer is yes, they are functionally identical to the US 2690 models. They have their own cobranded colourimetre, though it is again just an i1 Display 2. Their software is the primary difference, though it is more or less functionally equivalent to NEC's Spectraview software.

At any rate, ever since I've kept track, all the way back to their CRT monitors, LaCie products have just been rebadged NEC. They've never been the least bit secretive about this either. So for any given LaCie product, there is a dead identical NEC product. All the menu options are the same and everything.

Time was the LaCie products were often the better deal. I bought an Electron22Blue IV CRT for that reason. It was about the same price as the same NEC CRT, but came with a hood. However the 526 is much more expensive than the 2690, so A 2690 is what I decided to get.
 
The LaCie 324 is not a rebadged NEC though - there is no equivalent NEC screen.
 
If the LaCie 526 is a rebadged NEC SpectraView 2690, like biges says, it's a lot cheaper here in Europe.
Price difference between SpectraView 2690 and MultiSuck LCD2690WUXi is approximately EUR 800 (equals US$ 1270)
In fact the LaCie 526 is EUR 300 to EUR 400 lower in price than the SpectraView 2690 here in Europe.
Both with monitor hood and calibration software, but without colorimeter.
Lacie 526 + Hood + Blue Eye Pro software only (Column "prijs" = price, column "prijs+porto" is price including shipping.)
Lacie 526 + Hood + Blue Eye Pro software only (Column "Prijs" = price, column Kosten = shipping costs)
NEC SpectraView 2690 + Hood (or voucher for hood) + SpectraView Profiler software only (Column "prijs" = price, column "prijs+porto" is price including shipping.)
NEC SpectraView 2690 + Hood (or voucher for hood) + SpectraView Profiler software only (price amount includes shipping)

@mlewis: Looks like you were right (in the other thread). Apologies.
Handpicking and firmware hacking is rife at NEC.

Robert

P.S. This server is having Bad Karma again (already 5 attempts to reply) :
 
So my original question remains... is 526 SV or WUXi?
Who is going to find out? Should I do it? :)
 
@InToGraphics: The LaCie 526 is more expensive than the Spectraview 2690 in the UK.

So my orifinal question remains... is 526 SV or WUXi?
Click to expand...
Yes as the SV and Multisync versions have identical hardware :)
 
mlewis said:
@InToGraphics: The LaCie 526 is more expensive than the Spectraview 2690 in the UK.
Click to expand...
Maybe because the UK version is a RHD.
Or maybe because you Brits have always been calling us "Europeans" and referring to our countries as the "European mainland" and "Europe".
Or maybe it serves you right for not wanting to completely commit to the EU.:p
Just kidding. Couldn't resist.:D
But seriously, it looks like LaCie UK, is the NEC of Europe.
mlewis said:
Biges said:
So my orifinal question remains... is 526 SV or WUXi?
Who is going to find out? Should I do it? :)
Click to expand...

Yes as the SV and Multisync versions have identical hardware :)
Click to expand...
In Europe, the SpectraView and the MultiSync are created equal, except for firmware and handpicking. Like you said elsewhere. And you convinced me.

But that also means, even if the LaCie 526 has fully functioning monitor LUT loading similar to a SpectraView 2690 (meaning same firmware), we do not know for sure if the LaCie 526 is handpicked, like the European SpectraView 2690.
Personally. I think that we will never find out if LaCie handpicks its 526 monitors.
Unless an LaCie emlpoyee spills the beans. But s/he can always recall this afterwards by saying something along the line of "I was on a psychedelic trip when I said that."

If we would find this out from a trustworthy source it would be great, but I'm already happy with being able to accurately load the monitor LUTs with one click.

Robert
 
I hope we are going to find out. I'v sent an e-mail to LaCie using my "powerful" "idg.cz" email :-D
 
InToGraphics said:
Devious!
I only hope that there are no NEC or LaCie employees lurking around.

Robert
Click to expand...

Why?

And maybe there are some USA NEC people, which hardly care for the troubles NEC causes to European and Australian customers :-/
 
Biges said:
Why?
Click to expand...
When a LaCie employee reads your reply about the email address, their answer to you might be biased. "Yes we handpick our 526's. And we are even pickier than NEC." Stimulating sales.
An NEC employee would maybe reply in here telling you a different story.

Biges said:
And maybe there are some USA NEC people, which hardly care for the troubles NEC causes to European and Australian customers :-/
Click to expand...
Can't blame them. They are not doing anything wrong.
 
InToGraphics said:
When a LaCie employee reads your reply about the email address, their answer to you might be biased. "Yes we handpick our 526's. And we are even pickier than NEC." Stimulating sales.
An NEC employee would maybe reply in here telling you a different story.
Click to expand...

You underestimate me :) I just asked, it the monitor can be HW calibrated and if they offer zero dead-pixels warranty.
 
Yes it can be calibrated (but with their software). As for zero dead pixel policy, not completely. They will replace a screen that has any pixel that is fully dead (as in stuck all black or all white) but they will not replace a screen just due to sub pixel problems.
 
InToGraphics said:
Is checking for "zero dead-pixels" not one of the things that they will do while handpicking ?
Click to expand...

I have discussed "handpicking" with european 2690SV owner.
His monitor has the certificate along with a couple of dead pixels and some backlight irregularity.
My 2490SV came with nothing - no certificate, no dead pixels, no backlight problems.
 
Well, well, a handpicked European SpectraView with a couple of dead pixels. Did they refuse to exchange it ?
The image quality of the MultiSyncs is unquestionable good, according to pro reviews and actual user reviews. So the distinguishing factor can't be colour, geometry, backlighting, etc.

This leaves us with a certificate with a EUR 800 premium.
Looks like the LaCie 526 is becoming a better and better option.

And, what exactly is certified by this SpectraView certificate that comes with European SpectraViews ?
"We solemnly swear that this SpectraView monitor attended our handpicking party by invitation on Friday the 11th of July. Unlike the ordinary MultiSync monitors. Whom we will never invite. "

mlewis, you have a European/UK SpectraView 2690 with certificate. Please speak, or forever hold your peace.

And also does anyone know exactly what they are looking for during a (in)famous handpicking party ?
Maybe it's just that, a party. I might be gate-crashing the next one.:p

NEC policy = fUcK YOUrope.

Robert

Anyone remember this ? It fits this situation perfectly. : "Trust The Well Known Name" - JOHN CLEESE Compaq Commercial
There are more here : John Cleese compaq commercials
 
I'm sure the SV were exchanged :)
Anyway, I think LaCie 526 may be a good option, it is basicly 2690 SV with a slightly more relaxed bad pixels policy... althought it depends on the local prices... ... looking... well... SV 2690 for 44000 crowns, LaCie 526 54500, 2690WUXi 32000 crowns (all including VAT). Crap.
 
Biges said:
I'm sure the SV were exchanged :)
Click to expand...
Even if it were exchanged, it shouldn't have had the dead pixels. Not for the extra EUR 800. An LCD2690WUXi can be had for EUR 1045 including shipping. So he already payed for a replacement (at cost to NEC Europe).
They just exchange the MultiSync firmware chip and badge/sticker for the ones from the SpectraView line and ship it to him.
Biges said:
Anyway, I think LaCie 526 may be a good option, it is basicly 2690 SV with a slightly more relaxed bad pixels policy... althought it depends on the local prices... ... looking... well... SV 2690 for 44000 crowns, LaCie 526 54500, 2690WUXi 32000 crowns (all including VAT). Crap.
Click to expand...
Same situation as in the UK it seems. With LaCie being more expensive. But the SV 2690 at 44000 CZK = EUR 1870, similar price as here in The Netherlands.

Robert
 
The Spectraview certificate that came with my 2690 basically consisted of a series of brightness measurement from across the screen and confirmed that it was a Spectraview monitor.

I can't remember what else was there as I haven't kept the certificate. It wasn't especially exciting.
 
I understand why you didn't hold on to it then.
If you ever change your mind, give us a bell.
I can issue a new SpectraView certificate to you, and I'll certify anything you want.
 
InToGraphics said:
I understand why you didn't hold on to it then.
If you ever change your mind, give us a bell.
I can issue a new SpectraView certificate to you, and I'll certify anything you want.
Click to expand...

I'll remember that for my future certificate replacement needs :D
 
Found the answer at the UK Spectraview website : NEC SpectraView® : Colour Specialist Displays
(One of my competitor/buddies pointed it out.)


from the spectraview.co.uk website said:
Every NEC SpectraView® monitor is tested at the factory and an individual 3D Colour and Brightness Compensation Matrix is created, which sets the optimum level of colour uniformity across the entire panel (backed by a NEC certificate of conformity).

NEC's unique ColorComp Technology, operated through the On Screen Menu, allows the user to adjust the factory set levels.
Click to expand...

Your memory is OK. I'll issue a certificate for that.

Robert

P.S.
Nice babe at the front page. Hope for her own good that she's not 26" wide though. Her hips are not showing.
How on earth could they do this ? LOL!
 
I received answer from LaCie:

"I've checked with a Product Manager in France.
Yes, the 526 offers 12 bit Gamma Correction with 16 bit calculation
precision. This allows true hardware calibration of the monitor with our
software LaCie blue eye pro.

Yes, it comes with a zero-dead-pixel warranty. (please note: one pixel=three
subpixels, if three subpixels are always on or off, this is a dead pixel. If
for example only one subpixel is off, this is not a dead pixel.)"

So it confirms, that screens with bad sub-pixels are not replaced.

Edit: Some more:

"Our software works with the competition's hardware. In other words, it works fine with GretagMacBeth (now XRite) eyeOne Display 1 and 2, eyeOne Pro,XRite DTP94, and some Colorvision products (Spyder 2 and soon Spyder 3). "
 
Biges said:
I received answer from LaCie:

"I've checked with a Product Manager in France.
Yes, the 526 offers 12 bit Gamma Correction with 16 bit calculation
precision. This allows true hardware calibration of the monitor with our
software LaCie blue eye pro.

Yes, it comes with a zero-dead-pixel warranty. (please note: one pixel=three
subpixels, if three subpixels are always on or off, this is a dead pixel. If
for example only one subpixel is off, this is not a dead pixel.)"

So it confirms, that screens with bad sub-pixels are not replaced.

Edit: Some more:

"Our software works with the competition's hardware. In other words, it works fine with GretagMacBeth (now XRite) eyeOne Display 1 and 2, eyeOne Pro,XRite DTP94, and some Colorvision products (Spyder 2 and soon Spyder 3). "
Click to expand...
If the LaCie Blue Eye Pro software can perform true hardware calibration on the LaCie 526, than maybe also the NEC MultiSync LCD2690WUXi ?
Unless they have removed (as in deleted) the code to load the monitor LUT from the firmware in the MultiSync LCD2690WUXi.
The guy at the shop also made me aware of the fact that there is something strange with NEC SpectraView monitors and the Colormunki. I had to cross it off my wishlist : NEC Spectraview Monitor Calibration Hanging.
In Windows, the download file switches off DDC/CI detection in the registry. For both the ColorMunki Photo and Design.
 
Biges said:
Famous ColorComp :) If I turn this feature on on my 2690WUXi, it makes part of the screen turn reddish, so the screen looks actually worse then before.
Click to expand...
I just wanted the screenshot to show the "explanation" for the certificate.
I can't comment on the workings of ColorComp. I haven't got the monitor, but you do. But as it says on that very page, it allows you to change the optimum settings (factory/handpicked). So I'm not surprised about the results.
 
Biges,
Please re-read #26. It's incompatible with the SpectraViews. At least for now.
Or would it just hardware calibrate the MultiSyncs and SpectraViews ?:cool:
 
InToGraphics said:
Biges,
Please re-read #26. It's incompatible with the SpectraViews. At least for now.
Or would it just hardware calibrate the MultiSyncs and SpectraViews ?:cool:
Click to expand...

I mean a spectrophotometer in general, not specificly this one. But this in unlikely to happen, as impotent IDG Czech got its only calibrator stolen a year ago, so it is unlikely to get an expensive spectrophotometer.
 
Why don't you get one yourself.
You will get more monitors to review.
And you can make the spectrophotometer pay for itself by letting IDG hire it from you (the owner) for the duration of the review.
 
InToGraphics said:
Why don't you get one yourself.
You will get more monitors to review.
And you can make the spectrophotometer pay for itself by letting IDG hire it from you (the owner) for the duration of the review.
Click to expand...

Because I doubt I'd ever earn enough money by monitor reviews, our current managament is not interested in such things, they would prefer more... general user oriented content of PC World - my articles "Application XY for dummies" are very welcomed :)
And I think I'll soon have much less time for such activities anyway.
 
True. And they need a high (paid for) circulation to survive. So you can't blame them.
Just don't let the situation take over and change your mood, my man.

Regarding your remark "Application XY for dummies" :) :
"You cannot open a book without learning something."
Confucius
Click to expand...
 
InToGraphics said:
True. And they need a high (paid for) circulation to survive. So you can't blame them.
Just don't let the situation take over and change your mood, my man.

Regarding your remark "Application XY for dummies" :) :
Click to expand...

Well.. I'm just adjusting to the corporate mood, many people are fed up. But no let's get pesimistic, I still have BusinessWorld web to work with :-D
 
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