ArgyllPRO ColorMeter logo

ColorMeter Version 2 now released!
ArgyllPRO ColorMeter. Color in the palm of your hand.
 
ColorMeter IconArgyllPRO ColorMeter is an innovative handheld application designed for both Tablets and Phones, that lets you use all your USB connected color measurement instruments on the go, as well as save them for use later. The popular color instruments supported can be used for a wide range of common light and color measurement tasks, so ColorMeter provides a great deal of flexibility and configurability, allowing you to customize it to the task at hand and switch tasks rapidly. It can also use a ChromCast as a compact Video Test Pattern Generator. Of interest to Designers, Graphic Artists, Photographers, Architectural and Theater Lighting Designers, Printing Professionals, Colorists, Film professionals and TV & Digital Cinema calibrators.

Use your X-Rite Eye-One Display Pro to make accurate measurements of ambient, spot or display light levels and color temperature for Photography or Lighting design. Measure and calibrate Televisions and Projectors using a Klein K10-A. Check print samples using your ColorMunki spectrometer or Eye-One Pro 2 in the field. Obtain accurate sample measurements to incorporate into your documents or web pages, and find the closest matching color swatch instantly. Check movie theater certification using a JETI specbos 1211 - ArgyllPRO ColorMeter has you covered. A tool you'll want to have in your color arsenal.

Check out the 2 Minute Overview + Guided Tour Video
Please visit the Google Play store to install the ColorMeterDEMO (free), or ColorMeter applications.

New in Version 2.0:
 Why Android ? - because it's the only portable platform that gives applications ready access to a USB host port - something essential to being able to use accurate, readily available color measurement instruments. The fact that it's the largest open platform for mobile applications, and as well as being available in a wide range of form factors and price points, adds to its attraction.

Not all Android devices will be able to run ColorMeter, although the situation is improving all the time with the introduction of newer Android based products. You need to be running Android version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or latter, and your Android device needs a functional USB on the go (USB OTG) port to connect to most instruments, or Bluetooth to connect to Blutetooth capable instruments. Before purchasing ArgyllPRO ColorMeter or an Android device capable of working with your instruments, it is highly recommended that you explore ColorMeter's capabilities, and check that it is going to work with your hardware, by downloading and running the free ArgyllPRO ColorMeterDEMO application. See the FAQ below for more information on choosing an Android device and/or Color measurement Instrument.

Capabilities:
Tri-stimulus & Spectral measurement in Emissive, Ambient, Reflective, Transmissive & Flash measurement modes.
Display Refresh rate.

Chromaticity and Spectral graphic display.

Configurable readouts of any measurement combination.

Current measurement, reference measurement and White, Black, Red, Yellow, Green Cyan, Blue and Magenta Primary measurement registers.
Save and Restore ColorMeter and Instrument configurations.
Download & install display calibrations, named color palettes & OEM instrument support files.
Export measurements in .TSV (Tab Separated Value) format, as well as ArgyllCMS .sp format.
Save up to 10000 measurements for later review and/or exporting.
Full documentation accessible directly from the application.

Instruments supported:
Video Test Pattern Generator (TPG) Capability:
By making use of a ChromeCast, ColorMeter can act as an HDMI Video Test Patch and Test Card source. While the ChromeCast is not a bit perfect TPG, the use of dithering makes it accurate to within perceptual limits. There is no support for switching to HDR mode in software.
It can be used to display one of six standard Test Cards, covering Display geometry, Probe locations, Low clipping, High clipping, Neutrals and Color ramps. It can also be used to display a test patch color that matches the reference RGB value Readout, which combined with continuous measurement mode and Delta E and RGB adjustment Readouts, gives color by color Video calibration capability.
It will work with Chromecast 1, Chromecast 2, Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV. It almost certainly works with Chromecast 3.
System Requirements:

The exact capabilities depend on the type of instrument you are using.


For more detail, please explore the on-line documentation
as well as the 2 Minute Overview + Guided Tour Video.


Preset Configurations provided:

Preset Configurations

Example configurations:
Printing
 Photography
 Lighting
 Graphic Design TV & Video
Printing use example Photography use example Lighting use example
Graphic Design use example
TV & Vodeo use example

Video Test Cards:
Geometry Probe Locations
 Low Clipping
 High Clipping
 Neutrals
 Color Ramps
Geometry
 Probe Locations
 Low Clipping
 High Clipping
 Neutrals
 Color Ramps

Export to spreadsheet:

Spreadsheet example


Cost:

Price of AU$ 150 ( + GST if applicable) from the Google Play Store. (Approx. US$99)

Availability:

Please visit the Google Play store to install the ColorMeterDEMO (free), or ColorMeter applications.

If you have trouble getting your instrument to work with ColorMeterDEMO when you expect it should work, or are having other difficulties running the software on a particular Android platform and are prepared to help a little in figuring out why, please contact support@argyllpro.com.au.

Required Accessories:

For Android devices with a micro USB port, you'll need a USB OTG ("On The Go", or Host Adaptor) lead (technically a micro-B USB 2.0 OTG to female Type A) - for any instrument. Simply plug the instruments normal USB male Type A plug into the OTG lead. Some examples here. They typically look something like this:


On The Go Lead

They are becoming widely available at stores that sell Phone and Tablet accessories (e.g. RadioShack seem to stock them [Model: 2604173], Belkin make one [P/N: F2CU014btBLK ], etc., so it's worth asking at such a store, and showing them a picture of one), as well as on-line. (I have had some trouble with one adapter that has a plug that is slightly too short to reliably plug into my Android device.)

To get a reliable connection, it is typically best to plug the instrument into the OTG cable, and then plug the OTG cable into your Android device. Doing it in the reverse order can often mean that the instrument won't be recognized.

If your Android device has a USB C port, then you will need a USB C to USB 2.0 female Type A adapter. These are widely available as accessories for USB C equipped devices. Using USB C, it seems to be more reliable to plug the OTG cable into your Android device and then plug the instrument into the Adapter cable. This is the reverse of the OTG cable!
It may also help to turn the USB C plug over if you are having trouble.

If you are using the JETI spectraval 1511 or 1501 and your Android Device supports Bluetooth, or SwatchMate Cube and your Android device supports BlueToothLE, then you can use Bluetooth instead of USB.

End User License Agreement:

You can preview the EULA here.

Note that if you purchase ColorMeter and are satisfied with it, but at some later stage change your Android device to one that is unable to run it, then there is no obligation to offer refunds.

Android Features and Permissions:

The following Android features may be requested by the application:

    android.hardware.usb.host            Required by ColorMeter, used if available by ColorMeterDemo.
    android.hardware.camera               For logging a photo for each measurement.
    android.hardware.bluetooth_le      To be able to access SwatchMate Cube Bluetooth LE and JETI Spectraval BT.

The following Android permissions may be requested by the application:

    android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
    android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
    android.permission.WRITE_INTERNAL_STORAGE
    android.permission.READ_INTERNAL_STORAGE      To be able to load setup files and save configuration state.

    android.permission.BLUETOOTH
    android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN
     android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN
     android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT                
    android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION      To be able to access SwatchMate Cube Bluetooth LE and JETI Spectraval BT.

    android.permission.WAKE_LOCK           To workaround issue 38191: Device won't wake from sleep with USB device plugged on Android < V4.4

    android.permission.READ_LOGS             To be able to gather debug logging and allow user to email it to ArgyllPRO on Android < V4.1

    android.permission.INTERNET                                          For Video Test Pattern Generator & Debug ViewServer

     android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATE    For locating OEM download server using mDNS/ZeroConf.

    android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION             To be able to log the location a measurement was made.
Change Log:

A list of all the major updates for each release is here.

Support & feedback:

Support is via the colormeterlist mailing list. To subscribe, go to the colormeterlist mail manager.

[ This list is for ColorMeter related discussions - please direct ArgyllCMS questions to the ArgyllCMS mailing list. ]

Mail to colormeter@argyllpro.com.au and support@argyllpro.com.au will be responded to on an "as available" basis, and in most cases a speedier response can be expected from the mailing list.

Feedback, suggestions and comments are welcome.


FAQ:

Q: Will there be an iPod/iPhone/iPad version ?
A: Unfortunately this is unlikely, since (as explained above), the ColorMeter application depends on access to a USB host port on the device, and iOS devices have neither a USB port, nor are applications allowed to directly access a USB port using any readily available USB host adapter. Until Apple changes its policy in this regard, there can be no version of ColorMeter for iOS. If you think you would find ColorMeter useful, then the most pragmatic solution at present is to buy an Android device that will run it. Such devices are becoming cheaper and more readily available all the time.

Q: Will it run on a BlackBerry using "Runtime for Android" ?
A: Unfortunately there are two limitations of Runtime for Android that prevent this from being possible. One is that it doesn't support USB OTG connectivity. The other is that it doesn't support Android NDK libraries, and ColorMeter relies on a native library for its instrument driver code.

Q: What Android Tablet would you recommend ?
A: I can highly recommend the Nexus 7 (new or second hand), as it work with all USB instruments and has battery capacity to power them, as well as a very useful display size while still being small enough to comfortably hold in one hand.
The Nexus 7 has become hard to get now, and one other 7" device that I have tested with all the instruments is the Lenovo TAB3 7 Essential. The positives about this tablet is that 1) it works with all the instruments and 2) it's cheap. Disadvantages are 1) it's display is lower resolution and has an incorrect aspect ratio and 2) it's battery performance when sleeping isn't great. Another tablet that works well is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 (2017). Other, tablets and phones featuring Android V4 and USB OTG support, and therefore potentially able to run ColorMeter, are also widely available.

Note that a number of people have reported problems with using some Samsung models (Galaxy S3, Galaxy Tab 3, Galaxy Note 2 and others) in combination with the ColorMunki spectrometer. This may be due to a bug in Samsungs USB host hardware or driver, and so may depend on which version of Android it is running.

Here is a list of the Android devices that existing customers are using, but the safest thing is to try out a tablet or phone using ColorMeter Demo, to make sure it will work with your instrument, before you buy it.

Q: What instrument would you recommend ?
A: This very much depends on what you want to measure, and your budget.
Q: My i1pro2 doesn't work! - I get an error during reflective calibration and/or measurement!
A: One of the things many people have noticed about X-Rite's i1pro2, is that it is very sensitive to the USB lead length and quality. This is probably an issue with the power being supplied over USB to the instrument, and X-Rite having made it very particular about the voltage level. This manifests itself as a problem whenever the measurement light gets turned on, often during calibration. One solution is to try using a shorter (but high quality) USB lead, say around 1 Meter (3 feet) in length. A short lead often makes the whole arrangement more convenient to use in a hand-held configuration anyway. Another solution that may work if this problem has just started after successfully using the instrument, is to use some electrical contact cleaner spray on the USB connectors, as high resistance due to dirt and contact wear can trigger the problem. Some Android devices may not be able to supply sufficient power to the reflective measuring instruments, or may have a poor USB voltage level, making them unsuitable for use with the i1pro2.

Q: My i1pro2/i1pro3 doesn't work reliably! - Sometimes it fails to initialize after plugging in.
A: Some of the instruments are more sensitive to supplied USB voltage than others, and different Android devices are better or worse at supplying the correct USB voltage. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A had a strange fault with an earlier version of Android in which 2/3's of the time that you plugged in the OTG adapter, it would supply 4.3 Volts and the i1Pro2 and i1Pro3 would fail to initialize. 1/3 of the time it would supply the correct 5 Volts and the instruments would work. Upgrading to Android 9 cured this problem. So if you are noticing unreliable spectrometer behavior, suspect leads, OTG adapters, under-spec. Android hardware and even bugs in Android USB drivers.

Q: When I plug an instrument or other USB OTG device in, nothing happens. How can I fix this ?
A: Either your Android device doesn't support USB OTG, or it is not enabled. For instance, the Sony Z5 has a "detect usb" button in the notifications panel that should be turned on.

Q: Is ColorMeter available in any languages other than English ?
A: At the present time, no. CGTPL is a small company, and currently does not have the resources to provide a fully internationalized product.