[Lunatique]

Exactly WHEN do you need to used temperatures on your monitor?

I have mine set to user setting of R, G, and B all turned up all the way. Seems to me that is the most correct and neutral color setting.

So, why is there a 9300k, 6500k, and 5500k setting if all they do is make your monitor progressively warmer and darker? Why would you need those settings?

[wootkoos]

5000K is Warm White
6500K is Daylight
9300K is Cool White

Basically this is your White Point of your monitor. Obviously if it's 9300K the it has a blue (cold)cast over the monitor. If it's 5000k it has a red (warm) cast over the montior.

Most monitors come preset at 6500K. This is the default white point, and most accurate, in most cases.

If you run Adobe Gamma (I'll assume your using Photoshop) this will make a profile for your monitor (Your printer can now be setup to use this profile to ensure the closet color match, minus the limitations of the printer.) As you go threw the steps you will come across the White Point setup. If you click the measure button this will make your screen black and present you with 3 squares of gray. Choose the one that is closer to a neutral gray.
The only way to get accurate white point measurement is to have a hardware based device that does the measuring. We use a Spectra SpectraView at work.

Sooo basically it is one of a few factors that effects how you see colors on your monitor.

I hope this info helps you! I could go into more technical terms but by that time I would be able to publish a book

[Lunatique]

Hey, thanks! That's pretty helpful.

So, for me to paint my stuff at a "neutral" color setting, I should use 6500k?

[Dr. Bang]

i set all of my RGB value to 100!!!! ITS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!

[jbirn]

Here's a simple trick to test your settings: Get a white piece of paper and set it next to your monitor. Does the white look the same as a white square on your monitor screen? Raise the monitor's color temp if the monitor's white looks to yellow, and lower it if it looks too blue.

If you have windows letting daylight into the room, or different kinds of lamps on, then the way you see white paper could be different from the default, and you want your monitor to show tints the same as you see around the rest of your desk.

-j

[Lunatique]

Hey, good tip! Gonna try it now.

[Lunatique]

Wow, I had my GF reflect indirect sunlight onto a white paper I held up next to my monitor, and 6500k IS the closest to neutral daylight! That is SO weird, since 6500k always appeared too yellow to my eyes.

Well, guess it's 6500k from now on.

[EviLToYLeT]

I never figured out why you would want 6500 k.... a natural daylight setting. It doesn't make sense espeically if you have light shining off your monitor anyway.

thats why i like 9300 k

and dont listen to dr bang.. you're gonna fry your retinas! hehe

[Dr. Bang]

NOT IF U HAVE A 4 YEARS OLD MONITOR!