HP LP2480zx - DreamColor - 24" LCD Monitor User manual

Digital Color Workflows and the
HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display
Improving accuracy and predictability in color processing at the designer’s desk can
increase productivity and improve quality of digital color projects in animation,
game development, film/video post production, broadcast, product design, graphic
arts and photography.
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................2
Managing color .............................................................................................................................3
The property of color ...................................................................................................................3
The RGB color set ....................................................................................................................3
The CMYK color set .................................................................................................................3
Color spaces...........................................................................................................................4
Gamuts..................................................................................................................................5
The digital workflow....................................................................................................................5
Color profiles..........................................................................................................................5
Color accuracy and predictability...............................................................................................6
HP DreamColor Technologies ...........................................................................................................7
Background............................................................................................................................7
Specifications..........................................................................................................................7
The HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display..............................................................................8
Features.................................................................................................................................8
Platforms..............................................................................................................................10
Conclusions.................................................................................................................................11
For more information.....................................................................................................................11

2
Introduction
Color is all around us. And it’s often important (you look healthy!; is this stove hot?). While not life-
threatening, color is also a very important part of many of today’s digital workflows—in product
design, entertainment, broadcasting, and advertising. Further, as the quality and economics of tools
for desktop publishing improve, the use of color is increasingly commonplace in consumer digital
workflows, from printing photographs to creating brochures for small businesses.
However, maintaining color predictability across a workflow, which necessarily employs multiple
devices and media (e.g., digital cameras, scanners, workstation displays, printers, cinema and
video), is so difficult that it often becomes an afterthought—or is ignored altogether. Artists and
designers need to know that the colors they see at their display will accurately be reflected in their
end product, whether it’s an animated film, a product (or its packaging), a video, or a printed
advertisement.
In early 2007, Hewlett-Packard introduced HP DreamColor—a set of technologies and use models
that provide accuracy, predictability, and ease of use for color reproduction systems. HP DreamColor
combines HP technologies with existing color management tools to provide outstanding color
reproduction throughout a digital workflow. Importantly, HP DreamColor technologies remove the
complexity involved in producing accurate and predicable color across a series of digital devices.
Built into a series of applications and devices—displays, printers, and presses—the technologies
streamline the process, allowing graphic arts professionals to focus on results instead of process.
This paper provides a brief overview of working with a digital color workflow, with a focus on the HP
DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display. The HP DreamColor LP2480zx display is the world’s
only color-critical 24-inch diagonal widescreen LCD display based on the HP DreamColor technology.
It is the first affordable CRT replacement for color-critical applications that provides billion-color
accuracy—from vision through production.

3
Managing color
We will begin with a brief introduction to color, including a description of one method of
mathematically quantifying color. Next, we will present an overview of a typical digital workflow,
and finally, we will discuss how color is maintained throughout that workflow.
The property of color
Color is a tricky thing. Nothing really has color; color is a perception, generated in the eye-brain
system in response to given stimuli. To perceive light, our eyes use three different receptors to decode
wavelengths of light into something that our brain interprets as color. The three different receptors are
each sensitive to different wavelengths, roughly corresponding to the red, green, and blue portions of
the color spectrum. Our eyes, then, perceive any color that we humans are capable of seeing by
combining different “output values” of the red, green, and blue receptors.
There are two different ways that the different wavelengths of light (corresponding to color) can be
created: light can be emitted from a source (emissive source), or can result from the wavelengths of
light that were not absorbed after light is reflected off of an object (reflective source). These two ways
of creating can be translated into two different “sets” of color—RGB and CMYK.
The RGB color set
We refer to the red, green, and blue (RGB) colors created from an emissive source as primary colors.
Specifically they are called additive primaries, because any color that a display device is capable of
producing is made by adding different intensities of each of these three colors of light. Since our eyes
are specifically sensitive to the three additive primary colors, electronic devices that generate light
(e.g. color television) are generally designed to emit light in the red, blue, and green spectrums. Such
devices are usually referred to as RGB devices.
Figure 1. The RGB and CMY primaries.
The CMYK color set
Objects that don’t emit their own light exhibit color by virtue of the wavelengths of light that are
reflected off of them. In other words, to produce a particular color, we have to subtract the proper
primary colors (because the surface that is reflecting will absorb different amounts of the three
additive primaries). For example, if blue light is the one mainly absorbed, leaving only the red and
green parts of the spectrum, the perceived color is yellow (red + green). Similarly, subtracting the

4
green light produces a reddish-purple hue (red + blue, or magenta), while subtracting the red results
in cyan, a combination of blue and green.
Thus, the cyan-magenta-yellow set comprises the subtractive primaries—typically used in printing.
However, since real-world subtractive primaries don’t really absorb all the light at any given
wavelength, combining the three doesn’t generally give a very good black. So, black ink is commonly
added to the C-M-Y set, resulting in “CMYK” printing. (“K” is used for black, since “B” was already
taken for the blue in the RGB set).
Color spaces
Over the years, many different ways of quantifying color have been developed. Generally, a model
that represents how color is represented is known as a color space. Different devices and applications
can (and do) use different color spaces.
In 1931, the International Commission on Illumination (or CIE as it’s known by its French initials)
published a specification that described standardized curves based on the sensitivity of normal human
vision vs. wavelength for the three types of receptors in the eye. These are known as the CIE 1931
color-matching functions, and they lead directly to a space defined by three standardized primaries
known as X, Y, and Z. A simplified “two-dimensional” model was derived from the XYZ system, and is
referred to as the CIE xy color space, or more correctly the xy chromaticity coordinates or
chromaticity diagram.
The CIE 1931 system takes into account humans’ response to different wavelengths of light, and has
become a standard in the electronics industry for specifying the ability of an electronic device to
reproduce color. However, the CIE 1931 chart is not a perceptually uniform color space. In other
words, the same change in distance on the xy chart in two different regions generally does not mean
the same change in perceived color as a human eye would see it.
In 1976, a system similar to CIE 1931 was developed that partially corrects for the non-uniformity of
CIE 1931—it is called the L*u*v* color space, and has an associated u’v’ color chart (Figure 2; the
“color gamut” is discussed in the next section). The challenge (as we will explore) is mapping color
spaces over a range of input devices, applications, and output devices while maintaining (or
supporting) color range accuracy and predictability.

5
Figure 2. The CIE 1976 u’v’ chromaticity coordinate system.
Gamuts
The CIE 1976 system is a useful way to describe the color that a certain device or system is capable
of producing. Since it is based on the additive primary colors (RGB), the subset of colors that a device
or system can produce can be described by a triangle superimposed on a CIE chart; such a triangle
is referred to as the gamut of the device or system (Figure 2). The vertices of the triangle represent the
maximum output values for each of R, G, and B that the device or system is capable of producing.
The first thing to note from the chart is that there seems to be quite a large area of color that our
display or printer simply can’t produce. Part of the reason for this is simply that no display or printer is
technologically capable of producing these colors; and part of the reason is mathematical. There is
simply no way that a triangle can cover the entire visible space without at least one of the primaries
being off in the black area outside of the horseshoe-shape—which would mean the primary itself
would be somewhere outside of the range of visible colors.
We will discuss the gamut of different devices later when we review the features of the HP
DreamColor LP2480zx display.
The digital workflow
In the typical digital workflow, an image and its color are generated synthetically (e.g. animation,
advertising collateral, etc.) or are input through some device (scanner, camera, etc.) and the digital
information representing the image is stored in a data file (Figure 3). Since different devices treat
color differently, the challenge for vendors of computer and imaging equipment is to provide users
with consistent color across the entire workflow.
Color profiles
In an effort to maintain predictability of color across the range of devices encountered in the
workflow, each device maintains a numeric description of how it manipulates color—called a profile.
Devices and applications use a profile to map color information from one device to another
throughout the workflow.

6
The most widely adopted profile format is that created by the International Color Consortium (ICC1).
The ICC was established in 1993 to encourage vendors to standardize on a single format, which
would allow vendors to communicate profile information within a workflow.
Figure 3. A typical digital workflow2.
Color accuracy and predictability
Well then, what is the problem? We have:
A “pretty good” way of mathematically describing how a color will look on a specific device (the
CIE 1931 or CIE 1976 system);
A collection of pre-defined color spaces that describe the range of colors applicable to that space;
An international standards body (ICC) that defines how devices and systems can communicate
color information with each other; and
Competitive pressures that encourage vendors to design devices that will depict color as accurately
as possible.
The challenge is to maintain both color accuracy and color predictability. Accuracy means that a
color is always the same when measured against a known reference, and generally involves some
empirical form of measurement such as a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer. Predictability means
that a color is absolutely reproducible, across workflows, across pages, across projects and across
teams spread around the globe.
Both accuracy and predictability require a closed feedback loop. In other words, a sample of an
output page on a printer (or a specific swatch on a display) must be actively measured, compared
with a standard, and the results fed back to the device. This can be a cumbersome process (and
almost always requires human intervention), and one that is only periodically performed on devices
used in color-critical workflows.
1See www.color.org.
2“Color 101—Basic Color Science & Color Management for Electronic Displays,” Bob Myers, HP Display Technology Center, June 2007.

7
HP DreamColor Technologies
In March 2007, HP introduced an integrated system of use models, technology, and products that
provide accuracy and predictability for digital color workflows. The system, called HP DreamColor,
leverages the standards described earlier in this paper, and introduces software and hardware
products specifically designed for color accuracy and predictability. HP DreamColor technologies
makes color management—which once required specialized equipment, highly trained personnel and
multiple, complex processes—a more intuitive process with fewer steps.
Background
HP DreamColor was originally defined to meet the standards for color accuracy required by the
animation industry, specifically to support HP’s collaboration with DreamWorks Animation SKG™
and their creation of the Shrek series of animated movies. DreamWorks animators must absolutely be
able to depend on accurate color reproduction, from the animator’s desk to the movie theater3and
into the home.
Specifications
At a minimum, the HP DreamColor system specifies a hierarchy of device requirements, including4:
Specifications for media, ink, and toner properties with respect to color gamut, dynamic range, and
stability over time, etc.
Device repeatability—predictability in color reproduction from one operation to the next.
Device accuracy—the degree to which in-gamut colors can be reproduced correctly.
Cross-device predictability—the degree to which a consistent color appearance can be maintained
across a wide range of display or printing technologies with widely varying gamuts.
Reproduction quality—the degree to which the system produces pleasing reproductions that
optimally utilize the capabilities of each available medium.
Initial products that employ HP DreamColor technologies are professional photo printers and digital
presses, including the HP Designjet Z2100/Z3100 Photo Printer series, the HP Indigo 5000 and
ws4500 presses, and the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer.
As an example of an implementation of HP DreamColor technologies, the HP Designjet
Z2100/Z3100 Photo Printer includes a spectrophotometer for printer calibration that delivers print-to-
print and printer-to-printer color predictability. The spectrophotometer can be used to automatically
generate ICC profiles that adapt the printer to different media and print workflows.
Of course, the latest product from HP that utilizes HP DreamColor technologies is the HP DreamColor
LP2480zx Professional Display.
3For more information on HP DreamColor and Shrek, see http://h30267.www3.hp.com/country/us/en/features/dreamcolor/index.html.
4“HP DreamColor Summary,” Dr. Johan M. Lammens, Senior Color Scientist, HP Large Format Printer Group, October 2007.

8
The HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display
The HP DreamColor LP2480zx display is the next step for professionals that work in a color-critical
environment (Figure 4). The display combines 30-bit color (over one billion color possibilities) with
unprecedented color control to provide end-to-end color predictability in a digital color workflow.
Figure 4. Major features of the HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display.
Features
The display is a 24-inch diagonal widescreen (1920 x 1200 resolution) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
with HP Tri-color LED Backlight. The LCD panel has 30-bit color accuracy (10-bits per color channel),
which provides a total of over 1 billion color combinations. With 30-bit color, the number of colors is
greatly increased, reducing banding artifacts that can be present in today’s 24-bit displays.
The RGB LED backlight provides an extremely wide color gamut (Figure 5), and ensures stable control
of white point and luminance. The HP DreamColor Engine provides accurate color management and
color space remapping. The Engine supports multiple color space emulation presets, including full
gamut, Rec. 709, sRGB, Rec. 601, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 emulation (97%), as well as user-defined
color space. The emulation of these spaces without loss of 8-bit dynamic range is achieved through a
combination of color space remapping by the HP DreamColor Engine; 10-bit drivers on the LCD
panel; and white point control via the LED backlight unit.
All of the HP DreamColor LP2480zx display parameters can be adjusted via standard display-control
interfaces (USB & DDC/CI interfaces and MCCS command-set), enabling the use of standard or
custom color calibration software.

9
An optional HP DreamColor Advanced Profiling Solution kit is available for calibrating and profiling
the HP DreamColor LP2480zx display, and for validating and optimizing ICC profiles. The kit
contains a colorimeter and related software (for both Microsoft® Windows® and Apple Mac OS X;
Linux support is planned through an open source project) that provides a number of options for
display calibration (white point, gamma, and luminance). The APS will also validate the viewing
environment ambient lighting conditions. The HP APS can be used with the HP Designjet Z Photo
printer series to provide an end-to-end calibrated ICC color workflow5.
Figure 5. The gamut of the HP DreamColor LP2480zx spans a wide range of standard color spaces.
5See www.hp.com/go/graphicarts.

10
Table 1 below provides a summary of the features of the HP DreamColor LP2480zx, and compares
these features to other current display technologies.
Table 1. A summary of the HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display and comparison of features.
Platforms
The HP DreamColor LP2480zx display is best suited for HP Personal Workstations, as they have the
processing power and expansion capabilities to support the display’s feature set. HP workstations will
offer professional graphics cards with 30-bit color support that are certified on the applications that
are needed for color-critical workflow, whereas on-workstation platforms may not offer 10-bit
professional graphics card support nor have ISV certifications (or both). In addition, applications that
are able to take advantage of the color-critical display—animation, film and video, broadcast,
product design and graphic arts—generally need large physical memory, a robust I/O subsystem,
and multiple processors. Because of these features, HP Personal Workstations are ideally suited for
such applications.

Conclusions
The HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display combines the latest display technology with HP
DreamColor color management processes and use models to provide users industry-leading color-
critical performance at an affordable price. Artists and designers in animation, film and video,
broadcast, product design, and graphic arts industries can replace their outdated CRTs with an
affordable, color-critical, and energy-efficient display that exceeds CRT performance standards.
The display is complemented and supported by HP’s broad range of powerful personal workstations.
Artists, content creators and designers in color-critical industries can count on the performance,
expandability, and robustness designed into the personal workstation products. Users in color-critical
environments are encouraged to examine the benefits of the HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional
Display, HP Personal Workstations, and HP DreamColor technologies.
For more information
http://www.hp.com/go/workstations
HP Personal Workstations
http://h30267.www3.hp.com/country/us/en/dreamcolor
HP DreamColor Technologies
http://www.hp.com/go/monitors
HP monitors
© 2008 Hewlett
-
Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained
herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and
services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such
products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an
additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or
omissions contained herein.
Linux is a U.S. registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Adobe and Adobe RGB are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
4AA1
-
9075ENW
June
2008