Eizo fixes 'Jumping Mouse' problem with some Macs

We've recently become aware of a firmware update that can affect some Eizo monitors.

The symptoms are a 'jumping mouse pointer' on screen, when the monitor is connected to an Apple Mac using the Mini DisplayPort connector.

As far as we know, only certain models, and with certain serial number ranges are affected.

Applicable Monitors: FlexScan SX2462W, SX2262W, ColorEdge CG245W, CG243W, CG223W

Applicable Serial Numbers

Monitors	Serial Numbers
FlexScan SX2462W	Up to 46298080
FlexScan SX2262W	Up to 27256100
ColorEdge CG243W	Up to 21734080
ColorEdge CG245W	Up to 47094080
ColorEdge CG223W	Up to 25363070

Description
When connecting the DisplayPort of certain EIZO monitors with the mini DisplayPort of certain Macintosh PCs, the mouse pointer may jump.

Counter-Measure
Eizo are providing a software update for the monitor firmware that will improve this situation. Please read the user's manual included in the download file before installing the software.

Download Update Software (user's manual included)

Notes on Installation

Applying the software will require a Windows PC*. Please be sure to conform to the following notes or your monitor may have troubles.

• It is recommended that you install this software only if your monitor has a relevant serial number. If it does not, a failed installation may damage your monitor.
• Do not plug in any device to the USB downstream port of the monitor. The device may break.
• Quit all applications before updating the software and do not run any applications while it is being installed.
• Set the PC so that it will not go into standby, sleep, or suspend mode.
• Set the PC so that the screen-saver will not run.
• Do not turn off the monitor and the PC during the installation. It may damage the monitor.
• If you use a laptop PC to install the software, be sure to use the AC adaptor.
• Do not unplug the USB cables during the installation. It may damage the monitor.
• Do not operate the monitor when the software is being installed.

* Now you'll notice that although the problem only affects Mac's, the software that can perform the firmware update will only run on a Window's PC which is bizarre to say the least! Apparently Eizo only produce firmware updates (which are very rarely required), using Windows-based development software.

However, the good news, is that if you're based in the UK, Eizo UK will perform the upgrade free-of-charge for you under the warranty. If you would like to get this, please contact Eizo UK on 01344 355720 or email info@eizo.co.uk


You can see the official Eizo support page here.

Sharpness of text on small, high resolution screens

I had an email from a potential customer today - we had been discussing suitable monitors for them (non-professional photographer with an upper limit of £500 - monitor also has to be suitable for general office work etc).

We'd come down to the Eizo S2243W being the most appropriate choice for them and they asked about the size and sharpness of text - the concern being that displaying 1920 x 1200 pixels on a 22" screen may mean text is too small.

As I personally use one of these screens as my day-to-day monitor, I thought I'd just take a photo of the display with a reference point (a biro in this case).

As you can see, I've used quite a small font size, but it's incredibly clear and sharp - the slight diagonal line or moiré effect is just a clash between the refresh rate of the screen and the shutter speed on my compact camera - you don't see this on screen with the naked eye!

My Eizo display is connected to a MacBook Pro 13" using a Kanex MiniDisplayPort to DVI adaptor and then a standard DVI cable. With this resolution, we'd always recommend using a fully digital connection as analog (VGA) connections, whilst possible, have a higher chance of signal degradation which can result in some 'fuzziness' particularly with text.

Update (Jan 11) - I now use a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable to link my Mac to the DisplayPort connection on the monitor.

EIZO wins “Highly Commended” at MacUser Awards!

EIZO UK was delighted to have been awarded the MacUser “Highly Commended award” in the "Display of the Year" category at the magazines recent awards ceremony, for its ColorEdge CG245W.

The MacUser Awards are a firmly established and keenly anticipated event within the Mac industry calendar.  The annual MacUser Awards are each voted for by its readers, who vote in their thousands.
“The MacUser Awards reflect the very best products for Mac users, the very cream of the industry’s output over the last 12 months. These awards… provide our readers with a list of products they should be coveting.” (source: MacUser Awards website)



The EIZO ColorEdge CG245W is one of the latest ColorEdge displays to be launched within the range. This unique monitor is one of a kind being the industry’s first ever self calibrating graphics monitor, with its own built-in calibrator.

Benefits Include:

• Brightness & Colour Compensation
• 10-bit simultaneous display:3D Look-Up Table
• Wide colour gamut, covering 98% of Adobe RGB
• DVI-I and DisplayPort connectivity
• Wide viewing angles
• 5 years on-site warranty

The unique calibrating sensor sits within the bezel of the monitor and can be controlled via either EIZO’s in-house developed software ColorNavigator or by its own OSD.  The sensor which drops down on to the screen allows the monitor to be calibrated automatically; leaving the user without the need for any extra calibration equipment.

Below is a short video of the CG245 calibrator in operation...






Click for more information on the Eizo ColorEdge CG245W.

Eizo wins prestigous industry award

EIZO UK is delighted to announce that it has won the Monitor award in the prestigious PC Pro “Reliability & Service Awards 2010” - the UK’s largest survey of customer satisfaction when buying IT products and services.

The reader voted awards which were announced last week, are a representation of the magazines readers' experiences, converted into straightforward star ratings: 6/6 being exceptional, 1/6 being very poor.

More than 12,000 people took part in the 2010 survey and EIZO was proud to discover that its customers awarded its monitors an amazing 6/6 stars in each of the qualifying categories; “Image Quality”, “Reliability” and “Would Buy Again"!

PC Pro’s website quotes…

  “More than 95% of monitor buyers are satisfied with their screen, so the winner of this category must be truly exceptional. Step forward EIZO.”

The whole team would like to thank all of its customers who voted for EIZO in this year’s awards.  It is a true testament to the experience, expertise, reliability and service which is crafted into each and every EIZO monitor.

You can find details of all Eizo's monitors on the Native Digital website.

Update to ColorNavigator for Windows

Eizo have announced an update to ColorNavigator for Windows from 5.4.3 to 5.4.4
- Problem fixed where the correlation value of the built-in sensor is changed.

Supported models: ColorEdge CG245W, CG243W, CG242W, CG301W, CG210-N, CG221, CG210, CG19, CE240W, CG303W, CG223W, CG232W, CG222W, CG241W, CG211, CG220, CG21, CG18, CE210W

OS: Windows 7 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit, Windows XP 32-bit, Windows XP 64-bit

We recommend all users of ColorNavigator 5.4.3 on Windows should download and install the updated software from the Eizo website.

http://www.eizo.com/global/downloads/software/index.php

Eizo CG243W wins TIPA award

The much sought-after TIPA award for Best Photo Monitor of the year went to EIZO again. The CG243W convinced the jury with a 3D look-up table, automatic colour drift correction and IPS-LCD panel for excellent colour reproduction. These features do not only convince professionals but are also relevant for amateur photographers.

Besides two DVI-I inputs the EIZO ColorEdge CG243 offers a DisplayPort that enables the user to work with 10-bit colour*. So the monitor displays over one billion colours and the finest differences in tone. 16-bit internal processing produces smooth display of greyscale tones and brings out a very high level of detail in dark areas. The advantage: colours are differentiated true to the original. The Digital Uniformity Equaliser (DUE) is responsible for brightness and chroma uniformity on the whole surface of the display, so each colour is the same wherever you look.

For calibration the Eizo ColorEdge CG243W comes with EIZO's ColorNavigator software that is used for setting the target values for brightness, white point and gamma. The monitor's precise and reliable colour reproduction reduces correction steps and shortens the professional's valuable production time.

Eizo CG243W - TIPA 2010 award winner

TIPA Award Best Photo Monitor 2010 as seen by the TIPA jury:

Designed to handle both still and moving images equally well, the 24.1 inch widescreen Eizo ColorEdge CG243W monitor features an in-plane switching (IPS) LCD panel with a native resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The monitor boasts wide 178 degrees horizontal and vertical viewing angles. Its wide gamut reproduces 98% of the Adobe RGB colour space. The ColorEdge CG243W offers hardware calibration, so the monitor itself is calibrated rather than the computer.

Native Digital comment - we have to agree with TIPA, the Eizo ColorEdge CG243W is an excellent professional display for people who want to be able to see and edit with a true representation of their photograph or image on screen. We'd also add that the CG243W is exceptional at showing shadow detail and deep blacks. It also comes with 5 year 'advanced exchange' warranty in the UK.

You can find the current price and availability of the CG243W on the Native Digital website: http://www.nativedigital.com/products/Eizo-ColorEdge-CG243W-Black.html

* a 10-bit video card/output is also required.

EIZO ColorNavigator 5.4.3 Launches!

EIZO's own developed ColorNavigator software version 5.4.3 has just been released - updated to support Photoshop CS5.

To upgrade your software today, please click here.

ColorNavigator makes calibration both simple and accurate. Instead of having to judge colours and do time-consuming inputting, all you need to do is input target values for brightness, white point and gamma. ColorNavigator works with a wide range of measurement devices to directly utilise the 12 or 10 bit Look-Up Table of EIZO's ColorEdge monitors for reliable calibration in minutes.

Eizo CG245W available shortly

After what seems like an age, Eizo UK have announced that the Eizo ColorEdge CG245W will start shipping week commencing July 19th 2010.

What's special about the CG245W is that it's the first display to have a built-in, swing-down calibrator. This makes calibration and profiling exceptionally straight-forward, and in some cases, can even be set to happen automatically at a set time and/or date.

The basis of the CG245W is the best-selling CG243W (which will continue to be available). This means you have a high-quality IPS panel, 98% Adobe RGB gamut coverage (note that the gamut size is > 100% Adobe RGB, but the actual coverage is 98%), 10-bit input capability and much more.

The CG245W also comes with a new stand and a hood that can be used when the display is in its portrait position.



Update: product now available at : http://www.nativedigital.com/products/Eizo-ColorEdge-CG245W-Black.html