Some customers will notice that when they sequence lights on their computer, the color shown for the virtual RGB lights on the computer does not exactly match the color of the lights. This article provides some reasons why this occurs and possible solutions.
The issue of colors on a computer screen not matching those in the "real world" are common, here are examples:
- Viewing a photo on your computer and then that same photo is printed on a printer but the colors do not match up correctly
- Taking a photo of an item with a camera and then view the photo on a PC screen and the colors don't match up correctly
- Items purchased off the internet from a computer (clothes, decorative items) don't match the actual phyisical product received
- Simulated RGB lights inside of sequencing software do not match the actual light output from the RGB light
Here are some of the reasons why this happens with RGB lights:
- Each monitor has different hues (colors). On most monitors there is a "color adjust" option that allows changes between cool, native, warm, custom, etc color hues.
- Solution: Adjust colors on monitor to match those on the bulbs
- Each application can choose different names for colors. If your application titles colors as specific names (light blue, orange) we recommend ignoring these names as there is no absolute standard for named colors (yes, we are aware of Pantone)
- Solution: For customers using xLights for sequencing, it is possible to increase the Gamma (within the model under "dimming curve") from 1.0 to 2.0 or another number that fits the lights being used.
- People see colors differently. People can have color blindness and may see colors slightly different, especially in males.
- Solution: Ask someone else to compare colors shown on the lights to those on the screen and see how they feel the colors match up
- Power output affects color. In pixels, the amount of power or more accurately, the lack of sufficient power, can alter the brightness and thus the hue of the lights. This is especially common on longer runs of lights where the lights can loose power and shift colors.
- Solution: Power inject or reduce length of light strings
- Solution: Provide sufficient power to increase brightness if there is insufficient power
- Reduced output. On many controllers it is possible to cap or limit the output of a controller, typically when lights are too bright or the design was intentrially made for less than 100% output, this can affect the color output due to the reduction in brightness (e.g. - a white might be duller than with full power).
- Solution: Redesign the element to provide 100% power and adjust output to 100%
- Solution: Do not make adjustment, use as designed
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