I have a Spyder4Elite with Datacolors software running in Windows. I also use that Spyder4 in Linux with DisplayCAL, and have some questions about those two calibration softwares:
Datacolors software is just plug and play: I plug it in, press next a couple of times and it's done. DisplayCAL needs me to adjust the monitor first (brightness, contrast, and RGB-gain), before calibration begins. Does Datacolor adjust the monitor for me by programming the graphics card? And is it just that DisplayCAL does not have that functionalty? Or is it something else?
Another "major" difference is time: Datacolors software used well inder one hour to calibrate the display, while DisplayCAL spent several hours. Why? Is Datacolor just better, or is DisplayCAL more thorough/have higher quality?
After calibration, the software writes an ICC file. Can I use that file on any computer, any OS, as long as it "follows" the monitor attached?
My monitor (older Eizo SX2762W) has a 16-bit LUT table. Does it matter to me or the calibration software?