Apple upgrades Pro Display XDR firmware, adds calibration tool for pro users
Apple has quietly upgraded its superb Pro Display XDR with new firmware and a brand-new calibration app that can be used to create custom color calibrations. The move reflects its continued push into the highest-end computing markets. The new firmware (display firmware v.4.2.30) should be made available to Macs running a Pro Display XDR within 24-hours of the computer being upgraded to a version of the macOS that supports it.
How to install the update
To check the firmware version of your Pro Display XDR, choose Apple menu>About This Mac, click System Report, then Graphics/Displays. The version will be listed under Display Firmware Version in the Pro Display XDR section.
The latest firmware requires macOS 10.15.6 or later and may require you restart your Mac to complete the installation process, during which your display is likely to be dark.
Why Pro Display XDR Calibrator app?
The Pro Display XDR Calibrator App enables in-field recalibration of Pro Display XDR for specific colour workflows that may require custom calibration.
Every Pro Display XDR undergoes a state-of-the-art factory display calibration process on the assembly line to ensure the accuracy of the P3 wide colour panel and the individual backlight LEDs.
However, these displays can also reproduce a variety of colour spaces used by media workflows today, including sRGB, BT.601, BT.709 and even P3-ST.2084 (HDR), using the Calibrator app.
Do you need additional equipment?
Yes. Recalibration also requires use of one of the following spectroradiometers (machines designed to precisely measure radiance, luminance and chromaticity):
- Photo Research SpectraScan PR-740, PR-745 or PR-788
- Colorimetry Research CR-300.
Complete information on the process is available here, but it is likely that if you actually need to conduct this task you’ve already got a pretty good idea how to go about it.
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