dark projector display

The Mac display standard gamma was changed with the introduction of OS 10.6 from 1.8 to 2.2. This brings the Mac into line with the PC and TV.

The change of gamma setting results in projectors having an unusably dark image, unless you change some settings.

The problem is caused because the default ColorSync profile used by the Mac for the projector, VGA Display, is a generic profile that is not built for the projector you are using.

There are 2 ways around this problem, I have listed them in order of ease of use. Obviously the more trouble you go to the better the results will be.

1. Select other ColorSync profiles in the 'color' pane of the 'displays' control panel in system preferences until you fine one that is ok. You get a wider selection of profiles if you un check 'show profiles for this display only'. sRGB works quite well.
2. Create a custom profile for the projector by pressing the 'calibrate' button in the 'color' pane of the 'displays' control panel in system preferences. Then click through the wizard that appears. More options (and better results) are obtained by selecting the expert mode checkbox in the wizard.

Unfortunately this setting can't be done once as an administrator for the machine but has to be done by each user as it is set in the user level domain not the machine level domain.