Datacolor Spyder3 Elite Help Manual page 17

Select White Point
Help Index
Usual Setting
MONITORS
6500K is the most common choice for White Point because it closely approximates the
color of noontime daylight. Many of the commonly used color spaces are defined with
this value. Some photographers prefer a
somewhat warmer white to match their prints under their ambient lighting, such as 5800k.
PROJECTORS
Set Native as your target value when calibrating a projector. White Point is a very
adaptive function of the human eye. Even on a significantly off-white projection
surface, such as a beige or peach wall, the eye will correct for the native White Point,
and your images will look fine.
The Purpose of This Step
This screen allows you to specify the desired White Point to which the application will
calibrate the display device.
The Long Answer
White Point is a value that describes the color of white displayed on the display.
Generally this is described in terms of degrees Kelvin.
Lower Kelvin values (i.e. 5000K) specify a warmer white (reddish). Higher Kelvin
values (i.e. 6500K) specify a cooler white (bluish).
The most common value is 6500 degrees Kelvin (6500K) because this is very similar
to the white produced by a mid-day sun. This is also the White Point specified by
many color spaces as well as being a fairly easy value for most displays to achieve.
Some photographers prefer a