two monitors or one at DVinfo.net

Alden Miller · February 6th, 2006, 09:04 AM

The previous post reminded me of what I wanted to ask.
Beyond personal preference(because I know what I would prefer), are there any pros or cons when building an editing computer with one large widescreen monitor compared to two monitors in a typical setup?

Emre Safak · February 6th, 2006, 09:25 AM

I think dual monitors offer more bang for the buck (in terms of size:cost). Of course, dual widescreen is even better... The obvious drawback is that dual monitors consume more power and space.

Wes Coughlin · February 6th, 2006, 12:32 PM

Im not sure this is a big factor, but if you only have one graphics card, then dual monitors will split the memory in half, one for each monitor.

Lloyd Coleman · February 6th, 2006, 12:40 PM

I use dual 19" monitors because I can get the same amount of screen area for about 1/3 the price of one large monitor. The downside for me is the gap in the middle. Although I am using monitors with thin edges, when I am working on something that is right in the middle it is anoying. If I could afford it I would easily opt for one large monitor.

Rob Lohman · February 6th, 2006, 05:48 PM

In my dream situation I would probably have 5. Three "normal" tft screens,
probably a widescreen in the middle with two squrea ones besides it. Timeline
in the middle, extra screens like properties, waveforms and vectorscope on
the left. Production notes / shot lists and file window (or something) on the
right.

Then a calibrated studio monitor for those colo(u)rs and the fifth would be
a nice digital projection system to see the cuts on the large screen.

At least that last part is happening this year. Hey, a man can dream!

But back to your original question. Besides the obvious differences there isn't
really a technical side. As long as you have the proper graphics card(s) with
enough memory.

Oh, and I would definitely connect any LCD/TFT screen through DVI (digital),
instead of VGA (analog).

Dale Guthormsen · February 7th, 2006, 10:01 PM

Alden,

I use two ninteen inch monitors, I can also run a tv at the same time to check to make sure color is right

Where i teach my students edit with one monitor with adobe and it is just a plain pain in the butt.
38 inches of workspace is perfect!! you will not regret it.

I would recomend two flat panels of the same make to make certain they line up nicely.

To purchase even a 23inch monitor cost substantially more than two 19's.

greater than 19 is beyond the point of diminishing returns.

gus

Alden Miller · February 7th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Thanks for the reply gus.

Wade Spencer · February 8th, 2006, 09:31 AM

I use two 21" Viewsonics for computer desktop space, and a Sony PVM-14M2U for a production monitor.

I don't really care for the dual monitor setup. I had them next to each other, but I got sick of turning my head to see the production monitor, so now I have that in between the two and I find myself hardly ever using my second desktop monitor.

I think I'd be much happier with one big widescreen.

February 6th, 2006, 09:04 AM	#1
Alden Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 92	two monitors or one The previous post reminded me of what I wanted to ask. Beyond personal preference(because I know what I would prefer), are there any pros or cons when building an editing computer with one large widescreen monitor compared to two monitors in a typical setup?

February 6th, 2006, 12:32 PM	#3
Wes Coughlin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 206	Im not sure this is a big factor, but if you only have one graphics card, then dual monitors will split the memory in half, one for each monitor. __________________ http://wildlookout.com

February 6th, 2006, 05:48 PM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	In my dream situation I would probably have 5. Three "normal" tft screens, probably a widescreen in the middle with two squrea ones besides it. Timeline in the middle, extra screens like properties, waveforms and vectorscope on the left. Production notes / shot lists and file window (or something) on the right. Then a calibrated studio monitor for those colo(u)rs and the fifth would be a nice digital projection system to see the cuts on the large screen. At least that last part is happening this year. Hey, a man can dream! But back to your original question. Besides the obvious differences there isn't really a technical side. As long as you have the proper graphics card(s) with enough memory. Oh, and I would definitely connect any LCD/TFT screen through DVI (digital), instead of VGA (analog). __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 7th, 2006, 10:01 PM	#6
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	dual monitors Alden, I use two ninteen inch monitors, I can also run a tv at the same time to check to make sure color is right Where i teach my students edit with one monitor with adobe and it is just a plain pain in the butt. 38 inches of workspace is perfect!! you will not regret it. I would recomend two flat panels of the same make to make certain they line up nicely. To purchase even a 23inch monitor cost substantially more than two 19's. greater than 19 is beyond the point of diminishing returns. gus

February 6th, 2006, 09:25 AM	#2
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	I think dual monitors offer more bang for the buck (in terms of size:cost). Of course, dual widescreen is even better... The obvious drawback is that dual monitors consume more power and space.

February 6th, 2006, 12:40 PM	#4
Lloyd Coleman Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 256	I use dual 19" monitors because I can get the same amount of screen area for about 1/3 the price of one large monitor. The downside for me is the gap in the middle. Although I am using monitors with thin edges, when I am working on something that is right in the middle it is anoying. If I could afford it I would easily opt for one large monitor.

February 7th, 2006, 11:00 PM	#7
Alden Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 92	Thanks for the reply gus.

February 8th, 2006, 09:31 AM	#8
Wade Spencer Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wellsboro, Pa Posts: 285	I use two 21" Viewsonics for computer desktop space, and a Sony PVM-14M2U for a production monitor. I don't really care for the dual monitor setup. I had them next to each other, but I got sick of turning my head to see the production monitor, so now I have that in between the two and I find myself hardly ever using my second desktop monitor. I think I'd be much happier with one big widescreen.