best display for use with mxo2 mini at DVinfo.net

Jim Newberry · December 30th, 2009, 07:40 PM

I'm likely going to get a Matrox MXO 2 Mini and am wondering which display is best. I've been searching and found conflicting answers. Some folks say that an LCD TV would be better than a computer display (such as the Apple Cinema Display). My main monitor is a NEC 2490, which should work with the mini (according to the Matrox forum), but am considering getting a second monitor for color grading.

Here are the compatible display specs from the Matrox site:

* An HDMI input resolution of 1920×1080.
* 1:1 pixel mapping (aspect ratio of 1:1) on the HDMI input. On some HDMI monitors, 1:1 pixel mapping is sometimes referred to as "dot-by-dot", "Full Pixel", or "Just Scan" mode.
Note With an HDMI monitor that supports an aspect ratio of 1:1 on the HDMI input, your MXO2 output is displayed at its exact resolution, without any scaling. For example, if your monitor supports a resolution of 1920×1080, and your output's resolution is 1280×720, your output will appear as a rectangle within the 1920×1080 display, surrounded by black bars on all four sides. If the monitor does not support 1:1 pixel mapping, your output may be resized.

ETA: This new Dell display is only $139 and has 1920x1080 resolution; according to the site linked below it's got 1:1 pixel mapping. Hard to believe it would be good enough for so little money, but it's tempting.

http://electronics.dell.com/dell-s33...15&lid=1003762
http://www.trustedreviews.com/monito...LCD-Line-Up/p1

Robert Turchick · January 1st, 2010, 10:44 PM

I just purchased an mxo2 mini and have a few things to try for color grading and HD output that seem to go hand in hand with your solution. I have a pair of Dell 24" monitors. Unfortunately they are not matched (2408 and 2405) but they both have a ridiculous amount of video ins. The 2408 has 2 DVI ins and two HDMI ins as well as s-video, component, composite and rgb.
Currently, I use the 2 monitors side by side for editing on my MacPro which gives me tons of real estate for spreading out FCP, Motion, and AE. The 2nd DVI in on the 2408 is hooked up to my Macbook Pro as a secondary monitor when I'm doing Pro Tools work...once again, great to stretch out the windows and it's only a front panel button push on the Dell to make the switch!
My plan with the mxo2 is to plug it into the 2408's hdmi input and while I'm using Color or FCP for grading, I can just hit a button on the monitor to switch it to a 1920x1080 HD TV.
We'll see how that works!

Jim Newberry · January 2nd, 2010, 12:40 PM

That sounds like a good setup. I realized that the mxo2 mini isn't going to work for me, because it's hdmi--and my NEC display, as well as the Dell monitor I ordered--are DVI. Now I'm thinking about the original mxo, which had DVI ports. I'm thinking about using my NEC with mxo2 as broadcast monitor, for color grading, and using the new Dell for the main monitor.

Please keep us posted on how your setup works out.

Robert Turchick · January 2nd, 2010, 01:31 PM

don't know if you are aware of this but a simple cable, DVI to hdmi is all you need. I use one from my macbook pro to my projector for netflix! yours would go the opposite way from mine but ask around to double check.

Jim Newberry · January 2nd, 2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Turchick

don't know if you are aware of this but a simple cable, DVI to hdmi is all you need. I use one from my macbook pro to my projector for netflix! yours would go the opposite way from mine but ask around to double check.

I can't find it right now, but somewhere I read something suggesting that this adapter would compromise the signal--you wouldn't be getting a good connection for broadcast color grading. Just now I searched for that and the only thing I could find was this, from the Matrox forum, where one user suggests the adapter should be fine but a Matrox rep says it hasn't been tested:
Matrox MXO User Forum :: View topic - HDMI-DVI colour accuracy

And I just found another Matrox thread about a problem using an adapter:
Matrox MXO User Forum :: View topic - MXO2 with an Eizo CG241W

Robert Turchick · January 2nd, 2010, 04:30 PM

yup sounds iffy at best! I was hoping to give you an easy solution! Sorry!

Jim Newberry · January 2nd, 2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Turchick

yup sounds iffy at best! I was hoping to give you an easy solution! Sorry!

No need to apologize; thanks for the reply.

Andy Mees · January 14th, 2010, 08:44 PM

>my NEC display, as well as the Dell monitor I ordered--are DVI.

Hi Jim

What is the native resolution for these monitors? If they are 1920x1080 native then a HDMI <> DVI convertor should work with the MXO2 output. If they're 1920x1200 then a simple convertor will likely not work.

Robert, yes a simple DVI to HDMI cable is plenty good enough for end user movie watching etc but as noted, sadly, its not accurate enough for technical / broadcast monitoring.

Hope it helps
Andy

Ned Soltz · January 16th, 2010, 12:14 AM

I have both a Matrox MXO2 on my MacPro and a Matrox MXO2 MiniMax which I used with the MacBook Pro but also use that MBPro+MiniMax as a compression station owing to the compression chip in the Mini.

For proper monitoring, I use a Flanders Scientific LM-1760W which in addition to its SDI and Component inputs also has DVI. Using HDMI->DVI adapter I am able to monitor from the MXO2 Mini.

Since DVI does not carry audio, I just take analog audio from the MXO2 into my mixer. It ends up being a very adequate way of proper monitoring through MXO2 mini.

Jim Newberry · January 16th, 2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Mees

>my NEC display, as well as the Dell monitor I ordered--are DVI.

Hi Jim

What is the native resolution for these monitors? If they are 1920x1080 native then a HDMI <> DVI convertor should work with the MXO2 output. If they're 1920x1200 then a simple convertor will likely not work.

Robert, yes a simple DVI to HDMI cable is plenty good enough for end user movie watching etc but as noted, sadly, its not accurate enough for technical / broadcast monitoring.

Hope it helps
Andy

The native res of the NEC is 1920x1080; the Dell is 1920X1200. I bought a used MXO which has DVI in/outs. Thanks for the reply.

Anyone know if the MXO2 works with 5DMII footage? I just found a post on the MXO forums that says the MXO doesn't work with true 30FPS footage (which is what the 5D outputs; not 29.97), but I'm not sure if that only applies only to the MXO or all of their products.

Steve Kalle · January 18th, 2010, 07:33 PM

Yes, it applies to all MXO2 products. The info is in their user manual.

Have you used the MXO2 yet and with what software?

I have the MXO2 Mini and used it all of 2 days due to the 4-5s delay when switching between Program and Source and vice versa AND Premiere and After Effects would crash if the Mini was not present AND projects created with the Matrox presets would crash Premiere on any system where the Mini was not present, which means I would ALWAYS need a damn MXO2 product should I need to open a project down the road.

Jim Newberry · January 18th, 2010, 07:39 PM

I have not used the MXO2; only the original MXO. I had heard raves about the MXOs, but now I'm having doubts. Steve, what kind of display are you outputting the MXO2 to?

Steve Kalle · January 18th, 2010, 11:11 PM

I am not using it anymore but I had a 32" Samsung LCD HDTV hooked up to it while testing.

I read your statements again and correct me if Im wrong - you have the "MXO", not the MXO2. My previous statement relates to all MXO2 products, not the MXO. The info you are looking for is in the user manual on Matrox's site. That is where I got my info about MXO2 products.

For DVI monitoring, have you looked at the BlackMagic HDLink Pro?

Jim Newberry · January 19th, 2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

I am not using it anymore but I had a 32" Samsung LCD HDTV hooked up to it while testing.

I read your statements again and correct me if Im wrong - you have the "MXO", not the MXO2. My previous statement relates to all MXO2 products, not the MXO. The info you are looking for is in the user manual on Matrox's site. That is where I got my info about MXO2 products.

For DVI monitoring, have you looked at the BlackMagic HDLink Pro?

No, I'm not familiar with the HDLink Pro. Does is it simulate a broadcast monitor the way the MXO does?

I'll download and read the MXO2 manual.

Robert Rogoz · January 20th, 2010, 12:06 PM

I just bought 23" Samsung. Samsung - 23" Flat-Panel LED Monitor - Charcoal Gray - XL2370. it has 1920x1080 resolution DVI and HDMI. It also had the best colors out of the box. I don't think you want something like 32" on a desk- it will kill your eyes very, very quickly.

December 30th, 2009, 07:40 PM	#1
Jim Newberry Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 170	best display for use with mxo2 mini I'm likely going to get a Matrox MXO 2 Mini and am wondering which display is best. I've been searching and found conflicting answers. Some folks say that an LCD TV would be better than a computer display (such as the Apple Cinema Display). My main monitor is a NEC 2490, which should work with the mini (according to the Matrox forum), but am considering getting a second monitor for color grading. Here are the compatible display specs from the Matrox site: * An HDMI input resolution of 1920×1080. * 1:1 pixel mapping (aspect ratio of 1:1) on the HDMI input. On some HDMI monitors, 1:1 pixel mapping is sometimes referred to as "dot-by-dot", "Full Pixel", or "Just Scan" mode. Note With an HDMI monitor that supports an aspect ratio of 1:1 on the HDMI input, your MXO2 output is displayed at its exact resolution, without any scaling. For example, if your monitor supports a resolution of 1920×1080, and your output's resolution is 1280×720, your output will appear as a rectangle within the 1920×1080 display, surrounded by black bars on all four sides. If the monitor does not support 1:1 pixel mapping, your output may be resized. ETA: This new Dell display is only $139 and has 1920x1080 resolution; according to the site linked below it's got 1:1 pixel mapping. Hard to believe it would be good enough for so little money, but it's tempting. http://electronics.dell.com/dell-s33...15&lid=1003762 http://www.trustedreviews.com/monito...LCD-Line-Up/p1

January 1st, 2010, 10:44 PM	#2
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	I just purchased an mxo2 mini and have a few things to try for color grading and HD output that seem to go hand in hand with your solution. I have a pair of Dell 24" monitors. Unfortunately they are not matched (2408 and 2405) but they both have a ridiculous amount of video ins. The 2408 has 2 DVI ins and two HDMI ins as well as s-video, component, composite and rgb. Currently, I use the 2 monitors side by side for editing on my MacPro which gives me tons of real estate for spreading out FCP, Motion, and AE. The 2nd DVI in on the 2408 is hooked up to my Macbook Pro as a secondary monitor when I'm doing Pro Tools work...once again, great to stretch out the windows and it's only a front panel button push on the Dell to make the switch! My plan with the mxo2 is to plug it into the 2408's hdmi input and while I'm using Color or FCP for grading, I can just hit a button on the monitor to switch it to a 1920x1080 HD TV. We'll see how that works! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

January 2nd, 2010, 01:31 PM	#4
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	don't know if you are aware of this but a simple cable, DVI to hdmi is all you need. I use one from my macbook pro to my projector for netflix! yours would go the opposite way from mine but ask around to double check. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

January 2nd, 2010, 04:30 PM	#6
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	yup sounds iffy at best! I was hoping to give you an easy solution! Sorry! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

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January 2nd, 2010, 12:40 PM	#3
Jim Newberry Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 170	That sounds like a good setup. I realized that the mxo2 mini isn't going to work for me, because it's hdmi--and my NEC display, as well as the Dell monitor I ordered--are DVI. Now I'm thinking about the original mxo, which had DVI ports. I'm thinking about using my NEC with mxo2 as broadcast monitor, for color grading, and using the new Dell for the main monitor. Please keep us posted on how your setup works out.

January 14th, 2010, 08:44 PM	#8
Andy Mees Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 645	>my NEC display, as well as the Dell monitor I ordered--are DVI. Hi Jim What is the native resolution for these monitors? If they are 1920x1080 native then a HDMI <> DVI convertor should work with the MXO2 output. If they're 1920x1200 then a simple convertor will likely not work. Robert, yes a simple DVI to HDMI cable is plenty good enough for end user movie watching etc but as noted, sadly, its not accurate enough for technical / broadcast monitoring. Hope it helps Andy

January 16th, 2010, 12:14 AM	#9
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	I have both a Matrox MXO2 on my MacPro and a Matrox MXO2 MiniMax which I used with the MacBook Pro but also use that MBPro+MiniMax as a compression station owing to the compression chip in the Mini. For proper monitoring, I use a Flanders Scientific LM-1760W which in addition to its SDI and Component inputs also has DVI. Using HDMI->DVI adapter I am able to monitor from the MXO2 Mini. Since DVI does not carry audio, I just take analog audio from the MXO2 into my mixer. It ends up being a very adequate way of proper monitoring through MXO2 mini.

January 18th, 2010, 07:33 PM	#11
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Yes, it applies to all MXO2 products. The info is in their user manual. Have you used the MXO2 yet and with what software? I have the MXO2 Mini and used it all of 2 days due to the 4-5s delay when switching between Program and Source and vice versa AND Premiere and After Effects would crash if the Mini was not present AND projects created with the Matrox presets would crash Premiere on any system where the Mini was not present, which means I would ALWAYS need a damn MXO2 product should I need to open a project down the road.

January 18th, 2010, 07:39 PM	#12
Jim Newberry Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 170	I have not used the MXO2; only the original MXO. I had heard raves about the MXOs, but now I'm having doubts. Steve, what kind of display are you outputting the MXO2 to?

January 18th, 2010, 11:11 PM	#13
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	I am not using it anymore but I had a 32" Samsung LCD HDTV hooked up to it while testing. I read your statements again and correct me if Im wrong - you have the "MXO", not the MXO2. My previous statement relates to all MXO2 products, not the MXO. The info you are looking for is in the user manual on Matrox's site. That is where I got my info about MXO2 products. For DVI monitoring, have you looked at the BlackMagic HDLink Pro?

January 20th, 2010, 12:06 PM	#15
Robert Rogoz Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 457	I just bought 23" Samsung. Samsung - 23" Flat-Panel LED Monitor - Charcoal Gray - XL2370. it has 1920x1080 resolution DVI and HDMI. It also had the best colors out of the box. I don't think you want something like 32" on a desk- it will kill your eyes very, very quickly.