What Monitor-Dispaly To Purchase
 

I just converted from being a long time PC user to Mac (Mac pro G5) a few days ago and I need to purchase a new monitor.

My old monitors are 2 -19inch crt Viewsonics.

I want something large, at least a 27 inch. I would love a Mac display but the cost is out of reach.

What are you guys/gals using or do you recommend? Does anyone use a LCD HD 1080p TV instead of a dedicated computer monitor? If so, what are the benefits if any?

Any help is much appreciated!

Nec
 

Using two Spectraview II 2490s. Only 24" but plenty big enough for me. Only 1920 by 1200 but very clear and both yield high tonal fidelity and decent overall performance.

Thinking about a TV Logic XVM 245W monitor purchase for critical grading work. Or possibly something bigger.

Unfortunately none of these is cheaper than a Apple Cinema display. You could try the Matrox plus HDMI monitor path.

JB.

Monitors come in several different price bands. There are now some bargain 21/22" 1920x1080 monitors with VGA/DVI/HDMI for as little $160 (Acer H223). You can get a cheap 24" 1920x1200 LCD monitor for as little as $230 (Acer H243Hbmid). You can get a very good 24" 1920x1200 monitor for $550 (HP LP2475). You can get an exceptional 24" 1920 x 1200 LCD monitor that can be used for professional broadcast work for around $2000 (HP DreamColor LP2480zx).

Display resolution is normally more important than physical size. There are a few 27" monitors but their resolution is the same as the 24" ones (1920x1200). The next step up is to 30" screens at 2560x1600. There are only a few models at this size & they start at about $1200 (HP LP3065). I use one of these & it is fantastic but I did get it used at a great price on eBay & would have balked at paying full price. Now that I am used to using a 30" monitor I would spend the full retail price but you can buy a couple of very good 24" screens for the same price.

You need to decide on what you need a monitor for & what your budget is. You do get what you pay for so may want to rule out the real budget monitors if quality is important to you.

Joe, I have some great news! All you have to do is figure your budget, and buy the best monitor available in that price range ;). As Nigel said, if you're looking for size + resolution, check out that HP. Only $1200, which is $600 cheaper than the Cinema display. And at 2560 x 1600 you won't be running out of room. If you look around you can find some great 27" for half that price. As far as using a TV, the only benefit is you get a TV & a computer monitor at the same time, how cool is that!!

JS

It's probably not such a great idea. The maximum resolution of even a Full HD TV is just 1920x1080 resolution & for smaller sizes the price of TVs is higher than a monitor with that resolution. A 30" TV will be cheaper than a 30"monitor but will only be 1920x1080 whereas the monitor will be 2560x1600. That's leaving aside the question of whether the quality of the TV will be good enough for close work on your desk.

Thanks for all your replies. My budget is $700.00 for the display. My Mac has an Intensity Pro HDMI card installed, I will purchase a separate lcd tv for color grading work.

Thanks again.

85 views an 4 replies. I guess not too many people use monitors???

Also don't forget to take a look at the Eizo monitors. Very good displays.

EIZO

I was looking to purchase a Blackmagic Intensity Pro. How does it work for color grading in FCP and Color?

I bought two HP w2338h's for my MacPro FCS2 workstation. Added 2 rather inexpensive HDMI cables and I'm going strong. Works great with the clips I'm working dealing with. My JVC GY-HM700U cuts MOV's and I'm shooting in 1920x1080.

Here is where I got mine:

HP / Hewlett-Packard | w2338h 23" 16:9 full HD | FN747AA

Steve,
Bethlehem, Pa.

thanks for the reply. I might have to check that monitor out too!

The Apple cinema display is still a very highly rated monitor by many color pro's. But rather than a single 30 inch, I suggest getting two 23 inch cinema displays.
Dual monitors for final cut is the best way for an editing system - ther variations are great - I switch between 3 or 4 display configurations according to my needs. Also the twin monitors work in sountrack pro which really does not a second display for all the windows and mixing.
You can grab some used 23 inch displays now for $400 each or even new at $600 ea. (stay away from the new 24 inch glossy).

Color Grading...
 

An LCD TV to be sufficient for color grading?! Might be in for a disappointment there. Most LCD TV's on the market today do not have the color space needed for serious color grading.

Go to any Best Buy, Frys, Costco...and look at the LCD's / Plasma TV's that they have on. If you have a critical eye, you'll notice that every one them is different in their color representation....even though they are showing the same content.

A suggestion would be to look for a monitor (for your color grading needs) that can display a wide and complete (or near complete) range of color spaces...i.e., Adobe RGB, DCI, Rec 709, NTSC, etc...

1920x1080, 2560x 1600 .... won't mean much if the color is off.