Monitor Question: How is it possible to monitor 1920 X 1080 on the mac? at DVinfo.net

Laurence Maher · June 24th, 2004, 01:30 AM

I don't get this.

I want to get a Mac G5 with 23" displays so I can edit my 1920 X 1080 camera footage with precision . . . however

The 23" displays only have 1920 X 1200 pixels.

And then the next version, due out this week (a 30 inch display) will only be 2560 X 1600 pixels.

This means I still won't get a correct representation of resolution vertically, am I correct? If the answer is yes, how do the people who shot in 1920 X 1080 HD resolution ever able to quite see what their getting while editing . . . do they simply have better displays that are extremely expensive? Or does the Camera resolution differ from pixel count? Or do they just edit with inferior view of their product?

Please Help Feed the Tech Layman. For only one post, you can help a Layman too. (snif, snif)

p.s.

New display at this address:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=512

Ken Tanaka · June 24th, 2004, 01:39 AM

a. What camera are you using that is producing "1920 x 1080"?

b. A computer monitor used in non-linear editing does not have to match the resolution of your footage. It merely displays a palette of tools and viewing panels. Pro's and advanced amateurs nearly always have a production monitor attached to the computer through which they can see the actual footage as it's edited.

Laurence Maher · June 24th, 2004, 06:08 PM

A. The camera will be a silicon graphics or summix box camera (see threads in alterntative imaging methods)

B. I was talking about using 1 cinema display for editing (tools, windows, etc.), and 1 for viewing the work. What type of "production monitors" are out there and what is the cheapest you can get that will give you correct representation of your finished product. The 23" cinema displays won't do this I guess?

Thanks!

Dave Perry · June 24th, 2004, 06:46 PM

Laurence,

No, you are not correct. 1920 x 1080 on the 23" Cinema Display will look wonderful, however, for video editing Ken is correct in that you will want a production VIDEO monitor to see how your footage will look.

Another thing to remember, if you will be using Final Cut, the Canvas (play back window) should not be at 100% any way, otherwise the playback will not be very smooth. 75% or less is what I use a rule of thumb.

Laurence Maher · June 24th, 2004, 06:57 PM

Great guys,

Say, can you suggest what to get for video monitors that will give accurate representation (but cheapest possible please)?

Thanks!

Glenn Chan · June 24th, 2004, 07:01 PM

What is your output format? If you are going to project your footage (35mm, digital?) then you may wish to look into something other than a video monitor.

Laurence Maher · June 24th, 2004, 08:01 PM

Yes, I'm hoping for theater projection. Of course, I need to be able to see what it would look like on DVD, but what I'm looking for is to shoot/edit/manipulate such that if it was projected (most likely HD projection, but 35mm must be taken into account) on a screen, I'd know what I'm getting.

Dean Sensui · June 25th, 2004, 03:50 PM

The Cinema display, when combined with an eCinema control box, is supposed to provide very accurate color rendition. But it's thousands of dollars.

Another option is the HD Link interface box from Blackmagic Designs which is just over a thousand. It's supposed to perform a similar function to the eCinema device. I have no idea of the quality of either one, although some in filmmaking have said nice things about the eCinema interface.

The Blackmagic HD Link can be found here:
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/site/hdlink.htm

You can view your video at 100% in FCP, but make sure your canvas is at least as large as your image. Otherwise it'll stutter during playback.

1920x1080 will fit well within the bounds of the Cinema Display's 1980x1200. You'll get black bars on either side but that shouldn't be a problem.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

Glenn Chan · June 25th, 2004, 11:31 PM

Monitoring for DVD: You'd want a NTSC monitor and maybe vectorscopes.

Monitoring for HD projection: You will probably want a calibrated projector. It might make sense to rent the equipment for this.

Monitoring for 35mm print: It makes sense to let a professional with the equipment to handle this.

Laurence Maher · June 25th, 2004, 11:52 PM

Sounds cool,

but how much is a decent projector? surely couldn't afford to pay a pro.

thanks.

June 24th, 2004, 01:30 AM	#1
Laurence Maher Join Date: May 2004 Location: denton, texas, usa Posts: 416	Monitor Question: How is it possible to monitor 1920 X 1080 on the mac? I don't get this. I want to get a Mac G5 with 23" displays so I can edit my 1920 X 1080 camera footage with precision . . . however The 23" displays only have 1920 X 1200 pixels. And then the next version, due out this week (a 30 inch display) will only be 2560 X 1600 pixels. This means I still won't get a correct representation of resolution vertically, am I correct? If the answer is yes, how do the people who shot in 1920 X 1080 HD resolution ever able to quite see what their getting while editing . . . do they simply have better displays that are extremely expensive? Or does the Camera resolution differ from pixel count? Or do they just edit with inferior view of their product? Please Help Feed the Tech Layman. For only one post, you can help a Layman too. (snif, snif) p.s. New display at this address: http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=512

June 24th, 2004, 01:39 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	a. What camera are you using that is producing "1920 x 1080"? b. A computer monitor used in non-linear editing does not have to match the resolution of your footage. It merely displays a palette of tools and viewing panels. Pro's and advanced amateurs nearly always have a production monitor attached to the computer through which they can see the actual footage as it's edited. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 24th, 2004, 06:46 PM	#4
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Laurence, No, you are not correct. 1920 x 1080 on the 23" Cinema Display will look wonderful, however, for video editing Ken is correct in that you will want a production VIDEO monitor to see how your footage will look. Another thing to remember, if you will be using Final Cut, the Canvas (play back window) should not be at 100% any way, otherwise the playback will not be very smooth. 75% or less is what I use a rule of thumb. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

June 24th, 2004, 06:08 PM	#3
Laurence Maher Join Date: May 2004 Location: denton, texas, usa Posts: 416	A. The camera will be a silicon graphics or summix box camera (see threads in alterntative imaging methods) B. I was talking about using 1 cinema display for editing (tools, windows, etc.), and 1 for viewing the work. What type of "production monitors" are out there and what is the cheapest you can get that will give you correct representation of your finished product. The 23" cinema displays won't do this I guess? Thanks!

June 24th, 2004, 06:57 PM	#5
Laurence Maher Join Date: May 2004 Location: denton, texas, usa Posts: 416	Great guys, Say, can you suggest what to get for video monitors that will give accurate representation (but cheapest possible please)? Thanks!

June 24th, 2004, 07:01 PM	#6
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	What is your output format? If you are going to project your footage (35mm, digital?) then you may wish to look into something other than a video monitor.

June 24th, 2004, 08:01 PM	#7
Laurence Maher Join Date: May 2004 Location: denton, texas, usa Posts: 416	Yes, I'm hoping for theater projection. Of course, I need to be able to see what it would look like on DVD, but what I'm looking for is to shoot/edit/manipulate such that if it was projected (most likely HD projection, but 35mm must be taken into account) on a screen, I'd know what I'm getting.

June 25th, 2004, 03:50 PM	#8
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	The Cinema display, when combined with an eCinema control box, is supposed to provide very accurate color rendition. But it's thousands of dollars. Another option is the HD Link interface box from Blackmagic Designs which is just over a thousand. It's supposed to perform a similar function to the eCinema device. I have no idea of the quality of either one, although some in filmmaking have said nice things about the eCinema interface. The Blackmagic HD Link can be found here: http://www.blackmagic-design.com/site/hdlink.htm You can view your video at 100% in FCP, but make sure your canvas is at least as large as your image. Otherwise it'll stutter during playback. 1920x1080 will fit well within the bounds of the Cinema Display's 1980x1200. You'll get black bars on either side but that shouldn't be a problem. Dean Sensui Base Two Productions

June 25th, 2004, 11:31 PM	#9
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Monitoring for DVD: You'd want a NTSC monitor and maybe vectorscopes. Monitoring for HD projection: You will probably want a calibrated projector. It might make sense to rent the equipment for this. Monitoring for 35mm print: It makes sense to let a professional with the equipment to handle this.

June 25th, 2004, 11:52 PM	#10
Laurence Maher Join Date: May 2004 Location: denton, texas, usa Posts: 416	Sounds cool, but how much is a decent projector? surely couldn't afford to pay a pro. thanks.