Unless you are going to buy a second client monitor, it makes sense to arrange your edit bay so you sit about 6 feet from one monitor so you have seating space for another few people. Place it on a plane with your front monitor speakers.

At 6 feet, to meet SMPTE specs you need at least a 42" and to meet THX spec you need at least 54".

Conversly, if you go with a 27" you should sit about 3 feet away to meet THX specs.

Grey Scales?
 

Hi Steve
So how do you calibrate grey scales on the monitor?
Jack

Our editing setups have always been 3' - 4' on average and I think most bays over the years have edited with anything from 19" to 30" displays (Apple Cinema's being a good example of what we and lot's f people traditionally use).

Not to be argumentative at all, but I don't know of many average editing bays using 42" to 54" screens...but maybe I'm not getting out enough <g>.

For viewing, sure the bigger the better, but most suites are set up with 2 or 3 monitors (ours with 2 LCDs and one calibrated CRT) including high end audio monitoring with JBL studio and NS10's and I can't imagine fitting 54" monitors into those setups.