Blackmagic 17" SmartView SDI Monitor

[Dominik Krol]

Newly announced field monitor Blackmagic Design: SmartView Tech Specs

The cheapest 17" I've ever seen with SDI and 1080p

They claim its usable for post production.

Question is: Would it at all be viable for colorgrading as alternative to HDTV.

Tech specs say:
Rec 709
4:2:2 and 4:4:4
but only 6-Bit
650:1 contrast ratio
262,144 Colors

Are those specs a absolute deal breaker? why or why not.?

And I must stretch that its either that, or a HDTV
I cannot afford a pro grading monitor by a long shot.

[Shaun Roemich]

Colour Depth: 262,144 Colors

THAT takes it out as a CC monitor.

[Steve Kalle]

Originally Posted by shaun roemich

colour depth: 262,144 colors

that takes it out as a cc monitor.

Shaun is 100% correct.

Also, many HDTVs use 6bit panels. Beware that most manufacturers will only provide the 'Processing bit depth' and not the actual panel's bit depth.

FYI, Eizo makes amazing and affordable LCDs for accurate color including the CG223W and CG243W (I have this one and regularly use it rather than my panasonic 17" BT-LH1710w).

[Dominik Krol]

Ive looked at the Eizo, But since it neither has SDI nor HDMI, how would you connect it to something like a black magic card?

Or are you simply using it with DVI as a second desktop monitor, and fullscreen the video?

[Arnie Schlissel]

Originally Posted by Dominik Krol

Ive looked at the Eizo, But since it neither has SDI nor HDMI, how would you connect it to something like a black magic card?

Blackmagic Design: HDLink

[Dominik Krol]

Right ok,

How much better is the CG243W than the EV2333W, because I already have two of those, but using them as desktop monitors.. I wonder how well it would stand with the HDlink to displayport.

I know that the EV2333W dosnt have REC709, but it does have sRGB which is essentially the same gamut.

[Dominik Krol]

Or what about this one?

Sony Product Detail Page LMD2110W

Pretty affordable

[John Peterson]

Isn't that too big for a field monitor?

John

[Dominik Krol]

Not looking for a field monitor.. but a grading monitor..

[Shaun Roemich]

How CRITICAL are your grades? Are you grading for TV broadcast or digital cinema? If so, probably not the right solution.

For delivery to clients on the web or BluRay? Probably accurate enough.

[Dominik Krol]

At the best.. My work could end up on MTV or the national tv, otherwise youtube.

But I dont really care where my work ends up. I put myself to high standards regardless. If for no other reason than to "educate" myself up, and get hired for better jobs in the future.
There is no excuse to slack in my opinion. No matter where the work goes. You can see the difference. Even on youtube.

With that said. My limit is the wallet. And the consideration whether to buy that monitor or not, can only be resolved by one thing:
Will it significantly step up my work? Compared to having no grading monitor at all.

Maybe you could put the comparison in perspective between the: Eizo CG243W and the Sony LMD2110W.
Is the difference significant? Or are they both comparable?

I much rather have a monitor with HDMI in nativelly.. Since I have the BM intensity...

If I should buy the Eizo, I would need both a SDI card, and the HD link, making the total purchase price of the Eizo almost twice of the Sony.

Is it worth it?

[Shaun Roemich]

BTW, ordered mine today. Planning on using it in my road rack for multiplexed ISO monitors but I'll report back on what it actually looks like.

[Dominik Krol]

Id be happy to hear your review

[Shaun Roemich]

Ordered. Waiting for delivery.

[Shaun Roemich]

Got word today we are supposed to be in the first 60 delivered in North America!