How to choose an external monitor?

[Ferret Lady]

Hiya.

I'm slowly increasing my work station here to be better... as now I'm starting to edit videos that I want to be on tv, I tried hooking up my computer to my television and using that as an external monitor. I noticed that it looks WAY different on tv. Basically less saturation so people's skin tones look pale and stuff, and the overall picture is darker.

I figured my tv is pretty old and crappy so I should just get a new tv to use as a monitor but I've never bought one so I was hoping for your advice before I waste my money.

I found one at futureshop (in canada) by Samsung, 19" LCD flat panel HDTV for $350. seems like a good deal to me. copied the specs below.. do you guys think it's good for what i'd be using for? i figure most people have hdtvs nowadays so I should be editing my stuff so that it looks good on that, not so it looks good on a shi*ty old tv. makes sense, right?

http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/10099574.jpg

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10099574&catid=23515&logon=&langid=EN#

ideo Features
3:2 Pulldown Detection Yes
Aspect Ratio Widescreen (16:9)
Brightness 300cd/m2
Colour Gamut 72%
Comb Filter 3DYC
Display Capabilities 480p/720p
Display Technology LCD
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 3000:1
HD Compatible Yes
Input Capabilities 480i/480p/720p/1080i
Native Resolution 1440 x 900
Picture-in-Picture No
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Response Time 8ms
Screen Size 19"
True Contrast Ratio Not Provided By Manufacturer
TV Tuner ATSC/QAM
Video Processor DNiE Pro
Viewing Angle 160 Degrees
Audio Features
Audio Enhancement No
Audio Output Jacks Not Provided By Manufacturer
Auto Volume Correction No
Speaker Configuration Bottom
Speaker Output Power 3 Watts x 2
Speakers Included
Convenience Features
Built-In Program Guide No
Cabinet Colour Black
Channel Labeling Yes
Closed Captioning Yes
Language Options English, French
Last Channel Recall Yes
Parental Control Yes
Pedestal Stand Included
Remote Universal
Sleep/Alarm Timer Yes
Video Input Labeling Yes
Wall Mount Optional - Sold Separately
Wall Mount Specification VESA Compatible
Inputs/Outputs
A/V Inputs (composite) 1 - Rear
Cable Card Slot No
Coaxial Cable Inputs None
Component Video Inputs 1 - Side
DVI Inputs None
HDMI Inputs 1 - Rear
Headphone Jack Yes
IEEE 1394 (firewire) Inputs None
Media Card Slots No
Other Inputs/Outputs None
PC Audio Inputs None
PC VGA Inputs 1 - Rear
S-Video Inputs 1 - Rear
Product Features
Product Service Plan Available Available For Purchase
Warranty Parts 1 Year
Warrany Labour 1 Year
Depth with stand 18.0 cm
Depth without stand 6.6 cm
Height with stand 38.6 cm
Height without stand 34.8 cm
Weight with stand 5.1 kg
Weight without stand 4.6 kg
Width with stand 47.8 cm
Width without stand 47.8 cm

[Will Clegg]

What is your current method of output to the TV? You may need to pick up a Blackmagic Intensity Card in order to send a signal out to the TV. Keep in mind that unless you get a monitor that allows blue-only calibration (or unless you buy a Matrox MXO), it is very difficult to calibrate any monitor to be color-accurate.

[Ferret Lady]

wow that was way over my head. but to answer your question, i plugged my camera into the tv and then the camera into the computer.

what is blue only calibration? i dont see it listed in the specs of the tv above... and am now utterly confused......

[adkimery]

wow that was way over my head. but to answer your question, i plugged my camera into the tv and then the camera into the computer.

what is blue only calibration? i dont see it listed in the specs of the tv above... and am now utterly confused......

Blue-only is a setting that professional monitors have to help with calibration. A consumer TV is designed to show a pretty picture, not an accurate picture, and that makes it not-so-hot for use w/editing. The Matrox MXO ($999) plus a 23" Apple Cinema Display (they are discontinued, but some sellers like MacMall still have them in stock for now) will get an image that's nearly as accurate as a Sony HD CRT b'cast monitor at a fraction of the cost. Also, what you see on an external monitor will look different than what you see on your computer display because your computer display, and the viewer/canvas windows in FCP, aren't designed to accurately display video.


-A

[Ferret Lady]

actually i HAVE a 23" Apple Cinema Display.

Thsi Matrox thing you speak of tho is a little out of my price range right now unfortunately.. do you think that since i have a really good monitor already i should just use that?? i just get really confused cuz everyone says you should never use how the picture looks in FCP as a reference. but it kinda sounds like if i bought that hdtv i'd see the exact same thing as i'm seeing on my computer anyways so it'd be a waste of money.....

ya?

[bigbossbmb]

yes, if you bought the TV it will still not be accurate. so the money spent will not accomplish your goal. save up until you can get the MXO.