Proper editing monitor

[thefilmaddict]

I have final cut pro and premiere in my edit suite at home on an I Mac. I was curious to know what you guys use to monitor your video for color correction. I currently use an old Samsung hd monitor connected via hdmi. I don't really trust it for accurate color correction. It's just a consumer HDTV. Is there a better way?

At work I use an avid. It has Sdi out going to a big HDTV for our client to view. Next to me is a Sony tube tv that gets its video from a component cable. It has a blue only gun which allows me to set chroma levels with color bars. Hue stays put and contrast is left in the middle default position. I then set brightness based on color bars as well. We also have a vector scope and a wave form monitor. I have great confidence when color correcting on this system.

Is there an affordable way for me to monitor with confidence at home?

[KarlSutton]

I use a Matrox MXO2 mini into a Dell S2409W (through HDMI) and then also to a JVC SD tube monitor. Works well for me & was less than $1000 total. If you have thunderbolt on your iMac that would be one way to go.

[fde101]

If you have that kind of setup at work you probably know this, but since it hasn't been explicitly mentioned... none of these monitors will do you any good unless you run a calibrator on it (Spyder, etc.)

Some of the "pros" will likely chime in and tell you that you can't get anything accurate out of HDMI... ignore them. The monitor itself can definitely make a difference, though.

[KarlSutton]

If you have that kind of setup at work you probably know this, but since it hasn't been explicitly mentioned... none of these monitors will do you any good unless you run a calibrator on it (Spyder, etc.)

how is this different than calibrating with color bars?

[thefilmaddict]

I do have a thunderbolt port. How does this help me? It's currently connected to a 1tb drive that I use as my media drive.

[KarlSutton]

Thunderbolt is the only way you could hook it up to you iMac.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...UNDERBOLT.html

[JoeRawlins]

I cheat and use my Insignia HDTV through HDMI. No, it doesn't give you broadcast-true colors but for most of my work, it comes pretty damn close. But the best that you can get is to use a BlackMagic or AJA card or box out to an HDTv, IMHO.

I've used DeckLink from BlackMagic and their product is awesome.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/decklink/

I've also used BM Intensity card and it works but it's quirky. I am considering getting one of their ThunderBolt boxes for my next setup.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/pro...ensity/models/

[fde101]

how is this different than calibrating with color bars?

The software from a colorimeter like the Spyder displays colors on the screen and the device itself reads those colors back to check for accuracy. The software sets up a profile on the computer to make them match whatever standards you selected.

Now having done some additional research on what the color bars are, I'm wondering about this question too... I guess one difference is that the Spyder will actually work in a "cheat" setup without the MXO or other device that will provide for adjustments via color bars on computer monitors (how mine is configured right now -- just running a DVI output to a TV which has a DVI input), plus it is an objective calibration which does not involve the accuracy of your eyes...

[KarlSutton]

it is an objective calibration which does not involve the accuracy of your eyes...

That is an interesting thought right there.

[ryvac]

I'm in a similer situation like you so let me ask a few questions too.

I use FCPX and want more accurate colors so I've been thinking about buying a higher qualaity monitor like the NEC PA231w or PA241w
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...idescreen.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...idescreen.html

However, I find people here use the Matrox or some other video card huked up to X brand monitor a lot so I'm getting lost a little....

so what's a good mid-range setup for accurect color grading????
I want to keep it simple so would the NEC monitor work? or will the Matrox with X brand monitor be a better way to do for video CC?

[William]

I have experienced very good results using a standard LED TV/monitor (Samsung 32" 1080P for instance) which has the option of Blue Screen Only.
With the monitor in the BSO mode, I feed SMPTE Color Bars (Pluge pattern) into it and adjust accordingly. The accuracy is well within tolerances and has consistently performed at a highly acceptable level. The proof has been when after editing, color correcting, grading, outputting to various media and playing back on other monitors be it flat screen or CRT the colorimetry is constantly predictable... which is ultimately what we are all after. However having said that... nothing beats a multi-thousand dollar monitor set-up... that is set correctly. I'm also in camp with not relying on just a "standard" computer monitor (Apple, Dell, etc.) for color accuracy.

[bgodoy]

I have experienced very good results using a standard LED TV/monitor (Samsung 32" 1080P for instance) which has the option of Blue Screen Only.

William, I too have a Samsung LED 27" (if I'm not mistaken) and would definitely like to use it as a second monitor for grading. The problem is, I can't seem to find out how to access the BSO mode on the TV...

Can you send me in the right direction? Thanks.
-B

[William]

bgodoy... I just sent ya an e-mail with monitor set-up assistance...with pix.... hope it helps.

[bgodoy]

Thanks William, this helps tremendously! I really do appreciate the detailed info.
-B

[William]

Cool! Glad to help.
-WmB