suggestions for (dual) monitor set up Mac Pro

bigteethproductions

bigteethproductions

Well-known member
Hey all,

I'm very close to purchasing a new Mac Pro (my iMac is starting to show its age a little and I'd like to bulk up my editing capabilities anyway) I can find enough research on how to outfit the mac, but I feel like it is a way better use of somewhat limited funds to buy two smaller monitors and use both vs. a 30" or something.

If there is already good posts about this, please point me there, but my searches didn't give me specific answers I am looking for.

I obv. can't answer the full specs of computer yet, but my situation is that I edit on FC Studio, but also use the computer for regular functions, mail, web, word etc... so is there a reco. on monitor set up. Also, at this point I shoot with a dvx100A so i'm still SR and don't see HD anytime real soon.

1. specific brands that people find to work well with the mac
2. sizes that are adequate (two 20s?)
3. Is there a preference on getting widescreens or 4x3? I read a few things that indicated the WS might make other prog.s look weird.
4. Can you set up one to be horiz and the other vert (are there any reasons to do this?)

Any thoughts would be appreciated and I thank you in advance for the always useful DVXuser INSIGHT.
 
I think dual 23" displays would be adequate. I got trapped myself. I bought a 30" a couple years ago and now realized I really would like dual displays. Now I have dual 30" displays. Maybe a bit big, but the screen real estate does come in handy. Most should be ecstatic about dual 23" tho.
 
The dual 23's are perfect. If you can afford dual 30's go for it. Just a suggestion with your purchase of your mac pro.. If you are running any rosetta programs i.e. After Effects 7 or Cs2, id reconsider holding off unless you plan on upgrading your programs. I got a quad core not long ago and was very unimpressed with the difference between my power mac dual 2.3 and the mac pro. Its probably just me but i thought i'd just throw that out there.
 
I have two Dell 2405s (current version is 2407) and they are nice..and inexpensive. BETTER image that you'll get from the Apple Monitors. Multiple inputs (Component, composite, s-video, DVI, VGA, USB, compact flash reader). It is VERY adjustable. Blacks are blacker...Apple tends to wash out a little, and are greenish.

2x23 will get you FAR MORE real estate than one 30"....and do it for less.
 
Yeah, Hi noah, that was me, and thanks for chiming in on that thread.

I am staring at 2x23" Apple CD monitors, after folks from several sources told me that it was the best way to go....

So yes, Bigteeth, I haven't hooked it up yet (just came today) but 2X23" and save money on 2X30" for other hardware.

weeee! And away we go :-)
 
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hey all, apologies for not finding the previous thread (i swear i searched!!) -

after reading over both the previous thread, this one, and realizing that i could save about 1000 bucks and have more monitor space i think the dual smallers is the definite right decision.... when i say "save" i really mean re-distribute that money into more ram, upgrading to FCS 2.0, more hard drive space, and as you all well know the list goes on!!

I'll post back here when i finally make the plunge and let you know how it goes.

thanks again all input is very sincerely appreciated (esp. after a visit to Best Buy and the hostile mac-hating sales rep!)
 
Apparently Dell has come out with the 2407WFP-HC which gives better color reproduction (92% gamut as opposed to the 72% gamut of most desktop LCD's)

HC stands for High Color if the marketing dweebs are to be believed. The price is basically unchanged from the prior model.
 
Shane Ross said:
I have two Dell 2405s (current version is 2407) and they are nice..and inexpensive. BETTER image that you'll get from the Apple Monitors. Multiple inputs (Component, composite, s-video, DVI, VGA, USB, compact flash reader). It is VERY adjustable. Blacks are blacker...Apple tends to wash out a little, and are greenish.
Click to expand...


Shane have you used the DVI connector for it at all? I know you said yours is the 2405, so maybe it didn't show up till the next one, but the 2407 ones seem to get a lot of people crying about banding problems with the DVI connection. Just a quick Google search on it, and it seemed to show up on a few review forums and the like.

cheers.
 
As a follow up to my original question -

I'm looking for a dual monitor setup that is not top of the line. I'm spending more than I prob. should on the whole computer setup and don't mind saving some on monitors.

So, any monitors people have bought that suit them well, not the fancy new Dell, or Apple Cinema displays...

I'd like to buy 2x 19 or 20" displays (WS) and go dual. I'm looking to spend b/w 600-700 for both, so I know that I'm obviously giving up some quality and I accept that.

The computer is Apple Mac Pro Dual-Core Xeon 5150 2.66 GHz.

any suggestions would be great - or even brands that people trust to get the job done.
 
Question for Shane Ross

Question for Shane Ross

Shane Ross said:
I have two Dell 2405s (current version is 2407) and they are nice..and inexpensive. BETTER image that you'll get from the Apple Monitors. Multiple inputs (Component, composite, s-video, DVI, VGA, USB, compact flash reader). It is VERY adjustable. Blacks are blacker...Apple tends to wash out a little, and are greenish.
Click to expand...


Shane,

Would you recommend the Dell 2407 HC (the new monitor that is supposed to have a wider color gamut--equal to 92% of a CRT's gamut--than the previous 2407 model) over the Apple 23" or 20" cinema displays for use with the Matrox MXO, now that the MXO can be used with Dell monitors (according to what I read on your blog)? I just ordered an MXO and have been trying to decide between these monitors. I know you said that the ACD 23" looks more like a broadcast monitor than your 2405 with the MXO, but I wondered if this changes with the new Dells.

Since you are one of the proponents of the MXO solution for HD monitoring, I would greatly appreciate hearing your opinion on this.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
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