Monitor recomendation

Steve Laramie

Steve Laramie

Veteran
I am putting together a turnkey editing fcp system. I play on getting the mac pro when the new ones come out hopefully in january. I am wondering what monitor is the best for my situation. I am a freelance videographer and an independent film maker. I plan on spending 4000 dollars on the whole setup. And I dont want to jump right into an overpriced apple display just yet if there are better things out there. I currently have the second to newest imac 20inch. I used to be satisfied with the imac 20inch monitor but now I feel myself being constricted due to its size. So I want an improvement on my curent monitor. Thanks!
 
lairhair, I'm in a similar situation as you. First off forgive me if I'm basic, I'm still learning. I'm looking to build a system for around the 4 grand mark. I'm having trouble sorting out the necessities from the would love to have but can't affords right now. Shelling out for Apple Monitors was one of my questions which I'm happy you got a good response to.

By the way what makes the Dell 2407 superior to an ACD?
Shane, I read an article you wrote on the matrox mxo and the ACD. Would the mxo work with the Dell as well? if so would the MXO be the most economical solution for color or is it something I should be concerning myself with at this stage of my buying.

I was wondering if you or Shane or Matt or any of the other great people here could give me some advice on what essentials I should focus on purchasing. If you guys could point me in the right direction in regards to harddrives, RAID, graphics cards, do I need a capture card, or just more to do with monitors I'd be very grateful. I'm doing shorter work around a half hour and for the high def work I'm using a dvx200 shooting 1080. I know that's off topic but if anyone is willing I'd like to pick their brain. Thanks.
 
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The MXO works with the Dell, but not as well as with the ACD. Interesting that as a computer monitor, the Dell is the better option...better blacks. But in combination with the MXO, the ACD is better suited. This is because the MXO was designed with the ACD in mine...designed to work with the specific LCD used in that monitor. Plus the ACD has a refresh rate of 59.94Hz...perfect for HD. The Dell has a refresh rate of 60hz, so slight flickering will occur on the upper and lower edges.

Shooting with the HVX? Equipment basics: MacPro or MBP, eSATA drive like the Caldigit S2VR Duo or firewire 800 drive like the Firewire VR or G-Raid. A good computer monitor (dell 2407), speakers (Roland DM-20s for example), small Mackie Mixer, or Behringer (cheaper)...then capture card and HD monitor. MXO and ACD will be your cheapest option.
 
Thanks Shane. I've got a couple of follow up questions. First, just to be clear, I don't need a capture card and HD monitor if I go with the MXO and say a 20" ACD?, if I'm using P2 cards and the HVX (sorry dvx was a typo late last night).

What are the advantages to going external with the hard drives with the caldigit or the firewireVR. Is it acceptable to get internal drives when buying the computer? (I have heard that it is better not to buy drives and RAM directly from Apple though, do you agree?)

As far as graphics cards. I was considering the ATI Radeon X1900 XT that is offered as an option when configuring the computer. Is that a good choice?

With speakers like the roland dm20s that have optical connections the macpro will be fine to use them out of the box correct? Would I be able to survive like have been at my university without a board, or in your opinion would it be something I should have. I guess you did put it in as a basic. But I guess I need to hear things twice.

Thanks for your help Shane. I've enjoyed your blog. Glad I'm talking to you now. I'm sure your blog will be even more help to me after I have some of my own gear.

By the way, are you going to be at that FCP users conference thing right after MWSF for the big secret/surprise from Steve Jobs?
 
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Corby Evenson said:
I don't need a capture card and HD monitor if I go with the MXO and say a 20" ACD?, if I'm using P2 cards and the HVX (sorry dvx was a typo late last night).
Click to expand...

No...you need the 23" ACD. That has a 1920x1200 pixel dimension. The 20" is 1600xsomething, so your footage won't be a pixel for pixel representation, but a scaled image that is less than full quality.

Corby Evenson said:
What are the advantages to going external with the hard drives with the caldigit or the firewireVR. Is it acceptable to get internal drives when buying the computer? (I have heard that it is better not to buy drives and RAM directly from Apple though, do you agree?)
Click to expand...

Oh, if you get a MacPro, definately fill the internal slots first. Sorry...so many people editing with laptops and imacs. And no, buy the drives and RAM from other people. Better and cheaper.

Corby Evenson said:
As far as graphics cards. I was considering the ATI Radeon X1900 XT that is offered as an option when configuring the computer. Is that a good choice?
Click to expand...

x1900 is THE card to get

Corby Evenson said:
With speakers like the roland dm20s that have optical connections the macpro will be fine to use them out of the box correct?
Click to expand...

Best to have a mixer to balance the speakers. Not sure how they'd react directly connected.


Corby Evenson said:
By the way, are you going to be at that FCP users conference thing right after MWSF for the big secret/surprise from Steve Jobs?
Click to expand...

Yup. And I'll be wearing a black MEDIA OFFLINE T-shirt.
 
Hi Shane. Now that the new pros have been released how does that change the monitor and graphics card questions? I'm thinking the geforce 8800 is now the card to have. Do you know if that will work with the MXO and the ACD? Any thoughts on what else has changed?
 
Thanks Shane, I'll keep an eye out for what Matrox has to say. I think I'm going to hold off ordering until I see what happens at macworld. I'm seeing rumours that the ACDs will either drop in price or get an update. If they update, I'm probably going to continue bugging you for your thoughts.

I was also wondering if the bump between the 2.8 to the 3.0 to the 3.2 is that big of a deal in your opinion. Or instead would the extra money be worth putting into RAM or will a 3.0 be the minimum in 5 years? I'll be working with FCS2 and CS3.
 
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