question on reference monitors

joshreluctant

joshreluctant

Well-known member
How would I go about setting up a reference monitor to my mac pro. Would I need something like the MXO2 or a kona card? what would be the cheapest way to go about having an external reference monitor, and then maybe some suggestions for a ref monitor in the 24"-30" range. looking to get all of it for under 3g's, not really sure if that's possible.

but if i can find a cheap enough I\O, i could run it out to a 32" 1080p tv, so anyways.

Thoughts?
 
If you already have a 23" Apple Cinema Display the cheapest thing would be to buy the Matrox MXO ($999) and another computer monitor (Like a Dell for $500-$600) to 'replace' the ACD as a computer monitor. The Blackmagic Intensity is probably the cheapest HD I/O card (it's HDMi only) and you could run that out to a reference monitor that accepts HDMI but the 'low end' of b'cast accurate monitors starts around $3k.


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Big thumbs up on the MXO. It's great, and a great value. It can also simultaneously output via component to an HDTV. I just added a 32" 1080p LCD for that and it works great.
 
So which HDTV is considered the best image with these specs...
x.v.Color compliance
24p compatible
FullHD 10-bit panel
32"-40"
 
I have been looking at some of the lacie monitors, they look pretty good. The one question i do have is if you are to spend the high amount of money on a good color accurate monitor is there a need for the MXO. I haven't been able to get a solid answer as to why the MXO is so important for color correction. If you already have a pro grade color accurate monitor shouldn't that be enough to hook it up through DVI for a good color accurate monitor?
 
Mcph55 said:
I have been looking at some of the lacie monitors, they look pretty good. The one question i do have is if you are to spend the high amount of money on a good color accurate monitor is there a need for the MXO. I haven't been able to get a solid answer as to why the MXO is so important for color correction. If you already have a pro grade color accurate monitor shouldn't that be enough to hook it up through DVI for a good color accurate monitor?
Click to expand...
The DVI port on video cards don't send out proper video frame rates nor the right video color space and the reason the 23" ACD is the best monitor to use w/the MXO is that the ACD can operate 59.94Hz where as most monitors can only operate at a straight 60Hz.


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adkimery said:
The DVI port on video cards don't send out proper video frame rates nor the right video color space and the reason the 23" ACD is the best monitor to use w/the MXO is that the ACD can operate 59.94Hz where as most monitors can only operate at a straight 60Hz.


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Click to expand...


Also, you cannot calibrate most monitors to the lighting conditions of your room, the mxo lets you do this.
 
I've been using a Blackmagic Intensity Pro card in my Mac. They cost about $199 and offer you component out / hdmi out. I use the component out to hook into a broadcast monitor and the hdmi to output to a 40" LCD for testing purposes.

I can't rate it highly enough!
 
Really? I was reading on their forums and one of the support guys said it wasn't. Perhaps I misunderstood. Can it calibrate with lcd's?
 
The MXO is 8-bit and the 23" ACD is as well. The HP DreamColor is 10-bit but you have to maintain a very specific workflow to keep it in 8-bit mode and it's debatable about how well it is suited to be a video b'cast monitor.


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Im actually using the HP DreamColor for color grading. Really Impressed thus far.

*Although I haven't used alot of monitors to compare.

Shawn
 
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