What kind of LCD for video editing?

P

Polarbeer

Member
Hi,

I just bought Panasonic GH2 -camera which shoots AVCHD video at 1080i@50 and 720p@50 among other things. (I live in PAL land) I barely have previous experience about video editing.

I'm currently having dual display system of 19" LCD (1280x1024) and 19" CRT (1280x1024). So I would like to buy a new full HD capable LCD in 24" size range and probably retire the old 19" CRT. After some searching I'm in the believe that I should buy a LCD display using IPS panel not TN panel because IPS panels have so much better colors.

So my computer usage is normal web surfing, CAD-modeling, 3d-animation and video editing. I'm not playing fast paced computer games where reaction times of milliseconds matters.

So my questions are: Should I buy 1920x1080 or maybe little pricier 1920x1200 model? Are those 120 extra pixels really worth it in video editing?

Are displays having inbuilt TV tuners (= LCD TV?) any good for general usage I described above? If I have understood right LCD TVs have longer input lags than pure computer monitors because many inbuilt techniques used to make the motion picture look as good as possible. Do longer input lags make them bad for general computer work? On the other hand do the techniques used to make TV watching as enjoyable as possible make them good for video editing too?

Thanks for your help!

-pb
 
You seem to be asking about a number of different things here.

Are you looking for a computer monitor, or are you looking to use an HDTV as a computer monitor?

Are you asking about using a monitor for editing in terms of size and utility and resolution, or are you asking about it in terms of use for things like color correction and preview?

As far as using a computer monitor, size and pixels never hurt anyone, so the bigger the better -- especially if you're going to be using applications like NLEs or 3D apps which have a lot of subwindows and tools. The more you can see all at once, the more convenient it will be.

But as for using a computer screen as your video preview -- never, ever rely on that. A computer monitor screen is not the same as a video screen, be it a TV or an HDTV. The color responses and resolution are quite different, especially if you're editing for standard PAL TV. What looks good on a computer monitor may look terrible on a TV screen -- any TV screen.
 
David Jimerson said:
Are you looking for a computer monitor, or are you looking to use an HDTV as a computer monitor?
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This is what I'm trying to figure out, as I haven't been following display development lately.

David Jimerson said:
Are you asking about using a monitor for editing in terms of size and utility and resolution, or are you asking about it in terms of use for things like color correction and preview?

But as for using a computer screen as your video preview -- never, ever rely on that. A computer monitor screen is not the same as a video screen, be it a TV or an HDTV. The color responses and resolution are quite different, especially if you're editing for standard PAL TV. What looks good on a computer monitor may look terrible on a TV screen -- any TV screen.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. So computer LCDs and TV LCDs (both having same 1920x1080 resolution) are two totally different "breeds" optimized for different kind of tasks?
 
If you want to know what something is going to look like on a particular type of screen, then you need to preview it ON that kind of screen.

Ideally, you should preview on a professional monitor -- PAL, HD, whatever it is you're going to. Something designed to show you exactly what you're getting. Commercial TVs are not the best for this, as they are designed to correct flaws, not show you things exactly as they are. Still, a commercial TV is better for previewing things meant for that kind of TV than the computer monitor would be.
 
David Jimerson said:
If you want to know what something is going to look like on a particular type of screen, then you need to preview it ON that kind of screen.

Ideally, you should preview on a professional monitor -- PAL, HD, whatever it is you're going to. Something designed to show you exactly what you're getting. Commercial TVs are not the best for this, as they are designed to correct flaws, not show you things exactly as they are. Still, a commercial TV is better for previewing things meant for that kind of TV than the computer monitor would be.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks for sharing these pieces of advice. "Professional monitor" sounds a bit expensive for my needs. Anyone able link some professional monitors used by editing professionals nowadays? Just curious...

I will probably settle for consumer grade LCD - either PC monitor of full HD TV.

-pb
 
Polarbeer said:
Okay, thanks for sharing these pieces of advice. "Professional monitor" sounds a bit expensive for my needs. Anyone able link some professional monitors used by editing professionals nowadays? Just curious...

I will probably settle for consumer grade LCD - either PC monitor of full HD TV.

-pb
Click to expand...

you don't need a professional monitor for your needs, you just need calibration, pickup a huey or a spider. and if you want a boost in overall accuracy and quality, get an IPS panel monitor. 22" 1080 ones go for as low as 200 bucks on sale
 
imdjay said:
you don't need a professional monitor for your needs, you just need calibration, pickup a huey or a spider. and if you want a boost in overall accuracy and quality, get an IPS panel monitor. 22" 1080 ones go for as low as 200 bucks on sale
Click to expand...

Yes, this is what I am thinking too. Maybe I go for 24" size though as they seem quite reasonably priced also. I'm just curious, what are these professional monitors David mentioned above and what is their price range approximately? (Ie. prices starting at... :) )

-pb
 
Polarbeer said:
Yes, this is what I am thinking too. Maybe I go for 24" size though as they seem quite reasonably priced also. I'm just curious, what are these professional monitors David mentioned above and what is their price range approximately? (Ie. prices starting at... :) )

-pb
Click to expand...

well needless to say professional monitors are more than twice as much, and that's just a starting point. just be sure your purchase is an IPS panel and you'll be good
 
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