-
Broadcast Color Correction within Final Cut on a NEC PA271W
Hey all,
I’m working on a documentary that, while originally intended for web, will now have to be prepared for broadcast.
I anticipated having to do some color correction when starting this project and purchased a $1800 NEC PA271W monitor due to it’s included hardware calibrator and supposedly good reputation.
Now, when viewing past and present threads regarding broadcast color correction, it seems that I will have to purchase further equipment. The NEC PA271W has an included Spectraview color profiler for various color profiles (Broadcast Video, sRGB, Digital Cinema, etc.)
First, and most importantly, Am I to assume that the NEC’s “Broadcast Video” profile won’t give me the accuracy I need to grade properly for broadcast?
Second, while I realize professional broadcast monitors are upwards of $3000, are there any options <$1000 that will give me relatively accurate broadcast colors? I’m working with typical guerilla style documentary HDV footage that will have to be downconverted for Digibeta.
Thanks,
Adam -
13 Replies
-
see if you can properly calibrate bars to the nec monitor with the blue only switch.
if you can do that and the contrast pluge it “might” work.
if not, look into getting a sony pvm14L5 crt monitor, they regularly show up on the cow classifieds and ebay for less than $ 1,000 and work very well.
I assume you have a matrox or blackmagic or aja video output card to hook it up to.
-
Thanks Chris.
I do not have a Matrox / Blackmagic / AJA card and my NEC does not have HDMI in. Following your advice, I take it my cheapest bet would be to:
– Purchase MXO2 Mini $450 + HDMI to DVI adapter.
https://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo2_family/mxo2_mini/– Calibrate NECPA271W to colour bars with blue only switch.
– If color bar calibration fails, purchase PVM14L5 CRT monitor ($550).
https://cgi.ebay.ca/Sony-PVM-14L5-14-Monitor-HD-Multiformat-BKM-120D-SDI-/150553802625?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230db4b781#ht_2605wt_1141– Calibrate PVM14L5 to color bars.
Correct me if I’m wrong?
Thanks again,
Adam -
that should do it!
-
Only if that monitor does 1920×1080. If it is like a standard computer monitor and does 1920×1200…then the MXO2 HDMI to DVI signal won’t go to it. It expects a 1080 monitor…it won’t work if it hits 1200…
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
It’s native resolution is 2560 x 1440… I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll likely have to purchase another monitor unfortunately.
It’s kind of disappointing that the hardware calibration that came with the monitor wasn’t sufficient for broadcast use.
Oh well.
Cheers,
Adam -
Unfortunately that isn’t the kind of monitor used for video editing. I am guessing your monitor’s Broadcast settings are for working in applications like Photoshop where the final output will be for television.
If working in HD video you need a monitor with a native resolution of 1920×1080 and either HD-SDI or component inputs. Even a good quality HDTV with HDMI inputs would be better than a computer monitor.
And for your computer you need some kind of video interface (Matrox, AJA, Blackmagic, MOTU etc).
To calibrate a monitor you need a dedicated probe not some internal setting. There are cheap versions but these are usually designed for print work. We hire someone who has a range of probes for different types of monitors to calibrate our screens every six months or so (doing it once and forgetting about it is no good as colours drift over time).
————————
FCP and Avid Technical Support
Air Post Production
Shoreditch – London -
Thanks Gary.
You’ve given me a few more questions:
1. When choosing between HDMI and component output from my MXO2 Mini. I take from your response that component will give the most accurate reference?
2. Are there any quality < $1000 HDTV’s that are known for (fairly) accurate reference when calibrated to colour bars? (I would have an easier time convincing the producer to purchase a 50″ HDTV for screening, than a 14″ CRT.)
I’m not sure our existing budget can afford a dedicated probe, so we may be stuck calibrating our monitor with the MXO2 + colour bars.
Cheers,
Adam -
A Panasonic pro plasma, or indeed one of the newer LCDs with good color management systems from Samsung or even Sony, should get you in the ballpark for calibration PROVIDED you get them set up by a calibrator – someone from ISF or the like. When I say ballpark, I’m talking maybe 90% there compared to a FSI or other similar monitor. This will mean any grading ‘sins’ should be ones of omission, provided you know what you’re doing with regard to scopes etc. You should be able to do this for around 1k, maybe a little more.
You could consider renting something like an FSI for the duration. Probably only cost a few hundred dollars.
Whatever you do, you’ll need a broadcast output card – MXO2, Blackmagic or Kona…Json
_________________________________
Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.*the artist formally known as Jaymags*
-
Hey Adam,
Just to throw my $0.02 in the mix: Your situation is indeed a good opportunity to upgrade your setup and gain some new skills. But before you go and spend a bunch of money, have you considered taking your film to a good post facility and getting a grade done by an experienced colorist? You’ll probably get a better final product. Also, by watching the colorist work, you may indeed learn more then you would on your own trying to do it yourself. I don’t know what your budget is, but I think you and the producer owe it to yourselves to at least get a few quotes.
A good post facility should also be able to guarantee that their output will pass network QC.
Matt Lyon
Editor
Toronto -
adam, just get that sony pvm monitor, it will work perfectly for your situation.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up