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Broadcast Monitors V. Cinema Displays
Hi
I wanted some imput on a video monitoring issue.
I am working on Hi Def programming with a G5 FCP setup with cinema displays. We have a cinema display connected to a Decklink multibridge extreme.
We are waiting on budgets etc to get a proper broadcast monitor, but I have been told that the Apple Cinema Display is fine.I am, very sceptical on this as I am actually onlining the shows as well, including grading and making sure they adhere to tech specs.
I know the Cinema displays are superb for graphics and photo retouching, but am not sure that they provide a correct representation of video which will ultimately be played out on tube televisions.I would be grateful to hear from anyone with any experience in this field.
Franco
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3 Replies
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Hi Franco,
If you need to adhere to the Tech Specs you will be best off to use a legaliser (I use an Eyeheight Multidef Unit) this means that if it looks good – then it is good (providing your monitor can look at the output of the legaliser). I’m sure that the guys at aji doing the budget will not stretch to a Vectorscope/Rasterizer to help you with the grading/level checking.
Because you are doing multi standard finishing in interlaced format you will need a monitor that will handle interlace well… I use a Vutrix monitor form Frontiniche that displays interlace very well and is calibrated for colour over a long period of time, the blacks are also good and it a has a glossy glass front which makes my clients check to see if it’s CRT or not…
Having said that you also need to protect yourself for downconvert issues – I would recommend a grade 1 SD monitor on your SDI downconvert output, that way you are protecting yourself for everything.
It’s an expensive game being sceptical! I would say they would be happy with a Dell 24″ display for taking component HD input and a legaliser. I have this on my FCP setup – but I think the dell is quite bad at ghosting (or lag) and it deals with interlace badly.
Hope this helps,
Paul
Freelance DS/Symphony
London -
Hi Paul
Every question throws up new dilemmas! I’ve never really had to analize the kit I’m using to quite this level – it’s usually just there ready for me to use. Anyway, here’s a quickfire round:
1. I was thinking of using the legaliser filter within FCP, will this not do the job?
2. Same for the scopes, they seem to work – but are they trustworthy?
3. The Decklink has a function to show interlacing issues on the Cinema display. So far it seems to have successfully displayed interlacing flicker, though there may be issues I am unaware of and not looking out for.
At the moment I am thinking more about whether the Cinema display can be calibrated to accurately display colours and light balance of a video image, so that I can grade by eye. We’re not at the mastering stage yet, so I hadn’t really considered the necessity for monitoring component imputs/ outputs.
Maybe I should pay you a visit!
Anyway, thanks for the sound advice.
Franco
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I think the new MXO box from Matrox is doing exactly that.
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