dual screen computer monitors

[Mark Suszko]

I’m interetsted in this as well, because we use two of the Apple Cinema displays side by side for FCP, and no matter what I try with juggling or matching settings, the two monitors are not identical in color or brightness. I ran the built in calibrations but they still are slghtly different.

[Matt Campbell]

I know its best to use a colorimeter to calibrate them. But I’ve only done this for print work in CMYK. Video work is RGB. This is where my confusion lies. On how to set up for video in RGB, rather than create a color profile in CMYK for InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. That was done so if all 3 apps were open at the same time, side by side, they should all look the same. But i know video is way different because FCP doesn’t load color profiles.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Lyon]

Hi Matt, there was actually a thread about this not so long ago:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/1074971

As you mention, matching two monitors is best done with a colorimeter. I recently matched two monitors with an EyeOne calibration device, with good results. One calibrated, I would suggest locking the controls on your displays so they don’t get changed.

HTH,

Matt Lyon
Editor
Toronto

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks. I actually read that thread before I posted this one. I guess I just need to use a colorimeter and calibrate for RGB values rather than CMYK. I’d like to be able to get as close to broadcast quality as possible. And I know that its highly unlikely but will using color bars help at all for this? Or is it just a matter of letting the colorimeter do its thing? It seems like there should be some sort of standard to aim for?

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[David Roth weiss]

Both of you guys need a Spyder. And, you’ll have to spend about four or five hours perfecting your settings even with the Spyder if you want to further make your settings come close to what you see on a broadcast monitor or TV.

I did it myself, and it wasn’t easy, primarily because I had to work hard, by trial and error to customize what the Spyder had achieved so that skin tones were right on the money and in concert with my video monitors. You have to go through the entire Spyder procedure each time, which is what takes so much time. In any case, I was able to do it after much diligence, and those who see how closely they match think it’s pretty remarkable.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[David Roth weiss]

[Matt Campbell] ” I guess I just need to use a colorimeter and calibrate for RGB values rather than CMYK.”

Honestly, I found that there is no secret sauce. There is no setting or choice that ultimately works perfectly. You are going to have to try several presets, choose one, and then customize it. That one might not yield the results that you like for skin tone, so you then try another, then another then another. Eventually, you will find the perfect combination of starting preset and customized settings.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks. Appreciate the insight. I believe we have a X-rite colorimeter. I’ll see what I get with it. Might look into the spyder then. thx again.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[David Roth weiss]

[Matt Campbell] “I believe we have a X-rite colorimeter. I’ll see what I get with it. Might look into the spyder then. thx again. “

Although I’ve never tried the X-rite, I suspect you can achieve similar results to mine with that one. Again, it’s just a long process of testing out their presets to see if they hold up when you try to get them close to a broadcast monitor. It’s frustrating as heck, but pays off if you stick with it.

BTW, take notes as you go, or you will go insane…

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[Matt Lyon]

Matt, I’d say follow David’s advice … and if you are interested, there’s lots of boring documentation about broadcast standards to read 🙂

https://tech.ebu.ch/docs/tech/tech3320.pdf

But as you know, computer monitors aren’t broadcast monitors, so you are just trying to get “as close as possible.” Gamma 2.2 and 6500 K is a good starting point. Reference luminance level is a whole other matter … I’m honestly not sure what “the best” setting is … the EBU doc seems to suggest 70-100 cd/m for grade one monitors.

And not to put too fine a point on it, but all monitors work in RGB space, regardless of whether you are doing CMYK print work or Y’CrCb broadcast video … it’s all a matter of output intent.

Matt Lyon
Editor
Toronto

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks man. I actually don’t mind the boring documentation. Being self taught, I need to read up on as much as possible.

As close as possible is all I need for now, and am aware of. I hoping I get approval from the bosses for a broadcast monitor or even a production monitor. Anything is better than my 2 Eizo’s and a consumer HDTV. My current settings are at 180 cd, 6500k and 2.2 gamma. but I’m moving to a new machine and will have to re-calibrate the monitors to the new OS. Thanks, I’ll use those as starting points.

I know all monitors are RGB but when the profiles are working with apps like CS 3 for print, they simulate CMYK values and color space.

Thanks for all your help guys. We’ll see what happens here. It nice to talk this through without getting slammed for not having a broadcast monitor. Just need to make the best with what I have now.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card