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Fixating on the perfect HD Monitor
Hey Guys. I thought you all might want to hear about my research for the best HD Monitor out there. Here’s the info I’ve gleaned over about a dozen hours of research.
1. Although LCD and Plasma HD monitors look great and some even can be said to be wonderful edit monitors (Panasonic’s BT-LH2600W in particular) none of them are as good as a current or discontinued SMPTE-C Phosphor, HD/SD CRT monitor in terms of judging picture for true color correction and grading. My plan is to buy a used CRT and then dump it as soon as something as good comes out as an LCD or Plasma. Everyone seems to agree that the tech hasn’t reached that point. Maybe this NAB???
2. There are 3 good choices out there from what I can find. All are used. I’d love for some input on these if anyone is using them out there. They are as follows:
a. Sony PVM-20L5 —– 20″ HD/SD, 4:3 Native 16:9 Masked . . . 800 lines of resolution in SD. Seems to be the “standard” for older CRT HD Monitors
b. Ikegami HTM-3202 — 32″ HD/SD?? 16:9 Native 4:3??? . . . . 1000 lines of resolution in HD! Not sure if it will handle a SD signal. Massive monitor. 178lbs!
c. JVC DT-V1910CGU — 19″ HD/SD, 4:3 Native 16:9 Masked . . . 900 lines of resolution in SD. Needs optional cards for inputs (Standard setup is no inputs at all! Same trick Panasonic’s pulling with not including a viewfinder with the HDX900)
So, those are the monitors I’m looking at. Anyone that can compare these monitors or anyone with other solutions out there would be most welcome to chime in!
Thanks for the help.
Tim
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4 Replies
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20L5/1 — For sure. And make sure it’s a “/1”. You can only know by its production date. Tried and true.
3202 — Probably a damn good CRT. Never used it in post though.
The JVC — Wouldn’t touch it with a 1000 foot pole. I’ve *never* had good luck with JVC monitors. So bad in fact that some could *not* calibrate even though they had blue guns and all.I think your decision to stick with CRT is a good one until a true replacement can come along. I think what will be the true “switch” will be micro LED technology. Been in the works for a while now. I’ll bet we finally see something at NAB this year even if just prototypes. Well, that’s my hope at least.
Wouldn’t give up my 20L5/1 for anything.
Marco Solorio | OneRiver Media
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[Tim Gibbons] “c. JVC DT-V1910CGU — 19″ HD/SD, 4:3 Native 16:9 Masked . . . 900 lines of resolution in SD. Needs optional cards for inputs (Standard setup is no inputs at all! Same trick Panasonic’s pulling with not including a viewfinder with the HDX900)”
JVC’s have a well deserved bad reputation, but I took a shot on one of these (got it real cheap on eBay), and its actually a pretty decent monitor once you get it calibrated.
If you are looking at this as a temporary measure, it might work nicely for you until something better comes along. Only buy it if you get a good deal though. -
Marco,
How can you tell it’s a PVM-20l5/”1″? I have one used monitor in mind but from what I can tell it doesn’t have any destignation other than “PVM-20L5”. It does have a manufacture date of “November 2004″ though. . . .
John,
I agree with you on the JVC. I have the JVC BM-H1900 – a great 20” SD Monitor. I’ve been very happy with it for years now. Editing BetaSP on FCP with a Decklink SP card and an UVW-1800 deck. . . .
Tim
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I also use the JVC at my job. It’s prety decent for the price, except that the SDI/HD-SDI card is very expensive. The picture is actually pretty good and gives a very, very fine HD picture. In SD, the JVC lack a bit of “contrast” and you can feel the horizontal lines. It’s still a good picture, but not exactly as great as Sony’s.
I’m also not sure about the reliability of those monitors… mine had to be repaired, and it was a pretty expensive repair. I’ve not seen a PVM20L5 in HD so I can’t tell if it’s as great as the JVC in HD, but if you are choosing between the JVC and the Sony, I would take the Sony.
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