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FSI monitor 8-bit, editing 10-bit
I have approval for about 2500 bucks and looking at the FSI monitors. Either the BM210 or LM-2140W. Both seem to be fantastic monitors and leaning towards the BM210 for its color fidelity. I’ll be using this for standard reference and light color correction and grading work, as well as some field use with Canon 7D (SD only via HDMI, boo). Now my question.
If I’m working in ProRes 422 1080p in 10-bit with Premiere Pro CS6 and the FSI is only an 8-bit panel, how much is that going going to affect my corrections? I’d still be outputting a 10-bit signal but only viewing 8-bit, less colors, for corrections.
I’ve seen some competitors for around the same price offer 10-bit monitors but are either under 21″, not a 1080 native display or don’t have as many connections and features. JVC, Marshall & Panasonic are the ones I’ve looked at.
FSI: loads of bells-n-whistles, but 8-bit. color fidelity vs. LM-2140W.
https://www.flandersscientific.com/index/bm210.php#prettyPhotoJVC: 1080, lots of inputs, looks most compariable & 10-bit
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/851633-REG/JVC_DT_E21L4U_DT_E21L4U_17_Multi_Format_HD.htmlMarshall: 8-bit
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/888083-REG/Marshall_Electronics_v_r241_imd_3g_24_High_Definition_LCD.htmlPanny: 10-bit, 18.5″ but 720p
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/851834-REG/Panasonic_BT_LH1850PJ_BT_LH1850_18_5_High_Performance_HD_SD.htmlOSX 10.7.5 with a 3.39 Ghz Intel Core i7 on a built up Hackintosh
16 GB of RAM with OSX on SSD, (2) internal HDDs RAID’d 1 for project files and External RAID 5 for all project assets (media, GFX, stills, etc.) -
4 Replies
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Hi Matt,
All of those units are 8 bit panels that are capable of reproducing 16.7 million colors. A 10 Bit panel is capable of reproducing 1.073 Billion colors. You have to be careful when looking at marketing terms. The JVC notes 10 bit color processing and that is pretty much the standard with current available monitors but the panel bit depth is still 8 bit. The FSI is capable of 12 bit signal processing, which really nothing in that price range comes close to.
What you will see regarding the difference of looking at a 10bit panel vs and 8 bit panel is a 10 bit panel will give you smoother gradients where you will see subtle banding on 8 bit panels. Really for your budget, you will be looking at a monitor with an 8 bit panel and then you have to decide what really makes one of these units stand out over the rest, color fidelity, resolution, scopes and meters, 3G SDI level A and B for advanced formats, advanced pro features, weight, power consumption and how much repair cost are and down time if you have to send a unit in for service. Also if you are working on material destined for Broadcast/ web a monitor with an 8 bit panel will be perfect as all broadcast is 8 bit anyway.
You can compare the FSI BM210 to the LM-2140W here https://www.flandersscientific.com/index/bm210.php#prettyPhoto/20/
Working in REC709 the color fidelity of both those units will be identical.
Hope that helps answer some of your questions.
“Think of everything in terms of building capacity.”
Kris Merkel
twitter: @kris_merkel
Product Manager, Flanders Scientific Inc.
http://www.shopfsi.com
Co-Founder, Atlanta Cutters Post Production User Group
http://www.atlantacutters.com2.2Ghz MBP core i7
16Gb RAM
CS6/FCP7
AJA T-Tap
AJA IO XT
FSI LM-2461W/CM-170W
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Helps very much, thanks. I was just reading a post I think you were a part of, but could be wrong. Does Premiere even output 10-bit. I thought I read somewhere that it only outputs 8-bit signal anyway.
The specs on the FSI BM210 does show 10-bit processing for SMPTE-425M-AB, but obviously will only show 8-bit. So assuming I could output a 10-bit signal from Premiere and through the Decklink Studio, that panel would only show an 8-bit signal anyway. I think I can live with this, since the majority of our work is online anyway. Just want a good panel with good color for reference and light grading. Everyone raves about the FSI, so I’m really leaning towards them.
OSX 10.7.5 with a 3.39 Ghz Intel Core i7 on a built up Hackintosh
16 GB of RAM with OSX on SSD, (2) internal HDDs RAID’d 1 for project files and External RAID 5 for all project assets (media, GFX, stills, etc.) -
Video output Bit Depth from PrPro is debatable and I for one have measured 10bit YUV signals via PrPro -> IOXT -> FSI. Some others stand by the statement that it is only 8 bit. Someone from Adobe might be able to shed more light on this. I do know that the AJA control panel is processing the signal as 10bit YUV and sending that to the monitor. Like I said before at $2500 level you will only be looking at units with 8bit panels from any of the popular manufacturers.
The panel in the BM210 and LM-2140W are the same panel. The BM210 is capable of working in multiple colorspaces as well as importing user generated 3D Calibration and Look LUTs, accepting Dual-Link signals, and has the ability to display 2 live signals side by side where the LM-2140W works only in REC709, and has switched SDI inputs so Only one SDI input can be active at one time.
As I mentioned before, performance with regards to Color Fidelity will be identical on either of the units working in REC709
“Think of everything in terms of building capacity.”
Kris Merkel
twitter: @kris_merkel
Product Manager, Flanders Scientific Inc.
http://www.shopfsi.com
Co-Founder, Atlanta Cutters Post Production User Group
http://www.atlantacutters.com2.2Ghz MBP core i7
16Gb RAM
CS6/FCP7
AJA T-Tap
AJA IO XT
FSI LM-2461W/CM-170W
-
Thank you.
OSX 10.7.5 with a 3.39 Ghz Intel Core i7 on a built up Hackintosh
16 GB of RAM with OSX on SSD, (2) internal HDDs RAID’d 1 for project files and External RAID 5 for all project assets (media, GFX, stills, etc.)
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