Matrox Mxo 2 Mini plus which external computer monitor for FCP?

[Shane Ross]

[Chris Davis] “I have heard that the MXO 2 Mini works well with a computer monitor”

No, that’s the original MXO. That connects to computer monitors via the DVI out of the computer and their DVI in. The MXO2 mini works best with an HDTV.

Look for a decent HDTV.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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[Carl Macneal]

I am doing the same search right now. Let me know what you go with please, I will do the same for you. I have been from $150 – $5500 displays today and am narrowing down!

[Bret Williams]

Why are you guys looking for computer monitors? They will be less accurate and likely more expensive. Not to mention they aren’t as convenient in an edit environment. 2 hdmi inputs is great for a blue Ray as well. Plus component and other av inputs for other gear.

[Gabriele Sartori]

Bought a 27″ Samsung TV/Monitor for just $399 at Costco. It is a 1080P native, it has digital tuner , HDMI, DVI, Component etc. In my opinion a TV has better gamut and color temperature than a PC monitor. I will get the mini Tuesday and I will tell you more but so far the monitor is doing great with perfect colors

Gabriele – California

[Chris Davis]

[Bret Williams]
“Why are you guys looking for computer monitors? They will be less accurate and likely more expensive.”

Due to a limited budget, I personally am wanting the monitor to double as a standard second monitor (without the MXO 2 Mini) when I am not doing color correction. Would you please say more about your experiences with the MXO 2/MXO 2 Mini and a computer monitor vs. a TV? Thanks.

[Gabriele]
“I will get the mini Tuesday and I will tell you more but so far the monitor is doing great with perfect colors.”

Thanks. Is this primarily a TV? Does it do well with text? I’ll check this thread at least through Wednesday.

[Shane Ross]
“No, that’s the original MXO. That connects to computer monitors via the DVI out of the computer and their DVI in. The MXO2 mini works best with an HDTV.”

Thanks for your help here and on other threads. Can you say more about how/why the MXO works well with computer monitors but the MXO 2/MXO 2 Mini does not (besides the DVI vs. HDMI connection)?

-Chris

[Paul Figgiani]

I just bought this Samsung 23 inch for $259. I’m expecting it Tuesday.

I’ll be using it with the MXO2 mini. The reviews are good. It has 2 HDMI inputs as well as DVI-D. I was concerned about any overscan issues. I found a forum thread stating it’s not a problem. I believe scanning is manually adjustable.

-paul.

[Shane Ross]

[Chris Davis] “Can you say more about how/why the MXO works well with computer monitors but the MXO 2/MXO 2 Mini does not”

No, because I am not a technician. I know surface stuff, not deep engineering. The MXO takes DVI out, does some fancy conversion, and then puts a proper signal onto a computer monitor. And computer monitors and TV monitors use different technology. The MXO 2 via HDMI does allow for proper color bar calibration, but the LCDs are different.

The MXO allows you to use the computer screen AS a computer screen, showing you a desktop, as it connects via DVI. The MXO2 does not…as it doesn’t. It is a video output device only.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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[David Roth weiss]

[Shane Ross] “No, because I am not a technician.”

Shane’s just being humble…

[Shane Ross] “The MXO allows you to use the computer screen AS a computer screen, showing you a desktop, as it connects via DVI. The MXO2 does not…as it doesn’t. It is a video output device only.
“

What Shane is saying here is that MXO 2 is a true video I/O device that inputs and outputs a proper video signal designed for display to a true broadcast video monitor or Tv rather than a computer monitor. As such, the MXO 2 on the other hand is very much like the Kona and Blackmagic cards/devices, and designed to compete in their space in the market.

Keep in mind that, while computer monitors are fed by cards that are commonly referred to as “video cards,” the terminology is inaccurate and can be very misleading. They do not accurately display a true video signal properly, and to avoid this confusion they are best referred to as computer display cards, and computer monitors are best referred to as computer displays.

So, video and video cards should be displayed on video monitors — computer cards should be displayed on computer displays. Right?

Well, the MXO is the exception. As Shane stated, the original MXO is designed to take the standard computer display output through the DVI port and filter it through the MXO electronics in order to create a signal that closely emulates a true video signal when it is displayed on a computer monitor. It isn’t perfect, but it’s close enough for most — so think of it as tricky way to get around the need (and the expense) of a real video monitor.

So, do you understand the difference between MXO and MXO 2 now?

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

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

[Carl Macneal]

I am actually looking for a monitor, narrowed down to the Panasonic BT-LH1760 17″ for $4500, the JVC DTV24L3D – $3500, the cinetel cinemage 2000 (expensive and also bad at SD which still pops up for commercial work) and the LM-2470W – $9,000. ANyone have one of these?

[Andy Mees]

[David Roth Weiss] “Well, the MXO is the exception. As Shane stated, the original MXO is designed to take the standard computer display output through the DVI port and filter it through the MXO electronics in order to create a signal that closely emulates a true video signal when it is displayed on a computer monitor. It isn’t perfect, but it’s close enough for most — so think of it as tricky way to get around the need (and the expense) of a real video monitor. “

For what its worth, I don’t believe this to be correct. My understanding is that the original MXO does not take the standard computer display output through the DVi port … at least not in the sense that is partially implied. It can do that, yes, and is exactly what it does in “Presentation” mode, whereby it functions as a traditional scan convertor. However, in Mastering mode, my understanding is that its driver is actually interrupting the normal operation of the DVI video out and subverting its purpose so as to provide an uncompressed YUV or RGB output over that connection. It is by doing this that it is able to provide true uncompressed output (not “emulated”) to its SDI, Component and Composite spigots, and further to that to filter that signal through its own electronics, as noted above, in order to emulate a broadcast quality representation on an (optionally connected) computer display.

As far as I can tell, it is this low level graphics system hack (for want of a better word) that is unique to the MXO and is its great strength and simultaneously its great weakness. A strength because its frankly pretty awesome as an 8 bit output device, a weakness because any and every time Apple fundamentally change the graphics handling code, or the graphics hardware itself, then the MXO is at risk of being left high and dry,

Just my 3c
Andy