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What’s the BEST display system for FCP?
I’m getting a new QUAD and was conflicted about what display setup would be the most useful. I plan to use: FC Studio, Logic 7, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Aperture V2. I need to make a decision on this ASAP!
Do you prefer two monitors, such as the Apple Cinema Display (23″)? Or, do you prefer one large monitor such as the Apple 30″? Why?
Also, do you prefer Apple displays for a multi-purpose FC Edit suite or do you prefer another brand? Why?
Have you used the Eizo CG 210 (<https://www.eizo.com/products/graphics/cg210/index.asp>)? I am interested in this monitor as a replacement for Barco and Sony Artisan CRTs for color-critical, soft-proofing for print output. Unfortunately there slow response time may be an issue for video editing.
Also, why are dual 20″ displays not enough? I was at Guitar Center recently and sat in front of dual 20″ Apple LCD displays and wondered why anyone would want more pixels. I would not want the whole assembly to be any wider (or not much) and critical, production-monitor viewing is not going to happen on any computer LCD… So, why do you want dual-23 or dual 24″ computer monitors? It seems that it would be easy to get too big–yes?
Another thought, some editors prefer using 4:3 computer monitors–are you one of them? Also, some editors that have been HUGE proponents of dual-monitor editing have moved to a large (30″) single display. Thoughts?
I appreciate your thoughts, comments and/or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Robert Broussard
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10 Replies
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I use two Dell 2045 24″ HD displays.
Why? They are cheaper than Apple’s 23″ BEFORE they go on sale (which is often), and they soundly BEAT Apple’s displays in virtually every way:
Plus they have composite, component and S-video inputs. Apple don’t.
I like the two monitor setup…more landscape than one 30″.
Shane
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net -
[Robert Broussard] “Also, why are dual 20″ displays not enough? I was at Guitar Center recently and sat in front of dual 20″ Apple LCD displays and wondered why anyone would want more pixels. I would not want the whole assembly to be any wider (or not much) and critical, production-monitor viewing is not going to happen on any computer LCD… So, why do you want dual-23 or dual 24″ computer monitors? It seems that it would be easy to get too big–yes?”
I think you answered your own question. You like dual 20’s so go with that.
There is no “Best” display system for FCP. The best system is what you like. I run an Apple 23″ and 17″ in one room and a 20″ and 17″ in the other. Both setups work perfectly for us.
The only way to figure out what you want/need is to sit in front of a system and try it out. You did that and liked the feel and real estate of the dual 20″ setup, so go with that.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.comDirector, “The Rough Cut”
https://www.theroughcutmovie.comNow Posting “Good Eats” in HD for the Food Network
“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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re: Dell with FCP:
From the Barefeats article linked above:
FCP PLAYBACK PROBLEM REPORTED
Readers have reported to me a problem with skipped frames during playback with Final Cut Pro using the Dell LCD 2405FPW display at 60Hz. Apple warns about problems with 60Hz refresh rate in an article on their web site. They recommend refresh rates of 75Hz or higher. After some experimenting on our Quad-Core with the FX 4500, we learned that the Dell 2405FPW can be set to 75Hz but only at 1024×768 or 1280×1024 resolution. The native 1920×1200 only can run at 60Hz. HP makes a 23″ LCD that can be set to 75Hz at 1600×1200 and 85Hz at 1280×1024, but can only run at 60Hz at 1920×1200. -
I think that theory has pretty much been proved hogwash. Maybe if they were using for it a video monitor, not a computer monitor. I have a 2405 and the time I see dropped frames is when i load a bunch of filters and try to play them in rt.
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It is hogwash. That happened to ONE PERSON. Dozens of people here, LAFCPUG, the Apple site, DVINFO.net, 2-pop (including myself, who has two) have not had the same issue.
He was doing something else that caused that.
The look to two 20″ monitors is good. Nice and tidy.
Shane
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net -
[walter biscardi] ” only way to figure out what you want/need is to sit in front of a system and try it out. You did that and liked the feel and real estate of the dual 20″ setup, so go with that.”
Yes, I saw them just sitting there… not running anything… Anyway, I know if I were to use FCP and the other apps listed on various display configurations I would have a preference. Also, I was hoping that there was some consensus as to what setups have proven to be optimal… With that information I was hoping to avoid bringing in more than one solution for evaluation and attempt to start with what most consider to be optimal.
So, instead of asking “what’s the best…” or “what’s optimal”…I should ask, what do you use now or what have you used that you consider optimal?
Some people have suggested the following:
-Apple 30″ Display (1). Suggesting that many of the new interfaces work better on a dinglelarge monitor…
-Dual Lacie 3-2-1s (4:3)*. Because he likes the calibration that allows soft-proofing for print work.
-Dual Apple 23″. Because of the pixel dimensions allow it to be used as an HD pic monitor.
-Dual Dell 24″. Because it is cheaper than the Apple 23″ and offers some additional features…
-Single Apple 23”. Anyone happy with a single monitor (smaller than 30″)?* The Eizo ColorEdge displays were strongly preferred… yet, the Lacie 3-2-1 was more cost-effective…
All over the board. 😀
Thanks,
Robert
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[Robert Broussard] “-Dual Apple 23″. Because of the pixel dimensions allow it to be used as an HD pic monitor.
-Dual Dell 24″. Because it is cheaper than the Apple 23″ and offers some additional features…”The Dell’s dimensions also allow it to be used as an HD pic monitor. But know, neither the Apple nor the Dell are good enough for final color correction. But they both put out a great image.
Shane
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net -
FYI: You are also going to need a real video monitor as well as your computer monitor. You know that right?
BTW, I like one larger computer monitor, btw. Too much neck swiveling is no bueno.Kevin Monahan
Take My FCP Master’s Seminar!
fcpworld.com -
[Robert Broussard] “-Dual Dell 24″. Because it is cheaper than the Apple 23″ and offers some additional features…”
Hi,
They are onsale right now for $799 with free shipping. The same price as the 20″ Apple.
Best Wishes,
Mitch
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I use dual 21″ monitors (4:3) and having a 30″ would be great, but couldn’t justify $2500 when I could get two good CRTs for less than $600.
That being said, there are times when I’ve wished for an additional monitor! I use one for my timeline because I usually have 8 layers of video and 8 layers of audio going. Plus I have a ton of assets, so it would be great to have a monitor devoted just to that and one for preview/program, filters and audio.
Hopefully Apple will come out with ‘multi-touch’ displays and that will revolutionize editing! We’d have to pony up for two of those!!
https://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/
pxlmvr
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