NeoGAF

POWERSPHERE · (06-01-2012, 03:36 AM)

Hey Film/Video/Monitor Gaf,

I'm in the market for a good monitor for video editing, and i'm a bit lost. I've been looking at the Apple Thunderbolt displays, partly as I use a Macbook and power & thunderbolt docking options seem nice, leaving all of my Hard Drives permanently plugged in like a hub, and the fact I can leave my power pack in my bag. Also, i've used Apple monitors and know I like them.

But i'm open to having my horizons broadened. I know the docking options won't be available really, but what else is out there that might do the actual job of video editing & minor grading?

Danoss · 06:30 AM

I like the low cost option of the Dell U2312HM. I have the previous years model, of which the main difference would be LED lighting found in the newer model, and find it to be excellent. They have an IPS panel in them so are easily colour calibrated to be accurate when editing videos or photos. Mine is calibrated with an X-Rite i1 Display 2 which does a great job, but it appears to have been replaced by the X-Rite i1 Display Pro which is better in a number of ways.

It doesn't have the options of Thunderbolt connectivity, but it does have 2 USB ports built in if that is any consolation. The upsides are the costs, I have two of them and could buy two more and still be under the cost of a Thunderbolt display. Having two of them is indispensable for video/photo editing as you can edit on your main display and see the result on the secondary. To connect this to Thunderbolt on your MacBook, you just need a Thunderbolt>DisplayPort (not mini) cable.

Of course, if you need the larger screen size and resolution, you'd have to look at the larger screens on the Dell side, but it seems they haven't released their larger IPS displays with LED just yet.

Food for thought.

POWERSPHERE · 08:34 AM

Definitely, thanks man. Wow, they are cheap for that kind of quality. I'll do some more research on them, thanks. Two monitors would be pretty great for AE & FCP.

XMonkey · (06-01-2012, 09:01 AM)

What is your budget?

Danoss · (06-01-2012, 10:16 AM)

Oh, I didn't notice that a MacBook's video out was only Thunderbolt now. It seems you'd only be able to attach one of those Dell displays to it as the signal terminates at the first DisplayPort or DVI connection. Currently only Thunderbolt displays can be set up as dual monitors on MacBooks by daisy-chaining to my knowledge. That really is a shame if true.

POWERSPHERE · (06-01-2012, 12:27 PM)

Originally Posted by XMonkey:

What is your budget?

Anything under $1000 AU is great. Apple monitors have great resale, and i'm moving from Sydney to New York in about 6 months or so, so that counts for something I guess

POWERSPHERE · (06-01-2012, 12:29 PM)

Originally Posted by Danoss:

Oh, I didn't notice that a MacBook's video out was only Thunderbolt now. It seems you'd only be able to attach one of those Dell displays to it as the signal terminates at the first DisplayPort or DVI connection. Currently only Thunderbolt displays can be set up as dual monitors on MacBooks by daisy-chaining to my knowledge. That really is a shame if true.

Damn, really? I'll have to research. Fucking Apple putting tech in as a trojan horse to force adoption.

Napoleonthechimp · 12:45 PM

You'll need an external device from a company like Matrox or AJA to properly calibrate a monitor to broadcast standard settings.

Example:
The Matrox M02 mini

or if you have a lot more money:

AJA's Io XT (which can daisy chain thunderbolt devices and output HDMI and other connections).

POWERSPHERE · (06-01-2012, 02:37 PM)

Originally Posted by Napoleonthechimp:

You'll need an external device from a company like Matrox or AJA to properly calibrate a monitor to broadcast standard settings.

Example:
The Matrox M02 mini

or if you have a lot more money:

AJA's Io XT (which can daisy chain thunderbolt devices and output HDMI and other connections).

I'm not going to be a professional Grader, and have edited & graded around 30 music videos just on my laptop crosschecking on TVs that have been fine. I guess those things are if you're finalising something for a huge commercial project, right? Like a failsafe.

Jarate · (06-01-2012, 02:39 PM)

Dual monitors will also help you out too man

injurai · (06-01-2012, 02:58 PM)

Originally Posted by Jarate:

Dual monitors will also help you out too man

this. can't recommend enough.

captive · (06-01-2012, 03:03 PM)

Dual monitors.

And a Dell U2711. It's wide gamut(if thats important to you) vs non with the Apple Cinema display. Still a nice IPS screen, but its glossy and not wide gamut so those were deal breakers for me.

ConvenientBox · (06-01-2012, 03:05 PM)

I have a u2711 and it's fucking glorious. Highly recommended over the mac displays which are a glare ridden, over saturated, blue tinted mess.

Danoss · (06-01-2012, 03:09 PM)

Yeah, buying that pro stuff sounds like overkill. If you're just doing personal projects, the X-Rite i1 will do you just fine for calibration. For $250 you can calibrate all your displays and keep them that way.

Well, better off worrying about getting yourself set up with some decent monitors before worrying about calibration. Though I don't know how those Apple displays are calibrated, knowing Apple, there probably isn't any buttons on the thing besides power. If that's the case, it'll have to be calibrated purely through colour profile, rather than being able to vary RGB levels, brightness and contrast.

Good Job Bob · (06-01-2012, 03:20 PM)

Originally Posted by Danoss:

Yeah, buying that pro stuff sounds like overkill. If you're just doing personal projects, the X-Rite i1 will do you just fine for calibration. For $250 you can calibrate all your displays and keep them that way.

Well, better off worrying about getting yourself set up with some decent monitors before worrying about calibration. Though I don't know how those Apple displays are calibrated, knowing Apple, there probably isn't any buttons on the thing besides power. If that's the case, it'll have to be calibrated purely through colour profile, rather than being able to vary RGB levels, brightness and contrast.

lol no

Danoss · (06-01-2012, 03:41 PM)

Originally Posted by Good Job Bob:

lol no

Thanks for the thorough information there, you've certainly opened my eyes with your demonstration of extensive knowledge.

Barkley's Justice · (06-01-2012, 05:35 PM)

Dell U2410 is a great "low cost" (relatively speaking) option.

iNvid02 · (06-01-2012, 05:40 PM)

get this op

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ALsot-gak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RFe-w8Qsrk

POWERSPHERE · (06-03-2012, 12:33 PM)

Cool I'm researching calibration boxes now, and I'm looking at the Dell 2410 and 2711. As its a thunderbolt MacBook I can't dual monitor unless it's thunderbolt displays which is ass. So maybe it'll need to be the 27 for now.

Mr. Wonderful · (06-03-2012, 03:00 PM)

The one thing to consider is that we're probably going to see resolutions double pretty shortly here when Apple starts releasing "Retina" displays.

POWERSPHERE · (06-04-2012, 05:47 AM)

Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful:

The one thing to consider is that we're probably going to see resolutions double pretty shortly here when Apple starts releasing "Retina" displays.

true, i'll wait for WWDC as that's when i'll have the money, but have to get something by then. It'll take time for that trend to find its feed anyway.

killertofu · (06-22-2012, 06:09 AM)

Seeing as the new MacBook pros can daisy chain thunderbolt displays, are there any made from other people besides Apple?

MultiCore · (06-22-2012, 06:15 AM)

Not yet.

killertofu · (06-22-2012, 06:20 AM)

But is there any way to connect a thunderbolt port to display? Or should I just look for monitors with hdmi input?

MultiCore · (06-22-2012, 06:25 AM)

Originally Posted by killertofu:

But is there any way to connect a thunderbolt port to display? Or should I just look for monitors with hdmi input?

Tough to interpret your post.

Are you looking to connect a displayport or HDMI display to your thunderbolt port?
Adapters Abound:
http://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Mi.../dp/B002YQYCUM

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Disp.../dp/B002HWWDAY