Desktop Monitor for Web Color Grading

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Level 4

3,469 points

Desktop Monitor for Web Color Grading

First question is simple: I'm in need of new desktop monitors. Looking towards the Dell Ultrasharps, which have been a favorite in the past, specifically the U2412M. Any other suggestions?

Second question, more difficult: I do a fair amount of color work with DaVinci Resolve. None of it for broadcast. By this logic, I feel like I can get away with a solid desktop monitor rather than a Dreamcolor, FSI or something pricier. If this is the case, any input on whether the Ultrasharps are a better or worse choice than anything else?

And third question: Resolve doesn't output to a second monitor without a Decklink. I guess this means I would need the Decklink Studio, or buy an SDI/HDMI converter to get to the desktop monitor? Seems like overkill, but the only option?

Thanks much!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2), FCP 7.0.3, FCPX, 4GB RAM

Posted on Apr 23, 2012 7:04 PM

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Answer 1

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Apr 23, 2012 7:50 PM in response to Zak Ray

1 - I love the Dell Ultra Sharps...I'm sticking with them.

2 - A computer monitor is never good for color grading. Different colorspace than TVs or broadcast monitors. Unless you are talking about the Dreamcolor monitor. But that is $2500. You need a good HDTV in the place of an FSI monitor.

3 - You will need any Decklink card that is rated to work with Resolve. Not sure what those are, but get one that does, and then HDMI to an HDTV will do you good.

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Answer 2

Zak Ray Author

Level 4

3,469 points

Apr 23, 2012 8:02 PM in response to Shane Ross

Thanks, Shane.

2 - A computer monitor is never good for color grading. Different colorspace than TVs or broadcast monitors.

That's sort of the idea-- almost all my work is for the web, and therefore I feel like a good computer monitor is actually (albeit counter-intuitively) a good fit.

Besides that, I'd love to kill two birds with one stone and have an extended desktop when I'm not grading.

Faulty logic?

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Answer 3

Apr 23, 2012 8:31 PM in response to Zak Ray

I have found... when encoding for the web. Is to have a good (cheap) run-of-the-mill Windows computer to check the video on. The video could look great on the Mac but could look horrible on the Windows computer.

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