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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

LCD Monitor Shootout

LCD Monitor Shootout

  • JVC DT-V24L1DU 24-inch Production LCD

    Votes: 20 28.6%

  • Sony 24” WUXGA High Grade LUMA Monitor with HD-SDI

    Votes: 12 17.1%

  • Black Magic HD Link to 24" Dell or 30" Apple Cinema Display

    Votes: 23 32.9%

  • Panasonic BT-LH2600W

    Votes: 15 21.4%
  • Total voters
    70
Steve Sherrick

Steve Sherrick

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Here are the conditions:

Must have HD-SDI input
Must be capable of displaying true 1080P
Must handle interlace well, as well as 24P
Must have accurate blacks and close to CRT color rendition
Must be less than $5,000

Is there anything out there that fits these conditions that people have used in a grading situation and have been very happy with the results?

Steve
 
I know there are better options out there, like Cinetal and ecinema, etc. But price is a factor. Must be under 5K.

Anyone?
 
eCinemasys has their FX series line priced under $5k. 1920x1080 resolution. Some specs on the website though it's not particularly helpful unless all manufacturers use the same measurement methods (unlikely!).
http://www.ecinemasystems.com/products/fx/intro.html

And it doesn't spec all aspects that you'd be interested in. e.g. Colorimetry
The old Lumas had not-very-good color, but you wouldn't find that on a spec sheet. The Sony LCDs are always getting better, and I can't say about the 24" 1920x1080/1200 monitor since I've never seen it.

(Sorry, my post doesn't really help you out since I've seen none of these monitors in action. Though you might want to add eCinemasys to your list.)
 
I think Blackmagic HD Link plus Cinema HD Display is good enough, altho u never mention if it's Single HD-SDI or Dual Link HD-SDI.

Your only problem is the black and close to CRT, under 5k i believe it;s pretty hard to get. For LCD tech, most people will use ND Filter, but this kind of monitor definitely above 5k range.
 
Althought the Panasonic BTLH2600 LCD is an excellent display...it's not a true 1080P panel. It will display 1080, but the panel is 1366x768.
 
If you decide to go for a DVI panel connected to HD-SDI with an HDLink - I'd take a good look at Eizo screens. They have better color reproduction and calibration tools than the Dell or Apple screens.

The Eizo S2441W has HDMI inputs and HDCP support, making it a bit more of a 'multimedia' screen.

But for color grading on an affordable TFT screen I'd look at the Eizo CG241.

Generally twice the price of a Dell or Apple display - but if you're serious about colors and can't afford higher end tools - Eizo is a good option.

Barend
 
My current workflow involves Blackmagic HD-SDI >HD Link> Dell 2407 24" LCD. I have found it to be an okay solution, but wanted to see what else is out there that could do a better job for under 5K. Calibration is a bit tricky with this setup, and I still don't like how it handles interlace. But maybe substituting the Eizo would give me a decent solution for the time being.

For what it's worth I'm only planning on working up to 1080P, at least for a while. I did realize that about the Panasonic, but I threw it in the mix because I know it's a popular monitor. Is it softer in order to hide all of the noise in the 720P footage? I seem to see quite a bit of noise when I get footage shot with an HVX, but that same footage looks much cleaner on the Panasonic LH1700 when I do a comparison at another facility. 1080i from some of the higher end cameras looks great in my setup. Very sharp, nice rendition.

Steve
 
I will admit, I have a slight bias against JVC. I've had problems with their products in the past, and unfortunately that tends to influence your decisions in the future. Having said that, this isn't the first review I've seen that gives it high praise and it was being talked about at NAB quite a bit. So I'm certainly interested in investigating it's potential. I do like the fact that its got an HD-SDI input and if it's even in the same neighborhood as the eCinema monitor, then maybe it would be a good choice.

Has anyone seen this monitor in action and were you impresed with it? The price tag is certainly right, perhaps keeping in line with Red philosophy.

Steve
 
Barend Onneweer said:
If you decide to go for a DVI panel connected to HD-SDI with an HDLink - I'd take a good look at Eizo screens. They have better color reproduction and calibration tools than the Dell or Apple screens.

The Eizo S2441W has HDMI inputs and HDCP support, making it a bit more of a 'multimedia' screen.

But for color grading on an affordable TFT screen I'd look at the Eizo CG241.

Generally twice the price of a Dell or Apple display - but if you're serious about colors and can't afford higher end tools - Eizo is a good option.

Barend
Click to expand...

I second that.

Got an Eizo CG 241 and like it. Close to CRT, much better than Dell or Apple.

Hans
 
I have tested:sony, pana, and ecinema.
Today on my desk I have a JVC and love it.
I would say it outperforms the rest.
Saying That, it is only my opinion! and to be sure you need to test it your self.
Cheers
 
I have ordered Blackmagic HDLink Pro that is shipping at the end of October.

hdlinkpro-ban.jpg


LINK >>
 
stevesherrick said:
Has anyone seen this monitor in action and were you impresed with it? The price tag is certainly right, perhaps keeping in line with Red philosophy.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine (dealer) has a JVC and it does look pretty great, but I haven't really run side by side tests so it's difficult for me to compare. The blacks are better than on his 30" Apple. 2K images go off the screen of course. I think He's got the HDLINK and Dell over there too but it's not easy to A/B them. He tells be the JVC blows the Dell/HDLINK away - but he's also trying to sell me a JVC... so add a grain of salt.

As to the HVX noise. It's just HVX noise. When you set 4 cameras up side by side that becomes very apparent.

The JVC is very clear to my eye. We could see focus on the RED footage we downloaded and played through it.
 
I'm thinking of selling my Panasonic LH1700 as I'm will be looking for a monitor for use with the Red. Is there any reason I should hold on to it as it seems it is not suitable for critical focus. I know the built in waveform would be handy and the colour reproduction is good. It seems like the decklink may be a good option.
Has anybody used the Panasonic on a shoot and how did it hold up ?
I would be using it for a low budget feature. We will have a focus puller and will have the onboard LCD but I reckon their is no use having the Panasonic if its not up to the job.
Any thoughts ?
 
We're in the exact same boat and I still have the JVC at the top of my list. I thought it looked great at the JVC booth at NAB, but it would be nice to line all these options up side by side especially with the eCinema FX which is also on my list with a big question mark.
 
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