Calibrated HDMI monitor?

[sander kamp]

Does anybody know if it is possible to have a calibrated HDMI or DVI monitor on the set? I am looking for a monitor that just gives a little bit more accurate impression of what is going on but don't want to spend thousands of dollars on an HDSDI monitor.

And how would you calibrate it? Most monitors you calibrate by storing a profile on your computer. I know there are some monitors that can store a LUT in the monitor but wouldn't you have to calibrate it with the HDMI output of the camera?

 

[Joel Kaye]

I'd think your best bet would be to use the HD-SDI to HDLINK with a DVI LCD monitor. HDLINK allows you to create LUTS. RED sends a lot of test signals.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/hdlink/

A set of THX.com optimizer Blue glasses could help you set up color bars. (not as good as a reference monitor - but you can dial in a really good look for people to be impressed by)

note: thx.com website is down as I type this... but it should be back up.

I also got a tip from a friend that works at a news station that they tested the Magnavox 19MF337B 720P as having very good color accuracy for the price and bought some as cheap preview monitors for their editors.

 

[sander kamp]

Thanks for the tips! The Magnavox is super cheap! Wonder if I could turn off all the automatic 'enhancements'.

What are the thx blue glasses? The website is down...

 

[Joel Kaye]

Thanks for the tips! The Magnavox is super cheap! Wonder if I could turn off all the automatic 'enhancements'.

What are the thx blue glasses? The website is down...

You should also check out the Dell 1708FP. I just bought one and it looks good so far. A friend of mine has an HDLINK I can test it with in the future. The resolution is good if you want to see the RED menus. If not, you're probably better off sending the HD-SDI preview off the camera to the Magnavox. I don't know if you can turn auto stuff off on the Magnavox but if you just need it to look good on set you'll be fine. If you're color correcting at the studio with it then I don't know. I have a pretty decent JVC that is much more expensive for that.

The THX blue glasses are a simple blue gel in disposable eyeglass form that simulate viewing a monitor in blue only mode. That's the mode you use to set up a reference monitor. It's not a perfect solution but a lot of people set up their home systems that way so it's a decent reference.

THX sells 'em for $1 plus shipping last I checked.

 

[Brian Broz]

hi joelnet,
Slightly off topic, but I noticed the Dell 1708FP is 4:3...does the RED output letterbox the signal or is the image stretched. I assumed when connecting DVI you needed a 16:9 monitor to display correctly. Any comments are appreciated!
Thanks,

 

[Joel Kaye]

hi joelnet,
Slightly off topic, but I noticed the Dell 1708FP is 4:3...does the RED output letterbox the signal or is the image stretched. I assumed when connecting DVI you needed a 16:9 monitor to display correctly. Any comments are appreciated!
Thanks,

Out of the HDMI RED actually sends 1280 x 848.

All the camera info and menus are above and below the image. The sides of the image have lookaround also. So the actual shooting area is well within the edges of the monitor. What I can't tell is if there's a slight stretching of the image vertically. There might be but it's very subtle of it's there.

As far as making the monitor pretty for clients? I don't know about that. Maybe when looks are fully enabled that might be possible. Otherwise a HDLINK might work. It's pretty low rez and noisy though. It's a video assist. The good news is the focus edge enhancement is easy to see on the monitor with the latest firmware so you can pull focus right off it.