Dell versus Panasonic blt monitor?

[Gerad Savides]

I am debating whether to plunk down a lot of $ for one of the panasonic blt monitors. However i noticed on a shoot that someone was using a Dell monitor for onset viewing. So my question is this

Is it worth spending almost four times the amount on a monitor like the panasonic as opposed to the more affordable dell monitor? I would just like to judge the shot, and possibly. focus.

Also what is a good dell monitor for the red one?

 

[paulherrin]

why dell specifically? look at some of the displays on http://www.newegg.com, that's where i get mine. also, you could consider an apple display, they tend to be very good, though obviously more costly. but if all you need is focus and compositional things, and basic lighting/exposure, i don't really think you need a professional panasonic monitor... but don't take my word for it, you know you're setup and needs better than i do.

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

why dell specifically? look at some of the displays on http://www.newegg.com, that's where i get mine. also, you could consider an apple display, they tend to be very good, though obviously more costly. but if all you need is focus and compositional things, and basic lighting/exposure, i don't really think you need a professional panasonic monitor... but don't take my word for it, you know you're setup and needs better than i do.

The Panasonic BT monitors are generally considered to be professional field monitors with all the right connections like SDI, component etc. A lot of people also use the bigger one (25") as a studio monitor for grading and reference, but I don't think they'd fully qualify for that purpose in a high-end grading environment (because they're not real 10-bit panels). They do require some servicing on a regular basis, but have essential features that justify the extra price (IMHO); SDI input, waveform, vectorform, audiolevels, timecode overlay, tally, 12volt XLR input, Color space/film gamma settings, Split-screen and 3D LUTs (on select models). I own a 1760 that I'm very satisfied with. It has an IPS panel that many Dell monitors have too, but it has a 10-bit image processor that should be able to effectively provide a broader color range than otherwise available on a regular 8-bit display.

I never really understood why people want to use the Apple monitors when you can get equally good displays from Dell and other manufacturers for a lot less - and with better connections and features.

I have a new 24" Dell monitor (still boxed) with an IPS panel that I am planning to put beside the Panasonic 17" for a comparison. I'll post any findings as soon as I get around to it.

 

[Eric Santiago]

I have a new 24" Dell monitor (still boxed) with an IPS panel that I am planning to put beside the Panasonic 17" for a comparison. I'll post any findings as soon as I get around to it...

Looking forward to that. Im using a Sony 52" plasma and a Dell U2711 (HDMI 27") and finding the Dell more forgiving with fast movement.
Of course this is with RED Rocket and BOB.

 

[jimhare]

For on set use, Dell monitors (or other HDMI/DVI monitors) work great and there really aren't any disadvantages. For judging a shot and focus, they are ideal.

For me, I would much rather have a $300 monitor in harm's way than a $2,000 one.

Some believe that HD-SDI monitors will have more prestige on set for clients, or are more reliable, but I haven't found either to be true. My clients love what I do and the monitor works 100% of the time.

Always somewhere else to spend the money saved in this business!

Keep in mind this is talking about on set monitoring. For editing/grading you do need to be more demanding.

 

[ericyoung]

For on set use, Dell monitors (or other HDMI/DVI monitors) work great and there really aren't any disadvantages. For judging a shot and focus, they are ideal.

For me, I would much rather have a $300 monitor in harm's way than a $2,000 one.

...

Hi Jim

What's your current on set Dell model?

Thanks.
Eric

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I like the computer monitors. I prefer IPS panels.

I like to couple them with input converters, like Black Magic's HDLink Pro on those shoots that need professional i/o

I don't really use the waveform and vectorscopes on monitors. I was impressed with them at first... but then I realized they kind of suck.

If I need live scopes on set then I hire a good one. Otherwise I just check things at the DIT cart.