Reference Monitor for Color

[jon erwin]

I'm using a Apple Cinema Display for Color as a reference monitor. What settings should I use to get the most accurate image possible for television? Should I set it to NTSC in the color management window?

 

[Ryan E. Walters]

Great question- I've wondered that as well- any word from anyone on how to properly calibrate that monitor? (I use a properly calibrated HD monitor when I go in to the studio grade, but it would be great to be able to use my ACD at home for my own stuff.)

 

[Kaku Ito]

Having a real master monitor (BVM-D24) and comparing to others clearly shows the differences. I've used Nanao, Cinema Display and others but never was able to match it well. Mainly because, I think the backlight is not neutral.

Recently I've used TVLogic XVM-245W and HP Dream Color, the LED backlight generation and found out they can be really good. Magenta shows stronger on them than CRT Master monitor, but you can manipulate that well and make it neutral.

They still lack the best presentation for the interlaced (or maybe even 60p) but if you are working with RED ONE footage, you are normally working with 24p or 30p, so LCD display with LED backlight and 10-bit panel, lastly with correct 709 color space setting would serve you good.

 

[jon erwin]

Cool. Thanks! But if a cinema display is what I have for now. What color management profile should I use?

 

[BradWright]

I've found the Panasonic Plasma Panels that are THX certified to be a good cheap solution. Panasonic claims that it can display the entire REC 709 color gamut.

 

[Kaku Ito]

Cool. Thanks! But if a cinema display is what I have for now. What color management profile should I use?

NTSC in color preference is 601 (SD), not 709 (HD). The best you can do with what you have is to use a calibrator like i1 then calibrate with the target being 709. I gave up doing it with Nanao and Cinema Display then met HP Dream Color, I couldn't believe how much effort and time I wasted.