monitor info

[madmoose]

what tech specs should a person be looking for in a good monitor for photography. photo editing etc. any help would be much appreciated.

[Pupator]

Primarily, that it's some kind of IPS panel rather than TN (the most common and cheapest). If you search in this forum you'll find lots of threads suggesting specific models.

I have the Viewsonic VP2365wb and am quite happy with it. It's one of the cheaper IPS models you can get.

[ladytx]

Here is a link with some information I got when I was looking:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=111744

The viewing angle is a strong consideration.

[Pupator]

Keep in mind, however, that the models recommended in that thread are now 2.5 years older.

[madmoose]

a tad bit eerie Pupator, the viewsonic 2365 was the one i was looking at and going to compare to the info given by the wise..
thanks for the help ladytx and pupator

[Newsy]

Yes, TFT panel type and then gamut supported by the monitor - either standard sRGB or "wide gamut" (sRGB + AdobeRGB).

[hgernhardtjr]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a pertinent question: Many of today's quality televisions have IPS panels in them, and virtually all allow hookup to a computer (even by a cheap DVI to HDMI cable, if all you have is DVI out on your computer ... I use that method with a 47-incher across the room from my computer for final video edit proofing, btw).

Why would not the larger IPS television screens NOT be as good as an IPS monitor (which often costs more)? What am I missing?

[Newsy]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a pertinent question: Many of today's quality televisions have IPS panels in them, and virtually all allow hookup to a computer (even by a cheap DVI to HDMI cable, if all you have is DVI out on your computer ... I use that method with a 47-incher across the room from my computer for final video edit proofing, btw).

Why would not the larger IPS television screens NOT be as good as an IPS monitor (which often costs more)? What am I missing?


TFT Panels

If it was indeed an IPS panel that would be a good start. Many of today's larger LCD HDTV screens (over 40 inches) use a variant of an MVA panel. These show a distinct loss of contrast and color inaccuracy when you get more than 25 degrees off centre. So if you're sitting close, the edges of screen will not look the same as the centre. From across the room like you have, should look pretty good from dead on centre.

I am familiar with a number of Panasonic LCD's up to 32" that use a variant of an IPS panel. I'm pretty sure that IPS panels are few in sizes larger than 32".


Resolution

HDTV's offer a 1920x1080 16:9 resolution.

A 30" Dell, NEC, HP, Hazro provide 2560x1600. Most of the current 27" monitors from Dell, NEC, Apple, and Hazro offer 2560x1440. The pixel structure is smaller.

If you have the HDTV on your desktop or the wall just behind your desk, sitting that close the pixels of the tft panel will be visible. On the other hand text will be larger and easier to read but may look rough. You will have to sit further away to get that "smooth" look to the screen.


Gamut

Most of the TV's are not wide gamut but something close to sRGB.

All the current 30" and 27" PC monitors, with the exception of Apple, are "wide gamut" meaning their color gamut encompasses the sRGB and AdobeRGB space. Apple's monitors are sRGB.

For most people, standard sRGB gamut is a good feature as wide gamut is problematic for color management for most hobbyist photographers.


Calibration

Most HDTV's are set up to provide somewhat over saturated colors. They can be calibrated but many of the lower cost HDTV's do not provide a visible calibration menu or a hidden "service menu" with access to RGB adjustments to provide an accurate calibration. Pro calibrators will do what they can for about $200 to $300 a service call and they use a $1000+ spectrophotometer to perform the tests though you, as a home user, can try to do most of what they do with a $150 to $200 colorimeter and HCFR software. Samsung's and LG's top end LCD's usually have access to a full set of controls for calibration.

Almost all the the 30" and 27" PC monitors are built to be calibrated and as such, with a $150 to $200 colorimeter kit, can be calibrated very accurately.


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[fourlegsrgood]

Primarily, that it's some kind of IPS panel rather than TN (the most common and cheapest). If you search in this forum you'll find lots of threads suggesting specific models.

I have the Viewsonic VP2365wb and am quite happy with it. It's one of the cheaper IPS models you can get.

You just made me quite happy - I've been editing on my Apple cinema display in my office and I really need to get a decent monitor for home. The reviews for this monitor on B&H photo are quite good, but it's nice to hear a confirmation from a user here. Thanks. :D

[Newsy]

You just made me quite happy - I've been editing on my Apple cinema display in my office and I really need to get a decent monitor for home. The reviews for this monitor on B&H photo are quite good, but it's nice to hear a confirmation from a user here. Thanks. :D

Check the reviews here...

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews.htm

http://www.flatpanelshd.com/reviews.php

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/reviews.html


For a 24" 1920x1200 with IPS panel and sRGB gamut check out the HP ZR24w.

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