Hi all

I am currently looking to build up my equipment so that I can do video-editing more effectively. I have a Mac Pro with Final Cut Pro. At the moment I have a normal Samsung monitor.

After doing some research I've discovered that I need to get a video monitor (either CRT/LCD) so that it gives a truer representation of the picture quality etc. I'm a newbie at this, so I'm looking to see if I could get advise on a make/model. A lot of the terms are 'double dutch' to me at present, so any help/advice you can give will be much appreciated!

What models etc would you recommend? Regarding to budget, trying to keep it under £500. Working with SD at the moment, but HD may be an option in the future.

(I'm based in the UK.)

Many thanks.

Hi James,

Monitoring your edits is a very important part of creating high quality products, and as such isn't really a place to go for the cheapest solution - especially if you're looking at HD in the future.

Firstly you'll need a video card capable of outputting the footage you're working with, your cheapest option here that will cover you for lower-end HD production (HDV, XDCAM, DVCPRO HD) would be the Blackmagic Intensity pro which will give you HDMI output. This isn't the highest quality HD signal (Or card - BM are notorious for low-cost production and components) but will give a good representation of your footage. This card would then be coupled with a HDMI monitor such as the Sony LMD2030W. This solution will come in at around £1440 inc vat (£1228 ex) You could look at a low-end HDTV with HDMI, but the quality of these is very low and not classed anywhere near grading quality.

Obviously a SD solution will be alot cheaper, but this will lead you to investing in a new monitor and video card when you come to move on the a HD workflow....