Out of interest, if you were about to start color grading a music promo shot on full HD (1920x1080p) that was destined for television and internet broadcast and possible cinema screening, which of the two options would you opt for?

-An SD 17 inch JVC colour monitor hooked up to a blackmagic intenisty card via composite
OR
-A 32 inch 1080p HDTV hooked up to a blackmagic intensity card via HDMI

obviously i know technically a real monitor like the JVC is preffered, but what i'm trying to get at is, is it better to color grade HD footage on a real SD monitor or edit HD footage on a full 1080P HDTV

Daniel,

I've tried the HDTV and LCD computer monitor routes... and while I've gotten ok results with both, both methods have left me underwhelmed and wondering how good it really was.

So give the JVC DT-V24L1U a look. It will give you full 1920x1080 resolution; can be hooked up to an Intensity card's HDMI (via DVI) port or component if you like; is as close to color accurate without spending a fortune as you'll get; and the price has dropped out of the stratosphere to less than US2k... not sure about UK pricing.

One note from your post: the Intensity cards will only do 1080i not 1080p; you'll have to step up to a Decklink (or AJA equivalent) if you really need 1080p.

I know this is not really what you asked for, but if I've learned anything over the last year or so it's that color grading is one place where you do have to spend a little get what you want.

Good Luck,

Mark

Thanks Mark, very valuable information and means alot more knowing you've been through the same routes.