Hello,

I'm going to purchase a monitor display for 3D and video editing purposes (I mean especially color correction, so good color reproduction is a must). And ocasianally some gaming.

I'm thinking of two 30" models. Dell U3011 and NEC MultiSync PA301W (which is twice as expensive).

Now, NEC is (as I hear) a professional-grade product designed sorely for CGI pursposes. But from what I can spot on the site:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4196/n...0-inch-display

the latter monitor, Dell, has most of the crutial parameters, like Delta E, Color Gamut, display uniformity, etc. very similar to NEC, and is 2 times cheaper. It has also better response time (7ms, NEC's is 12 ms - is it of any concern in video editing?).

How about input lag - is it of any conern here (video and audio synchronization during playback)? (NEC seems a bit better - it has input lag of 17ms, Dell has 24).

And the last one: will Gretag Macbeth I1 color calibrator be suitable here?

Thanks.

Hi Marcin,

I can't speak for the NEC, but I have the Dell U3011, and love it. I calibrate it with a Spyder3Elite, and haven't had any issues with it. I'm using it hooked up to a 2009 Mac Pro, but plan on upgrading my video card in the future (I want multiple mini displayport connections). The 2550x1600 resolution is incredible, and can't imagine having to go back to using smaller screens. I have a 19 inch monitor hooked up with it, but that is used mostly for bins. Eventually I am going to replace that with another U3011 or a 24" dell ultra sharp (for cost purposes).

Using the Spyder3 gets my monitor close, as far as color accuracy for video. But I'm sure as anyone on here will tell you, nothing replaces a professional I/O card (feeding the correct signal) and a true broadcast monitor, when it comes to color correcting for broadcast.

Over on another forum, I've been researching using a Panasonic Plasma, that is ISF calibrated, and an I/O card (like a Kona or Blackmagic card) for color correcting. I've been told that combination is in use (as client monitors) at a lot of color houses. Again, nothing beats a true broadcast monitor, but the card and Panasonic plasma is the route I plan to go, until I can afford the broadcast monitor.

Sorry I took you off your original question, but thought I would just mention (which you might have already known) about using computer monitors for color correcting.

I do love my dell and highly recommend it.

Jeff