The previous post reminded me of what I wanted to ask.
Beyond personal preference(because I know what I would prefer), are there any pros or cons when building an editing computer with one large widescreen monitor compared to two monitors in a typical setup?

I think dual monitors offer more bang for the buck (in terms of size:cost). Of course, dual widescreen is even better... The obvious drawback is that dual monitors consume more power and space.

Im not sure this is a big factor, but if you only have one graphics card, then dual monitors will split the memory in half, one for each monitor.

I use dual 19" monitors because I can get the same amount of screen area for about 1/3 the price of one large monitor. The downside for me is the gap in the middle. Although I am using monitors with thin edges, when I am working on something that is right in the middle it is anoying. If I could afford it I would easily opt for one large monitor.

In my dream situation I would probably have 5. Three "normal" tft screens,
probably a widescreen in the middle with two squrea ones besides it. Timeline
in the middle, extra screens like properties, waveforms and vectorscope on
the left. Production notes / shot lists and file window (or something) on the
right.

Then a calibrated studio monitor for those colo(u)rs and the fifth would be
a nice digital projection system to see the cuts on the large screen.

At least that last part is happening this year. Hey, a man can dream!

But back to your original question. Besides the obvious differences there isn't
really a technical side. As long as you have the proper graphics card(s) with
enough memory.

Oh, and I would definitely connect any LCD/TFT screen through DVI (digital),
instead of VGA (analog).

Alden,


I use two ninteen inch monitors, I can also run a tv at the same time to check to make sure color is right

Where i teach my students edit with one monitor with adobe and it is just a plain pain in the butt.
38 inches of workspace is perfect!! you will not regret it.

I would recomend two flat panels of the same make to make certain they line up nicely.

To purchase even a 23inch monitor cost substantially more than two 19's.

greater than 19 is beyond the point of diminishing returns.


gus

Thanks for the reply gus.

I use two 21" Viewsonics for computer desktop space, and a Sony PVM-14M2U for a production monitor.

I don't really care for the dual monitor setup. I had them next to each other, but I got sick of turning my head to see the production monitor, so now I have that in between the two and I find myself hardly ever using my second desktop monitor.

I think I'd be much happier with one big widescreen.