TFT monitor advice at DVinfo.net

Nigel Moore · April 26th, 2005, 01:56 PM

I'm looking to move from my 19" CRT to a TFT monitor for editing. I've pretty much narrowed the field down to two: the Apple 20" Cinema Display, and the LG L1980U.

Apple CD: 20", 1680*1050, contrast ratio 400:1, response time 16ms; dot pitch 0.258mm

LG L1980U: 19", 1280*1024, contrast ratio 500:1, response time 12ms; dot pitch 0.294mm

In its favour, the Apple has size and style, whereas the LG has response time and contrast ratio. Oh, and price, it's only half that of the Apple.

So, in your experience, would you say that the Apple is fast enough and has enough contrast for video editing, or would I be better off losing a bit of screen real estate and going for the LG's otherwise superior performance characteristics? I guess I'm asking what response times and levels of contrast would you deem acceptable for video work?

Dave Perry · April 26th, 2005, 05:53 PM

The Apple by far is a nicer monitor, especially if you have a single monitor set up. It was specifically designed for video editing, however, you would want a decent video monitor for color correction.

Also check out the Dell 2005FPW. It's a widescreen monitor like the Apple, 1680x1050, but about half the price. It does not have the quality feel and sturdiness of the Apple. Actually most displays don't.

Nigel Moore · April 27th, 2005, 01:03 PM

Dave, I appreciate your feedback. I hope you might help with a couple of questions that arose from that.

Quote:

The Apple by far is a nicer monitor, especially if you have a single monitor set up.

Have you seen or used the LG, or what makes the Apple 'far nicer' (other than it's widescreen, larger, better looking and I really want one)?

Quote:

It was specifically designed for video editing, however, you would want a decent video monitor for color correction.

Are you saying that having the Apple CD would require me to have a second monitor anyway? I do understand the use of a TV monitor (as opposed to computer monitor) to check colours for TV playback, but I will also use this screen for photoshop/video work for the web and photo printing. Under those circumstances, would the Apple be good enough on its own? Thanks.

FWIW, it appears that the 2005FPW may not be readily available here, but without the ugly speakers it doesn't look too bad! :)

AND ... Apple have today dropped the price of the 20" CD by CHF300/$200! This makes the CD look even better (especially if I team it with the new dual 2.3GHz PM)

Glenn Chan · April 27th, 2005, 05:43 PM

Another option you can look into is waiting for a hot deal on a Dell LCD. Every once in a while they have hot deals on them, which means you are getting pretty good bang for your buck. The specs shouldn't be too important if you rely on a NTSC monitor to see what your video looks like (which you should, especially with Final Cut).

Bezel size might make a difference if you have dual monitors. For information on which LCDs have thin bezels, definitely check out:
LINK: Digital Tigers LCD Database

A CRT would also be good if you are looking for color accuracy for Photoshop work. You would need a calibration device such as the Colorvision Spyder to calibrate your monitor for accurate Photoshop work. Some people say certain LCDs can be just as accurate... I really wouldn't know.
see http://www.westcoastimaging.com/wci/.../computer.html
and
http://www.westcoastimaging.com/wci/...FAQ/faqdi.html

Nigel Moore · April 28th, 2005, 01:48 AM

Thanks Glen. Some LCDs can be just as accurate as CRTs, but they cost $$$!

I'm interested in how accurate the Apple CD is though. Since most of my output is to TV/web, absolute colour accuracy is not such a big deal because the output devices will vary anyway. But, obviously, it has to have some decent degree of colour fidelity.

Nigel Moore · April 28th, 2005, 08:40 AM

Apparently, the LG is 6-bit and the Apple and Dell, which are both based on the same LG.Philips screen, are 8-bit. Anandtech gave the Dell a slightly better review than the Apple in a side-by-side comparison, but there wasn't a lot in it.

April 26th, 2005, 01:56 PM	#1
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	TFT monitor advice I'm looking to move from my 19" CRT to a TFT monitor for editing. I've pretty much narrowed the field down to two: the Apple 20" Cinema Display, and the LG L1980U. Apple CD: 20", 16801050, contrast ratio 400:1, response time 16ms; dot pitch 0.258mm LG L1980U:* 19", 1280*1024, contrast ratio 500:1, response time 12ms; dot pitch 0.294mm In its favour, the Apple has size and style, whereas the LG has response time and contrast ratio. Oh, and price, it's only half that of the Apple. So, in your experience, would you say that the Apple is fast enough and has enough contrast for video editing, or would I be better off losing a bit of screen real estate and going for the LG's otherwise superior performance characteristics? I guess I'm asking what response times and levels of contrast would you deem acceptable for video work?

April 26th, 2005, 05:53 PM	#2
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	The Apple by far is a nicer monitor, especially if you have a single monitor set up. It was specifically designed for video editing, however, you would want a decent video monitor for color correction. Also check out the Dell 2005FPW. It's a widescreen monitor like the Apple, 1680x1050, but about half the price. It does not have the quality feel and sturdiness of the Apple. Actually most displays don't. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

April 27th, 2005, 05:43 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Another option you can look into is waiting for a hot deal on a Dell LCD. Every once in a while they have hot deals on them, which means you are getting pretty good bang for your buck. The specs shouldn't be too important if you rely on a NTSC monitor to see what your video looks like (which you should, especially with Final Cut). Bezel size might make a difference if you have dual monitors. For information on which LCDs have thin bezels, definitely check out: LINK: Digital Tigers LCD Database A CRT would also be good if you are looking for color accuracy for Photoshop work. You would need a calibration device such as the Colorvision Spyder to calibrate your monitor for accurate Photoshop work. Some people say certain LCDs can be just as accurate... I really wouldn't know. see http://www.westcoastimaging.com/wci/.../computer.html and http://www.westcoastimaging.com/wci/...FAQ/faqdi.html

April 28th, 2005, 01:48 AM	#5
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	Thanks Glen. Some LCDs can be just as accurate as CRTs, but they cost $$$! I'm interested in how accurate the Apple CD is though. Since most of my output is to TV/web, absolute colour accuracy is not such a big deal because the output devices will vary anyway. But, obviously, it has to have some decent degree of colour fidelity.

April 28th, 2005, 08:40 AM	#6
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	Apparently, the LG is 6-bit and the Apple and Dell, which are both based on the same LG.Philips screen, are 8-bit. Anandtech gave the Dell a slightly better review than the Apple in a side-by-side comparison, but there wasn't a lot in it.