Monitor Settings: 23" Cinema Display & FCP at DVinfo.net

Andrew Hollister · June 12th, 2008, 10:41 PM

Anyone have a word of advice on the best settings when using an Apple 23" Cinema Display as an external monitor (View> Video Playback> Digital Cinema Desktop Preview) with Final Cut Pro? The default 'Cinema HD' profile looks a bit bright and washed out (compared to the MacBook Pro LCD)

I did go in to the Calibrator settings and switched target gamma from 1.8 to 2.2, but am unsure if this one tweak is enough. Color still looks different/brighter/blueish than the MBP LCD.

Question 1: Has anyone had a chance to calibrate a Cinema display, Maybe a side by side comparison to a proper HD monitor to get a 'close enough for corporate' result.

Question 2: Is there any gadget like the MXO2 or HDLink that would get proper quality color grading from an LCD? Seems to me the MXO2 and HDLink are best suited for using an LCD to monitor your camera.

Best,
Andrew

Barry J. Anwender · June 12th, 2008, 11:16 PM

Andrew, I'm note sure if it's OK to suggest another board but in this case it should answer your question.

Take a look at the Matrox MXO review over at www.dvuser.co.uk/index.php The review provides excellent insights for obtaining professional HD monitoring using your 23" Cinema HD Display. Cheers!

John Hyland · June 12th, 2008, 11:23 PM

If you're using the Mac 23" HD Cinema display, the Matrox MXO is a better choice. The MXO 2 won't have a DVI out. The MXO is about $500 less than the MXO 2 and is available now as is a recent software upgrade. The MXO has calibration tools. A bit confusing.

Andrew Hollister · June 13th, 2008, 10:08 AM

John - Thanks for the good word. Come to find out, with fresh eyes the MXO2 doesnt even have DVI input. Serves me right for researching that late at night.

Barry - Thanks for the link, proved very useful.

Am now bidding on an MXO on ebay, which I wont win, but worth the effort to save a few hundred.

June 12th, 2008, 10:41 PM	#1
Andrew Hollister Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 198	Monitor Settings: 23" Cinema Display & FCP Anyone have a word of advice on the best settings when using an Apple 23" Cinema Display as an external monitor (View> Video Playback> Digital Cinema Desktop Preview) with Final Cut Pro? The default 'Cinema HD' profile looks a bit bright and washed out (compared to the MacBook Pro LCD) I did go in to the Calibrator settings and switched target gamma from 1.8 to 2.2, but am unsure if this one tweak is enough. Color still looks different/brighter/blueish than the MBP LCD. Question 1: Has anyone had a chance to calibrate a Cinema display, Maybe a side by side comparison to a proper HD monitor to get a 'close enough for corporate' result. Question 2: Is there any gadget like the MXO2 or HDLink that would get proper quality color grading from an LCD? Seems to me the MXO2 and HDLink are best suited for using an LCD to monitor your camera. Best, Andrew __________________ Sony EX1 v1.11, crap loads of SxS, Macs w/ Final Cut Studio Last edited by Andrew Hollister; June 12th, 2008 at 10:57 PM. Reason: internet research led e to rewrite Question 2

June 12th, 2008, 11:16 PM	#2
Barry J. Anwender Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 382	Andrew, I'm note sure if it's OK to suggest another board but in this case it should answer your question. Take a look at the Matrox MXO review over at www.dvuser.co.uk/index.php The review provides excellent insights for obtaining professional HD monitoring using your 23" Cinema HD Display. Cheers! Last edited by Barry J. Anwender; June 13th, 2008 at 06:21 AM.

June 13th, 2008, 10:08 AM	#4
Andrew Hollister Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 198	John - Thanks for the good word. Come to find out, with fresh eyes the MXO2 doesnt even have DVI input. Serves me right for researching that late at night. Barry - Thanks for the link, proved very useful. Am now bidding on an MXO on ebay, which I wont win, but worth the effort to save a few hundred. __________________ Sony EX1 v1.11, crap loads of SxS, Macs w/ Final Cut Studio

June 12th, 2008, 11:23 PM	#3
John Hyland New Boot Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manhasset, New York Posts: 10	If you're using the Mac 23" HD Cinema display, the Matrox MXO is a better choice. The MXO 2 won't have a DVI out. The MXO is about $500 less than the MXO 2 and is available now as is a recent software upgrade. The MXO has calibration tools. A bit confusing.