How do I know if a monitor is 8bit or 10bit? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Troiano · February 1st, 2011, 10:00 AM

I've been shopping around, looking for two new monitors, for my new system. Been reading tech specs, and reviews, going in and out of threads on this forum, and others. I've read statements, in the forums, about monitors not being 10bit.

How do I know if a monitor is 8bit, 10bit, so on? I've looked on B&H, and checked out specs on different monitors, I don't see any mention of this spec. Am I just not reading the information correct?

I'm not looking for "color correcting" lcd monitors. Just 2 decent monitors for video/photo editing, motion graphics, and some 3D modeling, that have good enough color reproduction for web posting.

Sometimes I get too wrapped up in the details, and what the "professionals" use, but I'm trying to understand all the information, and make the best buying decision I can, so when my skill level excels higher then it is now, I'm setup from the get go.

Any shopping tips? what are the important tech specs to pay attention too? Recommendations?

Thanks for the help,
Jeff

Arnie Schlissel · February 1st, 2011, 11:25 AM

Very few monitors are 10 bit. Those that are will cost more, and the manufacturer will publish it in the specs.

Giroud Francois · February 1st, 2011, 02:18 PM

no monitors a are 8 or 10 bits, they are all 7bits.
at best you get a lcd technology that is better (in order from top IPS, MVA, TN)

Jeff Troiano · March 18th, 2011, 06:37 AM

Dell had a 25% off sale on their U3011 monitor, I went with that, over the HP, that didn't have an OSD. Received the the monitor yesterday, and Its massive, but I love it. Ordered it Wed, and it showed up over night, they shipped from a local warehouse. Couldn't find a mini displayport to displayport cable, so had one over shipped over night (Amazon prime membership came in handy once again). I'm going to pick up a Spyder3Elite, for calibrating.

I'm not using this for broadcast grading, this is just my primary use monitor, but want to calibrate for photo work. I love the size.

February 1st, 2011, 10:00 AM	#1
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	How do I know if a monitor is 8bit or 10bit? I've been shopping around, looking for two new monitors, for my new system. Been reading tech specs, and reviews, going in and out of threads on this forum, and others. I've read statements, in the forums, about monitors not being 10bit. How do I know if a monitor is 8bit, 10bit, so on? I've looked on B&H, and checked out specs on different monitors, I don't see any mention of this spec. Am I just not reading the information correct? I'm not looking for "color correcting" lcd monitors. Just 2 decent monitors for video/photo editing, motion graphics, and some 3D modeling, that have good enough color reproduction for web posting. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in the details, and what the "professionals" use, but I'm trying to understand all the information, and make the best buying decision I can, so when my skill level excels higher then it is now, I'm setup from the get go. Any shopping tips? what are the important tech specs to pay attention too? Recommendations? Thanks for the help, Jeff

March 18th, 2011, 06:37 AM	#4
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	Re: How do I know if a monitor is 8bit or 10bit? Dell had a 25% off sale on their U3011 monitor, I went with that, over the HP, that didn't have an OSD. Received the the monitor yesterday, and Its massive, but I love it. Ordered it Wed, and it showed up over night, they shipped from a local warehouse. Couldn't find a mini displayport to displayport cable, so had one over shipped over night (Amazon prime membership came in handy once again). I'm going to pick up a Spyder3Elite, for calibrating. I'm not using this for broadcast grading, this is just my primary use monitor, but want to calibrate for photo work. I love the size.

February 1st, 2011, 11:25 AM	#2
Arnie Schlissel Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York NY Posts: 322	Very few monitors are 10 bit. Those that are will cost more, and the manufacturer will publish it in the specs.

February 1st, 2011, 02:18 PM	#3
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	no monitors a are 8 or 10 bits, they are all 7bits. at best you get a lcd technology that is better (in order from top IPS, MVA, TN)