Hi, all, I am thinking to purchase a reference monitor for using color grading. Someone told me to buy Eizo ColorEdge, which even has dual link. (BTW, I am not sure what dual link is used for.)

Any suggestion?

Thanks.

King

Diual-Link is two physical BNC inputs, for accepting 4:4:4 HD.  They will be labeled as HD-SDI Link-A and HD-SDI Link-B, or something similar.

We found a great setup is the combination of the HP DreamColor display, and a Gefen HD-SDI to HDMI scaler.  Provides a 10-Bit display with excellent control over image parameters.  The two run about $3k.

The Eizo monitors have 2 DVI inputs not dual link 4:4:4

One note.. if you're using an Avid Mac Product, you don't have a provision to use that feature. All Mac products as of now are single link HDSDI.

"Color Grading" is a mis-used term, I find. Are you doing video or film work? Do you have $3000 or $30,000 for a monitor? Have you spent some good money on a set of scopes? All these questions will help someone answer your question.

I would generally say go to another bay, (other post houses in your area?)  see what they're using to do the work you are going to do and see if you like their work and output.

Also, perhaps speak to the network or distribution service that you are delivering to and see if they have recs. I have folks finishing for cable networks on $2,000 JVC's and to the web on $20,000 sony's, it's all about where they are delivering to. But don't pay for 4:4:4 if you have no way to even play 4:4:4 into the thing.

I'd guess that if you're here asking, I'd say look at the Panasonic BT-LH's and the JVC flats but if you need to spend some money, there's a ton of them out there. I've seen TV Logic, eCinema's, almost anything you can think of, (yes, even consumer TVs) used to "color grade".

At least that's my thought. Maybe some of the online guys on this forum could weigh in? You guys have the good eyes.

I'm reading very good things about the Flanders Scientific monitors (FSI):

http://www.flandersscientific.com/index/Broadcast_Monitors

They're reported to be a great value, have dark enough blacks, and also to display an SD image very well, which most HD monitors fail to do.  They compare favorably to the higher priced grading monitors.

They have a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can't really lose by trying one out.  The company also does road-show demos, where they'll bring a monitor into your shop for a few hours.  You could contact sales and see when/if they'll be in your town.

I bought a DreamColor.  They do have a very nice picture, with deep blacks.  HOWEVER: The HDMI input failed in 27 days (I'm using it with the Kona LHi card and FCP... both the card and the display do 30-bit "Deep Color."), and I'm now waiting for a replacement.

I have concerns about HP Quality Control.  I read on the COW that a lot of the DreamColors get returned to HP, and get resold as Refurbs.  If my replacement HP craps out in under 30 days, I may get a refund and buy the FSI.

I would make sure that once you get your monitor that it is professionally calibrated. Also to be able to black out the windows when making color grading decisions. I'm perplexed at how much work is being done now without this in mind. I see work being done on consumer grade monitors and with the windows wide open and calling it good. Going to a colorist is worth every penny. Whether it be for film, tape to tape, DI, whatever. When the end prouct is to be broadcast, they will make sure that all colors are legal as well. I personally don't want the responsibility of airing something and having a client come after me for technical issues during broadcast.

I agree with everything Kellyv said, but on the flip side - it's always worth checking back a TV grade on a consumer monitor, with the windows open, as this is how a most people view TV at home.  This is in the same way as you would listen to a sound mix back on small speakers, to check that the punter is going to hear everything properly. I've had a few occassions where I've been able to see stuff clearly on my Graded monitor, but at home with lights on it's been too dark or too subtle.

But yes always, grade with a professional broadcast monitor. Expensive consumer displays are about the worst thing you could buy, they generally do so much image processing that you'll have no idea how the rest of the world will see your pics.

It's okay to check things on a consumer monitor, but I generally leave that for home after the session is over. I would definately base my decisions on the professional monitor.