[tracheopterix]

I'm buying a new G4 and am considering what type of monitor to get.
I do print and web design as well video editing.

I've heard that CRT monitors are more color accurate than LCDs, I'm wondering if this includes apple's line of displays. I'd really like to get the 20" cinema display, its a great shape and size and takes up little room but if I can get a 21" or larger CRT monitor for half as much that is going to be better at representing true color than perhaps that's the way to go. How much more accurate are they if that is so, and is this only dependent on the LCD's viewing angle? I'll use an NTSC monitor for FCP work so I think the 20" apple would go great with that.

I've been trying to find some good info on this question on-line and havent had much luck, if anyone has links to resources such as monitor buying guides for designers or a site with great reviews that address color accuracy issues please post them here.
Thanks

(((tracheopterix)))

[osxisfun]

take some sample files to an apple store. (i think they have one in your town)

i bet you'll get the 20", its amazing.

[dfiler]

LCDs are convenient and provide an impeccably crisp image. I recently went all LCD...

As you noted, color is more accurate on CRTs. However, the significance of this is pretty subjective and you'll likely elicit responsive from most camps. Its possible to do good work on LCDs but they also make it easier to accidentally produce 'tinted' videos and publications.

However, if you are _only_ and _truly_ concerned with producing quality video work, CRTs are still the way to go. LCDs have a pixel refresh lag even on the most expensive of displays. This can hamper video production since it affects motion blur drastically as well as scenes with flickering lights. It just takes too long for the pixel to transition from black to white. Rapid pans suffer from this, with motion ghosting visible in large, high-contrast regions. Newer LCDs are better but can't match the responsiveness of electron excited phosphorous.

[macnnhelpme]

Easy answer is to get both!

The G4's card will drive an ADC display (the 20") and you can use the supplied DVI to VGA connector cable to drive a regular monitor. Drive them both at the same time and you'll have a nice big work area!

[Powaqqatsi]

Buy the 20" and attach an extra monitor to preview your video.

[k2director]

If you're really serious about color issues for video work, a CRT will not be a better judge than an LCD. What you really need, as someone else mentioned, is a good NTSC monitor to review your work. And not just some random TV--I'm talking a Sony NTSC broadcast monitor that's built specifically for precision color work. They're not cheap.

If this sounds like it's getting more complicated than you expected, then don't worry about it. Get a decent TV, and leave it at that. Cause even if you tweak colors to perfection on a high-end broadcast monitor, your audience's TVs will display the images totally differently, so it's not like your precise adjustments will be viewed as you intended them to be. Pros use broadcast monitors as a way of keeping everything consistent at their point in the post production process, but once video is in the hands of the end user, all bets are off.

If I were you, I wouldn't fret about these details too much, and get the 20" LCD. Big fat CRTs are so 90s...

[tracheopterix]

Thanks for the input, especially to dfiler and k2director for their thoughts. I've done a bunch of reading and talking on this lately and have decided to get the 20" apple display <cheer!>

From what I've learned the difference in color accuracy between the best CRTs and LCDs is minimal. I love the fact of the LCDs perfect geometry, and have had bad experiences trying to perfect a CRTs image. I may end up buying a CRT to use as a second monitor later but until then I think I'll deal with a little bleed through on an LCDs black, and take steps into the 21st century...

As for the video production issues, I plan on getting an NTSC monitor down the line and using my panasonic TV until then. I was recently in India editing video for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we used the apple 17" LCD studio display. I did notice a bit of lag and blurring of motion, but truthfully not much. So finally after years of blissfull drooling, and starry eyed trips to macland, I'll be owning a big assed gorgeous LCD from Apple.

(((tracheopterix)))

[Mac Zealot]

Ya know the truth is it's pretty ignorant to just test your video on high quality monitors alone....

Best method = get several common TVs, test them..

[dfiler]

Originally posted by Mac Zealot:
Ya know the truth is it's pretty ignorant to just test your video on high quality monitors alone....

Best method = get several common TVs, test them..

Actually, its the exact opposite. Its best to only test on studio-level equipment. Attempting color adjustment can otherwise be quite counter-productive. The same is true for audio production. Attempting equalization, on non-studio-monitors, frequently worsens the average reproduction.

Its the wrong approach to try and optimize playback on any random display. What happens is, everything looks great on that one display and similar displays, yet the home viewer has their display calibrated to all the other broadcast quality programming. By matching the white balance, saturation, gamma, etc... of a studio monitor, you ensure that the settings on average displays will already be calibrated for your work.

Overscan/viewable-region issues are also best addressed by non-consumer gear.

Non-calibrated is almost always better than mis-calibrated. Really!

Back on topic: Welcome to the new era of your life.
If the LCD works out for your video-production and graphics work, I suspect you'll never buy a CRT monitor again. It really sinks in the next time you move your computer and there is no huge monitor to lug around.

You might want to also read up on aspect ratios. There are a few considerations to keep in mind when working on LCDs. Their pixels and overall physical dimensions are at a different aspect ratio than that of CRTs, even when at the same resolution.