[Sampdoria]

Hello again,

Was just wondering if I needed a high priced studio monitor as second screen when using FCP programs (express, HD, version 1, 2, whatever).

In school we learned that computer monitors were fine to edit on, but a studio monitor (like a tv) was needed for viewing true image as it would really appear. The monitor we used looked like a regular 13 inch tv, althought it might have had a few extra knobs for colour tweaking and the like.


Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any info is always appreciated.

[wulf]

I would always recommend having some kind of tube-based second screen, even if it's just an old TV. You are right that there are often significant differences between the way video looks on the computer monitor and on the TV, or ideally, reference video monitor.

The best thing is to use a professional reference video monitor. However reference video monitors tend to be quite a bit more expensive. It really depends what kind of work you are doing. One of the main advantages to using a professional reference monitor is that it has the extra controls needed to calibrate it properly. If you need to do colour-correction, or any high-end graphics work, this is vital (IMO).

If you are doing more standard documentary cutting, with a few titles here and there, then using a TV instead is not so much of a problem, just don't rely on its accuracy. Try and calibrate it as best you can anyway, it all helps.

One time I on-lined a piece by a shooter-editor who uses his old TV as a reference monitor. Unfortunately he though it would be a good idea to colour-correct all his footage before sending it to me - it ended up looking like it had been shot on Mars

I fixed it in the end but it's better to avoid those kind of changes unless you know are viewing on a good-quality screen.

[k_munic]

3 reasons, to use a TV/CRT Monitor:

* judging pic quality.. a computer has a totaly different concept of displaying content..., keywords resolution, interlacing, color rooms....
* judging "safety" - ok, that can be accomplished by FCP/E with some settings...
* judging colors...- as said above, that needs a calibratable/calibrated monitor - VERY expansive... pro studios calibrate every week, and get new monitors every 2 - 3 years....

[stevesnj]

unless you are doing color critcal stuff for TV broadcasting you don't need pro monitors...otherwise a 13" $75 Wal-Mart Magnavox is fine.

[k_munic]

FinalCutPro plus a 13" $75 Wal-Mart Magnavox... what a combo!!

[Sampdoria]

Thanks for the responses,


My suspicions have basically been confirmed. Until I can find a good deal on a used studio monitor (shouldn't be hard to do in Toronto-especially since I know a few people in the business), or I do the kind of work that justifies spending $900 on something like a monitor, I'll use a regular tv to get a better idea of what the stuff i do will look like.

Thanks for the feedback