Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: Pete JF on September 06, 2014, 03:16:33 pm
-
Hi Folks,
Im needing a new monitor for my printing station. I've been using a sony Artisan for many years and still love it but I want to get my feet wet in the flat screen area before my Artisan fails.
I'm looking for something in the midrange price wise..maybe $500-700?? No clue what the range even is these days..been a long time since i felt the need to move away from the Sony.
Wondering if you guys can cue me on what the good monitors out there, are..
Actually Id love to get some idea fo what's good in the low and high range too..
Onboard calibration is great if they exist and working comfort is a plus..I've sat at some stupid bright flat screen monitors I was told were "calibrated". COuld never adjust to that level of brightness..hmm
Thnx,
: )
Pete
-
I'm looking for something in the midrange price wise..maybe $500-700?? ]
Is that midrange?
You want an NEC SpectraView II with their software and supported instrument. Something like a PA272W. But you need to pretty much double that budge!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1006644-REG/nec_pa272w_bk_sv_multisync_27_gb_r_lcd_display_spectraview.html
-
NEC. 27inch with Spectraview or 30 inch. Both currently are on sale at various web outlets.
30inch 302W PK SV. Or the 27 inch already listed above.
Paul
-
Well...
To fit your budget a good solution is Dell U2413 monitor plus an i1 Display pro. It is a quite good monitor once calibrated and profiled and it has a proprietary hardware calibration software that works with the i1 Display pro.
Good panel, lots of connections, 10 bit...
Sure there are better monitors, but not much within this price range.
Good luck.
-
Thanks guys..looking into it right now. grrr, need to scrounge a bit to pop for this one.
Also needing to check all my compatibilities software-wise. My laptop, an older mac intel, is staying at 10.6.8 (snow leopard) for a number of reasons. I think Spectraview is ok with that.
My printing station, and don't laugh, is a G5 running Tiger..this to accommodate my Artisan and some other stuff..still fine. Just would like to have an option on plugging the new monitor into that.I actually think Spectraview is supported back to Tiger.
Any other choices out there that'll get me close to accurate?
Thnx..
-
Well...
To fit your budget a good solution is Dell U2413 monitor plus an i1 Display pro. It is a quite good monitor once calibrated and profiled and it has a proprietary hardware calibration software that works with the i1 Display pro.
Good panel, lots of connections, 10 bit...
Sure there are better monitors, but not much within this price range.
Good luck.
Thanks Geraldo,
Are you using this monitor-printing with it etc?
I noticed the same monitor in a 27" version..I think with the iOne that puts me into the NEC price range.
A 1000 dollar monitor is not out of the question but I don't want to push to hard on that..
-
I was just searching LL for "Spectraview" and found the thread linked below...
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=74670.msg595171#msg595171
Andrew, in the above thread, confirms that the Spectraview-NEC device is the same as the iOne but 'locked'.
I'm wondering if there is anything in the NEC Spectraview calibration software that makes it better than than Xrite i1 package of softwares?
Anyone know?
I was tossing around the idea that Geraldo presented, Dell + i1 Xrite, and noticed the simliarity of the
S-photometer to the NEC puck..
-
there are only 2-3 makers of calibration devices and yes, all the ones that look like the i1Display Pro *are* i1Display Pro's, some w/ modified software so that they only work w/ specific software (like the Dell software or the NEC software). There is a big difference between the NEC software and i1 softare. The NEC software programs the internal electronics of the monitor itself (which is why you paid such $$$ in the first place) vs. the i1 software which just programs the computers video card.
-
Are you using this monitor-printing with it etc?
I noticed the same monitor in a 27" version..I think with the iOne that puts me into the NEC price range.
Yes I am, side by side with a US$2K monitor and I can tell you for sure that, once properly calibrated and profiled, you have to know what to look for to see a difference.
Have a look at this review: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2413.htm
There are two 27" variants: U2713H and U2713HM. The "H" is just as good as the U2413 but with 27", the "HM" is not wide gamut and does not have all the technical bells and whistles of the others.
NECs are hard to get where I live, so the good ones from Dell are our available mid range. As the best Eizos are quite expensive, we use one and fill the other stations with good Dells.
-
One other consideration on the NEC is a full 4year warranty. NEC. Also has very good tech support and warranty support.
Paul
-
I was just searching LL for "Spectraview" and found the thread linked below...
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=74670.msg595171#msg595171
I'm wondering if there is anything in the NEC Spectraview calibration software that makes it better than than Xrite i1 package of softwares?
Yes, they are different. The spectraview software allows you to calibrate the monitor its self rather than using the video card to and save different calibration settings for different uses—general image editing, settings for different white point values, different luminance levels, etc. The x-rite software creates a profile for the uncalibrated monitor that the video card uses to adjust the signal it is sending to the display. The benefit is that the calibrated monitor is generally more accurate and stable, and can be used across different computers without needing to profile on each of the different workstations.
I use the 30-inch model connected to the main Mac Pro editing station and the G4 drum scanning computer and have consistent color between the two. You could do the same if you are using one computer for your main editing tasks and the G5 for the print server.
The SpectraView is just a software add-on that uses the i1-Display puck—we bought the monitor alone and then added the software later. I have also used the specraview software with the i1 specrophotometer (not recommended but it works as well)
-
Another last comment about the NEC... Assuming you can afford the monitor and that you're not taking food out of someone's mouth or some other essential, consider the fact that the monitor is the primary interface between the user and the computer. To make an audio analogy, it's like the speakers. Regardless of what's ahead of it in the chain, the monitor is the last word, or rather view, and putting money there, is arguably more important than putting it almost anywhere else in the chain, certainly for photographers.
Good luck whatever you end up with, and yes, I listened to Andrew and went for the NEC 27" with Spectraview and have not regretted it for a minute.
Eric
-
If you can live with the 24" NEC monitor, it's $949.00 and cheaper than the 27". With Spectraview II
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/996591-REG/nec_pa242w_bk_sv_24_color_critcal_wide.html
-
That's only good through tomorrow, Sept 8th.
-
Pros use Eizo.
-
I ordered the NEC 27 yesterday. Thnx for the inputs,,much appreciated
-
I ordered the NEC 27 yesterday. Thnx for the inputs,,much appreciated
Let us know how it goes and what you think of it, once set up. As an old Artisan user myself, I think you'll be very pleased.
-
Thanks Andrew,
Always appreciated your help with my Artisan..the thing keeps on chugging though. Never had a 'could not calibrate' warning. I baby it and use it only when Im headed for final printing. Thinking about racking it up as my second monitor but not sure I want to send it down the tubes that way. It always amazes me how spot on my results are, makes images easy to work on with total confidence that Im in the WYSIWYG place.
I'll chime in on the NEC when I get it going, Im sure I'll have a few questions.
-
Hi folks,
Got the monitor yesterday..set it up and did a basic D65 calibration..looks great-no prints yet
Are any of you tweaking your Calibration setups? Staying with Defaults? Andrew?
This thing came with more cables than I've ever seen before, they just kept coming out of the box-also an instruction manual in 3 languages that I don't speak.
Wondering one thing..I don't need to maintain any other connections besides power and DVi, correct?
No need for a USB link or need to keep the S-photometer plugged in?
Pretty sure not
So far so good..
-
Are any of you tweaking your Calibration setups? Staying with Defaults? Andrew?
Oh yes, for white point and cd/m2, contrast ratio. YMMV. All depends on the print viewing conditions, the paper etc.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/why_are_my_prints_too_dark.shtml
-
Thanks for the read Andrew.
So..first major question..
Turns out Im not going to be able to use Spectraview in it's full effect on my G5..everything's fine for my more up to date Macs.
I couldn't find a software package to meet my needs and called NEC tech. The guy said this newer monitor won't work with the G5 in an officially calibrated state
..BUT, that I could take the profile I made for the NEC on my laptop and copy it over to my G5 Colorsync folder and then choose it..
I did this.
I Saw a change. Doesn't look bad..no clue as to how it's actually going to work. Should it work?
I also noticed that my Resplution choices in System Prefs don't support the full resolution of the NEC.
-
I have a monitor question for Andrew. Since all my pro equipment was knocked out by a direct lightening strike including my apple 30 inch display I also need a new monitor. I will be getting the new Apple 6 core Mac Pro next week but have no idea what to do about a monitor. I like the 30 inch size and am hearing a lot about the 4K displays. However I also need top notch color management...computer to print and know NEC is an excellent choice but it is not 4k. Should I stay away from 4K's right now ? I have heard there are still "issues" of various types ... Any advice? Thanks, Eleanor
-
I have a monitor question for Andrew. Since all my pro equipment was knocked out by a direct lightening strike including my apple 30 inch display I also need a new monitor. I will be getting the new Apple 6 core Mac Pro next week but have no idea what to do about a monitor. I like the 30 inch size and am hearing a lot about the 4K displays. However I also need top notch color management...computer to print and know NEC is an excellent choice but it is not 4k. Should I stay away from 4K's right now ? I have heard there are still "issues" of various types ... Any advice? Thanks, Eleanor
"pros" might use Eizo, but nowadays "pro" is often just another word for rich amateur. People in business, on the other hand, need to balance the benefits and quality of equipment with sustainable budgets.
I have a 30" NEC multisync 3090 with Spectraview and the previous generation (not the black trashcan) mac pro. It works like a dream and is so much better than the old apple 30' cinema display. I personally don't see the benefit of working with 4k if your intention is to make great prints from still photographs. However, if you are doing video...
-
Thanks...my intent is to make really good prints that match my display. I am coming from a 2007 Mac Pro so the trash can as you call it will be totally new to me. At least I can have apple and photoshop's latest software updates which the 2007 was too old for. The NEC has been what I've been leaning toward but just hearing more and more about 4K which has been confusing. Eleanor
"pros" might use Eizo, but nowadays "pro" is often just another word for rich amateur. People in business, on the other hand, need to balance the benefits and quality of equipment with sustainable budgets.
I have a 30" NEC multisync 3090 with Spectraview and the previous generation (not the black trashcan) mac pro. It works like a dream and is so much better than the old apple 30' cinema display. I personally don't see the benefit of working with 4k if your intention is to make great prints from still photographs. However, if you are doing video...
-
The "pro's use Eizo" comment is kind of worthless as simply stated as such and I've as yet not seen anything the Eizo provides at a higher price you don't get with the SpectraView system.
As for 4K, NEC is supposed to have one coming but I don't believe it's out and it will likely be rather expensive. So go with the PA302W-SV if you have to go 30" although I think the PA272W is plenty big. Put a sticker on it that says Eizo and now you can feel like a Pro that saved $$ ;D
-
The Eizo CS240 should be a very good option for you as well.
But I'm not sure is it available in the US market at this moment.
In Hong Kong, it cost around $900 USD.
aaron chan
-
Thanks Andrew. one quick question, would I get any increase in image detail using the 27 inch NEC? i.e.: same or near same pixel resolution but in a smaller package so to speak? I'm also assuming the NEC does not have a glossy screen. Thanks, Eleanor
The "pro's use Eizo" comment is kind of worthless as simply stated as such and I've as yet not seen anything the Eizo provides at a higher price you don't get with the SpectraView system.
As for 4K, NEC is supposed to have one coming but I don't believe it's out and it will likely be rather expensive. So go with the PA302W-SV if you have to go 30" although I think the PA272W is plenty big. Put a sticker on it that says Eizo and now you can feel like a Pro that saved $$ ;D
-
The 30" is a different aspect ratio from the 27" but no increase in detail and it both have a matt screen.
-
I have a 30" NEC multisync 3090 with Spectraview and the previous generation (not the black trashcan) mac pro. It works like a dream and is so much better than the old apple 30' cinema display. I personally don't see the benefit of working with 4k if your intention is to make great prints from still photographs. However, if you are doing video...
I own 3090WQXi and had a pre production unit of NEC PA322UHD for a week to test, and now can't stand my pathetic 30" display ;D
Working on UHD was a pure joy - the resolution is mind-blowing, and the overall image quality is the best I've ever seen on LCD.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19059944/retuszyk)
-
Thanks Andrew. one quick question, would I get any increase in image detail using the 27 inch NEC? i.e.: same or near same pixel resolution but in a smaller package so to speak? I'm also assuming the NEC does not have a glossy screen. Thanks, Eleanor
All new NEC PAxx2 series feature something I call "satin diffuser" - it has clean image and reduces flare as glossy display:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19059944/satyna0.jpg)
...but it also diffuses the reflections:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19059944/satyna2)
-
I'd love the resolution of 4K if I could afford it. But my concern with a 4K monitor would be whether I would get lag on the Lightroom sliders because of the increased number of pixels having to be refreshed. I'm right at the limit with a Dell 30" and a Windows 7/Intel quad core machine.
-
Thanks for clarifying Andrew. I had noticed that the pixel pitch and overall resolution was a bit different in the two sizes, and didn't know what to make of it. Eleanor
The 30" is a different aspect ratio from the 27" but no increase in detail and it both have a matt screen.
-
I agree on this 4K concern (below)…also others….readable text size for one. also I use Capture One Pro on most of my RAW processing….Lightroom for everything else and have heard the 4K monitors can run more slowly on very large files which I have in abundance….….Eleanor
I'd love the resolution of 4K if I could afford it. But my concern with a 4K monitor would be whether I would get lag on the Lightroom sliders because of the increased number of pixels having to be refreshed. I'm right at the limit with a Dell 30" and a Windows 7/Intel quad core machine.
-
The "pro's use Eizo" comment is kind of worthless as simply stated as such and I've as yet not seen anything the Eizo provides at a higher price you don't get with the SpectraView system.
Well, what can I say. Go on advising amateurs. We're pros here, and we use Eizo. Simple.
-
Well, what can I say. Go on advising amateurs. We're pros here, and we use Eizo. Simple.
Are you really expecting anyone here to take this and the previous comments from you serioulsy? You've contributed to this forum 78 times and you're speaking for everyone (again) suggesting if you use an Eizo you're a pro and if you recommend another product, it's aimed at amateurs? Point of fact, as of 2010, Lula has more than 1.1 million unique readers each month; 3.5 million page views from some 50,000 people a day. You're suggesting they are all pros. Maybe you need to express what you mean by pro (anyone who can navigate to LuLa?).
Maybe you can provide a post that has some basis of fact about display technology and tell us, tell the OP, how the Eizo your company purchased for your use is superior from a technical capability from a comparable NEC SpectraView model (other than the sticker in the box that you wear that says: "I'm a pro."
You have any salient fact based opinions you can share based on display technology other than labels?
Well, what can you say Benny Profane?
-
Well, what can I say, other than, don't obsess, buy a decent monitor that pros use that stays stable and is durable, and get to work. I'm intrigued by the new self calibrating devices, which makes it easier to strip away even more of the bs and get to work. Time is money. Life is short. The whole point is to make a nice image.
Or maybe dig out the old Barco from storage and fire that one up. You know, the monitor everyone obsessed over, what, ten years ago? I'll bet reams of paper or internet traffic was wasted trying to figure out if that was the product to buy. Oh, wait.......
OK?
-
OK?
Nope, I didn't think you could answer the specific questions asked of you. Further, there is nothing new about self calibrating devices.
You've got a lot of opinions about the technology and you are welcome to have them. You're not welcome to your own facts. Further, anyone reading your posts on this subject should be able to see clearly you have strong opinions that don't appear to have any basis on facts. At least you've failed to provide them. It would be useful if you tried to move towards an obsession to back up your opinions with salient facts a little.
-
You don't take very kindly to differences to your opinions. You should fix that. Bye. Gotta get back to work.
-
Does the Eizo self calibrator need to be calibrated like the I1 pro2? I noticed after sending my i1 in for repair that they recommend having it calibrated once a year.
-
it's an easy $350 (!!) for XRite to re-certify an i1. For our needs, I can't see it needed. In fact, I'd love to know, of the color professionals here on LuLa, how old is your i1Pro & when was the last time you sent it in for calibration.
-
Does the Eizo self calibrator need to be calibrated like the I1 pro2? I noticed after sending my i1 in for repair that they recommend having it calibrated once a year.
All devices will at some point in time need this but the question is when? Unless you are doing very specific or scientific work with multiple instruments that need to correlate, it's unlikely most will need to have the device certified anywhere close to the recommendations. Now if you calibrate and find something looks off, or you get a poor report from a good piece of software like PatchTool, or your trending shows severe errors, get the unit inspected and certified. Older Colorimeters did suffer from filter fading too. I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone expect Benny, a true pro have his devices sent in every year unless you have extra money to blow.
-
it's an easy $350 (!!) for XRite to re-certify an i1. For our needs, I can't see it needed. In fact, I'd love to know, of the color professionals here on LuLa, how old is your i1Pro & when was the last time you sent it in for calibration.
My blue channel went out on my non dealer purchased 10 months old pro2. Normally this would have been covered under the 12 month warranty. Over $500 for a replacement.
-
You don't take very kindly to differences to your opinions. You should fix that. Bye. Gotta get back to work.
Well,
I am definitely a "pro". Not only I am really a renowned professional but, as it seems to matter to you, I am a Eizo user.
So... as a qualified "pro" I can tell you that you are completely out of reality. But you know that, right? I mean, you are just trolling, right? The other option would be worse regarding your intellect and cognitive capabilities, so I prefer to think that you are a troll. With that in mind I am not really writing this to you (as trolls will always be trolls), instead I am writing with all the new visitors of the forum in mind. People that may not know that:
1) Andrew Rodney, AKA the DigitalDOg, is a reference worldwide regarding color management and knows very well what he is talking about and is very generous sharing his knowledge with us.
2) Eizo monitors, although excellent and very well designed and assembled, have nothing unique or special in comparison to other "top" monitors. Actually most of the top units share the same panels (usually manufactured by LG or Samsung). The Eizo ColorEdge CG 247 for instance, uses the same panel (24"WS LG.Display AH-IPS LM240WU9) that the NEC PA242W or the BenQ PG2401PT or the Asus PA249Q. Sure a panel alone does not make a complete display, but the same happens with the other components as well.
3) There is nothing wrong with the Eizo monitors, but stating that "pros use Eizo" makes as much sense as stating that "pros shoot with hasselblad". That is simply a narrow-minded statement made by someone that is brand addicted (or a troll... or a SALESPERSON ;)).
Regards.
-
Well, cheerio then, Gerry, from troll land.
BTW, can't quite figure out exactly what defines you as a pro from that blog. Please elaborate.
-
it's an easy $350 (!!) for XRite to re-certify an i1. For our needs, I can't see it needed. In fact, I'd love to know, of the color professionals here on LuLa, how old is your i1Pro & when was the last time you sent it in for calibration.
We have 3 i1Pro and one i1Pro2. We measure the same test target now and then and then do a comparison of the measured values. But just a few weeks ago we bought the basICColor MesCal13, which makes it very easy to control our spectrophotometers.
-
Older Colorimeters did suffer from filter fading too.
We have now and then invited photographers to come over and bring their colorimeters with them. We then measured the same monitor with Udact. With the older i1Displays and Spyders we saw that 1 out of 3 showed a result that were more than Delta E 5 from the expected values.
-
BTW, can't quite figure out exactly what defines you as a pro from that blog. Please elaborate.
One could ask the same question of you sir!
-
Not you, cranky. I was asking Gerry.
-
Not you, cranky. I was asking Gerry.
Further illustration that you are unable and/or unwilling to prove your opinions, this time that you are a professional. Telling.
-
BTW, can't quite figure out exactly what defines you as a pro from that blog. Please elaborate.
Seriously? Well... I am on a very good mood, so lets see some possible answers:
A) Although that is my personal blog, not my company's website, there are some references (including pictures and videos) of the classes and workshops I teach, the seminars and debates I conducted, some mentions of clients and tons of didactic material produced by me. It´s all there, at least for those who can read what is written.
B) I am not here to indulge you.
C) (my favorite answer so far) Nothing! According to your logic my Eizo monitor does and that should suffice! :D
I can only speak for myself but, honestly, over the Internet the the level of contribution an the attitude tells us all we need to know and all we can truly know about a person.
Returning to the subject of the thread,
I agree on this 4K concern (below)…also others….readable text size for one. also I use Capture One Pro on most of my RAW processing….Lightroom for everything else and have heard the 4K monitors can run more slowly on very large files which I have in abundance….….Eleanor
I would also dodge 4k displays at this time. I am really dependent of a dual monitor system and with two 4K displays one could be sure to have serious lag problem even with the fastest hardware. Sure, considering the speed on which hardware and software advance, that may no be an issue next year.
-
Returning to the subject of the thread,I would also dodge 4k displays at this time. I am really dependent of a dual monitor system and with two 4K displays one could be sure to have serious lag problem even with the fastest hardware. Sure, considering the speed on which hardware and software advance, that may no be an issue next year.
You don't need a dual monitor setup in case of 32" UHD - it gives you exactly the same horizontal resolution as 2x24" setup, and you additionally get 960px of vertical resolution. It's like working on 4x23" frameless setup ;)
-
Hi Marcin,
You don't need a dual monitor setup in case of 32" UHD - it gives you exactly the same horizontal resolution as 2x24" setup, and you additionally get 960px of vertical resolution. It's like working on 4x23" frameless setup ;)
It would be great for the standard use but my specific needs are a bit different. I need a second (or third) screen facing my clients displaying a "preview". I usually make a new window for the same file while working in photoshop and place it on the client's monitor with softproof turned on. Sure the second monitor does not need to be 4K, but even so it would increase even more the total screen area.
But, anyway, I believe the hardware/software will match this needs soon.
-
Hi Marcin,
It would be great for the standard use but my specific needs are a bit different. I need a second (or third) screen facing my clients displaying a "preview". I usually make a new window for the same file while working in photoshop and place it on the client's monitor with softproof turned on. Sure the second monitor does not need to be 4K, but even so it would increase even more the total screen area.
But, anyway, I believe the hardware/software will match this needs soon.
ok, I get it Geraldo, I usually work with a client by my side, so we can both see the same image - PA322UHD which is as big, as sharp, as wide gamut, and as impressive as it gets, which is optimal to soft proof large format prints ;)
-
You might consider a 27" or 30" Apple Cinema display, used for $450 - 600. Maybe not the best, but darn good and a good value IMO.
-
I have been using two Apple 30 inch displays for years...frequently profiled of course, and was wondering how they compare to the best of the NEC 27 and 30 inch spectra view displays??? Since I lost one of my apple displays to a lightening strike, I am considering getting the NEC. Eleanor
-
I have been using two Apple 30 inch displays for years...frequently profiled of course, and was wondering how they compare to the best of the NEC 27 and 30 inch spectra view displays???
They really don't compare!
1. Nearly all if not all current SpectraView displays are wide gamut, Apple's and most other’s are not (sRGB like gamut).
2. SpectraView uses a high bit internal processing path (at least 10-bit) with internal 3D LUTs, Apple and many other's do not. These high bit LUTs allow precise adjustments to be made to the display’s Tone Response Curve without reducing the number of displayable colors or introducing color banding artifacts.
3. Newer NEC SpectraView's use GBr LED which produce far more precise control of White Point, run cooler, use less energy, run far longer than CCFL.
4. SpectraView has 3-4 year on site warranty, Apple has 1 year.
5. SpectraView panels are hand selected from the manufacturer line (pick of the litter).
6. SpectraView has electric technologies like ColorComp, which adjusts and improves screen (brightness) uniformity using individually measured matrices for each display at the factory. All done high bit with compensation for operating time and temperature. Apple does not.
7. SpectraView has electric technologies like GammaComp, to adjust the monitor's internal 10-bit gamma Look-Up-Table, allowing various custom display gamma or Tone-Response-Curves to be achieved. Apple and many other's don't have anything like this.
8. SpectraView is a smart display system that integrates custom software for calibration including multiple target calibration's which can be loaded to adjust the display while loading the associated ICC profile, Apple (and few other products aside from Eizo) cannot do this. To quote from the manual:
9. SpectraView communicates with the display monitors using Display Data Channel - Command Interface (DDC/CI) which is a two-way communications link between the video graphics adapter and display monitor using the normal video signal cable. No extra cables are necessary. All adjustments to the monitor settings are done automatically using this communications link. It is not necessary to manually configure the monitor as all of the necessary settings are made by the software. Apple has nothing like this, nor can 3rd party software you have to pay for extra do this.
10. SpectraView will bundle a custom mated Colorimeter with their software for calibration, Apple doesn't. The price you pay for software and colorimeter with the SpectraView, depending on what country you live in costs significantly less than buying the hardware and software for a non SpectraView. And that extra money will not provide a fraction of the capabilities outlined.
11. SpectraView PA series offer the ability to calibrate WITHOUT a Colorimeter with the FREE Multiprofiler software since each panel is measured with a very expensive spectroradiometer and that data is embedded in a chip in the panel. It can update the calibration as the unit ages to ensure calibration. Apple has nothing like this.
12. SpectraView can emulate with a single click other behaviors, again on the fly so it can simulate a non wide gamut display (sRGB) among other standardized behaviors (Broadcast Video DICOM, etc)
13. SpectraView has internal electronic control over contrast ratio, Apple and few others provide this. Real useful for soft proofing on media that has differing contrast ratio's (matt vs. glossy papers).
14. SpectraView has Network support (Windows only). Apple doesn't.
15. SpectraView has provisions to lock the display controls so no accidental alteration to behavior by mistake. Apple doesn't.
16. SpectraView displays allow the user to raise and lower the display for best viewing position AND it can be rotated 90 degrees for Portrait. Apple doesn't provide this.
17. Several SpectraView's support Picture in Picture (you can have two differing calibration's per picture). Apple has nothing like this.
-
Thanks Andrew for the extensive information! Now another question...how does the NEC spectra view compare to the upcoming NEC 4K 32 inch? (Ive never seen any 4K). Last thing I want or need is that huge 32 inch 4K but wondering if NEC might come out with a 27 or 30 inch 4K anytime soon? Any idea? Thanks, Eleanor
They really don't compare!
1. Nearly all if not all current SpectraView displays are wide gamut, Apple's and most other’s are not (sRGB like gamut).
2. SpectraView uses a high bit internal processing path (at least 10-bit) with internal 3D LUTs, Apple and many other's do not. These high bit LUTs allow precise adjustments to be made to the display’s Tone Response Curve without reducing the number of displayable colors or introducing color banding artifacts.
3. Newer NEC SpectraView's use GBr LED which produce far more precise control of White Point, run cooler, use less energy, run far longer than CCFL.
4. SpectraView has 3-4 year on site warranty, Apple has 1 year.
5. SpectraView panels are hand selected from the manufacturer line (pick of the litter).
6. SpectraView has electric technologies like ColorComp, which adjusts and improves screen (brightness) uniformity using individually measured matrices for each display at the factory. All done high bit with compensation for operating time and temperature. Apple does not.
7. SpectraView has electric technologies like GammaComp, to adjust the monitor's internal 10-bit gamma Look-Up-Table, allowing various custom display gamma or Tone-Response-Curves to be achieved. Apple and many other's don't have anything like this.
8. SpectraView is a smart display system that integrates custom software for calibration including multiple target calibration's which can be loaded to adjust the display while loading the associated ICC profile, Apple (and few other products aside from Eizo) cannot do this. To quote from the manual:
9. SpectraView communicates with the display monitors using Display Data Channel - Command Interface (DDC/CI) which is a two-way communications link between the video graphics adapter and display monitor using the normal video signal cable. No extra cables are necessary. All adjustments to the monitor settings are done automatically using this communications link. It is not necessary to manually configure the monitor as all of the necessary settings are made by the software. Apple has nothing like this, nor can 3rd party software you have to pay for extra do this.
10. SpectraView will bundle a custom mated Colorimeter with their software for calibration, Apple doesn't. The price you pay for software and colorimeter with the SpectraView, depending on what country you live in costs significantly less than buying the hardware and software for a non SpectraView. And that extra money will not provide a fraction of the capabilities outlined.
11. SpectraView PA series offer the ability to calibrate WITHOUT a Colorimeter with the FREE Multiprofiler software since each panel is measured with a very expensive spectroradiometer and that data is embedded in a chip in the panel. It can update the calibration as the unit ages to ensure calibration. Apple has nothing like this.
12. SpectraView can emulate with a single click other behaviors, again on the fly so it can simulate a non wide gamut display (sRGB) among other standardized behaviors (Broadcast Video DICOM, etc)
13. SpectraView has internal electronic control over contrast ratio, Apple and few others provide this. Real useful for soft proofing on media that has differing contrast ratio's (matt vs. glossy papers).
14. SpectraView has Network support (Windows only). Apple doesn't.
15. SpectraView has provisions to lock the display controls so no accidental alteration to behavior by mistake. Apple doesn't.
16. SpectraView displays allow the user to raise and lower the display for best viewing position AND it can be rotated 90 degrees for Portrait. Apple doesn't provide this.
17. Several SpectraView's support Picture in Picture (you can have two differing calibration's per picture). Apple has nothing like this.
-
As a couple of others have said, what really controls what monitors are available is the availability of panels. You can't get Adobe RGB out of a panel that isn't wide-gamut to begin with, and no amount of backlight and other tweaking is going to get IPS performance out of a TN panel, so photographer-friendly 4k displays can be predicted by looking at what panels they could be based on.
The most common 28" (I've never seen it called a 27") 4k panel is a lower-end panel, it's not wide-gamut, and I don't think it's even IPS (much of the market for cheaper 4k displays is gamers and movie enthusiasts, so IPS isn't necessarily even desirable). It shows up in a variety of monitors in the $500-$700 price range depending on brand... There may even be a couple of different low-end 28" panels around, but I've never sen a wide-gamut, IPS 28" 4k display (doesn't mean that none exist, or that someone won't eventually make such a thing).
Looking at Newegg's present listing of 4k monitors, there are a whole bunch of under $700 28" options, then one oddball 24" Dell (which is wide gamut and IPS) for $800, then the 32" displays from about $2000 to $3500, at least most of which are wide gamut and IPS. Looking at B&H, there are a couple of other 24" 4k displays from NEC and EIZO, with specs suspiciously close to the Dell (although they may well have better backlights and/or allow more flexible calibration). What doesn't show up either place is a wide-gamut 4k display in the 27-28" range.
If the rumors of Apple coming out with a 5k 27" iMac are true, then I'd actually expect a relatively high-quality (but probably not wide-gamut, because there's never been a wide-gamut iMac) 5k display in the 27-28" range from several makers before we see a 4k version, simply because everybody else will be able to buy the panel Apple's using (every iMac so far has been a standard panel). Dell is already pre-announcing such a display, although without panel specs.
-
Good information Dan. What about the NEC 27 and 30 high end wide gamut spectraview displays and turning those into 4K? Thanks. Eleanor
As a couple of others have said, what really controls what monitors are available is the availability of panels. You can't get Adobe RGB out of a panel that isn't wide-gamut to begin with, and no amount of backlight and other tweaking is going to get IPS performance out of a TN panel, so photographer-friendly 4k displays can be predicted by looking at what panels they could be based on.
The most common 28" (I've never seen it called a 27") 4k panel is a lower-end panel, it's not wide-gamut, and I don't think it's even IPS (much of the market for cheaper 4k displays is gamers and movie enthusiasts, so IPS isn't necessarily even desirable). It shows up in a variety of monitors in the $500-$700 price range depending on brand... There may even be a couple of different low-end 28" panels around, but I've never sen a wide-gamut, IPS 28" 4k display (doesn't mean that none exist, or that someone won't eventually make such a thing).
Looking at Newegg's present listing of 4k monitors, there are a whole bunch of under $700 28" options, then one oddball 24" Dell (which is wide gamut and IPS) for $800, then the 32" displays from about $2000 to $3500, at least most of which are wide gamut and IPS. Looking at B&H, there are a couple of other 24" 4k displays from NEC and EIZO, with specs suspiciously close to the Dell (although they may well have better backlights and/or allow more flexible calibration). What doesn't show up either place is a wide-gamut 4k display in the 27-28" range.
If the rumors of Apple coming out with a 5k 27" iMac are true, then I'd actually expect a relatively high-quality (but probably not wide-gamut, because there's never been a wide-gamut iMac) 5k display in the 27-28" range from several makers before we see a 4k version, simply because everybody else will be able to buy the panel Apple's using (every iMac so far has been a standard panel). Dell is already pre-announcing such a display, although without panel specs.