Monitor for editing, grading etc.

Asad J · Feb 10, 2015

Hey world!

So I've started to really get into SpeedGrade, and am loving the power of a good grading software. The most recent question that has come to be for me is my monitor. I have my machine hooked to a Panasonic 32" screen to edit, and it starting to dawn on me that the colors on that might be super off and that there's no real way to calibrate it to be sure that what I'm doing is going to play just like that.

Am I right to be concerned about grading films on a screen like this? Also, do you guys know if there's a wallet-friendly way of getting a decent broadcast monitor setup to edit. I always weighed the screen size while editing, now I feel like color accuracy should be a super important factor.

I might just be needlessly concerned. Maybe you guys could weigh in? Thanks a million!

SkyCopeland · Feb 10, 2015

http://goo.gl/oaU7xA

Spyder4Express (or the upgraded versions if you must) can calibrate your screen. They do pretty well to the actual colors.

If you're serious about grading perhaps get the Pro version so you can do it to multiple monitors.

sfoster · Feb 10, 2015

Yes you're definitely right to be concerned!
Your effects might look terrible on a different TV or monitor if it's not calibrated.

Also simple things like.. having the room be dark vs in the daylight.
If your conditions change from day to day as you grade, so will your perception.

SkyCopeland · Feb 10, 2015

sfoster said:
Also simple things like.. having the room be dark vs in the daylight.
If your conditions change from day to day as you grade, so will your perception.

Spyder4Pro has a ReCAL feature, so you can quickly recalibrate the screen whenever you feel.

Dreadylocks · Feb 10, 2015

I'll second the spyder recommendation. It seems to be industry standard for photographers doing post processing And all the same principles and needs apply.

Asad J · Feb 10, 2015

Thanks so much you guys! This is entirely new terrain to me. I've done a fair amount of filming and editing before, but never quite figured how heavily it could backfire with the monitor not calibrated just right.

WalterB · Feb 11, 2015

+1115475634 for the Spyder.

Used to use it for years and it did a great job keeping colors in check.
(Got a self-calibrating Eizo screen now...)

SkyCopeland · Feb 11, 2015

http://www.nativedigital.com/eizo-coloredge-cg277/

That is absolutely stunning and has joined my wishlist.