Computer monitors
I think my PC monitor is dying; it's about 10 years old and has served me well. I've started looking at possible replacements but the prices and specifications vary quite a bit. What should I be looking for? I assume 1920 x 1080 but if it has HDMI input do I need DVI-D? Or is DVI-D better quality? Is 250cd/m2 ok? And what about refresh rates? Any suggestions welcome!
Thanks, Philip
Thanks, Philip
On my Eizo, DVI is older technology, so the latest connections are Display port and HDMI. My monitor is part of a colour manged workflow so that the screen image and printed output match. For this the brightness is set at 80cd/m2. The monitor came from the factory ready calibrated and the brightness was 120cd/m2. 250cd/m2 is far too bright. 1920 x 1080 should be ideal.
As you are going to spend a lot of time looking at it, so get the best you can afford. Avoid the ultra cheap. You get what you pay for. Sorry, can't help on refresh rates.
Hope this is helpful.
Keith
As you are going to spend a lot of time looking at it, so get the best you can afford. Avoid the ultra cheap. You get what you pay for. Sorry, can't help on refresh rates.
Hope this is helpful.
Keith
I use a Benq PD Series32 widescreen model type PD3200Q as my main monitor but the one thing you must consider is how good your graphics card is in your pc...Its a sad truth for me that if the image on your disk is not processed well by the graphics card the result on screen will be worse on a high quality screen....warts and all springs to mind.
My previous larger screen was an IIYAMA pro lite xb2779qs which I still use for an old scsi based minolta dimage film scan set up and is a super piece of kit. Most of the inputs on modern screens can be adapted to take older kit so that isnt too much of a worry. The other consideration is size and space as sitting close to a large screen can distort your view of your images in many ways.....good hunting.
My previous larger screen was an IIYAMA pro lite xb2779qs which I still use for an old scsi based minolta dimage film scan set up and is a super piece of kit. Most of the inputs on modern screens can be adapted to take older kit so that isnt too much of a worry. The other consideration is size and space as sitting close to a large screen can distort your view of your images in many ways.....good hunting.
Hi Phillip
As i also use mine for work i use a 24inch 1920 x 1200 as it shows A4 word docs better.
but all the photo aimed ones are normally far greater resolutions. As Charles says above good graphics cards help.
I'd prefer DVI over HDMI and the HDMI spec was (may no longer be true) for only HD pixel dimensions, though 4K also connect on HDMI so may no longer be an issue.
250cd/m2 sounds low now - isn't that brightness
Also you can look for the colour gamut - the capability of the screen to accurately render all the colours in the Adobe or sRGB spec etc.
Then like many of us you can just choose something like the dell ultra sharp options - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=dell+ultra+sharp+27+inch&crid=2PWARLFCN5LE5&sprefix=dell+ultra+sharp%2Caps%2C152&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16
Some of the pro monitors have a hood and use of a colour calibrator is also recommended ( i don't have the spare cash for these).
As i also use mine for work i use a 24inch 1920 x 1200 as it shows A4 word docs better.
but all the photo aimed ones are normally far greater resolutions. As Charles says above good graphics cards help.
I'd prefer DVI over HDMI and the HDMI spec was (may no longer be true) for only HD pixel dimensions, though 4K also connect on HDMI so may no longer be an issue.
250cd/m2 sounds low now - isn't that brightness
Also you can look for the colour gamut - the capability of the screen to accurately render all the colours in the Adobe or sRGB spec etc.
Then like many of us you can just choose something like the dell ultra sharp options - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=dell+ultra+sharp+27+inch&crid=2PWARLFCN5LE5&sprefix=dell+ultra+sharp%2Caps%2C152&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16
Some of the pro monitors have a hood and use of a colour calibrator is also recommended ( i don't have the spare cash for these).
A few years ago I bought one of these for £279, on recommendation from a member on here. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M913DVG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I was not disappointed.
I was not disappointed.
What is your budget - what size do you want - and how wide a colour gamut?
sRGB monitors are generally cheaper than wider gamut Adobe RGB - and if you are editing prints higher resolution than the resolution you are considering can be useful - especially on a larger size monitor.
If you shoot exclusively jpeg - you do not record the wider AdobeRGB colour gamut.
Some lower priced laptop monitors do not achieve even 75% of sRGB
If you are mainly video (which is usually a wider format) over 1920 width is better and if you are mainly photographic anything less than 1600 height (a common advanced competition level) is low.
There is little point IMO buying a big monitor 1920x1080 - as all you end up doing is seeing larger "dots" rather than more image detail.
sRGB monitors are generally cheaper than wider gamut Adobe RGB - and if you are editing prints higher resolution than the resolution you are considering can be useful - especially on a larger size monitor.
If you shoot exclusively jpeg - you do not record the wider AdobeRGB colour gamut.
Some lower priced laptop monitors do not achieve even 75% of sRGB
If you are mainly video (which is usually a wider format) over 1920 width is better and if you are mainly photographic anything less than 1600 height (a common advanced competition level) is low.
There is little point IMO buying a big monitor 1920x1080 - as all you end up doing is seeing larger "dots" rather than more image detail.
