Vegas 4.0 Color correct. for the Web & LCD Monitors

Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/18/2003, 7:27 PM
I'm needing to upgrade my monitor. The old Hitachi CRT is on it's last legs and it's just a matter of time--every once in a while the entire screen image will shudder as though the monitor got a chill. I'm seriously thinking about investing in an LCD monitor.

Of the few I've seen, there's only one that has really impressed me so far. Rather than say which one, I'd rather hear from those of you who are using LCDs and get your input and suggestions--pro and con. (I'm not looking to start a debate or argument on who has the best monitor. I'm just looking for, as much as possible, objective information based on user experience.)

With the Hitachi, I've found that I can use the Preview Window in Vegas 4.0 for color correction for the Web with very little or no variation when compressed using Sorenson Squeeze 3 and viewed with QuickTime or Windows Media (although I use a PC, I've found that I prefer the look of video in QuickTime).

I look forward to reading your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks!

Jay

Comments

BillyBoy wrote on 3/18/2003, 8:17 PM
The good news is they've all improved a lot of the last year or so and the prices have dropped. I got a ViewSonic VG175 about a year ago and I'll NEVER go back to a CRT. It is flicker free, 18.5 viewable with a swivel so you can go back and forth between portrait and landscape mode with including software. The big thing you'll notice right way is the increased brightness and contrast that you really can't tell as much in the stores. I have an older Hitachi 19 inch too, that was showing its age which is why I got this one.

Two minor cons. One the screen can't really be cleaned like CRT's. So if they offer a screen cover you may want to get it. While I have a screen cloth it doesn't really clean it as well as you can clean the older CRT models. The second thing is because of design you are somewhat limited in the screen resolution. While you can change it like on other monitors, it really is tuned to a specific resolution that looks the best. In my case 1280x1024, which is higher off for my needs.
wcoxe1 wrote on 3/18/2003, 8:28 PM
Be careful, LCDs typically do not have color that corresponds well with what will appear on a good TV set. In fact, after comparing a literal roomful of them to a high end TV set AND an NTSC Professional monitor, I decided against ANY of them.

I ended up buying a high end CRT with a Sony Trinitron tube. Best color I could find, and when sitting next to my production grade monitor while I edit, it is OUTSTANDING. Very close color match. Best of any computer monitor I have seen.
BillyBoy wrote on 3/18/2003, 9:24 PM
NO non NTSC monitor out of the box reproduces "TV" color as has been preached in this forum countless times which is why it is suggested you use an external monitor to make color and level adjusments for video you plan on playing off a television.

There are utilities that can minimic TV color somewhat.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/19/2003, 8:21 AM
Yes, I understand the difference between tv monitors and computer monitors. Insofar as this particular situation is concerned, I'm interested in preparing video for the web. Just as one can't correct for NTSC broadcast on a CRT, one can't correct for the web with NTSC standards.

B.B., are you the only one out there using a LCD???
SonyDennis wrote on 3/19/2003, 3:56 PM
I have an 18" 1280x1024 Sony LCD on my computer at home, and I love it, especially with the ClearType feature in Windows XP. If you're worried about video color accuracy, you should be using the External Monitor feature anyway, to a real TV.
///d@
Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/19/2003, 8:43 PM
I do use a Sony NTSC monitor when working on video for tv. But as I've said, this is for video encoded for the web. They aren't the same beast.
BillyBoy wrote on 3/19/2003, 8:51 PM
For the web, I think a LCD works fine. I have several friends, like Dennis, they all like the LCD verses the older CRT, you get some of your desk back too.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/20/2003, 10:55 AM
BillyBoy and Dennis, are you pleased with the way streaming video looks on your LCD monitors?
wcoxe1 wrote on 3/20/2003, 12:33 PM
According to recent statistics on sales, LCDs are now outselling CRTs in most categories as computer monitors. That means, simply, that as time passes, more and more people watching your web-cast will see it on an LCD.

Right now, though, who knows? Probably more CRTs in use, total, than LCDs, today.

I'd aim for the future, though. Since I expect people to SEE my production on an LCD, I'd produce it on an LCD to get the look I want.

Keep in mind that LCDs exhibit wide color variations, too. If your LCD is a very high end, with great color, then people with run of the mill LCDs will not be seeing the color YOU saw as you produced the stream. And, of course, vis-versa.

Good luck predicting.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/20/2003, 12:53 PM
You bring up an interesting wrinkle that I hadn't taken into consideration. Therefore, what razor/gun/poison would you recommend for doing one's self in with?

Just kidding!!!
BillyBoy wrote on 3/20/2003, 1:26 PM
Streaming looks just as good, probably better on LCD's. When LCD's first came out there was some noticable ghosting in fast action scenes. Today's crop of LCD's don't seem to have that issue. Of course it is hard to tell in the stores. But for sure it isn't any issue on my ViewSonic VG175.