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Grading monitors on the budget

PostPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:47 am
by Luca Rocchini
Hello!

I'm new here. I couldn't find a post of this type, so I thought, lets start one!

Just got an URSA mini pro 4.6K and I would like to make a system for which I can use Da Vinci on high res/raw footage without too much pain and that can be used commercially.
My budget is around £2000 including PC and grading monitor, plus another monitor for scopes and daily use. It's not much I know. But I can find some independently costume made PCs that can save me some boobs.

My main question is: any suggestions for decent grading monitors around £500? Do I need 4K monitor in order for grade 4K footage or a good and balanced HD monitor would be good enough for 4K grading too?

Would I need an external video link card? Like a Blackmagic ones or can I live without?

Also welcome if you have any suggestions of graphic cards that you have used in combination with your 4.6K URSA footage.

Thanks!
Luca

Re: Grading monitors on the budget

PostPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:15 pm
by Jack Fairley
You definitely need a Blackmagic card for external monitoring on a calibrated display.

Re: Grading monitors on the budget

PostPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:22 pm
by Craig Marshall
Blackmagic's low cost 12G Decklink SDI 4K Pro PCIe card has two SDI outputs: one at 4K direct and the second can offer on-board, real time hardware conversion to HD. We use this card (along with SDI to HDMI and SDI to Display Port converters) to run both our 55" 4K Client TV and our calibrated 24" PG2401PT grading monitor. (12G speed offers 10bit 4K at upto 30fps 4:4:4 with 60P falling to 4:2:2)

The PG2401PT is a 10bit IPS 'Computer' Monitor with on-board 14bit 3D LUTs for calibration and a Rec.709 factory pre-set. They now cost around US$700 and it has served us very well for several years. The latest PV271 is a 27" 4K HDR version, also with hardware calibration at around $1100 and it is possible now that the later model accepts a 10bit input via HDMI making the SDI conversion easier and cheaper.

A high quality SDI 'Video' monitor such as an FSI may be out of your budget though will be a good long term investment if you want the ultimate in calibration accuracy. If not, use a high end Computer monitor and preferably, with SDI conversion.

see: http://www.benq.co.uk/product/monitor/sw271/

Re: Grading monitors on the budget

PostPosted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:59 pm
by Luca Rocchini
Thanks Craig and Jack!