Blackmagic Forum

Hello,
I'm Resolve user for more than two years now, but I never dug into the setting my edit/grading setup and calibration process enough and now I want to change that.

I'm currently using MBP 15' 2016 16GB RAM, 512SSD, i7, Radeon 460 4GB + egpu Radeon Vega 64 8GB. I have no issues with performance. The setup can play 4k c200 RAW in 60p with 5 to 10 nodes. As external monitor I use HP DreamColor z27x connected via HDMI to BM mini monitor (and that via thunderbolt the MBP).

As calibration device I use i1Display pro. HP z27x allows to calibrate into monitor itsealf. So in theory I have a rec.709 in monitor and clean video signal through mini monitor to z27x from Resolve.

Just to explain my situation. I have small video company that do not have 10 000$ for monitor or calibration probe. So I need to set the best I can have in let's say 3000$+ Till now I've mainly grade for internet on this setup, but I want to have one that allows me to grade commercials and bypass renting in local post facility. I don't need 4k preview for color grading, it can be 1080p and it can be small. Damn I would even prefer 17' than 24' or 27'. I have to many things on my desk already Clients almost never sit with me on grading sessions so no need for preview for them.

And now few questions about technicalities and some general info:

1. Is my current setup enough in terms of hardware to set proper grading workstation or I need something more? For example proper grading monitor like Flanders DM170? http://flandersscientific.com/DM170/

2. Is there a tutorial / webpage that explain in details a process of calibration and setting up resolve color management workflow for rec.709, rec. 2020, P3, HDR? I know that there are some videos online but I want to be sure that the workflow I will be using is the proper way of setting things explained by pros and not a guy who set his own setup by trial/errors.

3. Is mini monitor capable of something else than rec.709? If not what device will allow for proper monitoring with MBP.

4. What is the best calibration tool/device that normal human can buy? And how to calibrate external monitor connected via BM mini monitor (inside Resolve)? Is this a huge difference between iCalman pro and xrite probe than others more professional probes?

I would much appreciate detailed answers, because I simply don't have money to "shoot and miss" in this regard. I can invest but I need to do it smart.

You can get a used grade A monitor for a lot less than $3K.
I'm in Sydney, Australia and will soon be selling my Sony BVM L230 for around USD$2K.
These need the control panel to work so I will be selling that as well.
The monitor also has two SDI input cards so dual SDI 4:4:4 is possible.
This is not a sales pitch but hopefully you will search around and find a good deal like this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Barco-23-High- ... SwA~VZ~XW1


$3K will get you a great USED grading monitor.

For what it's worth (and the naysayers will come out of the closet, but that's THEIR opinion, and your budget).

Open Source Calibration (but please donate some money to further maintenance of the software:

Display Cal: https://hub.displaycal.net/
https://hub.displaycal.net/wiki/3d-lut- ... r-resolve/

READ THE FAQ and the forum. Confusing at first, but you really should learn this stuff anyway...

You already have a compatible probe and the monitor will work for now. Profile BOTH monitors; the GUI and the BM connected Dell.

Calibrate for Rec 709 BT 1866 at 6500K and 120 cdm; best compromise with your hardware until you get more experience. Lots of indie stuff graded there and then tweaked in DCP post (if going to release). Gamma can be 2.20 or 2.40; Do some research.

https://www.image-engineering.de/librar ... 09-vs-srgb

PM me if you want to discuss; leave email and we will connect.

Good luck.