#Best Monitor?
4 messages in this thread
We are in the process of spec'ing out a computer system to run 3D Studio
release 2.0, AutoCAD release 12, and Animator Pro. Our intent is to do
architectural renderings and walkthroughs. Our desired output is hardcopy
prints and possibly, in the future, videotape recordings of the
walkthroughs. Our plan right now is to use service bureaus for the
hardcopy prints. We'll wait for the printer prices to come down.
We plan on spending ~$4500.00 total for the monitor and video card. We are
leaning towards the new Hercules SuperStation XP video card. I'm having a
tough time deciding on a 20" monitor. I would appreciate any input on
which monitors you think are best. Picture quality is a priority, within
our budget. I expect to have ~$2500.00 for the monitor. NEC & Mitsubishi
offer monitors with adjustable color settings so that one can match the
monitor colors to an output device. Is this a "must have" option for what
I want to do? Thanks.
Troy,
I've got the 16" NEC 5FG and I can tell you that it is a great monitor:
sharp and bright and with positioning controls on a FRONT panel. It works
very well with 3DS. The NEC's do have the color calibration feature but I
don't think you'll need that with animation.
I've seen the 20" NEC 6FG and it's very impressive. I hope to get one
someday.
Alec Jason
I have a Hercules XP and a budget 17" Viewsonic 7 monitor. The combination
works well and the 24 bit display is first class. I looked at the NEC which
is a well packaged product but I have no regrets yet.
My problems in getting a decent video recording have appeared in these
columns recently and I have still not resolved them. The current theory is
that the XP does not produce a correct PAL signal. I expect the NTSC output
has been well tested but I would beg, steal or borrow a complete recording
set up before committing your budget. I would estimate my time to date on
this problem as over 100 hours total. Very educational. But be warned, your
dealer will probably be learning from your experiences!
We have Nec monitors, 6fg and 3fgx flavors. The most favored still at our
office is the Hitachi Accuvue. They seem to stay much cripser at the
edges. Both brands have degaussing but the Hitachi monitors stay converged
much better. The Hitachi 21AP is a little less expensive than the 6FG, but
not much. The 6FG has color correction but if you get the neutrals right
then the greens are off or something like that.
Color correction on monitors won't be satisfactory until they calibrate
with your printer or other hardcopy device. I think Kodak is trying to
push some sort of hardware/software thing-a-ma-jig for that purpose.
Gary