New Monitor Advice

jonnystv

jonnystv

jonnystv

Associate
Joined
13 Dec 2003
Posts
40
Location
Edinburgh
Hi Board

Posted this a few days ago on the TFT Central forum as it seemed the best place for monitor specific advice. However, it seems to be a relatively quiet place and I haven't had any feedback yet. So I'm posting to this very busy forum in the hope of some good advice.

I use my monitors for photography and design work, the design is mainly web development. Although I'm finding that I am now spending more time on photography, with some for print output.

I have a three monitor set-up: In the centre is a Benq G2222HDL. This was a good value purchase a few years ago but I'm not so keen on the TN pane's poor viewing angles and I do find that I notice some banding on colour gradients. This is the monitor I'll be replacing. Either side I have a Samsung SyncMaster 770p and a Dell 1905FP (in portrait orientation). Both are PVA panels (I think). Old but great displays.

Do I need/will I benefit from a wide gamut display?
I understand that to take full advantage of a wide colour gamut I would need a complete 10bit colour workflow. However, would sRGB emulation modes, if available, provide a more accurate sRGB gamut display than that of an 8 or 6 bit + AFRC panel?

6 bit + AFRC or true 8 bit?
I have been considering the Dell U2312HM and the U2412M. I note from a review of the U2412M that this new panel is 6 bit + AFRC as opposed to the U2410 which uses an 8 bit + AFRC panel. Would I get a more accurate colour display from the U2410 in sRGB emulation mode than that of the U2412M? The U2412M is considerably cheaper however.

Other monitors I have been considering are the Hazro HZ27WB and the DGM IPS-2701WPH. The increase in screen real estate for the price is very tempting and they seem to use good quality panels. However the Hazro is a wide gamut panel without any emulation modes and I think the DGM has a glossy panel and I work with windows behind me. Also I'd have to do some serious DIY on my desk to fit a 27" display! Would I be better off with two U2312HMs or even a pair of U2412Ms?

Looking forward to hearing your advice and opinions as well as any other monitor options you may think appropriate.

Cheers
Jonny
 
You are looking at two different parameters here. The gamut describes the overall range of colours that a panel can display. Standard gamut covers the sRGB colour space, and will be all that you need for your web development work. Wide gamut covers more (typically roughly the aRGB colour space). This is useful for photography and print work, where the source/output (i.e. the camera/printer) can physically capture or output a wider range of colours than sRGB.

The bit depth of the panel determines the number of individual colours that can be displayed within the gamut - so a higher bit depth will typically result in smoother gradients and so on. Of course, the higher the number here the better; as you say, to take full advantage of 10bit panels you'll need to ensure other elements of your setup are compatible.
 
Hi Philip

Thanks for the reply. Leads to another couple of questions, if you are in the position to answer from experience.

6 bit + A-FRC panels are used in the Dell U2312 & U2412 monitors. Am I likely to see noticeable banding in gradients on these displays compared to a true 8 bit panel or is the FRC technology sufficiently advanced these days to overcome this issue?

I've read that in use a wide gamut panel will, when displaying its full gamut (eg Adobe RGB or thereabouts), result in what will seem to the eye like over-saturated colours. Is this something you have experience of and can you tell me if it makes "normal" monitor use difficult? Given that most applications and the web will use a narrower colour gamut.

Hope I've made myself clear. Colour workflow, it seems, is a complex issue!

Cheers
Jonny
 
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