Do You Have Any Samsung Monitor Suggestions??

[Ray&Paula]

Hi,
After reading tons of reviews, it seems that Samsungs are pretty hard to beat. If you use a Samsung monitor for video editing what would you suggest and what to stay away from? I want to setup a two monitor system one for editing with the other for viewing. I need both monitors to be capable (switchable) of viewing 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios correctly.
I am currently looking at the following monitor, but I've heard that TN monitors are a no no. Is this true? Other than that I like the specs; 2ms, digital/analog interface, etc.. Please give me your professional opinion. Camcorders that I use are the Sony DCR-VX2100 and the Sony HDR-HC7 Thanks, Ray
P.S. I know about the "S" and "A" series issues on this particular monitor. S is preferable.

Samsung 226BW
Panel Type: a-si TFT/TN
Viewable Size: 22.0" Wide
Pixel Pitch: 0.282mm
Brightness (typical): 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio (typical): 3000:1 DC
Response Time (typical): 2 ms (G to G)
Viewing Angles (H/V): 160/160
Native Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Maximum Color: 16.7M
Interface: Analog/Digital
Input Video Signal: Analog RGB, TMDS Digital Link, DVI
Sync Type: Separate H/V, Composite, SOG
Input connetcors: 15-pin D-sub, DVI-D
Plug and Play: DDC 2B
Power Consumption: 55 Watt (max.), <2 watt (DMPS mode
Stand Type: Simple
Cabinet Color: Piano black
VESA Wall Mount: 100 mm
Magic Technologies: MagicTune with asset management, MagicSpeed, Magic Contrast, MagicBright 3
Special Features: DVI (HDCP), Swivel and tilt
Dimensions (W x H x D): 20.3" x 16.6" x 8.6"

[Bullworth]

I have that exact monitor and I love it. Nice bright and vivid colors, no problems at all with ghosting or flickering. BTW the one I got was an A series, have had it for about a year and no problems. I think in part some of this got started because some people wanted a genuine Samsung one.
I was looking at buying a comparable ViewSonic but when I saw this one and a price difference of about $50 I couln't resist. Buy it. You'll be pretty happy!
Don't know about the switching between boxy and wide. Almost all my videos are widesceen to begin with.

[Soopafresh]

I've got that monitor running on a machine at work for the better part of a year. Works fine.

[edDV]

I responded to your other post that I would recommend an LCD-TV for monitor #2. See that response.

[Ray&Paula]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies! I just got back looking at this monitor at Circuit City in which I definately like the looks of it. While there I looked at the Samsung Series 4 450 LCD TV in a 22" This might be a good choice for the viewing monitor since it would give me a truer color for TV play back during editing. The videos I make are made in MPEG2 (DVD) for TV play back. I'm thinking that this combination might be the perfect pair. Could you guys tell me if the aspect ratio is thrown off for 4:3 viewing or is this monitor switchable for both 4:3 and 16:9? I don't want to look at stretched 4:3 on a widescreen.
I value all of your suggestions and real time use from your experiance. Thanks, Ray

[edDV]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies! I just got back looking at this monitor at Circuit City in which I definitely like the looks of it. While there I looked at the Samsung Series 4 450 LCD TV in a 22" This might be a good choice for the viewing monitor since it would give me a truer color for TV play back during editing. The videos I make are made in MPEG2 (DVD) for TV play back. I'm thinking that this combination might be the perfect pair. Could you guys tell me if the aspect ratio is thrown off for 4:3 viewing or is this monitor switchable for both 4:3 and 16:9? I don't want to look at stretched 4:3 on a widescreen.
I value all of your suggestions and real time use from your experience. Thanks, Ray

The computer monitor follows display card and video player settings*.

The Samsung Series 4 450 LCD TV defaults to the MPeg2 or DVD/DVD aspect ratio flags specified during encoding but adds manual override (see P-Size on remote) and preference settings adjustments.


* The current Samsung computer monitors also have HDCP support allowing direct connection to a cable box outputting 720p over DVI-D/HDMI. In this mode the monitor will auto scale to full screen 1680x1050 wide 16:10 or tallish 4:3 with side bars. Since a computer monitor lacks image processing and dynamic contrast, true black can only be achieved with manual contrast/brightness adjustment. The LCD-TV produces a vastly superior picture.

[Video Head]

I use this monitor with one of my workstations and it works/looks great. I have it connected via HDMI. Did have to make some adjustments, as edDV suggests, to the brightness and the contrast to achieve a good image - the factory settings had it set to "tanning booth". Once you make adjustments it is great. I am probably going to start making some more adjustments but that's just because I can never leave anything alone. The best part of this monitor has been the 22" wide screen...so much space on the desktop for the money.

[Ray&Paula]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the replies! Well, here is my latest find; A Samsung 2253BW 22" monitor which I'm told replaces the 226BW. The PDF on this model is can be found at the link below. What I like about this monitor is the ability of using it as DVI or Analog RGB. Correct me if I'm wrong, if I was to have two of these one setup as a main monitor with the other setup as analog would'nt the analog monitor be close to what you would see on a TV? If so, I could use the analog setup for color correction during editing. One of the things I like about this monitor is that it is switchable for differant aspect ratios which is explained in the PDF below.
Another scenario which may be much better is to use this monitor as a monitor and use a LCD TV such as the Samsung Series 4 450 for viewing/editing purposes. This LCD TV is also 22". The link for this LCD TV is also found below.
I know I probably sound a little ignorant on this, but I want to know which would give me the best setup for video editing. This is why I'm turning to you folks that are experienced for your help. I appreciate all of your input and help.Thanks, Ray






samsung%202253bw.pdf

samsung%20series%204%20450%20tv.pdf

[edDV]

This gets confusing when you run multiple threads on the same topic.

The answer is no. VGA is linear RGB. Computer monitors are not TV monitors although LCD-TV sets can double as computer monitors.

I am working from your stated desire for accurate video display for video color and quality assessment. Computer monitors do not display video levels or colors in the same way a TV does. Histoically computers use a more linearized gamma and are optimized for bright office lighting. TV and film use a less linear gamma emphasizing black and dark grey levels and assume a darker theater of low home lighting environment. As a result, correct video levels will naturally look overly dark on a computer monitor and when adjusted to look good on a computer monitor will look overly bright on a TV.

While it is possible using display card overlay controls to approximate TV gamma on a computer monitor, this is somewhat forced and inaccurate. An LCD-TV's processor defaults to TV gamma, TV display colors and color temperature. An LCD-TV has many more features other than correct video display as stated in my post in the other thread.

You would need to feed it 720p or 1080p because such a monitor usually has no deinterlacing processor. That load is passed to the computer display card.

For TV use you are better off getting an LCD-TV. An LCD-TV will usually add...

- dynanic contrast
- deintelacing and inverse telecine image processor
- aspect ratio control
- scaling and processing for SD 480i/480p and analog inputs
- digital and analog tuners
- a simple stereo to AC-3 surround audio system
- PC port for computer connection

Worth the added cost.

-

The 2253BW makes an excellent computer monitor with DVI-D or VGA inputs. It does not have video inputs or tuners and does not natively display correct video gamma without assist from a video display card. Video display cards are far less accurate than the video processor found in a good LCD-TV.

So, if your system goal is a video editing work station with semi pro results, you are better off if the second monitor is an LCD-TV. With proper calibration, the LCD-TV will display identical results from the camcorder direct input, the editor timeline and a DVD player making quality assessment possible.

The LCD-TV can still double as a PC monitor. The Samsung models allow non-overscanned display from VGA or HDMI computer inputs.

[Ray&Paula]

Hi edDV,
Sorry for my ignorance. I just want to make sure that I am setting up a system that will work well for video editing. I will try to delete my other post. Thanks for your help, Ray

[edDV]

Hi edDV,
Sorry for my ignorance. I just want to make sure that I am setting up a system that will work well for video editing. I will try to delete my other post. Thanks for your help, Ray

I may be leading you too far to the pro end. It depends how far you go for a quality video result.

Video pros doing work for broadcast, or advertising agencies or sophisticated corporate clients are judged by objective criteria. Video clips are supposed to match in levels, colorimetry and sound levels when randomly played back to back say in a TV commercial break.

To get to this level of quality calibration you need a system as described plus pro technique.

An average home user may tolerate wide deviation from one clip to the next or ... horrors ... adjust the TV to make the video look right. This is the result of poor technique.

When you say you want "best" quality, that means the right equipment but more so, the right technique to use the equipment.

[Ray&Paula]

Thanks to all for your help and comments! Ray