Help with a dual setup - Artist / Multipurpose

    Hello Prad!



    I am in need of new monitors as my two current dell's doesn't fit anymore. My previous setup consists of a Dell P991 Trinitron who's colours have run dry and a Dell 20.1" FP2001 (I think) that recently broke down and keeps flickering.



    Since I am in need of two monitors I was hoping to get a fitting setup that would work well together. Preferably monitors with the same kind of colours, since I use both monitors when I'm working. Though, I have different needs for each monitor which is why I need some help.


    I need one large monitor, preferably 24-27 inches, that mainly will be used for graphic programs and secondly for movies. - let's call this one my primary monitor
    Secondly I need a smaller monitor with very similar colours as the primary, and hopefully it could be able to run games without any kinds of lag. Size doesn't matter that much for this secondary monitor.


    I have a decent budget for this since I'm buying as a company. I would sacrifice a cheaper price to good insurance and longer life of the monitor.
    I'm rather uncertain of the aspect ratio. Are there even 4:3 monitors made now?



    In short

    Primary monitor
    80% Graphic Work
    20% Movies


    Secondary monitor
    80% Gaming
    20% Complementary to primary


    Budget
    €1000-€1500 for both




    My initial thoughts are to use a Dell 2709W as a primary.
    Pros,
    Big, good colours, good multipurpose (usb hub, composite in, cardreader etc.), good viewing angles, Dell
    Cons
    It's a bit old, maybe a new 27" will be released soon.


    As for the secondary I'm very uncertain. Small thoughts about Dell 2408WFP.
    I'd rather have a Dell to match the primary, but I'm not sure if they have any good gaming monitors. My current FP2001 is much too slow for my games.
    Second to the gamingaspects this monitors serves a complement. It's very important that I can throw images inbetween the two monitors without having the colours distorted in any way.


    Oh, and I do believe most monitors are available in my country (Sweden).



    Hope to get some help!


    Keywords. Dual monitor setup, photoshop, painter, illustrator, after effects, premiere, maya, competetive gaming, movies.


    - Olof

    Hej Olof,


    mycket glädjande att vi kan hälsa dig välkommen till vår sida. Din önskning är (litet) problematisk men jag hoppas att vi kan hitta en lösning.


    What OS are you using? Unfortunately I have no experience in DualScreen Color Management but Microsoft offers a tool for Windows XP that should be able to load the LUT data for two different screens (I assume that you want to work in a calibrated and profiled environment?).



    But this is only half the way. I don't think that (for example) Adobe Photoshop is able to work with two different display ICC-profiles - but is this a must have? It should be sufficient if the two displays match in terms of white point and brightness. Color critical work should then be carried out on the main screen.


    Zitat

    I'm rather uncertain of the aspect ratio. Are there even 4:3 monitors made now?


    It is difficult to find a display that is up to date and features this aspect ratio.


    Zitat

    My initial thoughts are to use a Dell 2709W as a primary.


    I need more information about the kind of work you want to do. Is the environment color managed and are you using color aware applications? Do you really need a display with wide color gamut (as the DELL) - a display with a native color space similar to sRGB can have advantages too.


    Många hälsningar


    Denis

    Gruß


    Denis

    Tack för svar Denis och tack för välkomnandet!


    I feel abit stupid reading all this. There's alot of terms that I don't quite understand. Also, I managed to miss how to quote posts for some reason. I tried to do it manually. Feel free to bash me for being a beginner, I seldom take my time to work out the tech. I usually just paint..



    Quote Sailor Moon
    What OS are you using? Unfortunately I have no experience in DualScreen Color Management but Microsoft offers a tool for Windows XP that should be able to load the LUT data for two different screens (I assume that you want to work in a calibrated and profiled environment?).


    But this is only half the way. I don't think that (for example) Adobe Photoshop is able to work with two different display ICC-profiles - but is this a must have? It should be sufficient if the two displays match in terms of white point and brightness. Color critical work should then be carried out on the main screen.



    I have previously worked with two different models and kind of monitors (FP2001 and the CRT P991). The P991 have worked well as a gaming monitor with it's 85Hz, but it has been lacking in colours. I've notice grayscale to lean towards a warmer red-purple-ish tone, which has been a setback when I've used it for work. I am not sure what I'm after, but since I'm seting up both of them at the same time I wanted to get rid if this problem.


    I had never considered it to be a problem to colourmanage a dual setup, since my previous was never that well planned.





    Quote Sailor Moon
    It is difficult to find a display that is up to date and features this aspect ratio.

    That's what I thought. I did however check out the "FAQ" before posting and the question was listed.




    Quote Sailor Moon
    I need more information about the kind of work you want to do. Is the environment color managed and are you using color aware applications?


    80% - I'm working with photoshop, painting. Some of the work will go out to print, if it matters. I like to have a big space to work with, which is why I've checked out the Dell.
    I work with photoshop, maya, after effects. I'm not sure if these are colour aware applications.
    20% - Using it as a substitute for a TV. I threw out my TV and I want something to watch movies, generally browse art and play console games. The Dell seemed like a good choice due to the size and all the inputs.


    My secondary monitor will mostly be used for games and other faster applications, which is why I've had a CRT before. My priorities are that it will work good with the primary one (as I tried to explain earlier).





    Quote Sailor Moon
    Do you really need a display with wide color gamut (as the DELL) - a display with a native color space similar to sRGB can have advantages too.



    I'm sorry but I'm not sure what this means. Is one of the monitors a special one?




    -Olof

    Zitat

    80% - I'm working with photoshop, painting. Some of the work will go out to print, if it matters. I like to have a big space to work with, which is why I've checked out the Dell.


    Then you really should consider buying a colorimeter so that you can work in a "color managed environment".


    Zitat

    I work with photoshop, maya, after effects. I'm not sure if these are colour aware applications.


    Photoshop is the prime example for colour awareness but you need to create a correct display profile.


    Zitat

    I'm sorry but I'm not sure what this means. Is one of the monitors a special one?


    The typical CRT and older TFTs (although there are current LCDs that don't feature WCG) have a color space that is comparable to sRGB. In a pure sRGB workflow ICC color management is not necessarily mandatory to get sufficient results. During the last years the color space grew through the use of special CCFL (or LED) backlights. With these displays you can for example work without difficulties in AdobeRGB what was not possible with the smaller colorspace of "conventional" displays. But a correct color management is now even more important than before. Movies and Games are examples for content that is (usually) unmanaged. The RGB triples are directly mapped to the monitor color space. That leads to a very "colourful" presentation when we think of the color spaces that are defined for the typical video standards (~/= sRGB).


    So if you don't need the wider color space you will get better results without it (when we think of unmanaged environments). The exception proves the rule: Eizo has the high end CG serie that features an ingenious color space emulation - but it is quite pricy. A cheaper display without WCG is the NEC 2490WUXi (respectively the successor 2490WUXi2 - if you have a chance => get the old one without "2") which could meet your requirements quite good. The Eizo SX serie is also very good (but all current displays with WCG).


    Best regards


    Denis

    Gruß


    Denis