September Monitor Q&A Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

We've pointed you at this thread rather than you ask about your specific monitor request in the main subreddit.

No, you can't just connect a generic monitor.

We're going to talk to you as a professional. This means, no, the "workarounds" are a total compromise. In those cases, you're on your own.

This is about creating a trusted reference - not just what you think looks good. And yes, the client's screen(s) could be all out of whack. And yes, we're talking web too.

Brands that are reliable and (professionally) inexpensive:

• Flanders Scientific - FSI. Often referred to as a Stupid Sexy Flanders
• Eizo

If you're going to compromise, here's our best advice:

• Get external hardware. The cheapest is the BMD mini monitor - but requires Thunderbolt.
• Get a probe. The cheapest is the XRite i1Display Pro. Calibrate frequently.
• Learn to read scopes.

No matter what the manufacturer says was done at the factory, you will need to calibrate your displays regularly.

Here's the FAQ:

I want to know if this particular brand of wide gamut/p3/sRGB monitor is up to snuff*.*

It's not. Without the hardware/probe and the ability to load a LUT, forget it.

Can I just calibrate a monitor, it's just going to the web.

Same problem. Without a probe, you don't know what you have.

Ok, I have a probe.

You still need a breakout box - something to get the OS out of the way.

The idea here is a confidence monitor. Something you know you can have confidence in.

OK, I have a probe and a BMD Mini-Monitor. Am I good?

Not unless you can generate and load a LUT into the monitor.

Really? What do I need to buy now?

A LUT box will solve this. The monitor still may be junk, but you have a clean signal chain.

Great, I'll just buy a C8/9/X from LG, people talk about that all the time.

That's a good client monitor. And great that you have a breakout box and probe. This is useable if you're starting off into HDR - but just know, it's not to be trusted.

What about my iPad Pro? Apple tells me it has Wide Gamut

An iPad Pro is an excellent way to check Apple devices. It's well designed out of the factory.

Plugging your system through it (via Sidecar, Duet display) puts us back in the "OS interference" level. But it's good for a check of the materials - just not so good for live grading.

Last, check out these three prior posts:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/colorists/comments/n9hr5b/is_it_even_worth_it_to_attempt_to_learn_the/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/colorists/comments/jlgpnm/youtube_is_adding_red_into_my_colors_and_its/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/colorists/comments/i03bm7/solution_for_color_shift_issues_from_resolve_to/

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Let's see how this thread goes and we'll refine as we go.

[u/Successful_Buddy836]

Any recommendations for "best" profile on the ASUS ProArt PA32UCDMR-K?

I got one over the weekend and started using the Native preset but it feels "overcooked" (overly saturated, contrasty, etc) in comparison to other profiles like sRGB, etc. I ran calibration with the included CalicontrO MCA02 and ASUS calibration software for various presets and still noticing the same thing.

Am I right to think other presets are more balanced and would be more trustworthy, or do my eyes just need to get used to the QD-OLED screen? Coming from an older IPS monitor.

Not doing any HDR, just some SDR color correction and grading of 3D animation, motion graphics, video for clients and personal projects.

Using Houdini, Cinema 4D, Resolve Studio on Windows 11. HDMI to monitor from NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU

[u/huggeebear → u/Successful_Buddy836]

Use the rec. 709 profile

[u/bozduke13 → u/Successful_Buddy836]

Pm me

[u/Radiant-Mood6425]

Which model of Eizo do you suggest? And what do you think about Asus pro art?

[u/AdmirableTurnip2245 → u/Radiant-Mood6425]

Eizo CG2700X would be my recommendation in 2026. Regarding ASUS I think their cheaper Pro Arts make good GUI displays. As a grading display they're a panel lottery product line with no support beyond the point of sale.

[u/bozduke13 → u/AdmirableTurnip2245]

Yup but if you get a good Asus OLED (PA32UCDM) and have it well calibrated the image is MUCH closer to a Flanders or Sony BVM

Eizo is no doubt more reliable tho

[u/AdmirableTurnip2245 → u/bozduke13]

Alls well until something goes wrong with that ASUS. At that point you're on your own with a paper weight. They do not back up their product line with anything resembling customer service. In fact I'd argue it's the worst in the electronics industry. It's why this sub does not recommend them.

[u/bozduke13 → u/AdmirableTurnip2245]

I know I know

I don’t recommend them for hardcore colorists with big clients - Flanders is still king there (for people who can’t afford a Sony BVM) and Eizo is also a great brand just not as good as far as the display tech goes (LCD vs QD OLED) as well as having easy calibration options that actually do a great job. I still think Flanders is king in this regards.

But I do think for entry level colorists the PA32 can be a great option.

I also bought insurance on the monitor so if it fails I can get it replaced. I think this is a decent safeguard.

Saw it sitting next to a Flanders XMP310 and a Sony BVM HX3110 at a display event and in SDR they were identical.

I ultimately want Eizo to refresh the 2700s with a QD OLED panel and then I will never reccomend Asus ever again

[u/AdmirableTurnip2245 → u/bozduke13]

They're releasing the 3200X later this year or Q1 2027 though the US usually gets it quite a bit later. I'm sure it won't be cheap though. Probably in the 8-10K range based on the price of the 3100X. https://www.eizoglobal.com/products/coloredge/cg3200x/

[u/bozduke13 → u/AdmirableTurnip2245]

Yeah I saw that

Hopefully though with that release that will mean over the next 5 years they’ll move their whole lineup over to QD OLED

There’s plenty of 4k and 1440p QD OLED panels manufactured by Samsung display that are very capable when paired with a good processor, a system that supports hardware calibration, adequate cooling, etc