You're setting up a video production studio. How do you choose the right video monitor?

1 Size and Resolution

The size and resolution of your video monitor depend on your budget, space, and workflow. Generally, you want a monitor that is large enough to show the details of your footage, but not too large that it takes up too much room or causes eye strain. A common size range for studio monitors is 17 to 27 inches, but you can go bigger or smaller depending on your preference. The resolution of your monitor should match or exceed the resolution of your camera, so you can see the full quality of your footage. For example, if you shoot in 4K, you'll need a 4K monitor to see the difference. However, higher resolution monitors are more expensive and require more powerful computers to run them, so you'll have to balance your needs and resources.

2 Panel Type and Backlight

The panel type and backlight of your video monitor affect how it reproduces colors, contrasts, and viewing angles. There are three main types of panels: TN, IPS, and OLED. TN panels are the cheapest and fastest, but they have poor color accuracy and narrow viewing angles. IPS panels are more expensive and slower, but they have better color accuracy and wider viewing angles. OLED panels are the most expensive and advanced, but they have the best color accuracy, contrast, and viewing angles. They also have no backlight, which means they can produce true blacks and save power. The backlight of your monitor can be either LED or CCFL. LED backlights are more energy-efficient, durable, and dimmable, but they can cause uneven brightness and color. CCFL backlights are more uniform and consistent, but they are less efficient, bulky, and prone to flickering.

3 Color Space and Calibration

The color space and calibration of your video monitor determine how it displays the colors of your footage. The color space is the range of colors that your monitor can produce, and it should match the color space of your camera and your output format. For example, if you shoot in Rec. 709, you'll need a monitor that supports Rec. 709, or at least covers most of it. If you shoot in a wider color space, such as Rec. 2020 or DCI-P3, you'll need a monitor that can display those colors, or you'll lose some of the richness and subtlety of your footage. The calibration of your monitor is the process of adjusting its settings to ensure that it displays the colors accurately and consistently. You'll need a calibration device, such as a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer, to measure the color output of your monitor and compare it to a standard. You'll also need a calibration software, such as DisplayCAL or CalMAN, to generate a profile that corrects any deviations from the standard.

4 Inputs and Outputs

The inputs and outputs of your video monitor affect how you connect it to your camera, computer, and other devices. You'll need a monitor that has the right ports and cables for your workflow, and that can handle the signal format and bandwidth of your footage. Some of the common inputs and outputs for video monitors are HDMI, DisplayPort, SDI, DVI, and VGA. HDMI and DisplayPort are the most versatile and popular, as they can carry both audio and video signals, and support high resolutions and frame rates. SDI is more professional and reliable, as it can carry uncompressed video signals over long distances, and support multiple channels and formats. DVI and VGA are more outdated and limited, as they can only carry video signals, and support lower resolutions and frame rates.

5 Features and Functions

When selecting a video monitor for your video production studio, there are many features and functions to consider. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want a monitor with a stand or mount that allows you to adjust the height, tilt, swivel, and rotation. Additionally, a remote control or built-in speaker can provide further convenience. A waveform monitor or vectorscope can help you check exposure and color balance, while a histogram or zebra pattern can show you the distribution of brightness levels. Peaking or focus assist functions can help you check focus and sharpness. False color or color checker functions can be used to assess exposure and color accuracy, while a zoom or pixel-to-pixel function can help you check details and quality. Finding the right monitor is not easy, but it can make a huge difference in your workflow and results. Test the monitor before buying it, and calibrate it regularly to maintain its performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?