Computer Monitor ir HDTV/monitor?
Sep 22, 2017 12:11:07 #
Hi all, I am currently using a 1080P HDTV as the monitor for my photography work. The input is through the HDMI out of the computers video card. What benefits would I get if I was using a computer "monitor" instead of the HDTV? I mainly shoot landscapes and wildlife and the images look fine to my old eyes. I share the files with family and do print out some of the better ones for my own album or frame them. Being retired, I do like the larger display of the 32" HDTV.
Sep 22, 2017 13:17:08 #
In my opinion the only way you will get an improvement on what you already have is to move up to a 4K display. 32 inch display's can be costly but a 27 inch might fit your needs. I personally have an LG 4K unit along with 2-24 inch HD displays. I use the 4K display to finish out my photographs as it gives me a much better color palette. This is the one I have: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1224162-REG/lg_27ud68_p_27_widescreen_led.html
Sep 22, 2017 13:32:57 #
The resolution on my Dell is 2560 x 1080, which is a lot more than the 1080p on a flat screen TV. And a much better color palate is ok if you are never going to print an image. For that you need a calibrated display, and you're never doing that on a flat screen 4k TV.
Sep 22, 2017 23:20:12 #
A 32" HDTV (not a 4K) has a screen size of approx 16"x28", a resolution of 1080x1920, a 60Hz refresh rate and 10 bit color (depending on the TV). That implies a resolution of ~68 PPI (pixels per inch) which is substantially less than a good quality computer monitor. A typical 23" computer monitor which has a screen size of approx. 11"x20" and running the same resolution of 1080x1920 is ~100 PPI. The net-net is that a computer monitor (depending on the resolution setting) typically has much higher resolution in terms of PPI, so yes, the monitor is considerably sharper. If you like the large display, you can pick a 27" or 32" monitor and enjoy better resolution resulting in a sharper display with more detail. Now the same size 4K display with a resolution of 3840x2160 would be ~ 137 PPI.
Sep 23, 2017 04:22:23 #
Thomas Firth wrote:
Hi all, I am currently using a 1080P HDTV as the monitor for my photography work. The input is through the HDMI out of the computers video card. What benefits would I get if I was using a computer "monitor" instead of the HDTV? I mainly shoot landscapes and wildlife and the images look fine to my old eyes. I share the files with family and do print out some of the better ones for my own album or frame them. Being retired, I do like the larger display of the 32" HDTV.
In some cases greater bit depth for better color accuracy and less banding, higher resolution, wider gamut.
Sep 23, 2017 07:36:22 #
When editing out and correcting imperfections and compositing, always use a high resolution monitor. Basically for the same reason you use a high end camera in stead of a cell phone can be given.
Sep 23, 2017 08:57:10 #
Perhaps you should determine the resolution of your camera before you try to match it to a monitor/TV resolution.
Sep 23, 2017 11:17:42 #
kennedyjm wrote:
Perhaps you should determine the resolution of your camera before you try to match it to a monitor/TV resolution.
That's a no brainer unless the camera in question is one of the first DSLRs manufactured since the resolution of an HDTV is only approximately 2 MPixels. (And a 4K monitor is still only 8 MP)
Sep 23, 2017 13:31:49 #
Thanks all for your comments. There was an error in my monitor size, it's actually a 37" Vizio. The size was nice when I was working in that I could have multiple applications running at the same time (Power point, word, excel and others). Being retired, I don't need to run several applications anymore bit the larger screen is nice. I was considering a 4K TV but wanted to see what others were using. I shoot with the Nikon D750. I'll probably need to look at a new graphics card too for a 4K monitor.
Sep 23, 2017 13:38:21 #
Thomas Firth wrote:
...I'll probably need to look at a new graphics card too for a 4K monitor.
Yes, unless your existing card supports 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
Sep 23, 2017 13:39:41 #
Thomas Firth wrote:
Thanks all for your comments. There was an error i... (show quote)
Good idea, be very sure your graphics card can handle the screen or it can cause a multitude of problems. I personally use an Asus Nvidia 1070 and it works beautifully with my 4K.
Sep 24, 2017 10:11:14 #
My current card will only do 2560x1600, it was a good card in it's day. Can you be more specific in the actual model number of your card? There are multiple versions of that card. What port do you use, HDMI 2.0 or the Display Port? What size screen do you use and why did you select that size over possibly a larger one? Thanks, Tom
Sep 24, 2017 10:42:23 #
Thomas Firth wrote:
My current card will only do 2560x1600, it was a good card in it's day. Can you be more specific in the actual model number of your card? There are multiple versions of that card. What port do you use, HDMI 2.0 or the Display Port? What size screen do you use and why did you select that size over possibly a larger one? Thanks, Tom
This is the one I have: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1262611-REG/asus_strix_gtx1070_8g_gaming_geforce_gtx1070_8gb_rog.html
Be sure that your motherboard has the proper bus slot to handle this card and, if I remember correctly, it needs a power jack as well.
Sep 24, 2017 10:46:25 #
I use my UHD TV with my DELL laptop from time to time. The 4K TV provides good screen real estate for large spread sheet, my programming projects, CAD drawing but I don't think it's good enough for photo editing.
For photo editing I used a pair of low res 1600x1200 21" NEC monitors that support hardware calibration.
For photo editing I used a pair of low res 1600x1200 21" NEC monitors that support hardware calibration.
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