LCD Monitors for Graphic Design

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keith1995

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I'm looking for a quality LCD monitor, 24 inches or bigger, for the primary purpose of graphic design. Anyone have some recommendations?
 
When you say "graphic design", what sort are you referring to? For output to hardcopy where your colors need to be very precise? Or for web, which is somewhat less demanding?

I like my Samsung 245T, which is a widescreen with an S-PVA panel and works well for me, but I am an illustrator and more concerned with relative colors rather than absolute. It goes for $700. Dell's popular line comes in S-PVA or S-IPS and sounds good also.

If you need better color accuracy (and you have boatloads of money), perhaps you should go with an Eizo or LaCie. Or a CRT.

I would have recommended against TN panels in the past, but apparently they are getting pretty good...but still kind of a crap shoot at this point, imho. Seems the Samsung 245BW is well liked and has great color, if you can deal with the unavoidable viewing angle problem with this size of monitor.

Either way, be sure to pair your new monitor with a good colorimeter like the Spyder3 or Lacie BlueEye2, or at least a budget one like the Spyder2 Express.

I hope a graphic designer will chime in, probably will have better recommendations than me!
 
silentbrain said:
When you say "graphic design", what sort are you referring to? For output to hardcopy where your colors need to be very precise? Or for web, which is somewhat less demanding?
Click to expand...

this is the question along with your budget
(note NEC2490 & 2690 as well for print, I'm using a Planar px2611 h-ips which I'm happy with) Also read this thread (it's short) from a week ago similar question:
What do designers use: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1243503
 
I do some print work but it isn't something that I would say would require me to double my investment. Generally the graphic design is for web along with coding. I'm looking for a quality 23-24 inch monitor that will give me good color representation but isn't going to break my piggy bank. I'm also willing to upgrade my video card, if necessary.

Ofcourse if I can find a nice deal somewhere, that would definately help make my decision.

As for calibration, I'm not too familar with any colorimeters. How do they work?
 
I can't really speak for all colorimeters, only the Spyder 2.

First you adjust brightness and contrast for clear viewing of lightest and darkest greys

Then you put the device over the monitor and it takes a reading. You then adjust color via the monitor's controls. (or, I guess, the video card's controls if there are none...) This is to get the proper balance of R, G, and B. For example, apparently my other lcd is very low on blue, so after this step R and G were very low while B was maxed out. Everything looks very blue at this point.

Finally, the device takes a longer reading and creates a color profile that controls the LUT, or lookup table. This is the part that cannot really be done by eye. The result is a normal looking image, but with correct (or close to correct) levels of RGB in each color.

I think that is about right...
 
silentbrain,

Thanks for the explanation. Very well written and easy to follow. How much does a colorimeter, such as Spyder 2, go for?

After you are done with the calibration, do you leave the colorimeter plugged in or can you remove it?

Now if only I could settle on a LCD monitor to purchase... I'm really in need of help there.
 
keith1995 said:
I do some print work but it isn't something that I would say would require me to double my investment. Generally the graphic design is for web along with coding. I'm looking for a quality 23-24 inch monitor that will give me good color representation but isn't going to break my piggy bank. I'm also willing to upgrade my video card, if necessary.

Of course if I can find a nice deal somewhere, that would definately help make my decision.

As for calibration, I'm not too familar with any colorimeters. How do they work?
Click to expand...

For mostly web design, under $1000, I'd suggest a good -VA based monitor. Afterall, most viewers are looking at the web on a TN or -VA panel.

If you're comfortable over $1000 you're into the professional monitor range with -ips based panels - start with the NEC stuff.

Calibation will allow you adjust what you see on screen to match expected results from printed work, maintain colour consistency over time and maximize the potential for range of viewable color.
 
funky2d,

Thanks for the reply. I would prefer to stay under the $1000 benchmark... perhaps around $600? Is that possible for a good VA monitor and if so, do you have any recommendations?
 
I recommend the LG 245WP (online) / 246WP (retail).

The panel displays a wider range of colors, and with calibration works very well for me for the price.

I wasn't willing to spend $1500 - $4000 for a color-precise LCD.
 
I wouldn't recommend a VA or TN panel for graphics design. Both have gama shift issues. That would make it hard to determine shadow details.

This is TN. Look at the background. That is a single tone, not a gradient. All TNs do this. Look at the TR logos. They are the same. Which one do you assume is correct.
http://www.pbase.com/image/70038474/original.jpg

This is PVA: A center clip and side clip. Which of those shadow details do you correct for.
http://www.pbase.com/image/65452628/original.jpg

Both these images were taken centered on the screen from a normal viewing distance. I think IPS is the only consideration for serious image editing. It behaves like a CRT monitor offering stable gamma across the screen.
 
keith1995 said:
What are the differences between the LG 245WP and 246WP? I see both listed at Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005089

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005099

Anyone know of any deals going on anywhere for either of these monitors? And do you think my Radeon X1300 Series video card will suffice? I don't have a real need for HD or anything like that but I'm also willing to investigate it if it doesn't cost too terribly much.
Click to expand...

Same monitor - only cosmetic differences on the outside for control panel buttons and a power light. Originally the 245 was only for online sales and the 246 was for retail stores like Best Buy.
 
Snowdog said:
I wouldn't recommend a VA or TN panel for graphics design. Both have gama shift issues. That would make it hard to determine shadow details.
I think IPS is the only consideration for serious image editing. It behaves like a CRT monitor offering stable gamma across the screen.
Click to expand...

I agree, ips is for serious image editing and work geared for press.

For web design applications -VA will work fine. Generally you're working in a 800 x 600 at 72ppi world which occupies an 1/4ish of a 24" monitor running at 1920x1200. With that resolution and physical size of the images it's fine. In fact, I have considered getting -va or tn panel for web proofing. Most often that is what the end user sees anyway. I think it's an unfortunate case of making the image quality fit the technology rather than the other way around.

I agree with the some of the recommendations mentioned already, LG245, Samsung 244T, also if you want to stretch your budget NEC LCD2470. Although I have not seen one in action Planar's PX2411 would be worth a look too me as I like my PX2611.
 
You can box up the colorimeter when you're not calibrating. (would get in the way anyway as you have to hang it over the front of the monitor!)

The Spyder2Express can be had for ~$50 but the software doesn't offer many options. Btw, the Spyder2 hardware is the same in all the packages, only the software differs. Having only used this one, my opinion is that it is a low- to mid-end offering. Better calibrators can be had for $300 and up.

Specs on the x1300 say it will run it just fine. (as long as you are not gaming) Not sure if there are any other issues.
 
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