LCD Monitor Which One is Best: Apple vs Dell

figa@fibertel.com.ar · #1 03-19-2007, 03:52 PM

Hi guys,

Im trying to figure out wich Lcd is best for me, but im really getting confused by all the reviews on the web. Down here in Latin America we dont have much to choose from and everything, regarding electronics, is much more expensive. So i really want to make it right.
Im an indifilmaker and im currently working in a fashion Tv show, besides several outside projects. I do everything from operating the camera (sony Hvr-Z1), editing and postrpoduction.
What do you think it would be best for editing and color correction the Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP Black 24" or the Apple Cinema 23'' Display??? I would say apple but the web is no so sure...

Thanks.

Jerry_R · #2 03-19-2007, 05:58 PM

Apple 23" or larger, Cine monitor. Doesn't take additional HW to calibrate accurately and Apple has better QA and service than Dell.

figa@fibertel.com.ar · #3 03-20-2007, 04:46 PM

From my ignorance... a friend of mine is saying that insted of buying a monitor y should buy an lcd tv...like the Sony's KLV26S200A 26” BRAVIA, should i listen ??

Thanks

Jerry_R · #4 03-20-2007, 05:42 PM

NO not if you want usable color. The typical LCD TV can't be calibrated accurately and used for color correction or judging colors. The exception todate are some on the LED LCDs like the NEC which arund around $6k US.

DeanT · #5 03-20-2007, 06:31 PM

Quit messing around, to edit photos or videos, you really need CRT.

Marc · #6 03-21-2007, 03:35 PM

I do critical viewing on a CRT but that's because I have one. Don't think I'll buy another. What one needs is to buy a spyder to calibrate what you have.

Jerry_R · #7 03-21-2007, 06:30 PM

Yes but a lot of the LCDs out there can't be calibrated even with a spydr.

Mike Dunning · #8 04-03-2007, 01:54 PM

It has been my understanding that both Dell and Apple use the same LG screen in these monitors. However, I've heard recently that the new Dell monitors switched to a different screen.

daniel@alpine.cc · #9 04-03-2007, 10:39 PM

Mike you are right, Dell and Apple have the same screen. I just don't understand what Jerry is talking about that Apple is easier to calibrate than DELL?!?!

I have had both and other than the frame that their are in and that the rotten apple costs more there is no difference. (I actually had my apple frame painted black, that's before DELL had the 30" monitors). Plus I got a 3 year free exchange warranty from DELL.

Jerry_R · #10 04-04-2007, 02:27 PM

The cross color calibration SW on the Mac works better than the Dell SW but if you are on a PC it doesn't matter. But Apples customer service is still better than Dell's.

ClearVision Studios · #11 04-05-2007, 07:48 PM

We use several 24" Dells to monitor our video shoots and as large editing monitors. When it time to color correct for a big project, you have to use a good SDI CRT.

daniel@alpine.cc · #12 04-07-2007, 04:15 PM

Amen...

most directors i work with do not want to see a LCD screen, then some on the other hand prefer the LCD. I always have a small SDI CRT, usually only for color correction. Damn expensive for so little use...

Jerry_R · #13 04-07-2007, 06:55 PM

I basically agree you can use an LCD but its harder and slower. One LCD that is superior to a CRT is the NEC LED/LCD with its larger color gaumit but thats $6k. I was using a LCD along with a monitor and when IBM went out of business and was dumping their CRTs I got a 24" CRT to replace the LCD and will not go back to LCDs except where size and weight are overriding factors and color quality isn't important.

bchamp · #14 04-08-2007, 12:44 AM

I haven't seen anyone mention this on this thread, but Apple's Cinema displays are SWOP-certified (http://www.swop.org/). I have never found any information that says Dell's LCDs are certified. My guess is they are not. If that is true, as I suspect it is, it shows that while the two vendors may use the same supplier, they may be getting raw panels made to a different spec. Or it could be the driver and/or calibration software they deliver with the monitors makes the difference. Or maybe Dell just didn't want to spend the money getting their monitors certified. Apple's monitors can be calibrated with a color calibration device.

If color accuracy is important to you, I think SWOP certification is something to consider.

See http://www.apple.com/displays/technology.html

daniel@alpine.cc · #15 04-17-2007, 09:52 AM

Or you can just get a little 9" CRT from SONY for color correction with the money you save buying a DELL vs. the MAC.

I looked very long and compared them before buying. I even had a Mac 30" at my office when I ordered the DELL. Fortunatelly I was able to return the Mac monitor to Compusa before the return period. I had them hooked up side by side on a nVidia 7950GX2 and there was no difference. Even when I just plugged them in, without even touching any monitor adjustments. The Colorbars, pictures, test screens, etc. came up what appeared to me the same. My eyes couldn't tell them appart, but what do I know, I am not an expensive and complicated calibration device.

BTW, I was pissed when I paid $2200 for my DELL 30" (Mac was $2500 at that time), just to find out they reduced the price 2 months later to $1600; I complained and bitched and got $500 back a week later, plus they threw in a 2 year extended premium warranty.

Thanks DELL.