5 Things to Look for in a Computer Monitor for Video Editing
- Screen Size
- Screen Resolution
- Screen Type
- Color Fidelity
- Ease of Use
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If you are using your laptop for your video and photo editing, or if you have a desktop system and the monitor it was paired with, the kit monitor more or less, then you should consider using a separate monitor or an upgrade to your existing monitor.
A high quality computer monitor for video editing is a significant investment, around the same price as some of our lenses or cameras, so you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. We’ll help you find your next one by showing you what to look for in a monitor for video editing.
By the way, any monitor you choose for video editing will also greatly aid your photographic image processing workflow. Since video editing can be more demanding, at least it for me, I tend to think first of what I need to work on video, confident that it will also be a boon to my still photography editing.
photo by DGLimages via iStock
Here are the 5 things I will concentrate on when considering a new monitor for video editing, the important features of a video editing monitor and what to look for in a monitor for video editing:
As we discuss these aspects, I’ll also show you what I’ve done with my own upgrade of video and photo editing hardware.
Screen Size
Shopping for an external monitor for video editing, the screen size is often the first consideration we consider. We want our view to be better than what we already have, whether it’s a smaller monitor that came as a package with our desktop or to supplement the relatively small screen of our awesome laptop.
A significant upgrade in size, quality, and features is the VP3881 video editing monitor from ViewSonic. This is a fantastic photo and video editing monitor with a 38 inch curved screen. For a slightly smaller, more budget friendly version, check out their VP3481 34-inch curved screen monitor.
A screen about this size seems just right for my own editing needs. Much bigger than my laptop but not so big that it intrudes or overwhelms. The Goldilocks Zone for me, I guess.
Screen Resolution
Size does me no good if the view isn’t clear and sharp. You want to use the best video editing monitors you can afford, since editing is one of the core skills of video production. (The others are lighting and audio.)
High resolution is very beneficial for photography editing, too, vital you might say. Since the ViewSonic video editing monitors are capable of handling the higher video resolutions, they will also perform very well for photo editing.
Sometimes, you may want to change your screen’s resolution down from the highest level capable. Practice makes perfect. I change mine sometimes when previewing a finish cut to approximate how it may appear on regular devices.
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Screen Type
When considering the features of a video editing monitor, we may get lost in the details from time to time. An important thing to consider is just what type of screen it is. There are several things to look for. LED, LCD, and MVA, plus several subcategories of these.
ViewSonic uses the MVA panel for these high resolution monitors as they offer the sharpness and color fidelity of LED with the quick response of LCD.
Another consideration is whether to get a flat panel or a curved screen monitor for video editing. I prefer the new curved screen models for a couple of reasons. Edge to edge sharpness from sitting position and the ability to be totally immersed in the view.
In the photo at the beginning of this subsection, I have my two ViewSonic curved video editing monitors mounted together to give an even more immersive experience. It also improves my workflow to have the dual screens showing the entirety of my editing work.
Color Fidelity
photo by Dimitris66 via iStock
Since I can assign video logs, LUDs, and color profiles in my camera for video recording, it helps to have a video editing monitor that can reproduce them faithfully. You’ll also want to calibrate your monitors before use and periodically.
I love that my new ViewSonic video editing monitors can reproduce 4.39 trillion colors. That’s a huge number, a trillion. To put it into perspective, a trillion seconds is over 30,000 years. So, reproducing accurately 4.39 trillion colors for my photography and videography editing is a welcome feature.
Ease of Use
Putting it all together and using it should be simple, and it is. ViewSonic video editing monitors connect via multiple methods to each other and to external devices for input and output.
ViewSonic video editing monitors also have a built in program called ViewSplit™ that lets you split up the display of your programs and what you’re working on which really speeds up the workflow of an intense video editing session.
You might have some functions in your editing software or your PC or Mac computer that you like to use for this, too, so use whatever works best for you. With the wide aspect ratio ratio of these sharp curved screens, you have room to spare.
Editing Is Important
photo by brightstars via iStock
Just as you take care to use the best equipment you have in the best way in order to capture the initial footage, you want to apply that same mindset towards editing your videos.
Just as sometimes may need to upgrade or change your shooting equipment or methods, that also works with video editing. Don’t take my word for it, try it out or yourself!
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