News Tech World: Best Graphic Design Monitor for Photo and Video Editing 2012

Review the Latest IPS Monitors for 2012

I've written several posts on TN panel and other monitors that are not color critical. This post will focus on the top rated IPS panel computer monitors I've seen in 2012 that are ideal for your graphic design, photo editing, or video editing business. It will also include information about computer monitor terms and specifications that you should know before choosing which monitor is right for you.

CONTENTS AT A GLANCE

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Why Choose an IPS Panel vs. a TN Panel Monitor?

There are two main reasons why I use an IPS panel monitor; accurate color reproduction, and wide viewing angles. In-plane switching panels use 8-10 bits per RGB color for a total of 24-30 bits. While true color is considered 18-bit color depth, a professional IPS monitor, like Eizo's FlexScan SX2462W can produce 1.07 billion colors and has a 30-bit color depth. Originally developed in 1996 by Hitachi, today, there are many types of IPS panels. Budget IPS displays are widely available and response times, overall, have come down considerably. On most IPS monitors, some user calibration is required in order to get accurate color reproduction. In addition, many IPS monitors go beyond the standard 1920 x 1080 pixels considered high definition in order to give additional working space to graphic designers, photo editors, and video editors.

While TN or twisted nematic panel monitors can claim to have up to 16.7 million colors, dithering is used in order to replace the actual color with an approximation of two or more other colors. The result is often inaccurate and grainy. Advantages to TN panel monitors include faster response times, better energy efficiency, and more affordable prices.

Top Rated Monitor (Under $500) for Graphic Design 2012

One of the best value IPS monitors available is theDell UltraSharp 2312HM. It's perfect for those of you on a budget or need semi-critical color accuracy - gamut at 82% (typical). With a 8ms response time it's also good enough for video editing and gaming. It' also a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1920x1200 resolution so it gives you a bit more screen real estate than your average monitor as well.

Technical Details for the U2412M include; 1920 x 1200 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.27mm pixel pitch, 16.7 Million display colors, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 2M:1 DCR, 8ms response time, IPS panel, DisplayPort, D-Sub, DVI connectors, 1 USB 2.0 upstream port and 4 USB 2.0 downstream ports, Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt adjustment, VESA Mount compatible, and it comes with a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24" LED LCD Monitor - 16:10 - 8 ms
Amazon Price: $299.99

Wider Color Gamut?

If you need a wider color gamut, then I recommend your next step up be the Asus PA246Qwith the same screen resolution, a faster 6ms response time, and a P-IPS panel with 98% Adobe RGB coverage. It's a good deal at just under $500.

The Asus PA246Q is an affordable 30-bit display and great for those that want maximum color accuracy without the price. Details include a 1920 x 1200 resolution, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.27mm pixel pitch, 1.07 Billion display colors, 400 cd/m2 brightness, ASCR 50,000:1, 6ms GTG response time, P-IPS panel, D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB connectors, USB 2.0 1 x upstream, 2 x downstream, Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt adjustment, VESA compatible 100mm x 100mm holes, and includes a standard 3 year warranty

Asus PA246Q 24" LCD Monitor
Amazon Price: $489.95

NEW IPS Panel Monitors Under $500

AOC I2353PH 23 - Inch Widescreen Ultra Slim IPS LED Monitor with Dual HDMI - Brushed Metal

1920 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.265mm pixel pitch, 16.7 Million display colors, 250 cd/m2 brightness, DCR 50M:1, 5ms response time, Active Matrix, TFT LCD panel, D-Sub, HDMI x 2, tilt adjustable, built-in speakers, 100 x 100mm VESA mounting holes, and it comes with a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Amazon Price: $179.99 (as of 05/26/2012)

Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23" IPS LED LCD Monitor - 16:9 - 8 ms

1920 x 1080 resolution, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angles, 0.265mm pixel pitch, 16.7 Million display colors, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 2M:1 DCR, IPS panel, 8ms response time, D-Sub, DVI, DisplayPort connectors, 1 x USB 2.0 upstream port, 4 x USB 2.0 downstream ports, Height, Swivel, Tilt adjustment, and it comes with a standard 3 year parts and labor warranty from Dell.

Amazon Price: $219.99 (as of 05/26/2012)

Asus PA238Q 23-Inch Professional Super-IPS Full-HD LED Monitor

1920 x 1080 resolution, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.265mm pixel pitch, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 50M:1 ASCR, 6ms GTG response time, HDMI, DisplayPort, D-Sub, DVI-D, USB connectors, USB 2.0 1 x upstream, 4 x downstream, Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt adjust, VESA compatible 100mm x 100mm holes, and includes a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Amazon Price: $264.88 (as of 05/26/2012)

Best Rated Monitor Under $1000 for Graphic Design or Video Editing 2012

If you're wanting to take a step up in features and screen real estate you could consider the new Apple Thunderbolt Display. With a 2560 x 1440 resolution you get considerably more space to work with and Apple's Thunderbolt technology is certainly a plus when it comes to displaying and transferring data. That being said this is a 24-bit display and you are paying a lot for the features and quality that Apple provides.

Technical details for the Apple Thunderbolt Display include; 2560 by 1440 pixels resolution, 16.7 million colors, 16:9 aspect ratio, 178° horizontal; 178° vertical viewing angle, 375 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 12ms response time, Built-in Thunderbolt cable, Three powered USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 port , Gigabit Ethernet port, Thunderbolt port, security lock, Built-in FaceTime HD camera with microphone, Built-in 2.1 speaker system (49 watts), and includes 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty.

Apple Thunderbolt Display MC914LL/A (NEWEST VERSION)
Amazon Price: $948.88

Dell UltraSharp U2711

If you don't have to have the features that the Thunderbolt Display provides, then you get a more accurate 30-bit monitor with the Dell UltraSharp U2711 for around the same price point.

Technical Details for the U2711 include; 2560 x 1440 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.233mm pixel pitch, 1.07 billion display colors, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 80,000:1 contrast ratio, 6ms:1 response time, D-Sub, DVI x 2, HDMI, Component, Composite, USB, DisplayPort connectors, USB 2.0 1 USB 2.0 upstream port, 4 USB 2.0 downstream ports, height, swivel, and tilt adjustable, and it comes with a Dell 3 year warranty.

Dell UltraSharp U2711 27-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor - Max Resolution 2560 x 1440 (WQHD)
Amazon Price: $814.99

Latest IPS Panel Computer Monitors for 2012

In order of Popularity

HP Promo ZR2740w 27-inch LED Backlit IPS Monitor

2560 x 1440 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.2331mm pixel pitch, 1.07 billion colors, 380 nits cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 standard contrast ratio, 12ms GTG response time, IPS panel, tilt, pivot, height, tilt adjustable, VESA compatible, and it includes a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Amazon Price: $679.98 (as of 05/26/2012)

HP LP2475w 24-inch IPS Widescreen LCD Monitor

1920 x 1200 resolution, 102% color gamut, 0.270 mm pixel pitch, 400 cd/m² brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 178° horizontal; 178° vertical viewing angle, 5ms response time, Tilt: - 5º to + 30º; Swivel: - 45º to + 45º, 6 USB 2.0 I/O ports, DVI-I, HDMI, DisplayPort, Component Video, S-Video, and Composite Video connectors, and includes a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Amazon Price: $704.36 (as of 05/26/2012)

NEC LCD2490WUXi2-BK 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor

1920 x 1200 resolution, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.27mm pixel pitch, 16.7 Million display colors, 320 cd/m2 brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms(GTG) response time, WUXGA display, D-Sub, 2 x DVI-D, DVI-I connectors, Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt adjustment, and it comes with a 4 year warranty.

Amazon Price: $699.00 (as of 05/26/2012)

Most Accurate Monitors for Color Reproduction 2012

Dell, HP, Sbuy, Eizo, and NEC make some of the most accurate color reproduction monitors in the world. I've listed a few of my favorites below.

Dell UltraSharp U3011 30-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor

The Dell UltraSharp U3011 has 99% adobe RGB coverage; a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angles, 0.2505mm pixel pitch, 1.07 Billion display colors, 370 cd/m2 brightness, DCR 100,000:1, 7ms gray to gray response time, IPS panel, D-Sub, 2 x DVI, 2 x HDMI, DisplayPort, Component, USB, 1 USB 2.0 upstream port, 4 USB 2.0 downstream ports, height, swivel, and tilt adjustment, and includes a 3 year warranty.

Amazon Price: $1,150.77 (as of 05/26/2012)

HP ZR30w 30-inch S-IPS LCD Monitor

Technical details for the HPZR30w; 2560 x 1600 resolution, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.2505mm pixel pitch, 1.07 Billion display colors, 370 cd/m2 brightness, DCR 3,000:1, 7 ms (GTG) response time, IPS panel, DisplayPort , DVI-D, 1 x USB upstream - 4 pin USB Type B, 4 x USB downstream - 4 pin USB Type A, tilt and swivel adjustable, and it comes with a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Amazon Price: $1,099.00 (as of 05/26/2012)

Sbuy LP2480ZX 24IN LCD Monitor

Specifications include a 1920 x 1200 resolution, 178°(H) / 178°(V) viewing angle, 0.27mm, 1.07 billion colors 30-bit depth, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 6ms(GTG) response time, WUXGA display type, IPS panel, 2 x DVI-I, DisplayPort, HDMI, Component (YPbPr), S-Video, Composite, Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt adjustment, and a 3 year warranty.

Amazon Price: $2,097.91 (as of 05/26/2012)

EIZO ColorEdge CG241W

Adobe RGB: 96%, NTSC:92%, sRGB/Rec.709: 98%, EBU 98%, SMPTE-C:100%, DCI:87%

Amazon Price: $1,780.00 (as of 05/26/2012)

source:http://www.squidoo.com

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Best Graphic Design Monitor for Photo and Video Editing 2012