#1777534 - 07/06/07 10:07 AM
Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
|
Steevo
Gold Member
Registered: 03/01/02
Posts: 558
Loc: Paducah,KY USA
|
Offline
|
|
I have moved into a new house where I will have a dedicated studio/office space. I will be configuring my workspace from scratch. It is a ProTools LE setup, currently Digi001 but will probably upgrade to 002 or 003. My business is primarily web based, but I plan to get my MIDI setup back up and running for some sequencing.
The main area is approx. 10W X 12L X 10H. I'm trying to decide between using a dual monitor setup ... or a large wall mounted display. I've never used either. Anyone have experience to share in that regard? Many thanks.  S
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777575 - 07/06/07 11:12 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Steevo]
|
Bill@Welcome Home Studios
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7343
|
|
Offline
|
|
I use three monitors, and I have edited in studios with projector displays (similar idea to the large format display).
What you have to watch out for is resolution and brightness/contrast ratio. Also, distance from the display is an issue... a lot of people buy displays that are too large for their viewing area, then spend a lot of time moving their head to access the information.
Other than that, both formats have advantages and disadvantages, and what works best for you will become a matter of personal preference. I rented a projector and tried it out before I bought multiple monitors, since I had already had multiple computers running at once, I knew what multiple monitors felt like.
Bill
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777638 - 07/06/07 01:07 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Bill@Welcome Home Studios]
|
Steevo
Gold Member
Registered: 03/01/02
Posts: 558
Loc: Paducah,KY USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Thanks Bill. I'm in the middle of a major overhaul of my workspace and need to consider all the options. Your input is appreciated.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777658 - 07/06/07 01:32 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Steevo]
|
Griffinator
10k Club
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 10002
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
One large display will not give you the same "desktop" space as dual monitors. Most "large" monitors (even 42-50") top out at 1620x1080, where two normal size monitors will give you a total of 2560x1024 (two 19's at 1280x1024) - that extra 900 pixels makes a huge difference.
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777713 - 07/06/07 03:39 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
Bill@Welcome Home Studios
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7343
|
|
Offline
|
|
What I meant about resolution is partially what Griff has pointed out, and also the nnnn X nnnn. a 16x9 or 16x10 format monitor was not as useful to me as a 4x3 monitor in the same 'size' (ie...19 inch, 20 inch, etc), because I need to see a long list of tracks (sometimes in the 30s or more, but usually in the 20s) a wide 19 inch monitor will not display as many tracks, because it is not as high. I saw a nice rig with two monitors high and two wide... plenty of room for all the tracks. SAWStudio supports this vertical dual monitor setup natively... I imagine some others do, too.
Bill
Edited by Bill@Welcome Home Studios (07/06/07 03:40 PM)
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777716 - 07/06/07 03:56 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Bill@Welcome Home Studios]
|
Steevo
Gold Member
Registered: 03/01/02
Posts: 558
Loc: Paducah,KY USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Thank Griff and Bill. Multi monitors does seem more logical and would probably be more functional across different tasks. Less expensive too! Now I'll have to find some more toys to buy with the money I just 'saved'.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777781 - 07/06/07 07:59 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Steevo]
|
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
10k Club
Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12335
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
I run a pair of Dell 19" monitors.
IMO...dual monitors are an absolute must for any kind of audio/video editing.
19" or 21"-22" (even better) is the way to go.
Now...if they ever come out with a single monitor that is as big as a pair of 19" or 22" monitors stuck together...and at a fairly reasonable price...
...I'm going for it, as I really do hate having the bezels running down the middle of my workspace.
At least with the LCD monitors...the bezels are pretty skinny, not like the old CRT monitors.
There are some great buys on 19" monitors these days...as low as $150 if you look (but check the specs, as they are not all created equal).
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777803 - 07/06/07 09:15 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: miroslav]
|
Monkey Mouse
Senior Member
Registered: 01/30/01
Posts: 391
Loc: Bloomfield, NJ
|
|
Offline
|
|
Monitor prices continue to come down. You can pick up a 22" wide screen LCD for about $300 these days. I had seen a monster 27.5" wide screen (PC) monitor for $600 on costco.com the other day, that is TV size with lots of pixels that TVs do not have.
I have to say that dual monitors 19" or bigger make more sense as they are two separate screens, more usable than one big one.
_________________________
Live 6, Battery 3, Project 5, Atmosphere, Albino 2, Minimoog V, Oddity, Nord 2X, Proteus 2K
***I can't play for sh*t, but I can sequence like a muthaf*ck*r***
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777823 - 07/06/07 11:06 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Monkey Mouse]
|
Bill@Welcome Home Studios
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7343
|
|
Offline
|
|
I don't know... if I was buying today, there are some large format Dell units (I think, 32 ior 37 inches) that are constantly on sale for about $650. I've got quite a bit more than that invested in my three 19"ers.
Bill
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777906 - 07/07/07 09:49 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Bill@Welcome Home Studios]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
Dual monitors no question.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1777946 - 07/07/07 11:39 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: Steevo]
|
Griffinator
10k Club
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 10002
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
LOL! Like I said, though, those monster displays still top out at 1620x1080 native rez - everything's REALLY big, but you don't get enough extra workspace onscreen for the physical space you're sacrificing to have them.
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1782870 - 07/17/07 02:55 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
thanksforhelpethan
Senior Member
Registered: 06/07/06
Posts: 101
Loc: los angeles
|
|
Offline
|
|
duel monitor is sweet no doubt. as for me though I am just using a single 22 inch and I am very used to just hitting ctrl,= to switch between the two main pro tools screens. Sure duel monitors would probally be slightly faster but im so used to it its no big deal and i can still edit lightning fast.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1782918 - 07/17/07 07:22 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: thanksforhelpethan]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
du·el (dl, dy-) KEY
NOUN:
A prearranged, formal combat between two persons, usually fought to settle a point of honor.
A struggle for domination between two contending persons, groups, or ideas.
du·al (dl, dy-) KEY
ADJECTIVE:
Composed of two usually like or complementary parts; double: dual controls for pilot and copilot; a car with dual exhaust pipes.
Having a double character or purpose: a belief in the dual nature of reality.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1782992 - 07/17/07 10:37 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
10k Club
Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12335
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Yeah...but when he's hitting CTRL,= to switch between the two monitors...then it's more like dueling monitors and not dual monitors. 
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1783025 - 07/17/07 12:16 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: miroslav]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
On one big monitor, you need to allocate space for each of the two windows (mix and eidt). With dual monitors there's no duel for space.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1783485 - 07/18/07 10:03 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
NUTT
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 11/13/03
Posts: 2339
Loc: Houston
|
|
Offline
|
|
Now that I'm going to be doing some recording I have to figure out which monitor setup I want to use.
I have a dual 17" lcd setup on my g/f's PC & a 19" widescreen on mine.
I really like the widescreen, but might switch it out for the dual 17's if I find I'm running out of space.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1784075 - 07/19/07 12:52 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: NUTT]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
A duel of duals.....
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1784095 - 07/19/07 01:34 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
10k Club
Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12335
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
NUTT
I think you will get a lot more desktop out of two 17" monitors than one 19" widescreen...
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1784102 - 07/19/07 01:47 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: miroslav]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
Certainly, but it does take more real estate.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1784123 - 07/19/07 02:35 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
10k Club
Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12335
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Talk about real estate....I was running dual 21" CRTs for many years!!!
But you know...from the first day I went to the dual 21" monitors...there was no way in hell I was ever going to be happy without them.
In my studio, I had to keep the dual 21" CRTs off to the side...as there was not enough room (depth) to have them over the console’s meter bridge.
But now...with the two 19" LCD monitors...they fit perfectly on the meter bridge between my two pairs of monitors...and I actually have room to even go up to a pair of 22" LCD monitors (when their prices come down a bit).
So…it’s not much of a real estate issue for me now….the console meter bridge is there whether I use it or not.
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1784179 - 07/19/07 05:10 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: miroslav]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
The beauty of LCD's is they can be mounted on almost anything also. In the smaller room, wall mounts are a good solution as well.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1795784 - 08/14/07 06:24 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
paris
Member
Registered: 08/06/07
Posts: 21
Loc: Kamloops B.C.
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hi Steevo,
I'm running 2 x21 Dells LCD hooked to the G5 with the Digi 002 rack running at 1680 x1050. What you may find when running protools Le the viewing realestate to run your plugs the mixer and the edit window on two decent sized screens its much easier to view it all and is really cool to run your pointer over36 inchs horizontaly from one screen to the next.
I find I am a plug pig and tend to run 8 or more virtual synths, samplers and modules the dual Matched screens work very well.
on the other hand I have a 27" flatscreen with vga , dvi , hdmi, svga and machine gun turrets and ejection seats, although very clear resolution 1280x 768 is too small to effectivley work with protools le and you will find yourself frustrated in no time. A matched set of monitors 20-24 " will suit you needs better and as stated
are really really inexpensive now
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1795920 - 08/15/07 05:22 AM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: paris]
|
audiorulez
Gold Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 548
|
|
Offline
|
|
IMHO for Protools especially 2 monitors is essential. I've worked in some studios that had one big one and I ran out of room PDQ.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1796119 - 08/15/07 01:19 PM
Re: Dual Monitors vs. Large Display?
[Re: audiorulez]
|
Steevo
Gold Member
Registered: 03/01/02
Posts: 558
Loc: Paducah,KY USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Thanks everyone. I'm certain I will go the two monitor route now. This week I did a test. I have a Samsung 46" LCD 1080p screen. I hooked that up at the same distance that I will be working (about 8 feet) In 16 X 9 everything is obviously stretched out wide and in 4 X 3 it looks great but too small at the distance. Long story short ... after an hour my eyes were fried. Looking down to the keyboard and up to the screen kept my eyes focusing back and forth and tired them quickly. Two monitors it is ... size TBD. Thanks all. S.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: FoxTick, Bunny Knutson
|
|
|
Dual large displays! A couple of those Dell 32's or 37's would do it. 
