NEC PA231W LCD Review & Video Color Calibration

Full Product Details:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741783-REG/NEC_PA231W_BK_MultiSync_PA23...

Music by:
Red Bennett
http://redbennett.com

and

S. Hillman
Point Dexter Productions
http://www.youtube.com/user/ShaunMacFlow
http://shaun-mac.com

OK, it's not as exciting as a DSLR, but this isn't just any ol computer monitor... it's a color-precise instrument, much like the lenses that you put on that SLR!

Looking back at it's technical marvel, the growth in usage of DSLR's in the last five years has been phenomenal and there's been an explosion of vibrantly colored images using shallow DOF all over the net. So what happens to the photo after it's been taken? Maybe it skips the hassle of color correction all together and gets uploaded straight to Facebook? But a defining factor in what separates the pros from the amateurs is the ability to control the color in the images that we create and it's even more important now than ever since the floodgates to an audience have collapsed thanks to social media.

Enter the NEC display, which is a solution for your post-production, color-critical woes (mine at the very least), and the only way to demonstrate this was through case studies. Here, I mention two video projects where the NEC display has been a dream to use and prevented what could've been a color-full meltdown.

I should note that the NEC display is not a silver bullet (the answer to all your post-production ails) and your results may be influenced by your work environment and your own experience with color management.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NEC
• PA231W
• PA241W
• PA271W
• monitor
• display
• pc
• mac
• photogear
• revelcade
• dune tran
• for closure
• shaun-mac
• red bennett
• color
• calibration
• color management
• video
• color grading
• spectraview ii
• colorimeter
• color calibrator

[roblumba]

The bundled i1 has a filter to match the LCD coating for best color accuracy. If you buy one seperately, it may be the more up-to-date i1, but it will not have a matching filter, so color accuracy would likely suffer.

[banefox]

@roblumba You make a good point. My suggestion to buy a separate calibrator was coming from a cost-benefit standpoint, where you're able to calibrate several monitors of different brands whereas the bundled i1 is only limited to NEC monitors (which I mention in a caption).

[banefox]

@banefox Trying to achieve color accuracy at this price point requires a leap of faith. I can't say for sure that this bundle was just a marketing scheme to buy more NEC product, nor can I say that the i1's accuracy is indisputable. I don't have a resources to do that comparison (yet). I CAN say that it's substantially improved my decisions while color grading, reducing the turnaround time so I can do other things like… answering Youtube comments. Thanks for contributing!

[Odesseygraphics]

Looking into a purchase of this model , a couple of questions please, is there any noticeable AG (anti glare) sparkle to the screen and how about any present gradient banding ? Thanks.

[roblumba]

I know a number of people, including myself, who already own a decent device. I already have a Colormunki. But to use the NEC PA231 with a third-party device and utilize the LUTs, you need to get the Spectraview software ($89). It's only a short amount more in price to get the i1 Colorimeter bundled with the software. From a price standpoint, it makes good sense to get the Spectraview bundle when you consider that you get a better LCD and better color accuracy.

[roblumba]

I've read a number of forum posts where people have shared their experience in using a variety of devices. The consensus is that the NEC bundled i1 is the most accurate due to the matching of the filter on the i1 to the display coating. Also, there are a number of people reporting that the displays that are bundled with Spectraview and the i1 are hand picked to be the better samples of the bunch. So you get a better PA241 and a more accurate colorimeter.

[bandimko]

It comes with 1xDisplayport NOT HDMI!

[lukehildreth]

looks nice

[sitruc08]

Love the enthusiasm! You are continuing to progress. Nice one.