Does an IO Device Give Me Better Quality than my Computer Output ?

✅ WATCH ME NEXT - How to avoid mistakes connecting an IO device - I've used them ALL!
• How to Avoid Mistakes ...
I'm a colourist with 25 years broadcast experience. Here I'll explain if an IO device really does give me better quality in the grading suite. In around 12 years of using DaVinci Resolve I have used many different cards and boxes so believe me I know! I'll also look at Gamma Shift issues.
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[@theoantoniou7002]

At last! Someone who presents clearly and gives to the point info. A rarity on KZbin. Thank you Darren!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thanks Theo. New episode out in a few hours. Appreciated

[@dukebozikowski3801]

@@DarrenMostyn How do you calibrate your reference monitor? There's so much conflicting info online

[@DarrenMostyn]

@@dukebozikowski3801 I have a Flanders XMP310 so it ha s built in calibration - just plug a probe into it and it sorts it all out. They also offer FREE calibration for life - Just ship back and they return it calibrated. Before this is would pay someone to come in so that I know its correct. I am a colourist - calibration of monitors is its own skillset. This is why you haven't seen me do a video on it!

[@danielbowie]

wow... ive been searching for this explanation for years... thank you!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Sascha-xe2ro]

Darren, you are an absolute legend! Thank you so much for teaching things down to earth understandable and applyable!

[@DarrenMostyn]

You're very welcome!

[@JimRobinson-colors]

Good one Darren. I think this one is going to see a lot of links from the facebook forums. I have personally tried to explain this in a comment box, and it is not that easy to do. I will again be now linking to this for the explanation. Given Newton's Law - every action has a reaction equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The thinking of people that it doesn't matter if their monitor is calibrated, because most people are using uncalibrated monitors, I usually point out that if your monitor is not calibrated, and it shows with too much blue ( common problem ) that you, as a colorist will look at it to make decisions, and push yellow into it to compensate the blue. Which is what you said about cool or warm etc. But the part that I add, is if the end user has a monitor that is uncalibrated and is already too yellow - all the yellow that you put into the grade is going to multiply and make that person see your video as a "screen of urine". So the closer people are to the expected target, means that any direction that their monitor is off, will be the maximum it will be off, ( if the colourist display is calibrated). And will look as good as any pro video for color rendition. Now I have to go watch your other one. Great job on this, explaining something that is confusing for a lot of people. The gamma part of it for Mac users alone is worth the investment. It is by far the most frequent question the Davinci Resolve User Group. Pretty much everyday. To anyone reading - the I-O box fixes this problem. The mac gamma issue is the OS not knowing or displaying incorrectly. Thanks Darren.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thank Jim as always. Good to hear from you and yes, that was kind of my point when I mention that it leaves here as best it can before it reaches "my dad's TV" where it could look anything...but it least it had the best chance from here! Hope you are well. Darren

[@_carsonjones]

You do good work and make the world a better place. Keep on keeping on and thanks.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thank you - thats really kind message - made my easter Sunday!

[@ray.watts-35]

Two very interesting videos today. Thanks Darren.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thanks Ray. Appreciated as ever.

[@kirkmanjames]

Great Video! So happy I stumbled across your channel.. Subscribed!

[@Mirco.Iannelli]

Hey Darren, thanks for sharing this. I was wondering, would you ever consider creating a video showing how to calibrate monitors, including the best tools to use? Thanks

[@DarrenMostyn]

No. I get mine calibrated by professionals.

[@glebv]

Thanks for the explanation, Darren. I was hoping you'd elaborate on what types of interference/inaccuracies the GPU/OS level processing introduces exactly? And is the GPU-level signal necessarily inaccurate or just potentially? If I set things up correctly in the OS can I negate that or the IO box is absolutely the only way? Thanks!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Hi Gleb. You can get it close enough to not worry too much, but it is simply not as accurate - thats it. Not sure how to say how much....too many GPU/OS permutations to consider but an IO box eliminates ALL those permutations.

[@glebv]

@@DarrenMostyn Thanks for the reply! And you're right, there a whole bunch of variables, unfortunately. Maybe an idea for some future content piece: how to set up your system correctly to avoid introducing unnecessary shifts. Maybe just the basics, to cover most common stuff. While the advantages of the IO device are undeniable - I'm sure many still don't have one and would be happy to at least "get it close enough" until they do. Also, I'm just curious about the science of it all :) Anyway, thanks again.

[@FrancescoCarucci]

@@DarrenMostyn Can you tell us exactly what permutations does a GPU perform? I'm a GPU Engineer and I've never encountered this. The signal you get out of the thunderbolt cable to the I/O device is a digital image that was calculated by the GPU.

[@_burd]

@@FrancescoCarucci This is something that I've always wanted to see- to get the output signal from both an io device and a modern GPU (outputting at least a full 10bit signal) under a good set of scopes to see if there is actually deviation. Certainly years ago when signals were exclusively 8bit the case could be made against GPU video our accuracy, but the advice seems to have become de facto in colourist circles now without much hard scientific reasoning. Especially now that they are almost all capable of pushing a 12bit signal themselves if configured properly. 🤔

[@sanaksanandan]

@@_burd I saw someone comparing both, and there is a slight difference, like the contrast etc. And for KZbin and other digital content, it is not a big difference, and totally fine to do it with GPU. Broadcast and film are different markets and need the IO output. I think calibrated monitor is more important.

[@brNL_sp]

Hey Darren, great vid again :) Maybe I missed it, but I wondered at some point why you would get something more expensive than a simple Mini Monitor with an SDI output if you don't need more than a signal going into the calibrated screen. Even using hardware scopes, those always have an output so you can daisy chain it forward to the screen. I see you have the Ultra Studio with the little screen on it, which looks great in the suite and I believe it has more inputs/outputs. But if your setup is only for color grading, without any capture/recording going on externally, would you say there's a point in getting more than a Mini Monitor 4K?

[@DarrenMostyn]

Good question. We have mini monitor 4K as well as the extreme rack mount. I have SDI and HDMI coming out all the time but also XLR audio output. It also can be connected via PCI extension card and it is rack mounted which fits our studio set up. But yes, no real advantage over that - same quality of signal. Hope that helps.

[@JeremiahBostwick]

My big "problem" if we want to call it that is that unfortunately even top end Extreme's only have a single HDMI output. So if you want multiple monitors to go through the I/O interface, then you'd have to buy multiple interfaces. The only "other" way is to try and find grading monitors that have SDI. Unfortunately I have found ZERO grading monitors that cost less than $5000 that even have an SDI connection. The other displays people are using in place of a "true grading monitor" like the LG C2, or ASUS ProArt series (PA32UCG-K) or LG (27EP950-B), more or less all LG display in general, Benq, etc also don't have SDI. Even $2000 Eizo monitors don't have SDI (you must spend $30,000 for that feature on the CG3146). And bottom end monitors from FSI don't make sense. (Also Apple's own monitors can't even be considered because they can't be image managed with their Thunderbolt only connections). Is there something here I'm not seeing? What SDI monitors exist that don't cost more than my camera that I can use to grade with? Or are there SDI to DP/HDMI converters that won't mess with the signal that are also viable options?

[@johnmathews1004]

Hello! I've been researching this same topic to no avail. Have you found any solutions? Thanks!

[@christykail3314]

Blackmagic do cheap SDI to HDMI converters, or you can use little HDMI splitters.

[@refraag]

wow i had no idea these existed or what they did but i like how you explained it in such away anyone can understand

[@DarrenMostyn]

Glad it helped my friend!

[@lombardy3274]

Great stuff Darren. Am I right in saying that enabling the Mac color profile option for viewers maintains consistency between the Resolve GUI and Mac GUI environments i.e. there will be no gamma shift between the Resolve viewer and the Mac viewer (like QuickTime)? However, am I also right in saying this would not address the gamma shift when viewing in other environments (like on the web for example, which uses a different gamma compared to the Mac GUI)? Basically, we are relying on vendors (KZbin, Vimeo etc.) to implement a tagging system that recognises/adapts the output to account for differences in Mac GUI gamma?

[@akyhne]

My guess is, you need to use an I/O device, to bypass the operating system's color management? Also because computers works with a color range from 0-255, while a TV works with 16-235? So by using e.g. an Intensity Pro 4K, the signal goes directly from DR, via the PCI slot to the card, and out through the HDMI of the card. But couldn't I just make a calibrated profile on my PC for my TV? The TV is already calibrated, and then use a software, like DisplayCAL, to calibrate the TV to the GPU and OS?

[@hom_iey]

You are the best at this.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thanks Nali. Trying my best. Enjoy the rest of the channel! Darren

[@phalanxfilmco]

Quick question about clean feed in Resolve! On, say, a MacBook Pro -- is the clean feed actually clean, or is it subject to ColorSync? I have the MacBook Pro 14" XDR. I can think of two scenarios: 1) External calibrated display (e.g., BenQ, ProArt, etc.) used as clean feed monitor via HDMI feed with laptop display (or another external display) being used to run the GUI. In this case, is the HDMI output getting managed by ColorSync, or is it in fact a true clean feed? 2) My current situation, which is a 27" non-calibrated monitor used to run the GUI and the clean feed being monitored on the MacBook Pro screen. The XDR Macs have "reference modes" built in (supposedly factory calibrated by Apple) including a BT.1886 preset. In this scenario, do you know if the "clean feed" going to the laptop display (set to BT.1886) is actually clean, or is the laptop display always managed by ColorSync?

[@Userrr1982]

I am also interested in this question

[@RanjanSharma2001]

My present understanding is that If you're sending the feed via Blackmagic hardware (e.g., an UltraStudio), the signal from Resolve bypasses macOS' ColorSync entirely & reaches the I/O device. In this setup, the external display receives a true, non color managed clean feed directly from DaVinci Resolve, which is ideal for accurate color grading. If you're using macOS' system HDMI output (e.g., an HDMI adapter directly from your MacBook Pro), the signal from Resolve will pass through macOS' ColorSync. This means the output is NOT a true clean feed and will be subject to system-level color management, which could compromise the accuracy of your grading. IN nutshell Clean Feed is not really clean unless its using BMD hardware to bypass the graphic card's (GPU) signal. Hope @Darren Mostyn could pitch in with more details on this confusion.

[@koushikbhattacharya832]

Thank u sir for sharing these valuable information ♥️

[@DarrenMostyn]

It's my pleasure Koushik! Thanks for watching my channel.

[@valdastomkus2353]

so putting aside 8/10 bit graphic cards. Whats real difference? color management can be turned of. Plus all video will be rendered on a graphics card before being displayed on monitor. Even if you use IO device. It looks like extra step without a real support.

[@DarrenMostyn]

The video explains the difference. Thanks

[@HISPEKK]

Do the more expensive IO devises give a better quality output than the cheap mini device. Thanks for the great Video.

[@Tapehead1]

Great info. Thanks

[@garybarnett893]

Hi Darren, keep up the fantastic work. It has helped me immensely! I’m considering the UltraStudio 4K Mini. I use a Mac Studio to edit and grade. Would you recommend running my audio through the 4K Mini and then out to speakers/headphones (there are no XLR outputs on the Mini), or would it be better to continue to run my audio through my USB mixer, and then out to my XLR speakers/headphones? Essentially the Mini would then be to get only video to my color grading monitor.

[@gkochanowsky]

Interesting. Something to think on. Thank You.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Very welcome

[@outdoorsinontario3037]

Interesting… gunna need to look into this

[@DarrenMostyn]

no brainer!

[@ciloeis]

Question: So the I/O device is just for monitoring? The connected monitor can not be used as a dual monitor right?

[@DarrenMostyn]

correct

[@ciloeis]

@@DarrenMostyn thanks!

[@pablovi77]

Can you use the deck link HD monitor or the deck link 4K monitor, it’s a simple PCIE card with two outputs, HDMI and SDI.

[@DarrenMostyn]

yes

[@pablovi77]

@@DarrenMostyn Thanks!

[@DavidJoe-tc1gn]

Great video, I not sure if you have made video about it. But it would be nice if you can go over monitors, best beginner to advanced calibrated monitors to purchase.

[@richvisionproductionsltd4665]

Hi Darren, great video once again! Very informative! I was wondering the new resolve update, they have moved the power window outline from the view tab, to be able to turn it off, any idea if they have moved it elsewhere please?

[@MePeterNicholls]

Finally got a ultrastudio 4K mini today! Running with a lg C3 OLED. Got the calibration coming tomorrow. (Mini grading surface). So going to get all set up with resolve studio on Mac Studio M2 Ultra. Got a 27” studio display and 27” retina iMac as dual monitor set up. Now the question is: how do I set it all up?!!! And settings 😩

[@Photofoxchannel]

Hi Darren! Is there a way to connect Sony A7III to this device and transfer my recorded video into PC? My goal is recording video from camera directly to my PC and then transfer this uncompressed file to the server. Thank you!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Yes, but I dont know how. Speak to a reseller or Blackmagic please. Good luck

[@BieuvilleJeanBaptiste]

The value of your vidéo is a game changer for me! So nice!!!!! Thx a lot. I'm wondering, How do you calibrate your monitor for an I/O device? As you worked on Davinci WG, do you need to calibrate in a special color space? I usualy work with my monitor calibrate in rec709, but I'm not sure if it is a good idea! By the way, my monitor is an CG279x and it is an hardware calibration monitor :)

[@DarrenMostyn]

my monitors calibtae to REC 709 2.4 (unless Im HDR/P3) but I use a CST before the output to take me from DWG to 709 so it displays correctly on my monitor.

[@BieuvilleJeanBaptiste]

@@DarrenMostyn thank you very much for sharing 🙏, It makes complete sens!

[@FLYTEFX]

Thanks for this clear explanation. Does this still apply with more powerful GPUs, like that included in the new MacBook Pro M4 Max? TIA!

[@ryanpaulretouch]

Thanks Darren, great video. Is your GUI monitor coming from the I/O or directly from the computer?

[@DarrenMostyn]

The gui cones direct from computer

[@brunogoncalvesvisuals]

Hey Darren, excelent work explaining this. I've been wondering for a long time if it was worth buying one IO device. But now I wonder: if I color grade on a calibrated monitor connected to an IO to get the best color accuracy possible, when exporting with a GPU isn't it bad because the GPU might give inacurate colors? And why aren't graphic cards so color accurate as these IO devices?

[@HikingWithCooper]

I hope he elaborates on this a bit. If the GPU does throw the colors on export, what would be the point of having the IO accuracy? Maybe grading AND exporting via the gpu compounds the issue?

[@qiyuxuan9437]

I dont think the gpu rendering will affect color at all. Because unlike gpu output to monitor, the rendering proress does not account for the system color management. For monitor that support hardware calibrating paired with 10bit output gpu, by disable or use an empty color profile in the os it should have the same quality as an io device.

[@rollvideo]

Speaking of calibration. As an amateur/beginner I looked into calibrating my Apple Studio Display. I don't have the colour checker device that floats over your display to take measurements. After discovering that these can cost $A260 to $600 I wondered if these cheaper devices are any good? The Spectroradiometer from Photo Research Inc is $US14,000. Do people do display calibration for a fee?

[@DarrenMostyn]

Yes you can get a pro in to do it for you. they will usuallly have a more expensive probe and a good understanding of how to do it.

[@justindingle]

Thank you!

[@FeitoPorMim]

Hi Darren. Great video. Does this mean that an I/O device such as the BM UltraStudio Monitor also reduces the burden on the host machine, since it bypasses its GPU? Also, if one is monitoring in a 2K (QHD) display, does an I/O monitoring device still add a worthwhile advantage, even with the scaling problems associated? Thanks

[@skofjanbejta4103]

Hello, I would like to ask you and would really appreciate it if you replied, I am a film editor and colourist and was wondering how can work I work remotely in live sessions with clients without the compromises of zoom's screen sharing since it does heavy compression on the image. I am asking you what is your solution for this because I have noticed that the quality of your streams is very good. Do you use the ultrastudio 4k for capturing or you are using something else, if so could I for example use the hdmi in port inputing the hdmi out signal of my reference monitor that is coming from davinci resolve and set it up in zoom as if it were a virtual camera so that the clients would have a better looking reference image through zoom or any other app ?

[@StefanNitzsche]

Dear Darren, why would one choose a 4K Mini over a 4K Extreme 3 (other than the price). I am thinking about getting one and I really don’t know how to decide. It’s not a mobile setup, it’s my editing suite at home. What are the main differences? What can the Extreme do what the Mini can’t? 🥺 Please help! 🙏🏼

[@DarrenMostyn]

Its kind of covered in this video, but its no quality difference - simply amount of inputs and outputs.

[@rodprod8522]

This is great! can you recommend some budget/mid-range and high end output monitors? (if you could recommend calibration software too that would be amazing)

[@DarrenMostyn]

Hi. I might do an episode on that soon, but without having them all here its very hard to be honest and I can only recommend what I use either here or in other facilities where I have worked. here we have Flanders DM250 OLED and Asus proArt UCG and Panasonic GZ2000. All great monitors.

[@rodprod8522]

@@DarrenMostyn many thanks

[@cruzmurillo9598]

Hello Darren, been learning tons from your videos. Thanks for always posting videos and giving pro tips. Just to confirm, you’re saying that using an IO device can help with Mac gamma shift issue as long as I have a hero monitor that is calibrated? Been struggling with how Davinci shows one thing but then when I export the video off my Mac computer, it looks different.

[@ramoncastillo532]

if you are planning on uploading your video on youtube you need to use 709-A gamma and also do what the video says in 4:57 check the "Use Mac display color profiles for viewers"

[@verebellus]

I/O devices also allows for HDR monitoring, which isnt supported in DaVinci Resolve using GPU, now my gpu is capable of HDR, 10bit and high bandwidth so i wish blackmagic were to allow HDR monitoring over GPU but alas, im getting an I/O card anyway (technically only an O card lol)

[@billycrowe4501]

would you now use the blackmagic media player 10g?

[@giorgiodistefano1499]

Hi Darren, thanks for the really comprehensive video. Do you know if it also works as a sound card with macosx?

[@Tyga-gf5dp]

Hi Darren....is there a way to calibrate the big sceen TV i see you have the Big Screen TV on your set up...i have 55" SONY HDR TV can do HDR 10 and HLG

[@marcofazio7342]

Hi Darren, your video is the best information on the net about I/O devices. OI have one question about the Blackmagic Ultrastudio range; as I use an Atomos Sumo 19E for production on set, I would like to utilise it also as a reference monitor for my video editing with DVR. Since the Sumo has HDR capabilities, I wonder if the smallest Ultrastudio model, the little Monitor 3G, allows me to achieve HDR when connected with it. I understand that the 4K Mini or Extreme give more outputs and functionalities. However, as money matters, if the Monitor 3G box is sufficient for that purpose, it would be the best option for me. Thank you for helping and keep up with the great videos!!! Marco

[@DarrenMostyn]

The 3g small io does not support HDR over hdmi to the best of my knowledge. Its old hdmi spec. Pls check with bmd support.

[@RanjanSharma2001]

@@DarrenMostyn Ultrastudio Monitor 3g indeed does support HDR on HDMI 2.0 upto 1080p 60fps & upto 2k 60fps with SDI output as per the specifications on BMD product page.

[@DarrenMostyn]

@@RanjanSharma2001 OK, I dont know every spec of BMD range - i only know what my kit does. Thanks for helping here as I dont have this kit.

[@AdNessTv]

Gréât vidéo like always very good explains like no one other!! so happy I find your Chanel 😍💪🏻

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thank you - very kind!! More to watch here kzbin.info/aero/PL6VNHhfsVYJacf4vtTgAyDUx9sW9pxONP

[@AdNessTv]

@@DarrenMostyn Tnx I already watched all of them 😂😂 I follow you over weeks now and I think you are my most watched video list 😊 I love how you bring stuff together well

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thnk youso much - really appreciated.

[@martinclay7557]

Thanks Darren great video. Am I right in saying the clean feed is only available in the studio version?

[@DarrenMostyn]

Yes Martin. I really should have mentioned that - never thought about it!! Makes Studio worth it even more now!

[@harpenfluit]

Thank you for this explanation. One question, when I set my Nvidia driver to “Override to reference mode” and output to 10-bit. Wil it not be the same? My Dell display has an internal LUT and is calibrated with i1Display Pro. I don’t see the benefit for these cards in my situation.

[@starky497]

Thanks for this clear and useful video. I want to use Ipad pro m4 in Reference Mode with Resolve, either using resolve on the ipad looking at the viewer, using the ipad as an external monitor via clean feed, or feeding a calibrated display from the ipad’s thunderbolt connector is accurate enough for sdr grading to rec709? Or does the m4 gpu introduce the same issues that means it could not be regarded as being properly colour managed.

[@Alexie]

Hi thank you for this video! I am new to this and still a bit confused and have 2 questions. I bought a Blackmagic UltraStudio Monitor 3G recently and realized I don't have a lightning port on my PC! (Windows desktop) I now learned that i can install a BMD DeckLink Mini Monitor HD into my PC and connect it to my monitor via HDMI. Is that true? Would that give the same effect? Do I need two monitors? One to edit in Davinci and another simply as video output? Or can I just use one monitor for both? I would honestly prefer using 1 monitor if possible. Thank you in advance!

[@DarrenMostyn]

decklink card will work in your PC yes. Watch this video for answer to your second question. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a324YqtrpqeGlbM Thanks

[@mirality2464]

Thank you very much, Darren! Q: If my clients EXCLUSIVELY deliver content to WEB, do I need an IO device? Bonus Q: Is gamma 2.2 and sRGB ok for my timeline color setup in DR ? No broadcast or cinema delivery.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Hi. No-one NEEDS an IO but it will always give you best results. Yes gamma 2.2 or sRGB is good for delivery to web...but your monitor needs to be calibrated to that spec too. if your monitor is Gamma 2.4 then you can adjust that using colour management conversion. Hope that helps.

[@mirality2464]

@@DarrenMostyn Yes, it helps. Thanks. I had a DeckLink PCI card from BMD and the cooler from it was extremely noisy. I didn't see a difference from 10bit Nvidia DP output, so I drop the IO device. But you are right about clean video feed.

[@GlennUpgraded]

@@DarrenMostynI have an Asus ProArt PA278QV and a Mac Mini M1. The monitor can adjust gamma to 2.2 and 2.4, rec709 and srgb. I would like to ask in color management and monitor settings, what are the best settings for web delivery?

[@DarrenMostyn]

Yres those settings are correct for web delivery if your monitor is set to same. IO box still gives you the extra reassurance of colour accuracy even for 2.2/srgb

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@laniakeasupercluster4606]

What is your large monitor ? Make/Model? I’ve noticed many KZbinrs give you the talk on getting the best ‘whatever’ , but are very cagey on telling you (giving specifics) on what equipment they’re using! lol

[@DarrenMostyn]

Nothing cagey here - every nut and bolt covered! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYXNep2NhLiWf6s

[@shinysyko982]

hello Darren , i hope you are doing well, my question is , can i use ultra studio monitor 4g with my mac mini?

[@Niberspace]

It worries me that it's so calibration-dependent. My QD-OLED TV is very hard to calibrate, the results just aren't good. Some sources say it's because the QD technology can't be correctly read by the color calibrators for some reason. I even made 3 exactly same calibrations in a row only to find they all said different measurements.

[@qiyuxuan9437]

Have you set oled option in your calibration software before calibrating?

[@IamColt13]

So it’s used to color correct properly? I just inherited a 4k extreme but idk what to use it for ! Lol

[@MojoPapiFPV]

Are you bypassing the GPU or the OS color management (Apple's Color Sync)? If you're bypassing the GPU you would take a significant performance hit. Even worst that all these devices only offer 1080p, 2k and 4k which are all not optimized for Mac's scaling. There is a very visible latency for example if you're working on a 4k monitor directly connected to a Mac, and I can't imagine a dongle is going to alleviate that. Usually for OSX you're better off running 2.5k or 5k to optimize responsiveness and sharpness but it doesn't seem any of those BM products support those resolutions. Would you be able to clarify on this?

[@MojoPapiFPV]

Maybe this is the case - there is noticeable lag between your laptop and your displays at the end when you see the wide shot in the video demonstrating the power window.

[@Tyga-gf5dp]

And how to you get the your Scope monitor to display the 3 display at the bottom of that screen? What setting is that in..that in the Scope setting if you assign the scope on seperate monito?

[@jedltrecolorist10]

Hi Darren, quick question. Can I still use an I/O device even if I only use 1 monitor or does it have to be at least 2?

[@DarrenMostyn]

works with one monitor - thats how I use it

[@RobIncFilms]

Hi Darren, great video!!! I know that you had mentioned in one of your post replies on KZbin that you get your pro monitor professionally calibrated. I was just wondering about the screen calibration process...would it not be important to rather calibrate the internal screen colour profile (the actual manufactures screen firmware ICC colour profile) as opposed to using a third party colorimeter for screen calibration as the ICC colourspace is saved in the OS software display driver for your graphics card. Because when when utilising a I/O device the video feed will bypass the GPU and calibrated ICC colourspace profile created by the third party calibrating software? Is this correct? Hopefully, I'm making sense in asking this question...

[@HikingWithCooper]

I wonder the same thing. If we're storing our calibration profile in the computer but the I/O tells the monitor to ignore the computer, what does calibration do?

[@christykail3314]

@@HikingWithCooper calibrating the ICC profile has no effect on the IO box. If you're calibrating a reference monitor you need to calibrate it directly, not through your computer's operating system. A calibrated monitor will always be calibrated, no matter what device you plug it into.

[@RobIncFilms]

@@christykail3314 thanks for the clarification - makes perfect sense that the I/O device would bypass the computer OS color profile altogether, otherwise it would defeat the purpose of utilizing the I/O device in the first place, and that a calibrated monitor would need to have a built-in hardware calibration setup for an accurate color display.

[@todorvassilev8592]

How can you calibrate a monitor when bypassing the gpu, do I use ICC profile or what. Can I use regular computer monitor or do I need special one that is already calibrated. I'm using MacBook Pro with M1 and have the 3g ultra studio monitor. I have external monitor BenQ PD2700. I was able to connect the monitor to the laptop through the ultra studio, but the part with calibration Im missing. On other channels poeple use DisplayCAL but there is no new version that run on Sonoma. Calman software is too expensive. I'm very confused on this part.

[@sandbarfilms1340]

Looking at the 4k ultra studio mini. If I want to have a client monitor in addition to my main monitor, can I use the IO device for two monitors at the same time (LG OLED for client, Asus PA32DC for my main). If so, can I also convert sdi to HDMI and still have HDR? Love the videos, been helping me a lot as I upgrade my office!

[@LaplantFilm]

Got a LG OLED C2 42‘‘ and it is not possible to calibrate it because the internal pattern generator does not work properly. Would cost a lot more to calibrate until they fix it. And a lot mir knowledge to do it correctly.

[@superangrysnowman5869]

If you do a calibright calibration of your monitor and that setting is in the Windows OS, Is that as good as using a calibrated monitor through an IO device?

[@michaelmazzen]

Great Video Coming from a retouching background I fully appreciate the importance of a hiq color pipeline I EXCLUSIVELY deliver content to Web So, whats your take on that? Ill use my Eizo Cg's set to rec709 or sRGB GUI or cleanfeed and do a reality check with a 3rd pipe to a tablet via USB feed It works ok Also, I never understood why you would monitor with rec709 gamma when delivery is sRGB? Maybe a Video about grading for web;)? Love your videos :))

[@mirality2464]

Same situation for me, Michael. I use an EIZO CG248 4K monitor st to sRGB an gamma 2.2. Gamma 2.4 is too dark for web content. I hope Darren will ask our questions

[@DarrenMostyn]

Even at Gamma 2.2 the video signal from an IO will be better because the feed is more accurate. if your calibrated 2.2 and feed it true signal is going to better than looking from GUI or GPU "Clean feed" You can get very accurate if you know how to set it up well and test your workflows thoroughly. Hope that helps. And thanks for the kind words!! Appreciated.

[@507318]

@@DarrenMostyn I’m trying to understand for a long time if it makes sense of buying I/O box for mac. As we always deal with gamma and saturation shift when using gamma 2.4 for export because of tag 1.2.1. And when we use rec709-A export looks exactly the same as viewer (gamma tag 1.1.1). I haven’t got any clear answer from blackmagic, maybe you can help me…

[@dicoloristadeepoberoi6101]

Hi Darren, how are you. I always like your videos. For my mac m1 I want to use an oled c-2 as my reference monitor. Which blackmagic io would be the ideal for 4K. I only need 2 monitors so the extreme would be an overkill.

[@selvafria4150]

Hi, I have a question on i/o device for an external monitor in HDMI. The ultra studio monitor 3G via hdmi output allows 1080 25p for exemple. How much does it allow in horizontal definition ? Up to 1980, or it could go to 2048 ? For example if I have a 2048x858 timeline, or 1998x1080 how will it affect the image ? Will he read it correctly ? It's possible to output also the definition of the external monitor, and in that case is it better to use a WQHD monitor over a UHD ? Otherwise, I understand that the ultra studio 4k mini is a better option for 2k and 4k, but wanted to know what are the max capacities of the studio monitor 3G Thanks

[@raguellagrande7344]

Is a calibrated monitor a special type of monitor? Or just gets some adjustments?

[@DarrenMostyn]

it is a specific monitor that CAN be adjusted to a good tolerance level and measured.

[@HikingWithCooper]

Pardon my color illiteracy but if you calibrate a monitor with a gpu signal, wouldn't it then be accurate? So if the gpu throws green off by 3% then wouldn't calibrating it throw it back that same 3%? Because what really matters (as I understand) is what is coming out of the monitor. Maybe this 3% is compounded upon final export? Yes, this is me trying to justify buying an IO device LOL.

[@DarrenMostyn]

no. if you calibrate an incorrect signal then you are compensating. so that will be in the delivered signal. the difference may only be tiny if at all, but the IO box bypasses this issue.

[@jpbrochu5129]

Do you get any kind of performance improvement when using an I/o box like the UltraStudio 4K Mini ? Does it take some load off the system ?

[@hanna_m_issa]

Thanks for this Video! I am already a subscriber :) I have a stupid question, i bought an (Ultrastudio Monitor 3G) but my Pc has no Thunderbolt connction! 😅 i totally forgot to check it. Can i make it works with a Displayport to Thunderbolt 3 Cable? or i have to buy a Thunderbolt 3 PCIe AIC? Greetings from Vienna!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Not sure tbh. Check with Blackmagic Support. Sorry cant give honest advice.

[@deadnid]

Do the BM Ultrastudio boxes appear as a separate display on Windows? Or it only appears inside of DR, Premiere and the likes? So is it possible to use it as a Windows extended desktop output?

[@beretta0222]

No They don’t. They only appear in your DR, FCP, Premiere as your IO device.

[@_agp_53]

Hey Darren ... maybe you heard this question a mot, but is there an alternative, because i have no Thunderbolt on my PC and i want a device like UltraStudio 4K, no cards. Thanks for a short info. Blessings.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Yes they do deckling PCI cards. Same performance just on a PCI card. Enjoy!

[@ArielBrener]

Thanks for another great video. Correct me if im wrong but IO video cards are limited to standard video resolutions - so if im working on a sequence with 1:1 aspect ratio - or just any other composition resolution in AE for example - there will be no signal comming to the monitor from the IO device. - I work a lot on after effects and this has always been an issue for me - so I swiched back to working with Adobes mecury playback engine - that can show any resoluiton and aspect ratio.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Hi Aerial. Not true - I can display 1:1 on my external monitor via my Ultrastudio 4K Extreme 3. Im doing it right now just to be sure!

[@DavidMorgan-f1i]

Hi Darren. you did a video on the use of Oni scopes and mentioned you use a separate computer and monitor for you scopes. could you actually go in depth how you set up your scopes computer and scopes monitor .do you need a copy of davinci on your scopes computer and hooked up through your io device and how you sync DaVinci on the 2 computers etc. your help with this would be highly appreciated thanks buddy

[@DarrenMostyn]

Hi . I feed a seperate feed from my IO biox (ultrastudio 4K) to my omnisciopes. All covered in this episode.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYXNep2NhLiWf6s

[@callmeruberto]

Can you live grade in resolve using an I/O device

[@mitchelpou]

Hello Darren! 😀 I have the intention of using an LG C3 as my main and only desktop monitor. I've calibrate it in Filmmaker Mode… But now, when I connect the Mac to the IO device, and this one to the LG, I only see the Resolve image in Full Screen, and not the user interface and all the controls… And I've tried to arrange it in the Workspace Menu, but I couldn't. Any advice? (*Thanks for all your priceless help 💕💕)

[@DarrenMostyn]

the IO is there to bypass the GUI. You wont see anything but video output, no interface. To see the interface connect a monitor to your mac and then you'll see both side by side, 1 GUI and 1 FULL video signal output. Hope that helps.

[@mitchelpou]

​@@DarrenMostyn so if I just want to have 1 screen in my desk, having the LG previously calibrated, can I connect it directly to the Mac Studio (without any IO), and still have the colors calibrated, or the software will mess it up…? 😕

[@HikingWithCooper]

@@mitchelpou If you don't use the I/O, you're seeing what your gpu is sending out and not a clean signal.

[@HikingWithCooper]

I’m considering picking up an UltraStudio 4k mini. I’ve used the decklink 4k and with that I could only get a signal when I’m in Resolve and have manually turned the connection on. It couldn’t be used for just Windows or other programs. Is there a similar limitation with the Ultrastudio? I would LIKE to just use the one monitor for everything…I don’t necessarily need a clean feed monitor.

[@jaykellett7693]

Hey Darren, great content as usual! Do you have any tips on calibrating a broadcast monitor? Mine is looking great but the image on a standard rec709 monitor is too contrasted and saturated, yet everything is set up with Rec 709 Gamma 2.4 on both monitors as well as resolve. Thanks!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Appreciated Jay. I dont have any tutorials on calibration...one day!

[@terryalexander4783]

What are your thoughts on the connecting the Declink Card to a (newish) OLED 4K TV ?

[@HikingWithCooper]

This is a common practice. Some OLEDs (i.e. LG C1, 2, 3) apparently have built-in color bars so you can calibrate it correctly.

[@PedroRemi-g4k]

hello I have a problem I need help I have a Hyperdeck Studio hd pro and I use davinci Resolve studio 18.5 and all the editing that is done in various codecs, Hyperdeck studio pro hd does not playback I've already changed the menu on the recorder and it doesn't playback either. when recording on the recorder itself, there is no problem recording and playing back, externally there is no What could I be doing wrong? thanks

[@leeevans1874]

Could you clear up for me Darren how is the cable from the computer not using the GPU to send/draw out a video signal to an IO box ? Is there a way the operation system can feed out video signal without the GPU being involved ?

[@DarrenMostyn]

the feed to Io box is true signal via cable- the feed via clean feed is a cable too but via the mac. Cable is nothing to do with it.

[@bastienchilloux]

Hey ! Do you know where the "Window Outline" setting has been moved ? I can't find it under the "View" section. Thanks !

[@olmoamato]

Hi Darren, great video as always! I have a question related to a pipeline: 2 output devices from my deklink mini monitor 4K. 1. Eizo CG277 directly from HDMI 2.Panasonic Oled TV from SDI and a BM converter. How can I have a calibrated pipeline? Lut in the BMconverter and just calibrated Eizo is correct? My problem is when I put a LUT in the output in the DR settings is automatically applied to all the output signals from the BM decklink. I hope my question is clear enough. Thanks in advance for your help!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Thanks Olmo. Yes, Out in BMConverter and calibrate EIZO internally on monitor is one way OR you would need a LUT in the monitor or a LUTBOX post the feed from the IO box and before your monitor. Hope that helps

[@olmoamato]

@@DarrenMostyn Thank you very much Darren!

[@sawariyamotionframes]

Hi Darren.... I have purchased an ultra studio 4k mini... I want to connect my Calibrated Monitor And My Projecter through ultra studio 4k Mini How to connect that.... Ple suggest me thank you

[@MyMimmo61]

Good morning I have the PC workstation in the same room where I have my old LG 65B6V OLED and I would like to use it as a large HDR monitor to check the preview. For this I have been thinking of purchasing the DeckLink Mini Monitor 4K PCI card. My question is: Once I set "Color Managemet>Color Space & Trasnsform" the HDR rating, does the OLED display switch me to HDR? Thank you?

[@pollloxxx]

Hi Darren, i wanna make u a question . I use the "UltraStudioMonitor3G" for a clean signal. But my monitor does not have the ability to load 3D luts to calibrate it, it is a good Pro art 100% Rec709, but it does not have that capacity, maybe it is a slightly old model. And watching your videos, I came up with the idea of connecting a "Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 12G" or a "Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G" after the "UltraStudio3G", to use them as a LUTBOX and be able to calibrate my monitor, since these support LUTs. Because an AJA LUTBOX is very expensive and these converters are affordable. Do you think it's a good idea?, and more importantly, do you think it will work? Or if you can think of any other solution. Thank you very much Darren, excuse my bad english. My computer is an M1 just in case

[@beretta0222]

Hi Darren. Love your videos. I just got Davinci Resolve Studio and UltraStudio 4k Mini. I really like UltraStudio 4k Mini but am suprised that there is no on off power switch. I found workaround by installing smart plugg and controlling the power through my iPhone. Do you ever turn yours off or you just leave it running all the time? Also if I turn it off and leave my windows PC on and I come back later and turn 4k mini on Desktop Video app will not detect it. I would need to reboot the PC in order to make it work again.

[@DarrenMostyn]

All my kit gets turned off. caring for the planet.

[@hdframesproductions4175]

Hi Darren, Sorry I am bit confuse. The Grading Monitor is connected with my MacBook Pro via Blackmagic Ultra Studio Monitor which has only one HDMI output. How I connect my reference monitor? You said it’s better to bypass the Laptop GPU. Sorry if it’s a silly question….

[@DarrenMostyn]

connect your IO box to the mac via thunderbolt. connect the output of the IO (HDMI or SDI) to your monitor inout. Goto your preferences in Resilve and set Video/audio ourput to 'desktop video' . Should work with no problem. hope that helps.

[@hdframesproductions4175]

@@DarrenMostyn Just to confirm we are talking about the Client Monitor (OLED TV), how to connect the Client Monitoring TV?

[@DarrenMostyn]

can you explain your set up ? I dont usually do this kind of support on youtube comments but feeling generous! My IO box has multiple outputs so I can feed my scopes, my ref monitor and my client monitor with three separate cables from one box,

[@DarrenMostyn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYXNep2NhLiWf6s

[@hdframesproductions4175]

@@DarrenMostyn Hi, so kind of you Darren, much appreciated. I have one Ultrastudio Monitor 3G I/O device and it has only one HDMI output which is connected with my Grading Monitor. Now I want to connect my OLED TV as reference monitor with my Macbook Pro laptop. Shall I need another I/O device to connect the OLED TV in order to bypass the laptop GPU? My Grading Monitor and OLED TV has only HDMI inputs.

[@WhiteLadderProductions]

Hi, I am using the Ultra 4k Studio Mini with a Flanders Scientific. Everything looks greate when I am editing, but when I go to export it does not look the same. I am using a Mac computer and Red R3D footage. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong? Maybe export settings?

[@yp118]

Hello Darren, super useful video, as always! A quick question, what are the differences between the Deck link mini monitor and the mini 4K . The video files that i work with are, HD and UHD. Thank you in advance!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Mini monitor is HD only.

[@yp118]

@@DarrenMostyn thank you so much for your time!

[@darkpowerxo]

in davinci resolve i'm unable to view HDR content on my hdr monitor (pq / rec2100 st2084) but i can do this in premier pro: my solution to fix and view the difference i'm talking about is: have a rec2100 st2084 video in premier pro go to: edit: preferences: color:✅ display color management. and my hdr video will go from washed out to normal hdr. I can't do this in davinci resolve. and i'm against the video box. please don't offer it as solution.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Color Space Transform - PRO COLORIST Explains kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaW2c4mBoq2eoLc

[@jbaldsing]

Thank you for the great videos Darren. However I'm a bit confused. Buying an I/O device gives you a better signal by bypassing the gpu and etc but you still need to buy a monitor that's at least pretty good at colour grading (and calibrated) to appreciate and make use of this better signal right?

[@DarrenMostyn]

Correct. No point without a calibrated monitor. But doesnt have to be expensive - i alwYs say get the best monitor you can afford for your business.

[@jbaldsing]

@@DarrenMostyn thank you Darren!

[@Elslawoy]

Hi Daren, thank you for the great content. I admit that I have been thinking about buying one of these devices for several days. I can't grasp the difference. Does UltraStudio 4K Mini supports real-time H.265 encoding! So how does UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 do? What else does it have, apart from more ports? I am also wondering if maybe "Teranex Mini SDI to HDMI 8K HDR" can do the same work for us like it's a converter but whether it will do the capture card work

[@DarrenMostyn]

not much difference except for the IO connections and physical form. Also 4K Extreme has PCIE connectivity aswell as thunderbolt 3. Watch this episode to see differences. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a324YqtrpqeGlbM

[@Elslawoy]

@@DarrenMostyn Many thanks, so I decided on the mini so far maybe in future will be upgraded

[@alimstudy]

So using i/o we cant use our monitor for software or browsing?

[@DarrenMostyn]

yes you use moniotr same as always. This feeds another monitor!

[@XVIIsionsProductions]

Hey Darren! I’ve got some questions. I made some investments into a new FX30 camera, DJI Mini 3 Pro, PC I9-12900k and LG monitor so I can do everything in 10 bit 4k. I really want to up my game this year so I dropped some cash ha I spent hours trying to make sure I get everything that will work well, and obviously better than what I have now but that’s within my budget. The monitor I got is an LG 32” 4K Ultrafine IPS 32UP83A-W which comes calibrated but I bought a calibrator from Spyder. The monitor has hardware calibration but I don’t know how I would go about doing that. Also to my understanding my NVidia 3060Ti can output 10 bit with an update. SOOOO can you perhaps help out with how I could go about calibrating a monitor like this and using the clean feed feature? Would it be worth doing it through the Spyder software and GPU or should I only do a hardware calibration or do I NEED to get an IO, and what IO would I even use in my situation, budget is running thin at this point lmfao Help? 🤷🏻‍♂️ This stuff has gotten a little confusing on what to do to get the best out of what I’ve built lol

[@qiyuxuan9437]

Definally use the monitor hardware calibration, since Windows does not support global color management, and Resolve also does not support windows color management, so using ICC profile from the Spyder software will not affect Resolve. By doing hardware calibration, it will correct your color in every application including resolve. The LG hardware calibration softeare still install an ICC profile to windows, but that is pretty much an empty placeholder profile, the actual calibration lut is stored in the monitor.

[@qiyuxuan9437]

The hardware calibration software is called LG calibration studio, you need to connect the USB cable between your monitor and PC, and you can plug the calibrator to any usb ports on the monitor or PC. For SDR video, you can just choose the rec709 with gamma 2.4. Brightness depends on your ambiant light, usually around 120nits.

[@mantenbrink]

Modern NVIDIA cards can output 10 bpc full RGB signals without YcbCr compression. Wouldn't this be extremely close if not similar to a video signal from the Blackmagic IO device?

[@DarrenMostyn]

yes very likely and the fact you take MAC OS out of the equation. But still not technically as accurate.

[@mantenbrink]

@@DarrenMostyn that's fair, but for me it will be plenty as long as I do colorgrading as an extra with editing jobs

[@DarrenMostyn]

@@mantenbrink all good until its your main business i think

[@apmanti12]

Cool, I have a rtx 2080 ti which supports 10bit thru the display port - will the i/o box improve my viewing accuracy more?

[@puertadlm163]

Do you have a 10bit panel? Those mf expensive. But no the i/o box won't affect that. Yo7 need to calibrate your monitor. Either buy a calibrator or rent one.

[@apmanti12]

@@puertadlm163 yeah my benq monitor supports 10bit, it came with factory calibration but it was over a year, so i def need to re-calibrate

[@yamenhelmy1183]

!وظرظزت ظنظروًًًًط 'ظىًظًًىىوو ظىءتت

[@DarrenMostyn]

Yes, the IO box WILL improve your colour accuracy for the reasons mentioned in this episode. Hope that helps.

[@apmanti12]

@@DarrenMostyn thank you, im getting back to color after a long break, will have to re-watch all your videos to get myself up to date

[@bigdogfilms6836]

If I use the “clean feed” feature to feed a professional calibrated color grading monitor, what are the scopes in Resolve showing me? Wouldn’t they still be representing the viewer within the application interface?

[@DarrenMostyn]

scopes analysing RGB signal internally so not affected by clean feed as this is for output.

[@joeymorelli2511]

Wondering about this...do I need a BMD I/O? I am running a clean feed from my computer (Thunderbolt3 port) to an LG C1 monitor. Cheers Darren :)

[@HikingWithCooper]

If you're using Resolve, yes.