Do you NEED a $30,000 Grading Monitor?

[@Dacaolm]

Me watching this video with $7 in my bank account: 💀

[@susiesanchez9537]

I was like that too until I got in a car wreck and sued lol now I have a Sony a7cii rig and the perfect set up to go with it. Keep hope alive lol 🤣

[@VernardNuncioFields]

One intriguing aspect of my color grading career is navigating the challenge that arises when clients and even colleagues fail to grasp that the final result on their monitor may not accurately reflect the viewing experience on my calibrated color grading monitor. It's a recurring frustration; despite my efforts, each client seems to provide feedback based on the distorted representation they see on their own screens.

[@johnsaxz]

very true that's why i always try not to push the colors just incase

[@SlaughterHausD]

Funny timing on running across your post. I built a new machine using a ProArt motherboard and video card so naturally i got the monitor too. I've had a ProArt 4k PA279CV for almost a year and just saw the 709 option just before watching this. Awesome. I'm thinking about getting a calibration device, not sure which one yet. Thanks for the content.

[@TheNevoguy]

I just realized i watched the entire video with the blue light filter on my phone💀

[@naifalsaeedan5413]

You mean night shift? There’s not such thing on iphones🧐

[@choccymilkyt]

​@@naifalsaeedan5413both android and iOS have it

[@Jeff_Lathrop]

​@naifalsaeedan5413 not everyone uses iphones.

[@garybarnett893]

Great video, and perfect timing for me. My next investment is a reference monitor. You didn’t mention whether you use an I/O device such as the BlackMagic UltraStudio 4K Mini. I’m grading on a new Mac Studio M2 Ultra, and looking at the 4K Mini box plus the monitor I choose. Your view on these I/O devices, and were you using a similar setup when you were grading your example footage? I’m not certain if I will invest in an HDR-capable monitor, as all of my projects are currently SDR 1080P or 4K.

[@willvazquez3218]

This is cool, but I gave up on expensive calibrated monitors years ago. I use an Apple studio display that I have calibrated as best as I can. But I try to match it, so it looks like my iPhone and my MacBook screen. The truth is that whenever I do a project it needs to be approved by my clients at the ad agencies and they’re all using Macs. So no matter how great you calibrate it you need calibrated for a Mac screen. At least I do because that’s how they judge the colors and look of tv spots.

[@dominic81634]

Good comparison but was looking forward to a recommendation of a great middle ground display atht the end.

[@miniatureface]

I’m currently looking for a monitor in this middle ground area. Right now I have my eyes on the BenQ SW321C. Goes for about $1900 US, $2200 with the hardware calibrator. Maybe look into that?

[@joewolf38]

@@miniatureface so many colorist use oled tv, but you have to learn how works the result on LCD TV' :-).

[@dkkeyz8815]

Qaz, I remember years ago you taught me. “Trust your scopes” not always your eyes.

[@Harsh_Da_Great]

You didn't understand him yet, this is just paid promotion to convince audience why color accurate monitors, one should purchase .

[@thefrogman333]

regrade after 709 switch and compare

[@moriszoghby5144]

Yea please do

[@Jeff_Lathrop]

He is...

[@piernicolaarena9361]

do you have any suggestion for a monitor under 1K that would be able to produce acceptable (even if not perfect) results? Something that might be the right compromise for videomakers and filmakers who don't want/are not able to spend thousands on a top-notch monitor?

[@Jeff_Lathrop]

Lg has a great sale right going right now, the have some decent VA panels 32" 4k for $299 ish - lg32ul500

[@digitaldevigner4080]

While I agree I will say I much prefer miniOLED like Apple XDR vs OLED. It only really has one negative and that’s the blooming. For the most part however we can judge contrast for most content and can generally visualize what it would look like if that blooming was not there. Things like star fields are not something we grade typically and most real world material looks very good with the local dimming zones. OLED just does too much to alter the brightness of different shots depending on how many bright pixels are on the screen. Plus the SBL will lower brightness over time to avoid burn in. So if you are looking at a paused timeline to grade a shot it will initially look one way and a minute or two later as you are adjusting the values the display will drop the brightness. It’s a very inconsistent way to work. I personally feel it doesn’t take a lot of effort or imagination to see past the blooming. Of course not having blooming and not having aggressive ABL would be best. I just don’t see it as a reason or excuse for others to not adopt HDR. HDR has really suffered as a format outside of Hollywood because of the elitist attitude towards it. It’s a huge cumbersome format purposely kept vague. The attitude is also it can’t be done without a $30,000 display which is just not true. Of course it’s a great display and if I had $30,000 just sitting around I would love one. I just wish there wasn’t this attitude out there to make blooming look much worse than it actually is. I feel the entire industry greatly over exaggerates how impactful it is on grading just because they hate seeing it. We always see examples of pure white rectangles and pure black or star fields which nobody would ever actually grade.

[@ALucio]

Interesting video. I don't think it's a fair comparison though as the Asus should have been in Rec 709 to start with. My understanding is that the Asus comes with an ICC profile that needs to be used in order to get accurate colours in Standard mode. The problem, (definitely on Windows but pretty sure Davinci handles colour the same on Mac), is that whilst most apps will adjust based on the ICC profile, Davinci ignores this in order to send an untreated signal to the monitor (that hasn't been messed with by the OS display profiles/ICC). The Rec 709 mode takes this un-colour-managed signal and output Rec 709. Whilst Standard mode will only display properly in OS colour-managed apps such as browsers and the OS interface. If my understanding is correct, then: Colour managed app + Standard mode = as accurate as possible based on original colour space Non-colour managed app + Standard mode = overly bright, saturated image Non colour-managed app + Rec 709 mode = Rec 709 image Colour-managed app + Rec 709 mode = dull, desaturated image If this is correct, then photoshop for example should be used in standard mode with the ICC applied, watching a film should also be in Standard mode unless the ICC is disabled. But Davinci, which is not OS colour-managed and therefore ignores the ICC should be in Rec 709 mode. Essentially, the Standard mode should be used when the software is handling the conversion, which is a great feature for consumption as the user doesn't have to worry about which colour space each piece of content uses. It's also great for photography. You can throw AdobeRGB or sRGB into photoshop and it will look correct regardless. It would be difficult to find a still image viewer that is not colour managed nowadays. I may be wrong though but it seems to line up with the conclusion of the video too. There is also a "use Mac display color profiles" option that may skew things too. Whilst the reference monitor is already set for Rec709/2020/HLG or whatever spec/transfer function it handles.

[@mrshaheedmalik]

He's using a Mac though. You are right he was supposed to grade it in Rec709 mode.

[@ALucio]

Yeah you're right. I believe Davinci has the same behaviour on MacOS in that it ignores display profiles by default. I should try on my Macbook when I get home (I usually use my pc)

[@ThomasBeenAnderson]

And how would the ASUS ProArt compare to the $30,000 monitor if you calibrate it to Rec709 2.2 or 2.4 using a Datacolor Spyder X or similar tools?

[@aefilmsweddings]

Yeah I get what he was trying to do by using the 'factory calibrated settings' on both monitors, but I don't think it's surprising to anyone that a $30k monitor is better than a $300 monitor out of the box. I also don't think anyone doing color is just turning the monitor on and running with that. They'd be looking to dial in settings. It'd be more useful to see how far you can go with a well calibrated $300 monitor. Obviously there's no world in which the Pro art is better, but most of us don't have $30k 🤣

[@SlaughterHausD]

I'm not a pro but like having Davinci for personal projects. My ProArt monitor was only $400. No matter what calibration does it still only has 350 nits and 1000:1 contrast. Asus does have a $2000 model that's 1mil:1 contrast but not 1000 nits. I watched another pro colorist earlier who mentioned that 1000 nits (max) was the standard even though you can buy some that are much brighter. I'll probably be ordering one of the calibration devices soon.

[@khaled.alshannan5]

and how about setting the monitor to the DCI-P3 color space instead of the REC709 color space for grading? recently I've been exporting my videos in DCI-P3 and Gamma 2.2 or 2.4 and that's working really good until now but I'm also interested to know if that's what I'm doing makes sense or not

[@Jeff_Lathrop]

If you're delivering to web it's better to set the monitor to srgb or rec 709 and deliver in that format - that is what most people can view on their phones or pc monitors. If you know the playback device the project will be seen on, like a private screening or a theatre - then it makes sense to export in other color spaces for the additional color benefits. If you export 120% rec 709, it may look wierd to people watching on rec 709 monitors. So while you want to see as many colors as possible to edit and adjust things, you will usually deliver in 709 because that is what most people watch web content on. Hopefully that makes sense

[@brianrogers549]

I have a old Ezio CG246 ❤❤❤ the only annoying thing with those is the fan gets a bit noisy. Great Vid Qazi 😎 👍

[@lrnzccn5378]

After leaving thumbs up, a great comment and subscribing to the channel, now I'll try to ask for a favour: any suggestion for a monitor below 1500€, possibly way below, which is good for photography work (as well as video), especially for HDR (HLG) photos? Thanks so much, some alternatives would be also appreciated!! 👍👍👍

[@lennutrajektoor]

It's a pleasure to listen when the master of its craft is telling the wisdoms what to follow. Massive respect.

[@66longinus]

Hi. What do you think of flanders oled monitors ?

[@CartyCantDance]

I found a 10 bit 500nit monitor for less than $200 for Black Friday. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely better than my 10 bit MacBook display or ANY 8 bit monitor. 10 bit and HDR, even on the low end will be an incredible upgrade on your Colorgrading journey. Good luck everyone.

[@SergeyRosinskiy]

And what model of monitor is it ?

[@musanetesakupwanya1050]

It's actually insane the difference. I don't have a grading monitor, and I'm just toying with grading for now... And WOW!! Mine doesn't have a rec709 mode, but hey, I'll use what I have for now. This was an excellent video man!!!

[@COHIBAOFFICIAL]

Could you have got it really close while using scopes?

[@Apple_Ryan]

How about a video showing how you calibrate your monitors? @Waqas Qazi

[@NakeanWickliff]

Did you calibrate the cheap display? That seems unfair if you didn't. I'm not saying the sony isn't miles above but let's start out on an even playing field. The Sony is calibrated before it gets to your door I would assume. What are your thoughts on a C3 OLED 42" TV as a monitor for about $800?

[@tomasgomez1906]

the proart is factory calibrated as well

[@penkatadrums]

I have the ProArt screen but the 24 inch full HD version and I've been pretty happy with it but I'm not a proffesional. I wonder if I get a colorimeter and calibrate it if it will get any better or there's no point in that.

[@VernardNuncioFields]

*This is a great example of watching Dune 2 on the IMAX versus when it's available for streaming at home. Which one do we grade for in the end? I feel it's nice for theater but the masses will watch Dune 2 at home. Which is why there are different grade export encodings upon deliveries. I believe it's only wise to buy a $30k grading monitor when you're on that level of show experience.*

[@sergiosanchez2012]

Films are usally graded on Barco or Christie projectors plugged to the grading suite and then you just review the project a few hours on a regular monitor to quality check and correct for the TV screens. Problem is that streamers doesnt use Sony but Dolby Pulsars that go around $100K and are able to display up to 10,000nits. That´s why game of thrones, house of the dragons and other series with deep low light scenes are unwatchable on regular TV sets.

[@stu9000]

You kind of negated most of your points by switching to rec709 at the end and by not using scopes. With those two changes the differences would be much more negligible. Enjoyed the video though.

[@andrewooleongwei3543]

i can see the difference. i was using the proart 278qv in rec 709 all the way... every time i see you color grading the footage is was amazing. especially that your youtube content. same as i was watching movie standard color.

[@serge_stauffer]

Great. comparison. I wonder how this would come out for Rec.709, if you calibrated the cheaper monitors with DisplayCal out of Resolve (test chart over ip, the signal through your Decklink or what your are using, the monitors in their native color space).

[@lrnzccn5378]

Amazing explanation!!! ❤

[@SamudithaDilshanvc]

Please do in Rec.709 mode and compare..

[@wallnerbrothers]

I would have loved to see the comparison with the better version of the ProArt Display. It’s still 27“ but it is UHD, P3, 400nits, 10 bit. It’s only 200$ more than the display in the video. Still love the comparison.

[@gonzocinema599]

Hello Qazi, could You please make one (or more tutorials) about colorgrading infrared material to black and white. That would be highly interesting.

[@dedarcolor]

Great help This informations are very important thanks man

[@marcusjoelbymosca]

Great video, Qazi! I would like to suggest that you do the same test with the Ipad Pro. I, like some people, have certain limitations when purchasing a color monitor (even an average one, I would say), I'm not even considering a Sony BVM-HX310, especially since , in my country, Brazil, the devaluation of the currency requires me to multiply by 5 or 6 times the amount you pay for the same product in your country, which makes it impossible to think of better developed technical solutions, unless you are a completely established professional associated with or employed within a large post-production house. As Davinci currently allows remote monitoring, and after seeing a video in which the colorist used, side by side, the BVM-HX310 and the Ipad Pro, and praised the Ipad's ability to decently reproduce the spectrum, even in comparison With the Sony, I was encouraged to invest in the iPad and do the grading remotely. Normally I graduate in HDR and use Dolby Vision to tone map for SDR, keeping two gradations at the end (one in HDR, one in SDR). It would be incredible to watch your experience with this combination!! You could make a video with these two products, what do you think?

[@qusayquraishi1607]

My friend Waqas, can you summarize for me what type of screen I should use in order to get a very good result, please? I am lost from the large number of KZbin videos.

[@WindNiksha]

Despite glowing issue on Mac xdr displays they are pretty good solution for color grading. I mean u get HDR capabilities, u can actually work in HDR environment and deliver true HDR content. P3 coverage and 10 bit. Yeah, it is not for high pro industry, but it is already "pro" level. Even if u shoot in low key dimming zones won't bother you too much cuz most video scenarios don't include working with small white stars on black background. Mini led costs 10x less but provides an entry to HDR and wide color range plus it doesnt burn like OLEDs. While u can be "run and gun" cameraman and use MacBook pro for color grading (pls don't curse me for these words :)))

[@sergiosanchez2012]

Well, if you use them out of the box it doesn´t work but if you calibrate your best monitor and then match the others, even by eye you can get very good results. It´s obviously a bad idea to grade anything in an uncalibrated monitor, it doesnt matter if its 300 or 30,000 but what I personally do is, I grade in my suite and then take a reel on a usb and play it back in most TV´s in best buy to check how people is actually going to consume the content. Most times I have to come back and fix stuff for those TVs. Thats something many streamers are not doing and then scratch their heads when users don´t see shit when going from a show masterized on a Dolby Pulsar monitor that can display 1nit of brightness to a cheap consumer screen that needs at least 20 as the lower value.

[@CartyCantDance]

I found a 10 bit 500nit monitor for less than $200 for Black Friday. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely better than my 10 bit MacBook display or ANY 8 bit monitor. Make sure your apple display settings are display P3 for your laptops and External monitors for best results besides setting your display hardware to 709 10 bit and HDR, even on the low end will be an incredible upgrade on your Colorgrading journey. Good luck everyone.

[@robinhood5135]

yo Waqas Qazi what do you think about LG OLED TV`S for vid editing??

[@picxlproductions]

Flanders QD-OLED is 1000 nits, curios your thoughts on it

[@theqazman]

Flanders make exceptional monitors.

[@CarlosPerezFilms]

Amazing video. Thanks for showing this difference about things most people do not have access to. This also helps me to keep my main philosophy which is that monitors, speakers and rooms are constantly “lying to us”. So trust the scopes to “reel you in” to target levels when not having this kind of higher end gear. Im about to ditch my macbook screen and lg monitor to favor a c2/c3 tv for grading (with all of the proper calibrations and steps) . Would you say thats a good compromise at this price-point of $1000/ish new (500-700 used)?? I find that for my taste, monitors are fine in color but i mess things up when the monitors contrast is off. I am a DP thats just getting into streaming/theatrical work and color my own things for now and would love to get things ready for this new step in my career.

[@MePeterNicholls]

Just got a 43” c3 myself and calman at home for LG to xrite Color calibrate it and Blackmagic ultra studio 4K mini. O my managed to get it to 740 nits tho so far. Do I need service remote?

[@DaleBoyce2012]

What a dramatic demonstration. Thank you, Qazi!

[@stonezer.afonso]

What you think about the Asus PA279CV, it's the 4K version which have 10 bit and HDR 10 compatibility but unfortunately maintains the contrast ratio?

[@dabistudio_japan]

Hi there man! I'm a 10 years colorist in Japan. Of course I wish to have a Sony pro monitor but... I can work perfectly well with the Eizo :) and as I'm in Japan Eizo has full service here.

[@shamil150]

I was thinking about buying a benq pd 2506q which costs similar to asus pro art. Unlike pro art it supports hdr10 and it also covers 95% dci p3. What’s your opinion on buying benq. Or should i buy asus?

[@rithwickronaldxess6843]

Both are 8 bit, it’s just that Proart give more accurate colors because of Delta>2 calibration. But for video, 4K 10bit is recommended

[@shamil150]

@@rithwickronaldxess6843 what if I’m grading for social media

[@Visethelegend]

This may explain why last month I sent a footage to a client and said it was way crushed and way too dark, while I was looking at my grade at home and was like, I mean this looks fine to me. I admit I also tend to do darker grades so that didn’t help, but I was still thinking the grade was definitely not crushed

[@aboabeeer9920]

Hi Thank you for your awesome videos I want to ask about the Davince Resolve Course 1. Does the course explain every step ? cause most coaches don't explain every step e.g: They say left this curve and move this but they don't explain why they did that And I'm someone who wants to know what every step does 2. how long do you think will it take me to start coloring my videos 3. Is there any discount soon ? Thanks for your time 🙏🏼

[@MuhammadHasnain708]

Hey If you want to buy his 1000$ course so i had buy his course already and i have available his course in videos so if you want to buy you can buy with me in 200$

[@kentkjrgaardjensen4304]

But most people will consume content on cheap monitors so isnt it better to grade on a cheap one to get the best grade for cheap monitors? At least when it's not a cinema movie. But for KZbin and stuff

[@GeorgeJeffery-y6h]

Hello, I am your Chinese fan. I like your videos very much. Very helpful to me. I want to ask you a question: I have a very limited budget, but I really hope that I can become a professional colorist like you. If you want to buy a monitor, what would you recommend? My budget is about 3,000 RMB. That translates to about $420. Very much looking forward to receiving your reply.

[@sherryedlian3988]

hi qazi，Have you ever posted a video about Scatter before? I want to learn about it.If there were, I would be very grateful to look at.

[@businesstheotakuskitchen9000]

You should do a face off between a calibrated QD-OLED and your reference monitor.

[@soyGigiCarapia]

hey bro what do you think about this BenQ PD3225U?

[@thehonestdude1067]

Love your videos and how it's always No bs Thanks for the info ⚘️

[@iQueHavi]

what about the monitor of the Mac book m3 max? is that reliable?

[@AABB-px8lc]

I suspect it is actually ~2.2 gamma monitor vs ~2.4gamma. BTW, that 2.2(Windows) vs 2.4(TV) correction is so absurd. Very few video players perform it (like MPV)

[@rohinani-lo2ti]

Can anyone summarise the concept by considering & comparing one to one monitor ? 1. ABL 2. Constrast Ratio 3. Nits 4. ....?

[@zZ3R7Oo]

Is there any Budget Monitor for about 1000$ or under 1000$ pricerange that comes near to this sony display i mean i know it will not be comparable but still do you know a display that just comes as near as possible at the pricerange of about 1000$ ??

[@MuhammadHasnain708]

Do You wanna buy his course only in 200$?

[@locofoods]

You should use Magic Bullet Suite.

best comment, this vintage plugins are insane! XD

[@benjamintheadventurer]

Is there a best monitor color profile for editing accuratly on a basic M1 Mac book pro?

[@JaymesMedia]

Rec.709. Part of the title will read hdtv

[@Crimsonland1]

Epic upload bro , awesome!!!

[@B-Moye]

Will people in FCM have access to your toolkit when it launches?

[@mrshaheedmalik]

The Asus ProArt Display PA279CV is the 4k version of the monitor you have.

[@auntiescastle]

Graphics in this video are epic!!! 🔥🔥

[@rezjrprod]

Id be curious to see it on various TV screens side by side where people will actually be watching it.. People won't be watching on calibrated monitors

[@MrCristorc]

Why pro monitors use SDI and HDMI but not Display Port? someone can explain to me?

[@ArthurMuniz-g3n]

very cool content

[@samuelsummers5342]

wouldve been great to see an irl comparison and evidence to back up your claims

[@skyking95]

The people who are professional and in business $30,000 is a lot but they can expense it which of course sure helps which their taxes! A lot of us, unfortunately, are not in the business as full time professionals and can’t expense $30,000 so we are relegated to a cheaper monitor.

[@leeedward1746]

Shouldn't you have calibrated the Asus before grading and comparing?

[@marshalleq]

I take it neither of these monitors were calibrated first. Would be interesting doing the same test after a pre-calibrate.

[@pardeepmeena9515]

God bless you big brother ❤️

[@clausstahl5413]

Ok, but what if you are a small youtuber as I am? Is there ANY good budget friendly monitor out there?

[@watzmaaname]

Asus Proart's or Benq PD series. Choose a model depending on your budget.

[@shivamgalkhe3887]

Now it completely makes sense

[@KeithAvila]

I just edit on my iPhone 7 on a app called rush. It’s better than the Sony HX310

[@shaunbless]

Can you do a day for night with dark skin please? I was wondering with dark skin would you have to key the skin.

[@Yannis96]

Damn bro, I tried doing some of these affects but turns out you need studio😭

[@RobloxianX]

and people think $1300 gaming monitors are overkill at 4K OLED and 240hz

[@BlackburnZ_INDIA]

Benq SW series monitor are good monitors made for color grading for those who can't afford SONY right now. 😊

[@andersistbesser]

Interesting but i am not able to buy a 5000 or a 35000 monitor anyway

[@watzmaaname]

I wish I could get to 500 bud

[@dawoodzafar23]

Color Grading King👑

[@oliviasutherin518]

Or you can just buy a monitor color calibrator like a spider then by 15 more 4090s

[@hrfilms8565]

👍🏽👍🏽valuebale

[@yo_itsjw]

very very interesting.

[@roody9986]

Doesn't the "no scope" actually makes it biased. you are grading half blind.... If someone with the Proart were to grade with all the tools available he would probally do a better job..

[@mystic_2024]

why don't you suggest budget good color grading monitors cause most of us don't have enough budget to buy 30k monitors

[@watzmaaname]

He won't because these videos are meant to market his grading course. 🤷‍♀

[@marcinkupinski2]

AMAZING 🥳🥳🥳

[@Lanes25]

me im still using apple cinemaa display 2004 hahahahahha and its my main monitor

[@dsfs17987]

the only point in using 30000 reference monitor is in context of the equipment the final will be played on, if its IMAX screen, sure, but what if I'm and 99.99999% of the audience sees the stuff on a 150$ desktop monitor or a phone? then the 30000 could have been much better invested in wine and women... ;)