Old CRT vs Panasonic 11 Series Plasma for Grading

[Matt W.]

I expect to catch some flack for this, but I can't afford a higher end screen and I have access to these now. Obviously I will calibrate either before using it for reference. Just wondering what's better between the two (or, failing that, what's good and reasonably affordable as an upgrade)? I'm also getting a Panasonic projector most likely, but I think that will be more for viewing than grading.

I assume for grading HD material (rec709) a monitor designed for hdtv (and with an hdmi connection) is superior, although the calibration options on the panasonic don't seem quite as flexible as a professional production monitor. But I've heard so much love for the Sony GDM-FW900 elsewhere, which is a VGA monitor. Is it possible to calibrate an older, high end CRT (in my case a Lacie Electron Blue, but I can upgrade possibly) into something that can be used as a reference for rec709? If not, is the Sony a viable option? (Space is at a premium, so otherwise it would be a 42'' Panasonic plasma). My destination is blu ray, web video, dvd, etc. although fingers crossed I'll get the chance to exhibit something on DCP (but from what I've seen rec709 to DCP using free converters looks just fine when projected, just very slightly lower black levels on the DCP).

Thanks for all the help. I realize I should get something higher end if possible, but I can't afford it at the moment.

[Paul Provost]

11 series panny plasmas are used extensively for monitoring rec 709
Calibration is key of course. Also sdi input is preferable. Can you feed it component hd?

[Matt W.]

In theory...yes. But sdi doesn't seem likely; hdmi and component are options.

Just out of curiosity, how bad would the old CRT be? It has a really gorgeous image, but I take it the vga input and color space make it completely inappropriate for grading rec709? Mostly out of curiosity.

[Paul Provost]

When you say old CRT, it seems you are referring to a computer monitor. Definitely not a good idea.
An old broadcast hd CRT may work alright, but likely has a worn out tube.
That plasma accepts sdi with optional card. It is not cheap.

[Matt W.]

It is a computer monitor. What confuses me is that I read the Sony GDM-FW900 was one of the best monitors for grading, but it's a computer monitor, too. It seems like it might be bad information, but I don't know. The proper hd broadcast monitors I've seen are the nicest, but very expensive and really not that different from calibrated plasmas to my eyes, maybe a little better contrast?

I'm sure I can't afford the SDI card yet.

[Les Dittert]

CRT 's are gone from the industry. It happened fast, leaving the studios scrambling for a quick substitute. The plasma seems to be it for now. I recently saw a Sony broadcast hd monitor in the outdoor part of a local surplus place getting rained on. Junk. A few years ago these were fetching tens of thousands of dollars!

[Andrew Allsbury]

Talking color grading only, how do you guys feel about these for budget buys?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._3D_Ready.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Class_HD.html

[jake blackstone]

Until two years ago when I had purchased Panasonic TH-58PF12UK, for over a year I had used Sony GDM-FW900 for grading with great success. If you can find one with a decent tube (increasingly unlikely) calibration is a breeze in comparison to Plasma. As they age, CRTs are VERY unstable and need to be calibrated every day. But, as I said, it is a breeze and it usually takes a few minutes a day. Panasonics on the other hand are very stable, once they had been properly burned in, but profiling and calibration is time consuming and quite tricky. So, the good news, Sony GDM-FW900 is an great monitor for grading, but because it is VGA, it is limited to only 8 bit. But, because it is a analog monitor, you get less apparent banding, than a Panasonic with 10 bit SDI feed:-) So, if you can find Sony with CRT in good shape, on a low budget, you will not find better solution.

[Matt W.]

Thanks Jake, out of curiosity, how do you calibrate a VGA-based CRT for rec709 footage? I don't know enough about colorspaces to even begin to know how to approach this. Would my lacie electron blue (high end CRT, but also a computer not video monitor) work at all? And if I used an old CRT, could I totally eschew a blackmagic card?

The old school HD CRT monitors (which I understand were in excess of $50,000 apiece) that I've seen have the most remarkable image excepting maybe transparencies and rear projected film--in fact they kind of remind me of a Steenbeck--but I don't want to make the huge investment in one of those. But a computer CRT as a stopgap before I can afford better seems ideal for me at the moment. Thanks!

[Gabriele Turchi]

i always wanted to buy the FW900 since i have seen lord of the rings grading extra on the DVD ...

but as far as i know , it cannot accept 23,98P ... the aja SDI to RGBHV converter specifically say that the FW900 won't accept any 23,98 signal (even PsF) ..
here @pag 7
http://www.aja.com/pdf/support/manua...ual_HD10C2.pdf

jake : how did you connected the FW900?

thanks
g