LCD MONITOR & GRAPHICS CARD

[ashforth]

I just bought a Dell 2001FP monitor and PNY G-Force FX 5700 Ultra graphics card. The monitor is 20.1 inches which provides a nice working area for Photoshop. Everything "seems" to be OK; however, I am unable to calibrate the monitor which is connected to my PC with a digital connection. When trying to calibrate, the monitor will not allow entry into the contrast adjustment- seems that it adjusts automatically. Also, I didn't know which video card to buy, so I bought the PNY 2700 since it was on sale. I have about a week to return it if not satisfied.

Anybody have any suggestions regarding an alternate video card in the $150- $200 price range that would be better suited for Photoshop? Also, any ideas on how to calibrate the monitor when access to the contrast adjustment is "locked"?

Appreciate the feedback.

Happy and healthy New Year to all!

Herb

[msnow]

I have the same monitor. You are probably hooked up with the DVI cables. DVI mode locks out the contrast adjustments. If you want to adjust the contrast you will have to connect your monitor via the DSUB (normal cables) that came with your monitor.

Incidentally, what are you using to calibrate the FP2001?

[ashforth]

Mike-

I was trying to use the Adobe gamma setup in PS 7, but the first step is adjusting contrast which stopped me from going any further. I had the monitor connected with the analog cable and then switched to digital. I don't know if there is anything to gain by going from analog to digital.

Were you successful calibarating with the analog cable? How do you like the monitor and what graphics card are you using? I'm still in the "confusion mode" so any help is appreciated.

Herb

[msnow]

I'm using my laptop/docking station which uses an ATI Mobility Radeon 9000. The card is "okay" but I know there are better.

I use the Spyder Pro (hardware/software solution) and have had success in calibration both in DVI and DSUB modes. That's because the instructions in the Optical software (included in the Spyder) for calibration on LCD's state not adjust the brightness or contrast but instead leave them at factory default settings. CRT calibration can be more finely tuned.

I *love* the monitor and have found the DVI connection to be more virbrant with a lot of depth. The DSUB mode is flatter but more consistent with the output to the printer. Right now I'm on DSUB but haven't finalized on one or the other yet.

The software that came with your monitor has two monitor drivers ("INF" files) that can be used. One is analog and the other is digital, make sure you install the right one for whatever mode you finally end up with.

[ashforth]

Mike-

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't even installed the Dell drivers- just used the XP settings. I'll take your advice and install them now.

I'm still not sure about my video card choice.

Herb

[msnow]

No problem ashforth. By the way, I found the USB hub features of the monitor to be VERY convenient. I didn't even know it had that when I ordered it.

[John_T]

The graphic card is actually more important than the monitor. A monitor only displays, within it's capabilities, what the graphic card gives it. Graphic cards are NOT, by far, about the same for 2D. If you are serious about quality and color work, then select one of these and forget the rest. Really.

http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/home.cfm

[ashforth]

John-

Thanks for the good advice. Now to choose the best card in the $200 price range ......

Herb

[Belmondo]

I'm running two monitors---an 18" Sony flat panel, and a Viewsonic 19" CRT. I'm currently running an NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 card because of the dual output, but the calibration features are pretty thin.

Do you think I'd be better off with the Millennium P650 64MB ATX AGP8X by Matrox?

Opinions appreciated.

Tom

[defordphoto]

Matrox makes awesome cards. They've been yakking up monitors and cards again over at Mirandas too, so you might have a looksee over there. They seem to like Matrox over there, and of course, detest all TFT's for photo editing.

Until the TFT/LCD industry makes some huge advances a CRT is a must for photo editing.

[Belmondo]

That's why I bought the Viewsonic. It's a cheapie, but does give me much more accurate colors. The flat panel is really nice, but the colors are unrealistically vivid, and adjusting images based on it usually ends up with washed-out, dirty looking prints. Since I've been using the CRT for color correcting, I've been getting much better results.

The Matrox card sounds like the hot setup, and I do have an anniversary coming up, and the wife was recently asking what I'd like to have, and the amount of camera equipment I now own that I stll don't know how to use is embarrassing, and -----

Maybe I will.

[ashforth]

Thanks everyone for the assitance. I just ordered the Matrox P750 card from New Egg for $212, including free shipping. I've bought from them before and they are reliable.

Herb

[msnow]

That's a sweet card, just read the specs on it.

[John_T]

I have the Matrox Parhelia 256 and the P750 will be just as good in display quality. If you don't go for colorimeter calibration like the Colorvision Spyder, Coloreal that comes with your card will do a very good job for eyeball calibration.

Make sure you always update to the latest driver, and always uninstall the previous one before installing the new one.

Happy you made that decision. You won't regret it.

[eric1]

i got a matrox P750 on the way. my ATI card ($450)
really sucks. i can't do any workflow at all on it. i've
calibrated my monitor maybe 25 times, still no go. i
hooked up a different monitor, didn't help. so i guess it 's time for a new card.


eric1

[ashforth]

John/Eric-

Thanks for the affirmation that I made the right choice. Can't wait for the new card to arrive.

Herb

[John_T]

Tips:

Once you've got the card nestled warmly in its slot, go through the WHOLE Matrox installation trip, including Dot Net. Then download the latest driver 26sep03, if the one on the installation CD is older, uninstall the old one, install the new one. Check for updates from time to time, it's worth it.

When you register, check the box for the newsletter. It will inform you of new drivers and goodies.

They have a good Tech Sup Forum. It is worth joining and they are very fast with responses.