Digital BW, The Print

Gentleman, 

I am so happy that I started this thread on monitors (no more fighting, though, boys!) but now I have a really stupid question. What the hell is DDC compliance? I have only owned 2 monitors in my whole image-making life - one was a horrible 15 inch Apple CRT from back in the day, and the other is the one I am currently using - the Viewsonic A70. I've calibrated this one manually using the pre-existing apple software and have not seen a problem. I also keep my desktop a medium gray as to not confuse things.

So, now faced with needing this new monitor, I will not break the bank. In fact, if I can keep the price relatively low, the better. I suppose the bottom line is for me to just "try out" monitors in the store and see which blacks are acceptable. The Eizo does sound great but I want my eyes to prove it if I am going to spend any money. Anyone in the NY area know where I can see one in person?

Thanks again for your help and advice,
AnnMarie


www.annmarietornabene.net

On Apr 2, 2009, at 8:42 AM, AnnMarie Tornabene wrote:

> What the hell is DDC compliance?

More than you probably want to know about DDC:

DDC is a Direct Digital Communication standard, by which computers can  
communicate with displays. This once was an exciting new technology  
with big promise for the future, but over time it has proven less  
exciting... there are many displays (I'm tempted to say most) which do  
not institute DDC correctly, if at all, so its necessary to check each  
and every model released to see whether it actually supports DDC, what  
it says, what it really means, and what info is stored in the wrong  
places, or  is just plain wrong. And for most displays all this gets  
you is a way to automatically adjust the backlight control and perhaps  
one or two other controls, if the display has these controls. Advanced  
DDC support comes down to communicating with a few of the more high  
end displays that have "smarts" onboard, to control those onboard  
functions. Given the problems DDC communication has had from various  
OS versions over time, even companies interested in developing  
displays with "smart" features are looking at other means of  
communication, as they can't really trust DDC to be there when they  
need it...

C. David Tobie
Global Product Technology Manager
Digital Imaging & Home Theater
CDTobie@...


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Datacolor
www.datacolor.com/Spyder3




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Hi AnnMarie,
this article has some basic information that will bring you  up to date on LCD monitors and what to look for.
http://web.me.com/thecolourlady/CM_Site/Knowledge_files/TPM_183_LCDMonitors.pdf

More stuff here: http://web.me.com/thecolourlady/CM_Site/Knowledge.html

She cites the 178 deg viewing angle as very important and if you are on a budget, only the Dell that's already been discussed has this viewing angle. http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/monitor-dell-2209wa?c=nz&cs=nzdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

People seem to love the Samsung 214TW, though it only advertises a 160 deg viewing angle:
http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/detail/spec.do?group=computerperipherals&type=monitor&subtype=lcdmonitor&model_cd=LS21DPWABQ/XSA&fullspec=F

Next up seem to be the Eizos that vary in price. 

Good luck,
Richard

At 01:42 a.m. Friday 3/04/2009, you wrote:
>I am so happy that I started this thread on monitors (no more fighting, though, boys!) but now I have a really stupid question. What the hell is DDC compliance? I have only owned 2 monitors in my whole image-making life - one was a horrible 15 inch Apple CRT from back in the day, and the other is the one I am currently using - the Viewsonic A70. I've calibrated this one manually using the pre-existing apple software and have not seen a problem. I also keep my desktop a medium gray as to not confuse things.

____________
www.richardsmallfield.com 

   "Aerodynamically the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but 
   the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway."
   --Mary Kay Ash

Dear AnnMarie,

There are many, many monitors to choose from today, where some are good,
some are bad, and some are just what you require. That said here are two
websites that may help you discover a monitor that suits your needs...

Where the first illustrates a few differences between the screen
characteristics.

<http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_technologies.htm>

And the second, lets you see a few reviews and, or comparisons:

<http://www.prad.de/en/index.html>

With the latter website, simply choose a selection under the Monitor
Column...


jim k




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Hi, I know that in Boston Calumet has one on display and I would guess  
they do in NY as well.  Peter