Which professional monitor is considered the top choice?
The majority of users observe a rainbow on their monitor screen and are content with perceiving the correct seven colors (red, orange, yellow, and the like). However, individuals who rely on computer monitors as a crucial work instrument, such as video editors, photographers, and artists, may glance at the same on-screen rainbow and promptly recognize that the monitor is of low quality, incapable of presenting intermediate shades and hues. Alternatively, if it is a top-notch monitor, they may realize that it urgently requires color calibration to rectify the excessive resemblance between blue and indigo.
This is the reason why professional users actively search for monitors of professional quality. With their careers at stake, it is crucial for them to ensure that the colors displayed on their screens accurately represent the true colors of their subject matter or align with their intended artistic vision. Moreover, when they share their work for printing or online viewing, they must have confidence that the colors will be faithfully reproduced in those mediums as well.
Professional monitors are primarily characterized by their advanced display panel technology, extensive color spaces and gamuts, and the inclusion of factory-certified pre-calibrated colors.
Technology for professional monitor displays.
Professional users require monitors that display sharp, distinct lines and vibrant colors. They are usually the first to embrace new display technologies. As a result, they were pioneers in transitioning from CRT monitors to standard high definition (HD) LCD flat screens, and later on to enhanced LCD-TFT (thin film transistor) models featuring LED backlighting, higher resolutions (such as Full HD), and a broader spectrum of colors.
LCD-IPS displays, commonly referred to as “IPS” models, offer numerous advantages when compared to earlier versions, thanks to the implementation of In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology. This cutting-edge display technology effectively re-aligns the crystals and polarizers within the LCD, resulting in enhanced performance.
IPS displays featuring 8-bit panels, with 8 bits allocated for red, green, and blue colors respectively, are capable of showcasing the complete 24-bit color spectrum of a standard graphics processor more effectively than previous models equipped with 6-bit panels. The latter had to resort to extra measures in order to mimic the entire range of colors.
Improved viewing angles: IPS displays have crystals aligned parallel to the device, unlike TFT models where they run perpendicular. This feature enables you to enjoy wide viewing angles on an IPS monitor without experiencing any color or contrast distortion.
Manufacturers are aware of the specific demand from professional users for IPS-based monitors, which is why they provide them with various high-end features such as Quad HD or Ultra HD resolutions, adjustable ergonomic stands, anti-eye strain technology, and more.
Precision of colors, range of colors, and color spectrums.
The precision of colors shown to viewers heavily relies on the monitor’s color gamut, which refers to the range of colors the device can display based on its display technology (such as LCD-TFT, IPS, etc.). For creators, accuracy is not only influenced by the monitor’s gamut but also by the color space of their camera, image editor, or drawing program. A color space is the standard that defines each individual color in a way that other programs or devices can comprehend and replicate (like CMYK or RGB). Ideally, an image should be viewed on a monitor with a color gamut that encompasses the exact shade of blue captured by the original device or selected by the creator from their editing/drawing program’s color space.
Professional-grade monitors are characterized, in part, by their ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of colors found in various standard color spaces utilized by artists, photographers, and other content creators. While most monitors can adequately display colors within the sRGB color space, which is a common standard for internet content, newer standards like AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 offer a broader spectrum of colors. The top monitors on the market today are able to match these extended color spaces to different extents, as indicated in their specifications (e.g. 99.5% AdobeRGB, 145.7% sRGB, 97.9% DCI-P3, 99.5% BT.709).
Calibration prior to testing color accuracy.
Color calibrating a monitor involves testing and adjusting it to confirm that the gamut of colors it displays truly match the standard for those colors in each defined color space. Manufacturers strive to produce monitors that display consistent, standard colors out of the box. When that out-of-the-box experience doesn’t look exactly perfect, users can self-calibrate their monitors to match downloadable test patterns for their preferred color spaces.
High-quality monitors frequently come pre-calibrated, indicating that the manufacturer conducted calibration testing and adjustments prior to shipping the monitor.
Numerous purchasers favor pre-calibrated models as it guarantees that their work will be color-compatible with other pre-calibrated models, which is perfect for work teams. Pre-calibration additionally minimizes the risk of the user’s individual visual quirks impacting any self-calibration they may attempt. To provide additional peace of mind, manufacturers of pre-calibrated monitors usually include calibration reports in the package, allowing buyers to consult them when necessary and begin using their new monitor with full color confidence.
Additional characteristics of professional displays.
Customers can also search for these extra beneficial characteristics in a professional display.
Professional users who spend extended periods in front of their monitors understand the significance of ergonomic adjustability. In addition to physical adjustability for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, resolution and viewability are equally crucial aspects to consider.
When purchasing monitors for multi-monitor configurations, many professional buyers prefer models described as “borderless” or “edgeless” due to their minimal plastic bezel surrounding three sides of the screen, allowing for a seamless multi-display experience while working.
USB ports and docking: Numerous manufacturers are assisting in reducing the mess on desktops by providing integrated USB hubs that effectively transform a monitor into a docking station. These particular models frequently utilize versatile, bi-directional USB Type C connectors that have the capability to transfer video, data, and power through a single cable.