Forums >> StudioSysAdmins Lists (posts via e-mail only) >> Discuss@StudioSysAdmins.com


Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.

Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Hey there, Anyone doing colour-critical work uses an HP Dreamcolor for the most part. They're very good but just a bit problematic on the low end of black. Something an artist should be able to compensate for once they're aware of it. Also stays calibrated for good periods of time (unlike the CRTs we had previously which needed to be constantly calibrated)... -Rob ________________________________________ From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman [fabrice@studioaka.co.uk] Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 11:52 AM To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ? Hi guys, One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up. What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking ?deep? monitors. I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind. We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice On the subject is of interest. Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ? Cheers ! F. _______________________________________________ StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@studiosysadmins.com http://mailman.studiosysadmins.com/mailman/listinfo/studiosysadmins-discuss

Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

As Rob said these are the LP2480zx Dream Color monitors. We are currently using Rising Sun Equal eyes to do the calibration. These are really great monitors but they can throw out a ton of light and you have to make sure you dial in your desired calibration before they will look correct. In our testing we have had them hold their calibration for 3 months but we do a shorter calibration cycle on the floor just to be safe. They have a 3 year warranty, HP has been really good about replacing bad ones we have 110 on the floor and had about a 30% failure rate, these are just anomalies that show up over time and since we started using them very early in their development we got some bad ones. The new ones seem much better but like I said HP replaces them with no questions asked and fast too.

 

-Terry.

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:52 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.

Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Hi Rob, May I ask what GPU you are using to handle the 30bit capability of this monitor ? Thanks, F. -----Original Message----- From: Robert Pringle [mailto:Robert.Pringle@Starz.com] Sent: 28 July 2010 19:04 To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ? Hey there, Anyone doing colour-critical work uses an HP Dreamcolor for the most part. They're very good but just a bit problematic on the low end of black. Something an artist should be able to compensate for once they're aware of it. Also stays calibrated for good periods of time (unlike the CRTs we had previously which needed to be constantly calibrated)... -Rob _______________________________________________ StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@studiosysadmins.com http://mailman.studiosysadmins.com/mailman/listinfo/studiosysadmins-discuss

Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?
Hey Terry,

Do you use the special HP probe to calibrate, along with Equal eyes? This is the probe I talk of: http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product.asp?sku=3869188&mfg_part=KZ300AA&pagemode=ca

Rory Falloon
Systems Administrator
Mr. X Inc.
35 McCaul Street, Ste. #100
Toronto, ON  M5T 1V7
T:  (416) 595-6222, x 290
F:  (416) 595-9122
E:  rory@mrxfx.com


From: "Terry Dale" <Terry.Dale@Starz.com>
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:14:03 PM
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

As Rob said these are the LP2480zx Dream Color monitors. We are currently using Rising Sun Equal eyes to do the calibration. These are really great monitors but they can throw out a ton of light and you have to make sure you dial in your desired calibration before they will look correct. In our testing we have had them hold their calibration for 3 months but we do a shorter calibration cycle on the floor just to be safe. They have a 3 year warranty, HP has been really good about replacing bad ones we have 110 on the floor and had about a 30% failure rate, these are just anomalies that show up over time and since we started using them very early in their development we got some bad ones. The new ones seem much better but like I said HP replaces them with no questions asked and fast too.

 

-Terry.

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:52 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.


_______________________________________________
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@studiosysadmins.com
http://mailman.studiosysadmins.com/mailman/listinfo/studiosysadmins-discuss
Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Yes, it is basically a rebranded i1 but they have tweaked it a bit to read the backlight on the TFT display properly. We used a standard i1 for a long time and the switch was minimal but it does seem more accurate in the blacks with the HP branded version.

 

-Terry.

 

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Rory Falloon
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:21 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hey Terry,

Do you use the special HP probe to calibrate, along with Equal eyes? This is the probe I talk of: http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product.asp?sku=3869188&mfg_part=KZ300AA&pagemode=ca

Rory Falloon
Systems Administrator
Mr. X Inc.
35 McCaul Street, Ste. #100
Toronto, ON  M5T 1V7
T:  (416) 595-6222, x 290
F:  (416) 595-9122
E:  rory@mrxfx.com


From: "Terry Dale" <Terry.Dale@Starz.com>
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:14:03 PM
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?


 

As Rob said these are the LP2480zx Dream Color monitors. We are currently using Rising Sun Equal eyes to do the calibration. These are really great monitors but they can throw out a ton of light and you have to make sure you dial in your desired calibration before they will look correct. In our testing we have had them hold their calibration for 3 months but we do a shorter calibration cycle on the floor just to be safe. They have a 3 year warranty, HP has been really good about replacing bad ones we have 110 on the floor and had about a 30% failure rate, these are just anomalies that show up over time and since we started using them very early in their development we got some bad ones. The new ones seem much better but like I said HP replaces them with no questions asked and fast too.

 

-Terry.

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:52 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.


_______________________________________________
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@studiosysadmins.com
http://mailman.studiosysadmins.com/mailman/listinfo/studiosysadmins-discuss

Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?
Cool. Thanks for clarifying.

Rory Falloon
Systems Administrator
Mr. X Inc.
35 McCaul Street, Ste. #100
Toronto, ON  M5T 1V7
T:  (416) 595-6222, x 290
F:  (416) 595-9122
E:  rory@mrxfx.com


From: "Terry Dale" <Terry.Dale@Starz.com>
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:22:10 PM
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Yes, it is basically a rebranded i1 but they have tweaked it a bit to read the backlight on the TFT display properly. We used a standard i1 for a long time and the switch was minimal but it does seem more accurate in the blacks with the HP branded version.

 

-Terry.

 

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Rory Falloon
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:21 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hey Terry,

Do you use the special HP probe to calibrate, along with Equal eyes? This is the probe I talk of: http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product.asp?sku=3869188&mfg_part=KZ300AA&pagemode=ca

Rory Falloon
Systems Administrator
Mr. X Inc.
35 McCaul Street, Ste. #100
Toronto, ON  M5T 1V7
T:  (416) 595-6222, x 290
F:  (416) 595-9122
E:  rory@mrxfx.com


From: "Terry Dale" <Terry.Dale@Starz.com>
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:14:03 PM
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?


 

As Rob said these are the LP2480zx Dream Color monitors. We are currently using Rising Sun Equal eyes to do the calibration. These are really great monitors but they can throw out a ton of light and you have to make sure you dial in your desired calibration before they will look correct. In our testing we have had them hold their calibration for 3 months but we do a shorter calibration cycle on the floor just to be safe. They have a 3 year warranty, HP has been really good about replacing bad ones we have 110 on the floor and had about a 30% failure rate, these are just anomalies that show up over time and since we started using them very early in their development we got some bad ones. The new ones seem much better but like I said HP replaces them with no questions asked and fast too.

 

-Terry.

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:52 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.


_______________________________________________
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@studiosysadmins.com
http://mailman.studiosysadmins.com/mailman/listinfo/studiosysadmins-discuss


_______________________________________________
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list
StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@studiosysadmins.com
http://mailman.studiosysadmins.com/mailman/listinfo/studiosysadmins-discuss
Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Hi Terry,

 

Thanks for sharing. Few questions spring to mind :

 

Are all your boxes equipped with 30bit capable GPUs ?

Are 100% of the failures on the newer ones a “slow death” rather than “sudden death” ?

Just to be clear, Equal Eyes is an absolute necessity for you workflow with these monitors ?

 

Cheers,

F.

 

From: Terry Dale [mailto:Terry.Dale@Starz.com]
Sent: 28 July 2010 19:14
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

 

As Rob said these are the LP2480zx Dream Color monitors. We are currently using Rising Sun Equal eyes to do the calibration. These are really great monitors but they can throw out a ton of light and you have to make sure you dial in your desired calibration before they will look correct. In our testing we have had them hold their calibration for 3 months but we do a shorter calibration cycle on the floor just to be safe. They have a 3 year warranty, HP has been really good about replacing bad ones we have 110 on the floor and had about a 30% failure rate, these are just anomalies that show up over time and since we started using them very early in their development we got some bad ones. The new ones seem much better but like I said HP replaces them with no questions asked and fast too.

 

-Terry.

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:52 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.

Re: Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

Hi Fabrice

 

I don’t know about the new “Fermi” QuadroFX cards but the previous generation x800 GPU’s weren’t 10bit internally but could output 10bit

Whereas the ATI FirePro cards are 10bit internally AND 10bit output

 

The new ATI FirePro V8800 card is amazing what you get for the price.

Let me know off list if you are interested as I may be able to get you a demo card if you like?

Apple haven’t put ATI cards in all their new Mac Pro’s for nothing.

 

Regards

 

Gareth Corbett

IT Manager

Direct Dials:
T: 01483 467205

Contact:
Email: garethc@bluegfx.com

T: 01483 467200
F: 01483 467201

Web:
www.bluegfx.com

2010bluegfx_emailpic

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

Registered in England No: 04427892      VAT No: 793 3578 82

This Email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender IMMEDIATELY; you should not copy the email or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person.

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: 29 July 2010 10:01
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi Terry,

 

Thanks for sharing. Few questions spring to mind :

 

Are all your boxes equipped with 30bit capable GPUs ?

Are 100% of the failures on the newer ones a “slow death” rather than “sudden death” ?

Just to be clear, Equal Eyes is an absolute necessity for you workflow with these monitors ?

 

Cheers,

F.

 

From: Terry Dale [mailto:Terry.Dale@Starz.com]
Sent: 28 July 2010 19:14
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: Re: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

 

As Rob said these are the LP2480zx Dream Color monitors. We are currently using Rising Sun Equal eyes to do the calibration. These are really great monitors but they can throw out a ton of light and you have to make sure you dial in your desired calibration before they will look correct. In our testing we have had them hold their calibration for 3 months but we do a shorter calibration cycle on the floor just to be safe. They have a 3 year warranty, HP has been really good about replacing bad ones we have 110 on the floor and had about a 30% failure rate, these are just anomalies that show up over time and since we started using them very early in their development we got some bad ones. The new ones seem much better but like I said HP replaces them with no questions asked and fast too.

 

-Terry.

 

Starz

Terry Dale, VP Operations

p:416.682.5258 | f: 416.682.5209

Starz Media Canada Co. | 230 Richmond Street East | Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
www.starzanimation.ca

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, distribute or take action in reliance upon this message. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and promptly delete this message and its attachments from your computer system

 

 

From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Fabrice Altman
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:52 PM
To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com
Subject: [SSA-Discuss] Starz : Ref / Compositing monitors ?

 

Hi guys,

 

One of our company director recently visited Starz Anim Studio and seems very impressed by their set-up.

What he keeps mentioning is that they have lots of very expensive looking “deep” monitors.

I suspect 10bit grade 1 monitors of some kind.

We are currently reviewing how we handle colour management throughout the studio so any piece of advice

On the subject is of interest.

 

Would anyone from Starz like to shed some light on this ? What brand, calibration software etc ... ?

 

Cheers !

F.


    Contests/Surveys
  • ** COMING SOON **

TopofBlogs