30' LCD monitor best deal - for quality and price

Hi, I know there have been quite a few discussions on the lcd monitors here. However quite a few of them are rather old and therefore

potentially outdated - thus here I would like to ask for an updated information.

I am looking for 30' lcd monitor for which first criteria would be quality, secondly - the price. I am working on Mac platform with Aperture

and Photoshop.

I see that on the list there are Eizo Color edge series, NEC, Apple cinema display. Eizo - seems to be reallly good, but is it worth it's

money, comparatevly it is really expencive stuff. I might pay for it if there is a good reason to invest here. Apple cimema dispaly - tnere will

not be anymore 30' monitors, but there are still remaining on sale, thus I might expect a good price for it - but is it still worth its quality?

I do not have much information about NEC.

 

Your advises?

<p>Best bang for the buck, the NEC 3090 with their SpectraView II software and colorimeter. Nothing at all special about the Apple displays. </p>

<p>I have a Samsung 305T that runs at 2560x1600 and it looks great. I've seen both the Dell 3007 and 3008 and they also look great. The Apple is overpriced and the reviews say it doesn't even look as good. There's also an HP on newegg that gets good reviews although the LG reviews say it has a greenish cast.</p>

<p>At just $1,300 <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/hp_zr30w_30-inch_lcd_review">this new HP</a> is already receiving rave reviews. The lack of color controls means that the video card will be providing the calibration (which isn't a problem).</p>

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<p>The lack of color controls means that the video card will be providing the calibration (which isn't a problem).</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It is if the goal is to avoid banding. Far better to adjust in a high bit display (like those in NEC SpectraView and Eizo). </p>

<p>I have never seen banding using color controls (manually), or when allowing the video card to do all the work (I'm talking about monitors like the HP without addressable LUT's). Modern video cards and monitors should have no problem with this.</p>

<p>I only have a Spyder3 Pro, so I cannot set a luminance target, but rather adjust manually to a reading. So a Spyder3 Elite (at least) would be needed for targeting luminance.</p>

<p>For the money I bet it's great, and I'd also bet print matching could be done. It apparently did very well in the <a href="http://www.displaymate.com/infodmmp.html">DisplayMate Photo test.</a></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Looks to me that HP has a possible winner out, the new ZR30w IPS LCD. Andrew, have you looked at this one?</p>

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<p>I have never seen banding using color controls (manually), or when allowing the video card to do all the work (I'm talking about monitors like the HP without addressable LUT's). Modern video cards and monitors should have no problem with this.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Its an 8-bit path. Better, higher end displays operate in high bit for a reason (even if you can’t see it). <br>

Paul, the HP Dreamcolor has amazing technology but has been super problematic for users hence its not recommended. </p>

<p>Well I just thought it looked like a possible great value option. I'm on a cheaper high gamut display (Dell U2711), and video card adjustments never cause banding. And most important of all I get perfect print matching. I'd bet that is possible with this well reviewed HP.</p>

<p>Thanks, Andrew. This is a brand new monitor in HP's lineup (in fact, not even sure they use the 'Dreamcolor' tag anymore). Reviews (engadget, etc) have been good, but no one who knows anything about color management or photographers' needs has reviewed it yet.</p>

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<p>but no one who knows anything about color management or photographers' needs has reviewed it yet.</p>

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<p>That’s why I’d stick at least for the time being with an NEC SpectraView II solution. It just works really well. </p>

<p>thanks you for the responses so far. <br>

I currently have the situation of 2 options:<br>

Apple cinema display 30'' - paying app. 2.300 USD<br>

NEC TFT 30” MULTISYNC LCD3090WQXI-BK - paying app. 2.700 USD<br>

As you see Apple is cheaper. Even not a real criteria for quality, rather for emotions - it's nicer. <br>

Can you advise in this situation - I understood that NEC would be a better quality. How much "better"? Is the difference significant to pay the price difference?<br>

Would appreciate for any in-depth review links. </p>

 

<p>The NEC is far superior, its a high bit display, it has a full calibration suite (software and instrument) and thus is a far better color managed display system. Check out the functionality of the SpectraView II software that can drive this display and take advantage of the high bit panel. </p>