DCI P3 monitor

[Tom Evans]

Hi all! What is the main difference between a monitor that show P3 gamut and a P3 projector? 

[Andrey Mesnyankin]

Hi Tom.

just a few differences:

1. Perception of the viewing. Screen size.

2. Image from projector reflected from the screen and emitting from monitor.

 

 

[Tom Evans]

So in case of theatrical delivery, the projector is the best choice if space doesn't matter?

[Mazze]

It depends in my opinion.

As Andrey mentioned, image perception changes with a projector.

On a big screen, things very often appear in a different way, than on a display (equally color-/contrast-wise as well as perception through bigger screen).

So it makes sense to grade cinema stuff on projectors.

However, I would carefully decide wether I do cinema grading often enough to justify getting a projector.

You will need a 3-chip DLP  - anything else does not make sense for grading - and 3-chip DLPs are still quite expensive, although prices with devices from NEC and Projection Design have come down a bit.

Plus power consuption and general maintenance of projectors are something to consider when getting one.

So, if you're just grading occasionally for cinema, then e.g. an Eizo ColorEdge, or any other P3-capable display might serve just enough.

[Margus Voll]

Or you could work on good rec709 display and rent cinema to see your work and adjust accordingly.

As Mazze pointed out it may not be reasonable to have projection if you do actual cinema or feature work
two or so times in a year plus really nice budgets on top of that as lamps need changing and calibration cost also.

This is the reason i have stayed on regular displays for now as working on features. Just have super precise
calibration and work on your experience as in time you soon know how things look in the cinema.

If your display is  not 99% P3 it will probably render some errors also in calibration and may or may not give issues.

What i have also seen is that monitors and image chain wit different scope type can also variate in results
even if they are calibrated the same way. For example when i worked with my clients suite blacks had more detail
in cinema and from my setup everything lined up more as i see on scopes. The issue could come from how they did dcp
but if i assume they did it correctly i would blame the scopes. 

[Mazze]

Plus, another thing to keep in mind when getting a projector:
You either need a silenced housing for the projector, or install it in a projection room next to the grading suite, if you don't want the noise inside the suite.

Edited September 5, 2016 by Mazze

[Tom Evans]

Great input everyone. Thanks a lot.