articles/Monitors/eizocolouredge-page2
by Mike McNamee Published 01/06/2010
The Monitors
We had a clear idea of what we wished to see, having done some homework on the Colour Confidence website. There the monitors are graded (nominally 1 to 5 stars). We aimed at one monitor in each category but specifically wished to compare the Eizo 243W and NEC 2960, both of which we have reviewed over the past year. Both are rated 5* and between them they are the only 'Pre-qualified' Fogracertified monitors in the frame, ie under £1,500. The larger NEC reference monitors also qualify but we have said our piece on large screens when we reviewed the NEC 2690 Spectravision. The Colour Confidence star rating is based upon colour gamut, physical screen size, uniformity, viewing angle, resolution, facilities such as software and hoods, along with a couple of less tangible criteria such as how a monitor 'feels' when it is in use. The average reported error on validation seems of little use in the quest for a 'perfect' monitor, almost all the Eizo range (for example) are capable of delivering excellent statistics using the 'built-in' validation, be it Color Navigator, Gretag Eye 1 Validation, or ColorEyes. The one that did separate the sheep from the goats was the BabelColor Fogra Certification routine and it was to this we eventually turned (more on that later).
Patch Tool CompareAfter a lot of staring and talking we ended back at our original choice between the NEC 2690 and the Eizo 243W. Comparing the two side-byside was both comforting and confusing. Both were excellent but our test of comparing the Canon proof and screen view again proved to be the most difficult. We were all in agreement that the print did not perfectly match the screen view, but whereas on the previous test the Eizo was let down by the rendering of blues and the NEC the reds, this time it was reversed. In all cases, then, we remained unconvinced of a perfect match. However, I think by this time (and during subsequent testing) that we are at peace with ourselves, the match is as good as it is going to get and we have to get on with it. In the end we went for the Eizo over the NEC. We preferred the tighter pixel pitch (which makes for smaller icon sizes) - the NEC has to stretch its 1920 pixels across 26", the Eizo only 24". The detail is thus more close packed. This would not suit all tastes and viewers; your editor has especially short-range reading spectacles and works far closer to the screen than most people would find comfortable, if you work at a more normal 20 to 24 inches you might find the NEC more to your taste. The gamut of the NEC is almost 10% larger and this shows when you view the icons on your desk-top in the 'unmanaged' Windows environment - they really are very bright and saturated.
The decision between the 5* monitors above and the less expensive CG 222W was easily dealt with. The 5* units were demonstrably better when viewed at even moderately acute angles - the shadow detail was falsely portrayed if you glanced at the edges of these lower-rated monitors. We rechecked the gamut volume of the 222W and found it to be within 0.25% of our earlier findings (phew!). Gamut volume is one of the rating-specific criteria.
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