Apple Cinema Display, Pro and Con

[GT40sc]

Major studio upgrade in the next month or so...

Should we swing for the fence and get the Apple Cinema Display?

"Artistic" studio partner says "go for it..."

But "practical" Engineer Bill is doubtful...
(about 3 grand worth of doubts?)

Pros? Cons?

"Give it to me straight, Doctor.
I can take it."

Thanks,

SC

[CO2]

Hey SC:

I use the Apple Cinema Display and love it! It is a two page monitor (in essence) taking up the space of one. True, it can get a BIT crowded BUT I have found it to be absolutely workable!

Here are two points to consider.

On the pro side, the current G4 Quicksilvers only support ONE flat screen monitor (one ADC connector). Even the Twin View graphics card that comes stock on the G4 800 DP has only one ADC connector.

So, if you are considering two Apple flat screen displays (15" or 17"), you will need to get an additional graphics card. In fact, you will need an additional graphics card for ANY two monitor setup (unless you use one ADC and one VGA monitor on the Twin View graphics card of the G4 800 DP).

In this case the Apple Cinema Display really shines!

On the con side, if you intend to locate your monitors more than 4.5 meters (15 feet) away from your computer, you would be better served using VGA monitors. The Apple ADC connector, which powers the monitor and a USB port, on the Apple Displays comes with a stock 1.5 meter cord, which can only be extended by an additional 3 meters. (ADC extenders are available from Dr. Bott for around $50)

So, there you have it! I would say if your computer and monitor are going to be nearby, save yourself the headaches and get an Apple Cinema Display.

For me, there was an obscure added bonus to the Cinema Display. My teenage sons stay home at night to play games on it. It really saves me in paternity suits and lawyer's fees, which easily offsets the cost of the Cinema Display!

[img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Hope this helps!

Best Regards

[bassmac]

CO2,

You say it's a two page monitor, does that mean mix and edit windows side by side only. Or can you extend them to fill up the entire screen?

[Renie]

Aren't there rumours that this is one item due for a reasonably big price drop in the not too distant future?

Renie

[shaggy]

Anyone check out the new Lacie ElectronBlue and PhotonBlue monitors?
http://www.lacie.com/products/family...C40090278D3ED0

...I think the 22inch cathode ray can be had for $850. These are the bright, diamondtron tubes.
http://www.pcnation.com/

[shaggy]

.02 more

17" is too small. You can, however, do two 18" PhotonBlues for around $2600 (w/hood & mounts)

[shaggy]

One more thing,

....I think you can sync the redraw on these guys as well

[dcornutt]

The 2 issues with cinema display are..cable length..and proprietary connector.

Other than that..its the best monitor I've ever used.

It has some substantial benefits over CRTs the same screen size: it's much clearer at a distance, substantial weight and size savings...less cabling ..better integrated with the Apple systems.

I have to tell you, I really tossed and turned about my decision to buy this monitor.....the dual 800 had already taken a substantial chunk out of my budget...and even though I knew it was a good monitor...this was the one item I purchased that I really had concerns about.....until I got it and set it up.

All I can say is..for me..it was the best purchase I ever made...and after I got it..I have never questioned one penny of the cost. I can't say the same for the dual 800. (even though I've had no major problems with it....the cost performance/benefit....still leaves me questioning whether the 867 would have been a better choice).

The new G4s if you have one..have a dualview option for the Nvidia cards (comes standard on 867 and dual 800. If you need more than the cinema..you can also attach a 2nd crt .

This also has certain benefits. The ATI and Nvidia drivers don't like each other. Not only is it tricky to get 2 graphics cards working with PT...but getting ATI and Nvidia to play nice together is not easy.
Their drivers don't like each other.

Next is...its integration. Like apple monitors of the past...you can powerup and off your Apple system with the monitors powerbutton. Since I keep my cpu out of sight....this is a real added convienience. It also has a couple of usb ports...that I run an HP laser printer off of..and I've had no compatibility issues with it what so ever.

When the cinemas first came out...they were almost 4 grand! Even at that price..people who bought them were telling me...it was worth every penny.

Now that they are 2499...the cost difference between buying a cinema and 2 crts is not nearly as wide.

While 2 22" CRTs "will" give you more overall screen area..there are couple of things to keep in mind. One is..there are certain things that you cannot split over 2 screens....like your timeline. In this regard...its not the overall screen space that is as important as the horizontal width of each. As an example...2 17" monitors have more screen area over all than a 22....but...for those things that cannot be disaplyed across 2 monitors..your still using only a 17 inch monitor. The 2nd is the quality of the display. Thats up to you...and yoru eyes.
The only thing I can say here, having used diamondtrons..trinitrons..viewsonics..etc..is..tha t there is a "noticiable" difference in clarity and depth with these apple monitors...and notiably less eyestrain for me...from both a distance..and upclose.
This would be a personal call...and all I can add is...I wasn't aware of how much benefit this was..until I had the cinema and used it for a month or so.

So, my advice is...Yes..they are worth it.

Anyway...I highly recommend them...even at the current price..they are worth it.

But, do check it out for yourself and take note of the issues on cabling and connections (if you haven't already)

Hope that helps..

dcornutt

[CO2]

Hey bass:

Two page monitor refers to the format of the monitor in textual settings. It accomodates two pages of text (8.5" x 11") side by side.

In Pro Tools, you can open, position and resize the Edit and Mix windows (as well as most other windows <transport etc> ) anywhere you want on the Cinema Display. It truly is a GREAT monitor!

Best Regards

[VirtualMixer]

2 X 17" is better than one Cinema Display but 2 of these would be great, Apple..... go to work.