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For color accuracy, 16 bit (65,000 colors) is typically sufficient, but for more detailed editing ask for
24 bit (16 million colors) capability. The key is to ask for a video card in this way. "I would like a
video card that will produce 1024 x 768 at 70Hz or better and 24 bits per pixel, all at the same time."
This should ensure a product acceptable for all aspects of image editing and desktop publishing.
With the appropriate video card and monitor combination, the system can be almost infinitely
configurable with respect to color. For instance, Video cards like #9GXe and the Matrox MGA are
bundling drivers for Windows® that incorporate color "tuning". This utility basically changes the
intensity of the Red, Green or Blue output from the video card to change the overall color of the
screen, meaning everything on screen will take on a color hue change. If you have a TIFF image of a
person's face on screen and it is washed out, but printed fine, you may want to increase the RED on
screen. This will add depth to the face image, but the white background will take on a reddish hue.
Then there are monitors that incorporate that type of "color matching" into the hardware design. By
pressing buttons on the monitor one can set the overall screen to a different hue to match different
colors to output. These solutions are the quickest, easiest and least expensive. They will afford some
utility with color matching and accuracy. This is the same type of adjustment that the video board
offers, but this option can be used in conjunction with the board for more specific tuning. Consider
that the video board is tuned to a reddish hue, the monitor also has settings that can be saved. For
instance if one is using PhotoShop and PhotoStyler, because of the way each package sets up the
video and the monitor, there may be a need to have two different monitor settings. One may require a
boost in the Blue, and the other may require a boost in the Red. Again, these are gross changes to the
overall screen color, temperature and hue. These changes do not affect the colors on the output
device. This is why they are so important. The changes made to the software in the preferences
section are also gross calibrations, and should not affect the output either.
Since the conversation has gotten to video, the next step is obviously the monitor. To manage color
correctness best the monitor has to be flexible. For instance, monitors with an "etched" tube may well
reduce reflection and glare, but they also dull the image on screen, thereby changing the actual color
that you see. On the other hand, a polished tube allows all light/color to pass through the screen
without obstruction, hence a truer representation of the color. The tradeoff here is that the polished
screen reflects more light back from the surrounding room. This is another reason for shutting lights
off in the room.
The monitor should also support multiple resolutions and refresh rates. Also consider a monitor with
high technology display components inside the tube itself. For instance the addition of an Invar
Shadow mask will allow the monitor to run brighter and with more contrast. Because Invar is a new
metal, it is less susceptible to distortion and wear and tear. This can help manage the problem of drift.
Over time, the monitor color will "drift" off of the colors that were originally set. Lower quality
monitors will show significant drift over weeks as opposed to years. The video card isn't susceptible
to drift since it is a digital device, and the component have the look up tables on a chip. A
considerable amount of money is going to be spent on this system, consider buying into the idea of
futures. Granted the monitor is only being used for 1024x768 right now, but you will no doubt want
higher resolutions down the road. Why go through this nightmare again? The recommendation is to
purchase at least a grade more than you need right now.
