About this episode
For our 30th episode we're discussing that topic we always seem to revisit - monitoring! While we have some opinions on the state of reference and consumer monitors in 2025 we thought it'd be fun to celebrate our 30th episode with some good friends who also happen to be experts in their part of the monitoring ecosystem. In Part 1 of a two-part series, we're joined by Flander Scientific CEO Bram Desmet, Nate McFarlin from Dolby, and David Abrams from Portrait Displays/Avical.We'll discuss their areas of expertise with each of them a little bit - monitor manufacturing, display testing and validation, and calibration. Specific topics explored in this episode include:Staying on top of monitoring technologiesChoosing display technologies for a monitor product lineDetermining what features make it into monitor softwareAddressing different needs of different users e.g. DITs vs ColoristsHow staying at the forefront of color science helps deliver the most accurate monitors possibleThe role that an R&D company like Dolby plays in the monitor ecosystemHow monitor usability is just as important as performanceThe complexity of monitor display technologies and how they can complicate monitor evaluationSometimes monitor evaluation brings with it things manufacturers don’t want to hearConsumer monitors can be considerably harder to evaluate than professional monitorsWhat does Dolby Certification really mean for consumer TVsWhen will we hit a point where HDR is standard & SDR is looked at in a similar way to HD or 4:3 Professional vs Consumer displays when it comes to calibration accuracy out of the boxCalibration is not a replacement for understanding & proper setup/use of a monitorExploring how calibration has become both easier and harderHow accurate is accurate enough and is the cost of reference calibration gear worth itNoticeable differences & degrees of accuracy with calibrationDrift and the frequency of recalibration In part 2 we explore some monitoring topics provided by our listeners and ones that Joey and Robbie have been eager to discuss.
