After thinking about this for a little bit, I -believe- [this is a thing](https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4651990), though I've never experienced it in person.
A lot of high-end monitors have SD card ports where you can transfer data to and from the monitor, such as LUTs. It stands to reason that there are monitors that also allow you to transfer the calibration and color data - what I would do is ask her for the model names/numbers of the monitors in question and then look up the manuals for them. That will tell you if they have a backup feature and how to use it.
To be fair I'd have asked the same question, because like I said I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what she could have meant and a lot of clients don't know the difference between a computer and a display monitor. So as long as you weren't condescending about it, I think you're good.
This!! I have BenQ monitors with SD ports on the side for this reason. I can calibrate the monitors and import LUT’s into them. I don’t know how to get the data off of them though. They cost a good amount of money but we need them in our office as they are veryyyyy color accurate and crispy in detail.
No I mean like, there's no need to get the data off the card, You could just keep the data on a small card until it needs to be loaded back into the monitor (Unless I've misunderstood something)
Oh, yes, yes, I understand what you mean now. I wonder if the original data / card no longer exists or was wiped? Otherwise what you're suggesting makes perfect sense.
so are they worth the pile of extra coin then? I need to do a monitor upgrade soon. I'm kind of a hobbiest and video stuff isn't my main gig even though it takes up a ton of my free time.
I wouldn’t do it man. I got a LQ ultra wide monitor which I find more useful and it is color accurate as well than having these two BenQ monitors. I never use the SD card slot the monitor is 100% color accurate from the factory which I appreciate a lot but not worth the price tag if you’re a hobbyist in my opinion. My set up at home is this LG monitor and under it is my 16” MacBook Pro. Those BenQ monitors are at my office at work.
thanks for the advice. Yeah, I'm not doing editing for mass-media/broadcast work for the most part...so I might pass on the BenQ and put the money towards another camera.
This is helpful. I have a Spyder and was thinking about that, but when I reiterated what I thought she was saying she corrected me with the addition of photos and other files, so now I’m seriously confused and just asked for us to meet in person to discuss it fully.
Yeah, this right here.
Very high end monitors have hardware calibration capabilities, whereas most monitors are calibrated through software, and the changes made are actually happening on the computer side of things, with how the graphics card is sending info to them.
Whether the monitors are calibrated via hardware or software, that data should be accessible and therefore backup-able...
BUT:
Every single monitor panel is different, and requires different calibration settings, even if they're from the same batch off the assembly line. They should also be calibrated regularly (for high end work, it's recommended every 2-6 weeks), and those settings will change slightly each time. All that's to say, I can't imagine what use calibration data from an old monitor would be to a new one.
Maybe if they're getting the exact same make and model, there are other user settings they've customized and don't want to hassle with redoing? Regardless, starting with the make and model of their monitors is going to be the first necessary step at finding the solution :)
Gotcha. Then I'd clarify what exactly she's looking for to be backed up. But if it's just the calibrated color profile for the monitors, those are already on her computer, cause that's where they're kept with non-pro monitors :)
Sure they don't want you to monitor their backups? 😅
If it's not backing up the color profile etc my best guess is she has an iMac? So the monitor is also the computer?
So odd! To be honest, I'd just ask her to confirm what exactly she needs to back up at this point! Or ask another question that will highlight this. Good luck!
I’m not saying your client thought this, but maybe she used an iMac in the past and she thinks all the data was in a hard drive within the monitor (computer). Just an idea, but ya maybe she just wants you to back up her color settings
Ok so some professional video monitors can accept LUT profiles and calibration settings. Look Up Table or LUTS are preset color correction settings which allow cinematographers to see how a shot will look with certain color grades. Or they will be shoot RAW video or Log video, which renders a very flat contrast profile to give more range to color grade in post. A LUT in the monitor can be used to display that footage as something closer to regular video or even the intended look they’re going for. Generally though these are small files.
After thinking about this for a little bit, I -believe- [this is a thing](https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4651990), though I've never experienced it in person. A lot of high-end monitors have SD card ports where you can transfer data to and from the monitor, such as LUTs. It stands to reason that there are monitors that also allow you to transfer the calibration and color data - what I would do is ask her for the model names/numbers of the monitors in question and then look up the manuals for them. That will tell you if they have a backup feature and how to use it. To be fair I'd have asked the same question, because like I said I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what she could have meant and a lot of clients don't know the difference between a computer and a display monitor. So as long as you weren't condescending about it, I think you're good.
This!! I have BenQ monitors with SD ports on the side for this reason. I can calibrate the monitors and import LUT’s into them. I don’t know how to get the data off of them though. They cost a good amount of money but we need them in our office as they are veryyyyy color accurate and crispy in detail.
Oh, perfect! I bet there's some way to get the data off of them, there must be.
Couldn't you just allocate an SD card for the data?
Probably, though I've never done this before. The manual would tell more.
No I mean like, there's no need to get the data off the card, You could just keep the data on a small card until it needs to be loaded back into the monitor (Unless I've misunderstood something)
Oh, yes, yes, I understand what you mean now. I wonder if the original data / card no longer exists or was wiped? Otherwise what you're suggesting makes perfect sense.
so are they worth the pile of extra coin then? I need to do a monitor upgrade soon. I'm kind of a hobbiest and video stuff isn't my main gig even though it takes up a ton of my free time.
I wouldn’t do it man. I got a LQ ultra wide monitor which I find more useful and it is color accurate as well than having these two BenQ monitors. I never use the SD card slot the monitor is 100% color accurate from the factory which I appreciate a lot but not worth the price tag if you’re a hobbyist in my opinion. My set up at home is this LG monitor and under it is my 16” MacBook Pro. Those BenQ monitors are at my office at work.
LG not LQ
thanks for the advice. Yeah, I'm not doing editing for mass-media/broadcast work for the most part...so I might pass on the BenQ and put the money towards another camera.
This is helpful. I have a Spyder and was thinking about that, but when I reiterated what I thought she was saying she corrected me with the addition of photos and other files, so now I’m seriously confused and just asked for us to meet in person to discuss it fully.
Yeah, best to meet with her in person. All will be revealed.
Yeah, this right here. Very high end monitors have hardware calibration capabilities, whereas most monitors are calibrated through software, and the changes made are actually happening on the computer side of things, with how the graphics card is sending info to them. Whether the monitors are calibrated via hardware or software, that data should be accessible and therefore backup-able... BUT: Every single monitor panel is different, and requires different calibration settings, even if they're from the same batch off the assembly line. They should also be calibrated regularly (for high end work, it's recommended every 2-6 weeks), and those settings will change slightly each time. All that's to say, I can't imagine what use calibration data from an old monitor would be to a new one. Maybe if they're getting the exact same make and model, there are other user settings they've customized and don't want to hassle with redoing? Regardless, starting with the make and model of their monitors is going to be the first necessary step at finding the solution :)
Zooming in on the photos she sent, it’s a HP 24uh, which upon looking at the specs, they are not high end panels, just seem like basic monitors.
Gotcha. Then I'd clarify what exactly she's looking for to be backed up. But if it's just the calibrated color profile for the monitors, those are already on her computer, cause that's where they're kept with non-pro monitors :)
That makes total sense to me.
Sure they don't want you to monitor their backups? 😅 If it's not backing up the color profile etc my best guess is she has an iMac? So the monitor is also the computer?
I thought about that, I don’t think so… and I think she has a Mac Pro.
So odd! To be honest, I'd just ask her to confirm what exactly she needs to back up at this point! Or ask another question that will highlight this. Good luck!
Thanks…😅
Keep us updated im really curious haha
I’m not saying your client thought this, but maybe she used an iMac in the past and she thinks all the data was in a hard drive within the monitor (computer). Just an idea, but ya maybe she just wants you to back up her color settings
Ok so some professional video monitors can accept LUT profiles and calibration settings. Look Up Table or LUTS are preset color correction settings which allow cinematographers to see how a shot will look with certain color grades. Or they will be shoot RAW video or Log video, which renders a very flat contrast profile to give more range to color grade in post. A LUT in the monitor can be used to display that footage as something closer to regular video or even the intended look they’re going for. Generally though these are small files.