Interview
What is the best video editing monitor? How do you make your selection? Is it as simple as just gettting the highest resolution screen you can afford? Kevin Thorpe of Big Jam studios offered Best 27 Inch Monitor is an experienced professional video editor and also a bit of a legend in the trance music niche. I headed over to Big Jam Studios to interview Kevin and find out more.
What Video Editing Monitor do You Currently Use?
Big Jam Studios currently run with a basic Acer 17″ monitor as a line monitor and a 27 inch Dell 2709W for video and photo editing. Kevin commented:
This setup has been great for flexibility. Many people are surprised that we run “pc monitors” off a Mac. Of course it’s entirely possible to choose any monitor you like and still use a Mac
Kevin bought the 27 inch monitor on the basis of a recommendation from a friend in the graphic design industry. At the time, with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, it was the best video editing monitor for the money. Resolution being a key consideration when selecting the best video editing monitor. Kevin also runs all of his sound editing work through the same setup hence the audio monitors (speakers) at either side of the monitor. Be careful to get screened speakers when placing them near any displays as the magnets in the speakers can distort the image.
Why Use a Multiple Monitor Setup?
Big Jam use a second smaller monitor as a line monitor. This allows Kevin and the team to monitor the frequency content of audio in real-time and while editing. This allows them to make changes to improve the overall audio quality while keeping the main 27 inch monitor free for either audio timeline management or for video footage editing.
What is The Best Video Editing Monitor?
Going forward, Kevin and the team are investing in a brand new 27″ iMac Retina setup. When I asked why, Kevin commented
It’s just a great combination of awesome graphics, sleek design and the Mac is built in too.
The team have settled on a final iMac spec of:
- 2 x 2.06GHz quad core processors
- Retina 27 inch screen
- 8TB External media drive
Big Jam are also planning to add a new 19″ monitor to complement the iMac and continue frequency analysis capability which keeps the main display free for video and audio timeline editing.
What is the Best Software to Use For Video Editing?
Kevin uses Adobe Premiere exclusively. It’s hands down the best video editing software out there. With the new Adobe CC range, it can be purchased for just a few bucks a month.
Can we See an Example of Your Work?
Kevin has recently comopleted a series of Vlogs (Video Blogs) for local hypnotist Tim Box.
I was really pleased with the way these came out, the clarity is great and of course Tim and Zoe are naturals in front of the camera.
Where do You see the Video Editing Industry Headed in the Next 20 Years?
Well vlogging is growing rapidly. Smartphones are becoming more and more powerful and I do expect to that a semi professional video editing platform might be available in the not too distant future. Right now it’s just about possible to take professional video with a Nokia Lumia 1020. In fact Ellie Goulding’s music video “How Long Will I Love You” was famously shot using this exact phone as a publicity stunt by Nokia.
It’s impressive although the industry still has a way to go before pro-editing capabilities are available on the move. I think the future is exciting with technology driving the availability of online video, the quality and proliferation will continute to increase rapidly. With organic LED and curved screen technology already available, the best video editing monitor in two decades will be very different to the tech we have now.
What is the Webcam For?
Many eagle eyed readers will have noticed a 3rd party webcam on top of Big Jam’s 27 inch video editing monitor. When I noticed, this is what Kevin had to say:
We’ve noticed a strong trend into online learning. A lot of people are using technolgy to reach education they might never have been able to access. I’m currently teaching a DJ in Australia how to make better sounding trance music and a student in Hungary how to improve his electronic music skills. As an award winning music creator I tend to be quite well known in the DJing and techno / trance music space. It’s an unusal niche to be in and it is very rewarding when you see someone on the other side of the world achieve something special that you helped inspire!
Have a question for Kevin? Drop a comment below and I promise to get a direct response for you!
