The Offset Podcast EP030: Discussing Monitors Part 1

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 technologies
• Choosing display technologies for a monitor product line
• Determining what features make it into monitor software
• Addressing different needs of different users e.g. DITs vs Colorists
• How staying at the forefront of color science helps deliver the most accurate monitors possible
• The role that an R&D company like Dolby plays in the monitor ecosystem
• How monitor usability is just as important as performance
• The complexity of monitor display technologies and how they can complicate monitor evaluation
• Sometimes monitor evaluation brings with it things manufacturers don’t want to hear
• Consumer monitors can be considerably harder to evaluate than professional monitors
• What does Dolby Certification really mean for consumer TVs
• When 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 box
• Calibration is not a replacement for understanding & proper setup/use of a monitor
• Exploring how calibration has become both easier and harder
• How accurate is accurate enough and is the cost of reference calibration gear worth it
• Noticeable differences & degrees of accuracy with calibration
• Drift 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.