Have you ever wondered what the screens used for mastering movies are like? They are much thicker than televisions, use special LCD technology, and have a significantly higher cost.

Film enthusiasts often refer to the process of 'mastering', which is the technical term to describe how the final appearance of films and television shows is established. This process is carried out using 'mastering' monitors, which are specialized screens designed to provide exceptional precision in image signal. This allows colorists to confidently adjust the visual aesthetics of the production. Although these monitors employ screen technology distinct from that of the top-rated televisions on the market, their robust and unique design attracts attention, even though access to view them is limited. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph one of these monitors in Hisense's research and development lab.

Several companies manufacture 'mastering' monitors, with Sony being the most recognized for its use within the Hollywood industry. The Hisense monitor is primarily used in film and television production in China and shares technological and design similarities with those from Sony. Its structure is notably bulky, featuring retro-style controls and buttons on the front, including knobs that are a delight to see in today's technology. Although they are not suitable for everyday use, they allow for setting up visual playback to then experiment with digital mastering techniques within a production or editing environment.

With a screen of about 32 inches, the monitor is quite deep, reaching around six inches, and has two handles for easy transport. This thickness is due to the need to dissipate heat, with holes in the body that aid in this process. The elevated temperature is a result of the advanced screen technology; it is a dual-LCD panel with 4K resolution, capable of generating very nuanced colors and contrast similar to that of OLEDs.

The operation of this technology involves the overlap of two layers of LCD panels in front of a powerful and even backlight. This combination addresses the limitations of dark tones in conventional LCDs, as liquid crystals cannot completely block the backlight. Mini-LED televisions, on the other hand, use local dimming, while OLEDs generate their own light, allowing for pure black. The implementation of dual-LCD screens, while enabling the creation of brighter images, is inefficient because each layer absorbs light, thus requiring a large amount of energy and generating a lot of heat.

Monitors of this type, where cost is not a limiting factor, present a high price due to their technical capabilities. The Hisense reference monitor costs approximately CN¥250,000 (around $35,000), similar to that of Sony reference monitors. Additionally, they offer specialized professional features, such as a wide range of inputs and the ability to display multiple images simultaneously to choose color grading and contrast options or adjust pixel response times.

I always admire seeing how these monitors operate and how, despite their similarity to standard televisions, the design must be different to achieve the level of image quality that makes them worthy of reference.