b) its not possible to control colour balance, gamma etc.
on LCD displays these are software controls. On a CRT hardware can control the strength of each RGB gun and actually change the performance of the unit. On an LCD the color controls are similar to what happens on the computer where software modifies the signal going to the LCD to alter its appearance. The base hardware performance isn't really altered. Apple's way of thinking is to just leave the controls off of the monitor and let the computer do the adjusting as needed. This way it happens in only one place. You don't hit a situation where monitor controls are producing an image that's too blue and computer controls are doing the reverse to correct. The effect is like running the image through an extra unnecessary profile conversion. Unlike CRTs where the best profile is done after tweaking hardware controls to get native performance near some standard level, LCDs are best profiled when all controls on them are set to null (no software in the LCD is altering the signal). Apple builds the display with no controls so you don't have anything to alter.
I just recently started using an Apple 20 inch Cinema Display but I'm using with a PowerBook. It does work with a standard DVI connector via an adapter. That's how I'm connecting it to the powerbook. I'd question how well this might work on a PC as even the brightness of the the monitor (its only control) is handled through the Monitor Control panel in the Mac OS. Pushing the brightness button on the display launches this control panel. Not sure how this would be handled on a PC.
I love working with the 20 inch ACD but the color is only marginal in my opinion. It has a noticeable pink cast to highlights toward the side edges of the screen. If I move a white frame across the screen, it picks up a pink cast as it gets closer to the edge. A middle gray looks nice a smooth across the frame. I'll live with the slight color issues for the increased desk space, large viewing area, better brightness and overall comfort to work with. I don't rely absolutely at what I'm seeing on the screen and always check the numbers of critical image areas in the info pallet. If you want absolute visual accuracy, stay with a high end CRT.
I have one of the lower end 17 inch Sony LCDs on one of my Windows systems and I'm reasonable pleased with it. These things are hard to profile well (LCDs in general). BasICColor seems to do the best job. I've tried the demo and have a real copy on the way in a couple of days. I can comment further then. I don't use this monitor for color critical work at this time. It sure is comfortable to work with for extended times. Put one LCD in your office and you'll hate looking at a CRT again.
Bob Smith
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