Upgrading to a new Mac Studio, I found that Sequoia OS was not compatible with my older monitor, so it was time for a video editing monitor upgrade.
Edit station updates
I’ve been editing as a freelance video editor on my workstation with two 24” 1920 x 1080 HD NEC monitors without any problems for many years. Luckily, my more modern NEC monitor had an HDMI port, and my new MAC Studio was happy to connect with that monitor. To keep my preferred two-monitor editing setup, I now needed a new second monitor.
Researching the market
Buying a new monitor, especially when working as a freelancer, is a significant investment. Researching which monitor is the best one to buy always requires more time than researching any other purchase. Even my cameras and lenses for my freelance video production work take less research. Fortunately, numerous blog articles are available online to assist with the decision-making process. Some, thankfully, were written by highly experienced and technically knowledgeable video editors.
How to shortlist
I first considered what type of content I create and what my deliverables are most likely to be over the future years. My main criteria were for a highly colour-accurate and true 10-bit display. I also wanted to increase my desktop real estate from my existing 1920 x 1080. So, I was considering UHD, 4K, and 5K monitor options. I needed to consider its physical size so that it would fit on my existing workstation.
Options not needed
For my next primary edit monitor, I decided against considering an HDR monitor as I don’t currently deliver any HDR content. I wasn’t fussed about having a webcam as I use my iPhone to video call with clients. My new monitor didn’t need to have good speakers, as I use my Focal Professional CMS-40 to monitor sound. I don’t edit in direct sunlight, so I didn’t need a special monitor coating or super brightness.
Mixed resolutions
One concern in selecting my new second monitor was working with and editing on two monitors with different resolutions. I knew I was planning on keeping one of my 24” NEC HD monitors, so I wondered how a larger resolution screen would work with that. For the whole of my video career, I’ve always been working with monitors of the same resolution. Even researching the topic, it was not clear to me how having two different resolution monitors would be. There seemed to be some conflicting advice online. The type and age of the computer, its memory, and graphics capabilities also appeared to have an impact on some users.
Short list and purchase
I made a shortlist in May 2025. There were two main monitors that best suited my needs. The Apple Studio Display 27” and the BenQ PD2730S 27”. Both 5K monitors with Thunderbolt. I decided to purchase the BenQ PD2730S.
My decision about my video editing monitor upgrade has all worked out great. Physically, the 27” BenQ has the same screen dimensions as my old 24” NEC, but with much less of a bezel. So, it fits in with my workstation symmetry and aesthetic. I’m running my 5k monitor at 2560 x 1440, which is the MAC default. I adjust it up to 5120 x 2880 if I want to use it for higher resolution viewing. The BenQ PD2730S is now my primary colour-accurate edit monitor. I use my 24” NEC for extra desktop real estate or for Avid bins and project information when editing.
Moving windows across the two different resolution monitors is not a problem with my MAC Studio. I just have to remember to reduce the size of the window (like a Word doc or Avid monitor or bin) when moving from the 5K to the HD screen. I used to use the full-screen video option on my HD monitors when viewing my edits in Avid. As I mostly edit with HD delivery, I now select a single monitor in Avid when viewing an edit and pull open my edit monitor window. Or use my 1920 x 1080 NEC for full-screen viewing HD projects.
