Hardware - - wacom cintiq

BodegaGo · #1 09-24-2007, 01:16 PM

anyone got any thoughts/reviews on this thing?

http://wacom.com/cintiq/

rberg605 · #2 09-24-2007, 11:49 PM

I am an independent rep for the Wacom line of products and I know their products very well.

The Cintiq is an amazing tablet which costs a lot more than the other products in their line and it is worth it for sure.

It is simply and LCD screen that connects to your computer and you do your work directly on the screen. This product was created to meet the needs of those folks who spend 10 or 12 hours a day working in the digital field.

The feedback from these professionals is that it saves them time and it is easier for them to work than with the professional line of tablets called the Intuos.

Built into the Cintiq are 8 programmable express keys and two programmable slide switches.

The pen is ergonomically designed to be used for hours without causing fatigue.

the base is adjustable up and down (from almost flat on a desk to almost 90 upright).

The levels of pressure and the high resolution make it a dream to use.

The whole thing is designed for ease of use.

If you can afford it and don't mind waiting for one then it is a great investment. For most people one of the Intuos 3 tablets would be fine.

krisdaloo · #3 09-25-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rberg605

I am an independent rep for the Wacom line of products and I know their products very well.

The Cintiq is an amazing tablet which costs a lot more than the other products in their line and it is worth it for sure.

It is simply and LCD screen that connects to your computer and you do your work directly on the screen. This product was created to meet the needs of those folks who spend 10 or 12 hours a day working in the digital field.

The feedback from these professionals is that it saves them time and it is easier for them to work than with the professional line of tablets called the Intuos.

Built into the Cintiq are 8 programmable express keys and two programmable slide switches.

The pen is ergonomically designed to be used for hours without causing fatigue.

the base is adjustable up and down (from almost flat on a desk to almost 90 upright).

The levels of pressure and the high resolution make it a dream to use.

The whole thing is designed for ease of use.

If you can afford it and don't mind waiting for one then it is a great investment. For most people one of the Intuos 3 tablets would be fine.

Thanks for the advertisment j/k

A few thoughts on this, I haven't actually used one, but I do have a buddy of mine in another shop who has used one.

His review was basically that he's so used to working with a tablet bleow him, that the change slows him down considerably and is difficult to adjust to.

My thoughts... I think it's an amazing idea, but I would consider the extreme change in your posture while working, I imagine you would be hunched over and it would do a number on your neck.

I do think this has potential to be a great soft proofing monitor... art directors could mark up on screen, I would imagine they would feel more comfortable considering they usually just draw all over the proofs. The problem here is that the monitor is not SWOP certified.

I think with better color managment and all that fun stuff, it could be a great tool (are you listening Wacom?)

cricket1961 · #4 09-25-2007, 11:05 AM

I had a chance to try one out a few years ago.

If I had one(meaning afford one) I think I would welcome the less pressure of the base of the Intuos on my wrist/forearm underneath.
I could actually be able to hold it like the drawing pads I used to use so long ago and rotate it to where I wanted the canvas to face etc.

Chris

rberg605 · #5 09-25-2007, 04:02 PM

Advertisement? Not so - just the facts.

Racc Iria · #6 09-25-2007, 05:38 PM

I have one at work and use it all the time. I love it! I have it sitting up at about a 45 degree angle like an art table. I lowered my chair a little so I'm not hunching over all that much.

Not being able to get used to it seems like it ought to be nonsense, as it's much more like using a pen on paper without the disconnect of looking somewhere different than where you're working.

The Cintiq is expensive, but it is worth every penny. To me, the experience of using the Cintiq is as far above using an ordinary tablet, as using the ordinary tablet is above the mouse.

Lynnette · #7 10-03-2007, 07:06 PM

What about color? How is it calibrated? And how much are we talking anyway $$$???

I need a new monitor and a new tablet- I've actually started wearing a hole in the surface of mine. I have a feeling it will be cheaper to buy a new monitor and a new tablet.

Racc Iria · #8 10-04-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynnette

What about color? How is it calibrated? And how much are we talking anyway $$$???

I need a new monitor and a new tablet- I've actually started wearing a hole in the surface of mine. I have a feeling it will be cheaper to buy a new monitor and a new tablet.

It's an LCD monitor, so it can be calibrated as any other LCD would. You can also create color profiles for it just as you could any other monitor.

As for cost... around $2,500 last I heard. But, if you do a lot of pen/tablet work it's worth every penny. It you ever get a chance to try one out, you'll probably be instantly hooked.

The whole thing kind of works like an art board. You can even physically rotate the whole thing to get a more comfortable drawing angle... just like you would a piece of paper. And although it's little heavy for it, I have kicked back, put my feet up, and used it in my lap before.

Ant · #9 10-04-2007, 12:26 PM

Can we get any more specs? Who makes the panel? Warranty? I assume it could also be used with an additional monitor or two? Viewing angles, Bit depth? Any other info would be appreciated.

Racc Iria · #10 10-05-2007, 10:03 AM

Most of your questions should be answered at the Wacom website.

http://www.wacom.com/cintiq/index.cfm

Yes, you can use it with other monitors. Wacom has them made. Don't know exactly who owns the factory that makes them. You would have to call Wacom and ask. But, the other information can be found at the link above.

Ant · #11 10-05-2007, 10:15 AM

No, it's not on the website or I wouldn't have asked. I agree that they should be answered there, but it isn't.

Racc Iria · #12 10-08-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant

Can we get any more specs? Who makes the panel? Warranty? I assume it could also be used with an additional monitor or two? Viewing angles, Bit depth? Any other info would be appreciated.

Well, I don't know what to tell you besides give Wacom a call. The warranty information is on the site, just look in the left navigation column. The Cintiq can be used with other monitors. As for viewing angles, I can get all the way to the sides and still see the image. It's not a perfect 178 degree field of view, though, the darker colors will shift a little at extreme angles, but looks perfectly fine at useable angles. As for bit depth... that doesn't even make sense. The monitor should be able to display any bit depth your graphics card can generate. My graphics card is set for 32 bits per pixel. I don't think they go any higher than that.

That only leaves "who makes the panel?" As was said before, Wacom has them made. If you want to know exactly in which factory they were manufactured, you will have to call Wacom and ask. Though, I don't know what good that information would do you as Wacom has their own manufacturing requirements as this isn't your typical LCD monitor. So, comparing it to the way or where other LCDs are made probably won't tell you much.

KR1156 · #13 10-26-2007, 10:22 PM

here are some specs i found on it.

place i work for is going to be hooking them up to all the retouching stations in jan, so i did a little search on it.

The Cintiq 21UX combines the advantages of a professional quality LCD display with the control, comfort, and productivity of Wacom's patented cordless, battery-free tablet technology. The 21.3" display features UXGA (1600x1200) resolution, a 170 degree viewing angle, anti-glare and hard texture coatings, 24-bit color with ICC color profile, a 400:1 contrast ratio, and 250 cd/m2 brightness. The tablet technology provides 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity, 5,080 lines-per-inch resolution, and pen tilt sensitivity. The unique Cintiq 21UX stand allows it to be rotated 180 degrees in either direction and tilted to any angle between 10° and 65°. The Cintiq 21UX works on operating systems from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MFST) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

Doug Nelson · #14 10-27-2007, 12:22 AM

I haven't used one, but I have read that the bit of parallax needs a bit of getting used to. That is, your pen tip is actually a fraction of an inch away from where it actually draws, due to the thickness of the screen. It doesn't bother some at all, bothers others a great deal.

Bert Monroy uses one in his video tutorials, if you want to see what they're like to use: http://www.revision3.com/pixelperfect

KR1156 · #15 10-27-2007, 08:12 AM

that's something that would bother me a lot....have to play with one to see.

they already have them for the digital sketch artists, which makes perfect sense, but i don't think i need one, but if it's there, might as well check it out!