Iiyama 30" IPS XB3070WQS Announced

October 29th 2014 You don't see many 30" screens released nowadays, but Iiyama are set to release their new XB3070WQS screen soon. Offering a 16:10 aspect ratio 2560 x 1600 resolution, the AH-IPS panel offers 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles. The backlight offers wide gamut support with 99% Adobe RGB covered here. The screen is reportedly flicker free as well which is good news. There are DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and D-sub connections offered. There are 2x 2W stereo speakers included as well, and the stand offers tilt, height and swivel adjustments. The screen should be available in Japan very soon. Price and other availability is not known at the moment. Source: Iiyama Follow @TFTCentral Dell X-rite Calibration Software Now Supports Mac OS

October 29th 2014 We have reviewed many of Dell's latest UltraSharp range of screens, some of which feature hardware calibration functionality. This is reserved for their high end prosumer grade models including the U2413, U2713H, U3014, UP2414Q and UP3214Q. At the time that we reviewed the first of these models, the U2713H, back in January 2013 the required calibration software v1.0.0.0 (68Mb in size) had some limitations. It was co-produced with X-rite and at the time offered only support for X-rites i1 Display Pro colorimeter device. The software worked only with Windows (Vista, 7 and 8) and did not support Mac OS at all. Later on when we reviewed the UP3214Q in January 2014 the software (v1.5.1, 172Mb) had been updated and we were pleased to see it now supported X-rites i1 Pro and i1 Pro 2 spectrophotometer devices. Still no Mac OS support though. More recently (well, maybe much earlier this year but we haven't reported on it yet!) Dell have provided a version of the software which supports Mac OS, Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. This means Mac users can now use the hardware calibration feature on these Dell UltraSharp screens. The software release information is a little confusing if you look at it on Dell.com. There seem to be different versions listed for different systems, and the supported screens list is not always very clear. As we understand it (and confirmed by a Dell rep), there are really only 2 versions you currently need: 1) v1.5.3 for Windows (172Mb) - this supports Windows 7/8/8.1 and should work with all the UltraSharp models, despite the download page only listing the UP2414Q and UP3214Q. 2) Mac OS version (136Mb) - supporting Mac OS and Mac OS 9. and again should work with all the UltraSharp models, despite the download page only listing the UP2414Q and UP3214Q. Update on MAC support: we have had a few users comment that the Mac OS support seems to be an issue, and that the software continually says that the screen is not connected to the Mac by USB, even though a device plugged in to the USB port on the Mac is detected and works fine (including the i1 Display Pro device). There seems to be a few reports of this as well on Dell's website here If there are any users who would like to test the latest version of the software on their UltraSharp screen, we would welcome any feedback confirming or opposing support for the U2413, U2713H, U3014, UP2414Q and UP3214Q screens. Follow @TFTCentral Dell Working on a 25" 2560 x 1440 U2515H Display

October 27th 2014 Dell appear to be working on a new 25" sized display in their UltraSharp range, according to information released on Energy Star's website. The U2515H will offer a 2560 x 1440 resolution and is expected to be based on one of LG.Display's new panels which we discussed back in February. According to our most recent information the LM250WQ panel is expected to go in to mass production in October 2014 and is a neo-blade (ultra thin bezel) design. This might mean that the U2515H would be released towards the very end of the year, or perhaps early 2015. Given the "15" in the product name, that would normally indicate it would be released the year before, so before the end of 2014. We do not have official confirmation that Dell have this planned other than the information listed at Energy Star. Spec wise we know from LG.Display that the panel in production is 25" in size, offers a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 14ms G2G response time (although we expect additional overdrive boosting from Dell), 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, 0.2162mm pixel pitch and 72% NTSC gamut (sRGB). We expect the U2515H to follow this kind of spec if and when officially announced. More info and details as we get it. Follow @TFTCentral Philips BDM4065UC 40" UHD 4k Display Announced

October 27th 2014 Can you really call a 40" sized screen a monitor? The forthcoming BDM4065UC is more of a TV in size, but officially it's positioned by Philips as a monitor. Offering a 4k Ultra-HD 3840 x 2160 resolution, a screen of this size offers a more comfortable native pixel pitch and font sizes thanks to its huge 40 inch screen area. This can help negate the need for scaling which can sometimes be problematic on smaller monitors depending on your system, applications and operating systems. The BDM4065UC is based on a VA (vertical Alignment) panel with 3840 x 2160 resolution. It supports 60Hz refresh rate and has a 5000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 176/176 viewing angles, sRGB gamut and 8-bit colour depth. The screen comes factory calibrated with an sRGB preset offering dE of <3, along with a uniformity of 96 - 105% specified (so all measured points on the screen which make up this specification should fall within 9% brightness of each other). According to reports the screen surface is semi-glossy anti-glare which is pleasing. Philips quote a 3ms G2G response time with their 'SmartResponse' pixel overdrive technology used (8.5ms typical with a lower setting), but those specs should probably be taken with a pinch of salt given the VA panel technology which is generally less responsive than other technologies.

The screen also supports Picture In Picture (PiP) and Picture By Picture (PbP), and offers integrated 7W stereo speakers. There are 4x USB 3.0 ports (fast charging supported), VGA, RS232, DP, Mini DisplayPort, 2x HDMI ports (one with MHL), 3.5mm audio input and a 3.5mm headphone output. HDMI is limited to 30Hz at the native resolution whereas DisplayPort (DP) and MiniDP supports 60Hz.

At IFA Philips apparently mentioned that they were aiming for a December or early 2015 release with an estimated street price below £600 including VAT. Further information on price and availability as we get it.

Follow @TFTCentral NEC PA322UHD 4k Display with 120Hz Support at Lower Res

October 17th 2014 NEC have recently announced their new 31.5" sized PA322UHD display. This new screen offers a "4k" 3840 x 2160 resolution and offers a feature set and specs aimed at professional users (not to mention the price tag). The screen is based on a Sharp IGZO IPS-type panel like several other 31.5" displays currently available (Dell UP3214Q for instance) which offers IPS-like performance characteristics. Spec wise the panel offers 3840 x 2160 resolution (60Hz maximum refresh rate), 10ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 176/176 viewing angles and a 1.07b colour depth. The backlight is LED and offers a 99.2% Adobe RGB colour gamut coverage (wide gamut display), while also offering sRGB emulation modes for those who want to work with the more traditional colour space. The display has 10-bit colour depth support and a programmable 14-bit 3D LUT. A colorimeter and SpectraView software package is needed to hardware calibrate the screen for optimum performance. NEC's useful ColorComp digital uniformity technology is also featured, with NEC claiming "93 percent more correction points than previous MultiSync PA Series displays". NEC even specifically list the fact that the screen uses PWM for backlight dimming (bravo for the transparency NEC!) but with a very high 20,000 Hz frequency listed this is expected to be of minimal concern to most users. The stand offers tilt, height, swivel and rotate adjustments. Connectivity wise there are 2 DisplayPort 1.2 ports (one with Open Pluggable Specification for digital signage connection), 4 HDMI ports, 2 DVI-D Dual Link ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports (plus upstream). The USB ports feature DisplaySync Pro, which is essentially a virtual KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch. There is an AmbiBright ambient light sensor featured, and the screen also has simple 2W stereo speakers built in. 120Hz Support from an IPS-type Panel? One interesting feature is the ability for the screen to support refresh rates up to 120Hz. Before people get too excited, this is only available up to a 1920 x 1080 resolution maximum, not at the full 4k resolution. Nevertheless, it is still interesting since this would be the first IPS-type screen on the market to support a higher refresh rate natively than 60Hz. This doesn't necessarily mean that this is going to be an amazing gaming screen though. It's not been deliberately built to offer fast gaming experience, it's more than it's taking advantage of the bandwidth possibilities of the connections and panel, and using that to offer a higher refresh rate when running at a lower resolution. Response times of this panel technology will need to have improved quite a lot if this 120Hz refresh rate is going to be practical, as we know from our tests of the Dell UP3214Q that average G2G was around 11.2ms in practice. This isn't fast enough to cope with a 120Hz refresh rate as you need to consistently deliver <8.33ms to make that viable. Even then, lower response times would be preferable to avoid too much blurring. That's not to mention any possible lag from the electronics and scalers which might affect gaming experience. --------------------------------------------- The PA322UHD-BK (standard monitor with black cabinet) is expected to be released starting in December at an estimated retail price of $2299 (£1700+ including VAT). The PA322UHD-BK-SV with SpectraView II calibration software and colorimeter is expected to retail at around $3249 (£2430+ including VAT). Source: NEC Press Release (and product page) Follow @TFTCentral BenQ BL2420PT 23.8" Screen with 2560 x 1440 Res

October 17th 2014 BenQ are set to release a new 23.8" sized screen in their BL range, aimed here at CAD/CAM, animation, video editing and graphics arts. Interestingly the new BL2420PT will be the first model of this size to offer a high 2560 x 1440 resolution, something normally reserved for 27" models. This produces a pixel density of 123.41 PPI (pixels per inch) which would be comparable to if you had a 4k 3840 x 2160 resolution on a 36" sized screen. A nice balance potentially here. The panel is AU Optronics' new M238DAN01.0 which is an IPS-type AHVA panel (not to be confused with AMVA). The backlight is W-LED and offers a standard sRGB colour gamut. It also has a true 8-bit colour depth. As with all modern BenQ displays the screen is flicker free (no PWM) and features a range of Low Blue Light modes as well. Being a ‘professional’ monitor it also includes a range of preset modes including; ‘Animation’, ‘CAD/CAM’, ‘Video Editing’, ‘REC. 709’ and ‘Graphic Arts’.

Spec wise the screen offers a 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles.

The stand offers a full range of tilt, height, swivel and rotate adjustments. The Eye Protect ambient light sensor and human motion sensor features are included as well on this model. Connectivity wise there are VGA (D-sub), Dual Link DVI, DP 1.2, HDMI 1.4, 2 USB 2.0 ports (plus upstream), a 3.5mm headphone jack and 3.5mm line-in. There are also integrated 2x 1W stereo speakers.

No word on release date or price yet. Source: BenQ

Follow @TFTCentral Philips 272G5DYEB 27" Display with G-sync

October 17th 2014 Philips have just announced their new 27" 272G5DYEB display, supporting NVIDIA's G-sync technology. The screen offers a 1ms G2G response time and 144Hz refresh rate support as well, although sadly the resolution is only 1920 x 1080 and not 2560 x 1440 as featured on the recent Asus ROG Swift PG278Q. Still, the impressive specs and support of G-sync should offer an excellent gaming performance. The screen also supports NVIDIA's Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB) mode and 3D vision of course as well. Note that G-sync, ULMB and 3D vision are only available with NVIDIA GPU's, and not on AMD cards. Spec wise the TN Film panel offers a 1ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 170/160 viewing angles. There is a 16.7m colour depth and the screen is W-LED backlit with an sRGB gamut. The stand offers a full range of tilt, height (150mm), swivel and rotate adjustments. There is only a single DisplayPort 1.2 connection available because of the current limitations of working with G-sync modules. There are also 4x USB 3.0 ports, 1 with fast charging capability. The new Philips 272G5DYEB display with NVIDIA G-SYNC will be available end of October 2014 at a suggested retail price of GBP 499. Source: Philips Follow @TFTCentral Apple Launches iMac with Retina 5k Display

October 17th 2014 We brought you the rumours earlier this month of the new Apple iMac and Apple Cinema Display screens which were expected to be announced in the near future. The latest iMac model has now been confirmed, and as anticipated it will feature a "5k" 5120 x 2880 resolution, 4 times that of the previous iMac! Apple says that “text looks as sharp as it does on a printed page” and we expected 2x scaling to be incorporated to provide sharp and crisp images from Mac OS instead of leaving you with absolutely tiny fonts and content if you were running at a native 5120 x 2880 desktop resolution. Apple have done a good job of keeping the iMac as thin as before. The screen will apparently come factory calibrated as well. There's no mention of panel type, but we expect it to be IPS. Along with the new Macs, Apple is also introducing OS X Yosemite, and apps like Final Cut Pro X have been updated to take advantage of the high resolution. The new iMac with Retina display is mainly targeted at professional users and comes with a $2499 starting price. This price also includes a 3,5 GHz i5, AMD R9 M290X graphics card and a 1TB Fusion Drive. Follow @TFTCentral

Dell U2715H Announced with Ultra-Thin Bezel Design

October 1st 2014 Dell are set to release a new 27” model in their ever-popular UltraSharp range. The U2715H looks like it will be a replacement for the U2713HM, as opposed to replacing the U2713H screen. The new display is a standard gamut model like the HM was before it and so it looks like the old U2713H will remain as a wide gamut, semi-professional model with more higher end features being offered. The new U2715H is 27” in size and moves to their new ultra-thin bezel design much like their U2414H and forthcoming U2415 models. Spec wise the screen is based on an AH-IPS panel with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 6 – 8ms G2G response time (dependent on setting), 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, and W-LED backlight. It offers a standard sRGB gamut and 16.7m colour depth. The OSD control buttons are touch sensitive giving the monitor some “premium” features. It is also factory calibrated to have a dE < 3. Connectivity wise there are 2x HDMI 1.4 ports (with MHL), DisplayPort 1.2, Mini DP 1.2 input and Mini DP 1.2 output (for MST daisy-chaining), 5x USB 3.0 ports (one with fast charging) plus 1x upstream and a 3.5mm audio output jack. No VGA or DVI connections are provided on this model. The Dell U2715H will launch soon in Europe and the US. No price information has been confirmed, but in Hong Kong it is available for the equivalent of around $850 USD. We expect it to be somewhat cheaper when it hits the US and Europe though, so that's just an early indication. Source: Dell Hong Kong Follow @TFTCentral Apple Rumoured to Release 27" 5k Monitor This Year

October 1st 2014 Apple are rumoured to be working on a new Thunderbolt display and iMac which will reportedly feature a 5k 5120 x 2880 resolution and likely feature the same panel as being used in Dell’s forthcoming UP2715K display. The new Apple screens are expected to be released before the end of 2014. 5120x2880 pixels would be exactly double (horizontally and vertically, but 4 times more pixels) of what Apple is offering in its current 27-inch iMac and Thunderbolt Display, which uses 2560x1440 pixels. This means that Apple can run it at 2X scaling just like it is doing with its Retina Macbooks, iPads and iPhones. So it appears plausible that Apple would promote such as display as the first Retina iMac or Thunderbolt Display. However, Thunderbolt 2 (built on DisplayPort 1.2) might not be able to power the monitor, depending on the frame rate. Dell is said to use two DisplayPort 1.2 connections for its UP2715K monitor. A new DisplayPort 1.3 standard is currently being developed and Intel is also said to be working on a Thunderbolt 3 standard. It’s speculated that MST might be used to combined two 2560 x 2880 resolutions together. Previous rumors suggested that Apple was interested in launching a 4K monitor with 4096x2160 pixel resolution, which is supported by Thunderbolt 2. Source: MacRumors Follow @TFTCentral Next Generation USB to Incorporate DisplayPort

October 1st 2014 The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), working in liaison with the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, recently announced the publication of the DisplayPort Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) on USB Type-C Standard. Using the DisplayPort Alt Mode, a USB Type-C connector and cable can deliver full DisplayPort audio/video (A/V) performance, driving monitor resolutions of 4K and beyond, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1) data and up to 100 watts of power–over a single cable. The DisplayPort Alt Mode can also drive adaptors that support the huge installed base of existing DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA displays. VESA utilized the Alternate Mode functional extension of the USB Type-C specification in the development of this new Standard. The DisplayPort Alt Mode repurposes some or all of the four existing SuperSpeed USB lanes to deliver full DisplayPort performance, and uses other signaling available in the USB Type-C connector for DisplayPort’s AUX channel and HPD (Hot Plug Detection) function. This enables computers, tablets, smartphones, displays, and docking stations to implement the new USB Type-C connector at both ends while using the DisplayPort Standard over USB Type-C to transmit high-resolution A/V along with USB data and power. Devices supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode on a USB Type-C connector can also connect to an existing DisplayPort device using a reversible USB Type-C to DisplayPort converter cable. Video source devices that support DisplayPort Alt Mode on a USB Type-C connector can use an appropriate adaptor to drive an HDMI, DVI or VGA display. All adaptors and converter cables will comply with all USB Type-C characteristics, including reversible plug orientation and cable direction. “The USB Type-C specification was developed to provide consumers with a robust connector for everything from mobile devices to PCs, and when combined with SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps and USB Power Delivery, it truly enables a single cable solution for the market,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO. “The USB-IF is also in the process of developing joint port identification guidelines. We’re working with VESA to ensure consumers can recognize when DisplayPort Alt Mode is supported on USB Type-C devices.” Like USB, DisplayPort uses a packetized data structure and differential AC-Coupled signal “lanes” that carry high speed data with an embedded clock. This allows the same electrical circuits and cables to carry either SuperSpeed USB data, at up to 10 Gbps per lane, or DisplayPort, at up to 8.1 Gbps per lane, as defined in the new DisplayPort 1.3 Standard. Early implementations of DisplayPort Alt Mode USB Type-C devices will likely use existing DisplayPort 1.2a capabilities that support up to 5.4 Gbps per lane. Using 5.4 Gbps across all four high-speed lanes will support up to 4K (4096 x 2160) display resolutions at a 60Hz frame rate with up to 30-bit color. By leveraging USB Type-C’s flexibility, the DisplayPort Alt Mode can choose to transmit on just one or two of the four available lanes, so that the other two lanes can be used for SuperSpeed USB data at the same time. In a docking station connection, for example, the use of two lanes for DisplayPort at 8.1 Gbps per lane would allow simultaneous transfer of SuperSpeed USB data (up to 10 Gbps in each direction) while also supporting a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) DisplayPort monitor. The dock can also be configured with DisplayPort protocol converters to support HDMI, VGA and/or DVI monitors. When using all four lanes for DisplayPort Alt Mode, which could drive a monitor with up to 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution, USB 2.0 data can still be carried across the USB Type-C connection using separate pins dedicated for that function. “DisplayPort has played a vital role in advancing display performance and connectivity for platforms that are increasingly integrated and compact,” said Craig Wiley, Senior Director of Marketing at Parade Technologies, VESA Board member, and VESA Marketing Task Group Chair. “In addition to the dedicated DisplayPort connector, the DisplayPort Standard has become an important ingredient in other wired interfaces, such as ThunderBolt™, DockPort™, MyDP™, and Embedded DisplayPort™. The opportunity to utilize the USB Type-C specification to develop the DisplayPort Alternate Mode helps further VESA’s vision of common-place high performance video interfaces.” Source: VESA Follow @TFTCentral Samsung to Launch Curved 27" and 34" VA Monitors

September 17th 2014 There have been a few 34" curved models announced in recent weeks, including the LG 34UC97 and Dell U3415W for example. Samsung are set to offer a model in this size and shape as well, but their new S34E790C will reportedly be based on VA panel technology instead of IPS which has been used in the LG and Dell models. The curve is fairly subtle as you can tell from the photos at pcmonitors.info (also pictured above) The screen will offer a 3440 x 1440 resolution, 4ms G2G response time, 3000:1 contrast ratio and 178/178 viewing angles. The W-LED backlight offers an sRGB gamut and the screen coating should be the common VA semi-glossy type. PIP (Picture In Picture) ‘2.0’ and PBP (Picture By Picture) functionality are offered. There is also a JOG (joystick) at the rear of the screen, towards the right, for intuitive menu navigation. The ports include DC input (external power brick), 2 HDMI ports, DP 1.2 input, 3.5mm audio output and 4 USB ports (plus upstream). It isn’t yet clear what version of HDMI or which USB revision is used on the monitor. The stand offers only a tilt adjustment but the screen is VESA mountable. Price and release date aren't known officially yet, but it is expected in 2015.

In addition Samsung will also release their 27" curved VA monitor, the S27D590C. This is also based on a VA panel with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 5ms G2G response time, 3000:1 contrast ratio and 178/178 viewing angles. The ports include; DisplayPort, VGA, HDMI, 3.5mm audio input and 3.5mm headphone jack. Again the stand only offers a basic tilt adjustment. Further information on the Samsung S27D590C can be found in this German press release and on some regional Samsung websites (such as their Chinese one). The screen is currently scheduled for a late October release at an MSRP of 409 Euros (£326.59, $537.32 USD).

Source: pcmonitors.info

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ViewSonic VG2438Sm 24" 16:10 Aspect IPS Display

September 17th 2014 ViewSonic have announced their new 24" sized VG2438Sm display, with "SuperClear" IPS panel and fairly rare 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen offers a 1920 x 1200 resolution which is still favoured by many people over the common 1920 x 1080 panels in the market. It also offers a 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, W-LED backlight and sRGB gamut. D-sub, DVI and DispalyPort connections are offered along with a 4 port USB 3.0 hub and 2x 2W stereo speakers. The VG2438SM also has integrated features that ease comfort and reduce eye fatigue, such as Flicker-Free Technology and a Blue Light Filter. Flicker-Free Technology eliminates screen flickering to a minimum at all brightness levels, helping to reduce eye strain that comes from long periods of viewing. ViewSonic’s proprietary Blue Light Filter allows users to dim the blue light levels to reduce potential eye strain. The fully ergonomic stand design allows a more comfortable working environment, through full adjustability of the display, including height adjustment, tilt, swivel and pivot, which maximizes productivity and enhances user comfort. ViewSonic introduces two other models alongside the VG2438SM, the VG2435SM and VG2235M. The VG2435SM is a 24” monitor featuring 1920x1200 resolution, SuperClear panel, VGA and DVI inputs, as well as full ergonomics and speakers. The VG2235M is a 22” monitor with 1680 x 1050 resolution, TN panel, VGA and DVI inputs, full ergonomics and speakers. The VG2438SM, VG2235M and VG2435SM will be available in October 2014. The VG2235M will have an SRP (exc. VAT) of £119 / 129€ / $199. The VG2435SM will have an SRP (exc. VAT) of £159 / 179€ / $259. The VG2438SM will have an SRP (exc. VAT) of £179 / 199€ / $299. Source: ViewSonic Follow @TFTCentral Eizo FlexScan EV2455 and EV2450 with Frameless Design

September 17th 2014 Frameless designs seem to be the big thing at the moment for a lot of manufacturers, and Eizo are no different. They have recently announced the release of the FlexScan EV2455 and FlexScan EV2450 IPS monitors for business environments such as trading rooms, back offices, and control rooms. These monitors feature a new “Fusion” design that houses Eizo’s own EcoView technologies for reduced power consumption and improved visual ergonomics inside an extremely compact cabinet. This new housing features 1 mm ultra-slim bezels on the sides and top (with black borders of 5.2 mm for the FlexScan EV2455 and 4.3 mm for the FlexScan EV2450) and a depth of a mere 47.9 mm for both models. This makes for an attractive design that blends in with the desktop and reduces eye movement in a multi-monitor setup. The EV2455 is 24" in size and offers a fairly rare 1920 x 1200 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. Spec wise it also offers and IPS panel with 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, W-LED backlight, 16.7m colour depth, sRGB gamut and 178/178 viewing angles. The EV2450 (pictured above) is 23.8" in size and opts for a more common 1920 x 1080 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio. It offers an IPS panel with 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, W-LED backlight, 16.7m colour depth, sRGB gamut and 178/178 viewing angles. The FlexScan EV2455 and FlexScan EV2450 come with four input terminals to meet the diverse requirements of businesses – DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D, and D-Sub mini 15-pin. There are also 2x USB 3.0 ports available. Both models include an ergonomic stand with 140 mm height adjustment, 40° tilt (5° down, 35° up), and 344° swivel. They also pivot 90° clockwise and counter-clockwise so users can take advantage of their ultra-slim bezels even when using two monitors side-by-side in portrait mode. Both are advertised as having a hybrid backlight dimming system which should mean they are PWM-free for most of the brightness adjustment range, normally down to 20% when a PWM method is introduced for the lower end brightness regulation. The screens include their EcoView ambient light sensor feature and EcoView Sense 2 human motion sensor. The FlexScan EV2455 and EV2450 are now shipping. Date of availability varies by country so contact the EIZO subsidiary or distributor in your country for details. Source: Eizo Follow @TFTCentral Acer Announce S277HK and H257HU Frameless Monitors

September 17th 2014 Acer have recently unveiled two new monitors, the 27-inch S277HK and the 25-inch H257HU. Featuring frameless designs and 4K2K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) and WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolutions respectively.



The 27" sized Acer S277HK (above) has the distinction of being the world’s first 4K2K monitor to feature a "frameless design" and DTS™ surround sound. Besides giving it a stylish streamlined look, the design also maximizes its viewing area and provides a more seamless viewing experience for multi-monitor setups. In addition, the S277HK sports a sleek hair-line aluminium bezel and a slim and contemporary looking asymmetric metallic stand that sets it apart from other monitors. The backside of the monitor features a white glossy finish that further adds to its elegance. The 25" sized H257HU monitor (above), also with a frameless design, is set apart with its futuristic looking stand with a distinct round rim base. The H257HU comes equipped with WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, offering great visuals for video viewing, gaming and more.



Both monitors offer excellent audio capabilities with DTS™ surround sound as well as display quality with IPS technology being used for the panels.



What’s more, both monitors feature technologies that help to reduce eye strain and provide a more comfortable viewing experience. They include Flicker-less technology (PWM-free), which helps to eliminate screen flickering, and a blue light filter that reduces exposure to blue light that can potentially cause long-term eye damage. In addition, they feature Low Dimming technology, which allows users to adjust to as low as 15 percent brightness in low light environments, compared to 30 percent found on standard monitors, and ComfyView technology that lessens reflection from external light sources. For easy connectivity both monitors feature DVI, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2. Other specs aren't available at the moment from what we've seen.



The S277HK and H257HU monitors will be available globally and begin shipping in Q4 2014. Source: Acer Follow @TFTCentral

VESA Release DisplayPort 1.3 Standard



September 17th 2014

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) announced the release of the DisplayPort 1.3 audio / video (A/V) standard. An update to the widely used DisplayPort 1.2a standard, this latest version increases the maximum link bandwidth to 32.4 Gbps, with each of four lanes running at a link rate of 8.1 Gbps/lane—a 50% increase from the previous version of the DisplayPort standard. Allowing for transport overhead, DisplayPort’s 32.4 Gbps combined link rate delivers 25.92 Gbps of uncompressed video data.

The increased bandwidth enables higher resolution monitors, including recently announced 5K monitors (with pixel resolutions of 5120 x 2880) using a single DisplayPort cable, without the use of compression. It will also enable higher resolutions when driving multiple monitors through a single connection using DisplayPort’s Multi-Stream feature, such as the use of two 4K UHD monitors, each with a pixel resolution of 3840 x 2160, when using VESA Coordinated Video Timing.

DisplayPort 1.3 continues to support video conversion to VGA, DVI and HDMI. DisplayPort 1.3 adds support for HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0 with CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), which enhances DisplayPort’s utility for television applications, including 4K video with copy protection. The new standard adds support for the 4:2:0 pixel structure, a video format commonly used on consumer digital television interfaces, which enables support for future 8K x 4K displays.

DisplayPort 1.3 also enhances DisplayPort’s value for multi-function interfaces that combine data transport, A/V transport and other capabilities on a single cable. It further refines protocols that enable DisplayPort to share a single cable with other data types. With its higher 8.1 Gbps per-lane link rate, DisplayPort 1.3 can support a single UHD monitor with 60Hz refresh and 24-bit color over two lanes, while assigning the remaining two lanes to increase capacity for alternate data types, such as SuperSpeed USB data as allowed in DockPort™. DisplayPort is the A/V transport standard used by DockPort, Thunderbolt and other wired and wireless multi-function interface standards.

“While becoming a mainstream video standard, DisplayPort continues to be at the cutting edge of A/V transport,” said VESA Board of Directors Chair Alan Kobayashi, Fellow & Executive R&D Management for DisplayPort Group at MegaChips Technology America. “These new enhancements to DisplayPort will facilitate both higher resolution displays, as well as easier integration of DisplayPort into multi-protocol data transports, which will satisfy consumer’s desire for simplicity and ease-of-use.”

Source: VESA

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BenQ BL3201PT 32" with 4k Resolution AHVA Panel

September 9th 2014

BenQ are set to release the World's first 32" 4k2k monitor for designers. The BL3201PT offers a larger 32" screen size, paired with an ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution from its AU Optronics AHVA panel (referred to by BenQ as IPS, since it's an IPS-type technology, not to be confused with AMVA).

The screen is flicker free and has a Low Blue Light mode and ambient light sensor as well for a range of "EyeCare" extras. Spec wise the screen offers a 4ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles. It has a 1.07b colour depth and sRGB gamut from the W-LED backlight. The BL3201PT offers DL-DVI, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort connections. There are 2x 5W stereo speakers and a headphone port as well. The screen also comes with the OSD controller extra like we saw on the BL3200PT model.

No word on release date or price yet.

Source: BenQ

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Sharp Continue to Invest in High Res IGZO Panel Technology

September 9th 2014

Following the recent news from LG.Display and AU Optronics, we bring you the latest developments from Sharp as well. Sharp aren't as mainstream as some of the other manufacturers when it comes to desktop LCD panels, but over the last year or so we've seen some interesting options and new technologies emerge from them. Sharp were the ones who brought us the 120Hz MVA panel used in the very popular Eizo Foris FG2421. They also brought us the first batch of readily available 4k panels, with their 31.5" IGZO technology, used in displays like the Dell UP3214Q.

In their largest 31.5" sector Sharp will continue to produce some parts we've already seen listed in the past, including the LQ315D1LG9N and LQ315D1LG93 IGZO panels with 3840 x 2160 resolution and sRGB colour spaces. A new LQ315D1LG9G IGZO panel with the same resolution will go into mass production during Q3 of 2014 which will offer a wide colour gamut and Adobe RGB coverage. They also have the LQ315D1JG-xx (last part of the product code unknown) going into production in Q1 of 2015 with Adobe RGB coverage. This will apparently have a "moth-eye" option which provides a super low reflection surface. It will also have a super-narrow border supported by the middle of 2015 so this is likely to then be used in "frameless" and thin bezel designed monitors next year. Interestingly also is the contrast ratio for this panel which is listed at 1500:1 as opposed to the 1000:1 from all their other IGZO panels to date. Finally another new sRGB gamut panel (LQ315D1-xxxx) will go into production in Q2 2015 which offers a very low power consumption option to manufacturers.

In the 27" space Sharp have an interesting new LQ270D1JG01 IGZO technology panel coming around Q3 2015. This will offer a massive 5120 x 2880 resolution (5k), Adobe RGB colour space, 1500:1 contrast ratio and 10-bit colour depth.

Finally they have a 23.6" sized IGZO panel coming early 2015. The LQ236D1JG01 offers a 3840 x 2160 resolution, sRGB colour space (although there's a note saying Adobe RGB is possible, maybe as an option?) and 8-bit+FRC colour depth.

Sadly there is no sign of any new 120Hz compatible panels in their plans, as users were hoping for perhaps a larger, higher res version of the LQ235D1LW03 used with success in the Eizo Foris FG2421.

Full specs for all the new panels known so far are available in our Panel Parts Database

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Eizo Announce Cost-Effective ColorEdge CS240 Display

September 9th 2014

Last week Eizo announced their new 24.1" sized ColorEdge CS240 monitor. According to the press release it is designed to meet "the varying needs and budgets of all levels of photographers and graphic design professionals. The ColorEdge CS240 offers many of the advanced features of other EIZO ColorEdge monitors such as a wide color gamut and hardware calibration. It also delivers benefits not usually available with cost-performance monitors such as dedicated calibration software that supports compatibility with a wide range of third-party calibration devices and a manufacturer’s five-year warranty."

The screen is based on an IPS panel with 16:10 aspect ratio and a 1920 x 1200 resolution. It has a wide colour gamut backlight offering 99% Adobe RGB coverage. It can support 10-bit content over DisplayPort as well, and has a 16-bit LUT. In addition, it can display 10-bit color via the HDMI input terminal with Deep Color applicable devices. EIZO’s DUE (digital uniformity equalizer) technology compensates for uniformity errors common to all LCD panels to produce more even brightness and colour across the screen. The screen has a factory calibrated gamma curve as well and is advertised as being flicker free which is good news.

Spec wise it offers a 7.7ms G2G response time, 1000: contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles.

Connectivity wise there are DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI connections provided along with 2x USB ports. An ergonomic stand with 35° tilt, 344° swivel, portrait mode, and 130 mm height adjustment lets users place the screen in the optimal position. The stand has a sturdy build and includes a cable holder for a clutter-free desktop.

The ColorEdge CS240 is now shipping. Date of availability and price vary so please contact the EIZO subsidiary or sales distributor in your country for details. EIZO will exhibit the ColorEdge CS240 at Photokina in Cologne, Germany from September 16 - 21 in hall 4.1 stand I025 J030.

Source: Eizo

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144Hz IPS-type Panels Finally On Their Way! 1440p as Well!

September 7th 2014

Below we bring you some news from AU Optronics about some of their forthcoming panels. Surely of most interest is a new 27" panel (M270DAN02.3) currently in development which will be based on AUO's AHVA panel technology, equivalent to LG.Display's IPS and with very similar performance characteristics. This is a 27" panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, sRGB gamut and 178/178 viewing angles. Nothing special you might think - wrong! This will be the first IPS-type panel to natively support 144Hz refresh rate, something buyers have been crying out for for a long time! 144Hz AHVA and 2560 x 1440 resolution, we can't wait!

Note: to clear up any confusion, the panel being discussed is an AU Optronics A H VA technology (Advanced Hyper Viewing-Angle), as opposed to their A M VA (Advanced Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment). AHVA is their equivalent to LG.Display's IPS (In Plane Switching) technology, as is Samsung's PLS (Plane to Line Switching). Both were designed as a competing alternative. All 3 technologies (AHVA, IPS, PLS) are very similar in characteristics and performance in practice, and are often simply labelled as "IPS" by manufacturers. This is why we refer to them as IPS-type in this news piece.



In other areas and in the 27" space AU Optronics are also set to start production on their AHVA (IPS-type) 3840 x 2160 resolution 4k panels. The M270QAN01.1 panel with an sRGB colour gamut will go into production in October while the Adobe RGB version, the M270QAN01.2 will go into production in Q4 of 2014.

Also in 27" size there are some new 2560 x 1440 AHVA (IPS-type) panels coming soon. The M270DAN02.0 with sRGB gamut and the M270DAN02.1 with Adobe RGB gamut go into production in October and December respectively. There is also the M270DAN02.2, M270DAN02.3 and M270DAN02.5 going into production in September with sRGB gamuts. The M270DAN02.3 is perhaps the most interesting as this is the 144Hz capable AHVA panel we already discussed.

Still sticking with 27" sized panels for a moment, we already know about the M270Q002 V0 which was used with great success in the Asus ROG Swift PG278Q. This was the first 2560 x 1440 TN Film panel seen on the market and is manufactured by AU Optronics. AUO also have the new M270DTN01.1 in production now which offers a 2560 x 1440 TN Film panel although it doesn't list 144Hz refresh rate as a feature so perhaps this is a standard 60Hz only equivalent.

Not forgetting their trusty old AMVA (VA type) panels they also have the new M270HVN02.3 planned for October production. This is a 27" panel with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 3000:1 contrast ratio. Still no sign of any 27" AMVA panels with 2560 x 1440 resolution we're afraid. There's also the 21.5" sized T215HVN01.1 AMVA panel which goes into production in October to look out for.

Full specs for all the new panels known so far are available in our Panel Parts Database

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New AH-IPS Panels Coming Soon from LG.Display (Sept 14 Update)

September 7th 2014

We thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the new panels coming into production or planned soon. This gives us some insight into what might be round the corner from monitor manufacturers, as well as confirming some of the panel parts for monitors we already know about.

In the large 34" space the new curved 21:9 aspect ratio 3440 x 1440 resolution AH-IPS panel will be the LM340UW2. This should go into mass production in October apparently, which would fit in with the expected arrival of the Dell U3415W and LG 34UC97 screens hopefully before the end of the year.

LG.Display are also planning a new curved 29" AH-IPS panel as well, expected next year though in Q2. The LM290WW2 will offer a 21:9 aspect ratio with 2560 x 1080 resolution.

In the 27" sector there is the new 4k resolution AH-IPS panel, expected to be in production from October. The LM270WR2 has a 3840 x 2160 resolution, 14ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles and sRGB colour space.

We know there will also be a 5k resolution AH-IPS panel coming soon as well in the 27" space, but at the moment we haven't got confirmation of the actual part. We believe Dell will be using it in their forthcoming UP2715K screen as the specs seem to fit, and it features 5120 x 2880 resolution, 14ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 178/178 viewing angles. It's possible Dell are using a Sharp IGZO panel though as they also have a 27" 5k panel in production, and Dell used a Sharp panel before for their UP3214Q. More info on the Sharp panels coming soon.

In an unusual size and aspect ratio, the 26.5" diagonal square shaped LM265SQ1 panel should have gone into mass production in August, so we might expect to see it adopted in some displays at some point in the near future perhaps. This panel offers a 1920 x 1920 resolution.

In the 23.8" sector LG.Display already have a 3840 x 2160 panel AH-IPS panel in production now, the LM238WR1-SLA1 which features a GB-r-LED backlight and Adobe RGB colour space. The sRGB version of the LM238WR1 panel with W-LED backlight is expected to go into mass production in December. Both parts offer the 4k resolution along with 14ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles.

The latest 21.5" AH-IPS panel going into production in September is the LM215WF3, with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 14ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, sRGB colour gamut and W-LED backlight.

In the smallest size bracket in their production range there is also a new 19.5" widescreen AH-IPS panel planned for Q1 2015. The LM195WX1 will offer a 1440 x 900 resolution. This will run along side two existing 19.5" AH-IPS panels already in mass production, both with the part number of LM195WD2 (different revisions apply). One is an ultra-slim panel variant but both offer a 1600 x 900 resolution. All three of these panels also offer 14ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, sRGB colour gamut and W-LED backlight.

Full specs for all the new panels known so far are available in our Panel Parts Database

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Dell 27" UltraSharp UP2715K 5k 5120 x 2880 Res Display

September 5th 2014

Dell look like they are readying their new flagship monitor in their UltraSharp range. The new UP2715K monitor is 27" in size but will feature a whopping 5k resolution of 5120 x 2880. That's 70% more pixels even than a standard 4k panel! It needs not one, but two DisplayPort 1.2 connections to power it. Dell had the monitor running off of a Quadro K5000 card in a demo recently in fact. Interestingly it seems to feature a glass coating for super-clear images, but has an anti-smudge and anti-reflective coating to it which really helps cut out the glare. That could be very popular if it works well! It has a 1.07b colour depth and they've also included some high end speakers, 6x USB ports and a card reader. The press release info is below:

"Dell also previewed the groundbreaking Dell UltraSharp 27 Ultra HD 5K Monitor, the world’s first display with Ultra HD 5K resolution (5120 x 2880). Ultra HD 5K is equivalent to four times the resolution of QHD and seven times the resolution of Full HD; offering a revolutionary screen performance for professionals requiring the highest resolution available. Dell PremierColor and the anti-smudge / anti-reflective edge-to-edge glass design provide true-to-life color accuracy and pristine picture quality for color-critical work. It also delivers immersive acoustics with two 16W integrated Harmon Kardon speakers. To optimize productivity, this highly innovative monitor offers six USB ports and one media card reader to seamlessly connect with a wide range of other peripherals."

Maximumpc have an interesting hands on video worth watching as well.

The screen is expected to retail at $2499.99 and will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.

Dell 55 Monitor Offers Massive 55" Size!



September 5th 2014

According to a recent press release Dell are set to release a massive 55" sized "monitor". We're not sure you can really call it a monitor, it's more of a public display by the sounds of things, and given the pretty affordable cost we wouldn't expect anything fantastic. Thought we'd mention it anyway. Here's what the press release says:

"Dell’s class-leading suite of monitors allows businesses to better customize solutions to suit their working needs. The new Dell 55 Monitor has a 55-inch widescreen display that delivers Full HD resolution and a 3000:1 contrast, providing exceptional clarity for presentations, schematics and video calls. An alternative to the traditional projectors and TVs used in meeting rooms and the perfect complement to the Dell Chromebox for meetings, the Dell 55 Monitor quickly and automatically adjusts to match the PC's resolution, ensuring that meeting attendees enjoy a hassle-free, full screen projection.

The Dell 55 Monitor is apparently $1049 USD and available in the US and Canada."

Source: Dell

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Dell U3415W to be a Curved 34" Display When Launched

September 5th 2014

We brought you news about the forthcoming Dell U3415W back last December when rumours started to emerge. Since then we've seen other 34" models arrive and people (including us) have been wondering what is taking Dell so long. It looks like the reason why we haven't seen the new screen yet is because Dell are going to release it as a curved 34" display, as opposed to the current range of flat 34" screens like the recently reviewed LG 34UM95. LG recently announced their curved 34UC97, and it looks like Dell will be offering something similar in the near future.

The U3415W will be 34" in size and offer a 3440 x 1440 resolution with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It is likely to be an IPS panel and is reported to feature DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort and HDMI connections. It also has a tilt, height and swivel adjustable stand and 9W stereo speakers according to early reports. We do know it will offer a 99% sRGB colour gamut, 8ms G2G response time, 178/178 viewing angles, 1.07b colour depth and come factory calibrated with dE of <3.

It is expected to be available in December. More info as we get it.

Source: TomsHardware

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ViewSonic VG2401mh Gaming Monitor with 144Hz Refresh

September 5th 2014

ViewSonic have just announced the launch of their new 24" VG2401mh gaming monitor. The screen offers a 1ms G2G response time and a 144Hz refresh rate. The VG2401mh also features ViewSonic’s Game Mode technology. Game Mode technology enhances visibility and detail by brightening the dark scenes of video games providing the ultimate gaming experience. In addition, an “Aimpoint” hotkey function provides gamers with on-screen crosshairs for an instant and accurate.

The screen offers a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness and 170/160 viewing angles. Interestingly the ViewSonic spec lists a 16.7m colour depth and say that it is "true 8-bit". ViewSonic have apparently confirmed this to be true, but we will wait and see what panel is being used and if it is truly 8-bit or not. Sadly there's no additional gaming features like blur reduction backlight or G-sync by the look of things.

It includes HDMI and DisplayPort inputs and a USB hub is also included. The bezel is apparently super-slim and the stand offers a full range of tilt, height, swivel and rotate adjustments. ViewSonic specifically list the screen as being flicker free as well which is good news, and there's a "Blue Light Filter" mode as well for improved eye comfort.

The ViewSonic VG2401mh will be available from October 2014 with an MSRP of £249, €279, US$399 (including VAT).

Source: ViewSonic

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Dell U2415 Coming Soon, a New 24" 16:10 Aspect

September 1st 2014

Dell have leaked some early information on their China website about a new 24" model coming soon in their ever-popular UltraSharp range. The U2415 will feature similar styling to the existing U2414H model, but will revert to a 16:10 aspect ratio with 1920 x 1200 resolution. Some people still prefer this aspect ratio for work, given it has a little more vertical room than the wide range of 1920 x 1080 models out there.

The panel is a 24" AH-IPS panel with 1920 x 1200 resolution, 6 - 8ms G2G response time (there are two overdrive modes on this model), 1000:1 contrast ratio, 50 - 300 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles. Unlike the previous 16:10 aspect 24" model, the U2413, the new U2415 will feature a standard sRGB colour space from its W-LED backlight and 16.7m colour depth. The screen does come factory calibrated with a dE of <3 specified. Where the U2413 was an update to the U2410 (both wide gamut, colour professional models) this model looks more like an update to the U2412M (standard gamut, more main-stream).

Dell have gone for an ultra-slim bezel design as well, measuring apparently only 6.9mm including the panel border. The stand offers a full range of tilt, height, swivel and rotate adjustments. Connectivity wise there are 2x HDMI (with MHL), DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort Out (for Daisy Chaining), audio in, audio out and a 5 port USB 3.0 hub. One USB port features fast charging capability also. The user guide for the screen lists an "analogue backlight dimming control for flicker free display" as well, so seems like Dell have now adopted the flicker free approach officially as well.

At the moment the U2415 is listed on dell's China website for 3299 Chinese Yuan, which is around £323.50 or $537 USD. No word on release date yet or official UK/US pricing.

Dell Glossy IPS S2415H and S2715H Coming Soon

September 1st 2014 Dell are set to update their Studio series of monitors as well, with new 23.8" and 27" models planned. The S2415H and S2715H will feature glossy screen surfaces, something you don't see very often any more. They are based on AH-IPS panels as well, and feature an ultra-thin bezel design. On the S2415H this measures only 6.05mm according to the spec (including the panel border). While the screens are glossy, they do not feature a glass front like the old S2440L and S2740L which is good news as that made those old models incredibly reflective. Spec wise the screens offer a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 6ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 16.7m colour depth, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles and an sRGB colour gamut from the W-LED backlights. There are VGA, HDMI (with MHL) and audio in/out connections provided. The 27" model also includes 2x USB 2.0 ports and 9W stereo speakers. The 23.8" model doesn't have any USB ports, and has smaller 3W stereo speakers. Both have only a basic tilt adjustment from the stand, but are VESA 100mm compliant for mounting if needed. The S2415H is listed on their US website and confirms a $259.99 price, while the UK site confirms £243.60. The S2715H is only listed at 2999 Chinese Yuan (£294/$488 USD) at the moment on Dell's China website. No confirmation on release dates yet for these two.

Source: Dell.com (S2415H and S2715H)

Follow @TFTCentral LG 24GM77 Gaming Monitor Announced with Strobe Backlight

August 25th 2014 Gamers will be excited about the new 24" gaming monitor being shown off at IFA 2014 by LG. The 24GM77 is designed specifically for gaming, and features a fast 144Hz refresh rate from its TN Film panel. LG’s Dynamic Action Sync (DAS) Mode drastically cuts input lag, enabling the player to respond faster to what’s happening on the screen. Other notable features include Black Stabilizer for consistent blacks across different scenes and Game Mode, which offers three optimized settings that can be applied quickly by pressing a hotkey on the monitor, with the option to create customized presets. And a new "Motion 240" mode, developed exclusively for the Gaming Monitor, helps minimize motion blur with a fast response time of less than 1ms. This mode has been confirmed as a strobe backlight system, much like the "Turbo 240" mode from the Eizo Foris FG2421 by the look of things. No word on release or price yet. Source: LG Follow @TFTCentral Acer XB270HAbprz 27" Gaming Monitor with G-sync

August 25th 2014 Acer have announced a new 27" gaming monitor in their range. Why they can't keep to simpler product names though we don't know! The XB270HAbprz offers a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 1ms G2G response time and 144 Hz refresh rate support. Importantly this screen also supports NVIDIA's G-sync module. In other specs there is a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 170/160 viewing angles from the TN Film panel. There are DL-DVI and DisplayPort 1.2 ports offered, along with a 4 port USB 3.0 hub. No word on price although release is expected soon. Follow @TFTCentral BenQ GW2765HT Gaming 27" IPS Monitor

August 25th 2014 BenQ have announced something a little different for them, a gaming monitor but focused around an IPS panel. Normally they stick with fast TN Film panels for gaming screens, but this is a large 27" model with an IPS panel and 2560 x 1440 resolution. Before people get excited, this is still only limited to 60Hz refresh rate and does not feature any blur reduction modes. Where BenQ have focused on is attempting to maximise IPS response times, hopefully producing fast transitions without too much overshoot. They advertise a 4ms G2G response time but it remains to be seen of course whether it's really any faster than other IPS panels around. The screen offers a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, 1.07b colour depth and 100% sRGB coverage from its W-LED backlight. It is part of BenQ's Flicker Free range of course which is good news. It also has a Low Blue Light mode and a fully adjustable stand with tilt, height, swivel and rotate adjustments offered. There are D-sub, DL-DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI video connections offered. There are also integrated 2x 1W stereo speakers and an audio in and out connection. Source: BenQ Follow @TFTCentral Samsung U32D970Q with 4k PLS Panel Announced

August 25th 2014 Samsung have recently announced a new high-end monitor designed primarily for colour critical work and professional users. The U32D970Q is is built around a 31.5" PLS panel from Samsung, featuring a 3840 x 2160 resolution. The panel offers an 8ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness and 178/178 viewing angles. The wide gamut LED backlighting offers 99.5% Adobe RGB coverage and the colour depth is also 10-bit, seemingly without the use of FRC according to the specs. The screen comes factory calibrated with a dE of <1 and also boasts a guaranteed uniformity of >90% (meaning that the greatest deviation ‘accepted’ in the factory between the brightest and dimmest of 25 measured points on the screen is 10%). It has a 16-bit LUT (Look-Up Table) for enhanced colour precision. The monitor features hardware calibration, meaning users can modify the LUT directly with a compatible colorimeter. The display offers an sRGB and Adobe RGB emulation mode as well. There are also a number of other modes designed with specific colour standards in mind; EBU (European Broadcasting Union), Rec709 (HDTV standard), SMPTE-C (Analogue SD standard), DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) and DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). There also seems to be a mode to allow the screen to be split in half, with different colour space modes used for each half. Another nice feature includes ‘Quad PBP’, which is the ability to output content in Full HD from 4 devices simultaneously in a Picture By Picture mode. The screen features a thin bezel design, with the stand offering a full range of tilt, height, swivel and rotate adjustments. The ports on the monitor include 2x DisplayPort 1.2, Dual-Link DVI, HDMI 1.4, 4x USB 3.0 ports and 3.5mm audio output. This monitor is designed primarily for PC users and requires the use of DP 1.2 to output 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz. The brushed-effect rear plate around the stand can be removed with the stand itself to expose 100 x 100mm and 200 x 200mm VESA holes. The display is also specifically marketed as being "flicker safe" so will feature a PWM-free backlight. The monitor is expected to be released from August in selected Asian markets and reach other regions such as the UK and US later (possibly October). The monitor currently retails for 2,090,000 South Korean Won, which is around £1230 ($2050 USD) to give a rough indication of price.

Follow @TFTCentral LG 31MU97 with Full 4096 x 2160 4k Resolution

August 25th 2014 At IFA 2014 LG are set to showcase their Digital Cinema 4k Monitor, the 31" 31UM97. This screen features a 4096 x 2160 resolution and an IPS panel. It looks like this will be using LG.Display's LM310UH1 panel which we have yet to see used in a desktop screen. It supports 99% Adobe RGB coverage as well so is a wide gamut backlight. LG say in their press release that "this monitor is an ideal choice for film professionals as well as for those working in design and photography. The Digital Cinema 4K Monitor comes hardware calibration-ready and also features Dual Color Space and LG’s exclusive True Color Pro calibration software." Other details are not available at this time, but expect more after IFA starting 5th September. Based on the specs of the expected panel being used, we wouldn't be surprised to see a 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles and a 10-bit colour depth. More info when we get it. Source: LG Follow @TFTCentral LG 34UC97 is the World's First Curved Widescreen Monitor

August 25th 2014 LG are set to showcase the World's first curved 21:9 aspect desktop monitor at this years IFA event in Berlin Germany. The 34" sized 34UC97 monitor features an IPS panel and is "suited to the needs of professional users and home entertainment enthusiasts with extra screen real estate so users can get more done in less time." By adding a gentle curve to a 21:9 aspect ratio monitor, LG has created a unique product that delivers a more immersive experience. The Quad HD resolution display with 3440 x 1440 pixels gives digital photographers and filmmakers the level of detail and accuracy that their work demands. Compatible with both PCs and Macs, the LG 34UC97 monitor easily handles heavy graphics and videos with ease on either system and supports Thunderbolt™ 2 for high-speed data transfers — four times faster than USB 3.0 — and allows multiple devices to be daisy chained together. The monitor also features MAXX AUDIO and 7W stereo speaker system guaranteed to deliver peak audio performance across all frequencies. Spec wise the AH-IPS panel offers 5ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 178/178 viewing angles, 8-bit colour depth and a standard sRGB colour gamut from the W-LED backlight. The screen is part of LG's flicker free range as well which is good news, and there are various "reader" modes for improved eye comfort. The rear of the monitor is fairly minimalist, with a champagne colouration and ports hidden beneath a detachable cover. The ports are similar to the 34UM95; 2 HDMI 1.4 ports, 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port (plus upstream) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. No word on release or price yet, but we expect to know more after IFA which starts 5th September. Source: LG