21.9 Ultrawide Thread

Nexus18 · 31 Jul 2015 at 11:41

Size & Resolution Comparisons

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) comparisons, essentially how sharp content looks i.e. clarity:

24" 1920x1080 = 91
27" 2560x1440 = 108
32" 3840x2160 = 137
40" 3840x2160 = 110

25" 2560x1080 = 111
29" 2560x1080 = 95
34" 2560x1080 = 81
34" 3440x1440 = 109
35" 2560x1080 = 79

25" 21.9 has the same vertical height of a 20" 16.9 monitor

29" 21.9 has the same vertical height of a 23" 16.9 monitor

34" 21.9 has the same vertical height of a 27" 16.9 monitor

The 21.9 Experience

A quick video demonstrating 21.9 in action against 16.9:

And a more in depth look at the 2560x1080 29" experience along with the 34" 3440x1440 experience.

Gaming

As you can see in the video above, with 21.9 you get significantly more FOV at the sides than any 16.9 display. Here are some screenshot comparisons:

Thanks to zachwang and chris3013 for these screenshot comparisons.

From my own experience, a lot of games support 21.9 very well, however, not all do and thus we have to rely on end users to fix/implement proper 21.9 support in a few games.

AWPC has a good thread regarding what supports 21.9 and what doesn't along with workarounds.

There is also now a dedicated youtube review channel for 21.9 support in games!

On top of that, we also have a steam community group which lists all the games that have native 21.9 support.

A good thread covering 57 games and their 21.9 support.

One fantastic program for 21.9 screens (and even useful for 16.9 users) when it comes to games not having proper 21.9 support is flawless widescreen, however, DO NOT use this with MP games as it will likely be seen as a cheat due to how it works and possibly get you banned. This program will also include other little tweaks such as removing FPS cap.

Some user game benchmark figures for 2560x1080 and 3440x1440 res.

You can help improve this list by posting your performance figures here.

Media

Most films are shot in the 21.9 format thus when watching these films on a 16.9 display, you get black bars at the top and bottom:

Of course there are a good amount of films, which are shot in 16.9 format so when you watch these on a 21.9 screen, you will have black bars at the sides.

There is only one type of film that is problematic for 21.9 screens and that is imax as they switch from 21.9 to 16.9 throughout the film i.e. Nolan's films, you can get non imax versions for most films if you really want though and even when zoomed in, it isn't too bad tbh, quality is still great and most of the time, you wouldn't even notice that the film is zoomed in.

All TV shows are shot in 16.9 format.

I use MPC with madvr for media.

MPC HC with madvr has now solved the issue with films that are shot in both imax and 21.9!

With this, you no longer need to zoom in manually or worry about zooming in and back out etc. again.

Wallpapers

A lot of 4k (3840x2160) wallpapers will look fine on 21.9 displays, you just need to use the "stretch" option

Useful extensions for 21.9

Do you like watching youtube at the side whilst browsing the forums or doing some work etc.? Well this is perfect for 21.9 displays!

Floating youtube extension (thanks to sal<xxx for finding this)

Tired of black bars on the sides AND top/bottom of youtube videos when in fullscreen, then you need this chrome extension

That extension also has support for amazon video and netflix, here is another netflix chrome extension if the above one doesn't work

Links to 21.9 monitor discussion threads

Samsung LS34E790C (Curved, VA, 1440 @ 34")
Dell U3415W (Curved, IPS, 1440@ 34")
LG 34UC97 (Curved, IPS, 1440 @ 34")
Acer XR341CK/XR341CKA (Curved, IPS, 1440 @ 34", G [100HZ] and Free [30-75HZ range] sync)
Asus ROG Swift PG348Q (Curved, IPS, 1440 @ 34", Gsync, 100HZ)
LG 34UC98W-C (Curved, IPS, 1440 @ 34", Freesync with a 55-75HZ range)

LG 34UM95 (Flat, IPS, 1440 @ 34")
AOC U3477PQU (Flat, IPS, 1440 @ 34")

LG 29" monitors (Flat, IPS, 1080)

BenQ XR3501 (Curved, VA, 1080 @ 35", 144HZ)
Acer Predator Z35 (Curved, VA, 1080 @ 35", 200HZ + GSYNC)

Every single 21.9 monitor is listed here.

A thread/poll on who has gone 21.9 and what they think.

16.9 users fancy trying out 21.9? Then follow this!

Nvidia users

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel and click "Customize..."
2. Check box "Enable resolutions not exposed by the display"
3. Click "Create Custom Resolution"

Use following resolutions

4k Ultrawide: 3840x1620
1440p Ultrawide: 2560x1080
1080p Ultrawide: 1920x810

4. Aspect Ratio should be set to either "Aspect Ratio" or "No Scaling."

AMD users

1. Right click the desktop and open the AMD Catalyst/Vision Control Center.

2. In the upper-right corner, select "preferences". Make sure "Advanced View" is selected.

3. From the tabs on the left-hand side, select "My Digital Flat-Panels."

4. From the list that drops down, select "HDTV Support (Digital Flat-Panel).

5. There should be a list of "HDTV modes supported by this display." Choose the one relative to your monitor's native specifications. Since my monitor's native specs are 1920x1080 @60hz, I choose "Add 1080p60 format to Display Manager (NTSC)."

6. Click the green apply button.

If you now see one or two resolutions listed in the "Predefined and Custom HDTV Formats" section, you may be ready to go. Open the game and see if your native resolution is now listed.

If you're still not seeing anything, or if you'd like to add a new resolution, continue on.

7. You should now be able to click the "Add" button next to the list of "Predefined and Custom HDTV Formats." Go ahead and click it.

8. From here, you can create a custom resolution. When you're done, click accept.

9. Click the green apply button again.

If that doesn't work, try out CRU

Nexus18 · 31 Jul 2015 at 12:59

Yeah 25" 21.9 is just too small for vertical height, 29" is the absolute minimum that you need to appreciate the 21.9 format imo.

Speaking of size, I have just added a section comparing the resolution and size of 21.9 and their equivalent 16.9 monitors for the height dimension.

We should hopefully see the 34" price drop again over the next few months....

EDIT:

I will also add PPI comparisons.

Nexus18 · 31 Jul 2015 at 14:00

Thanks

Enjoy your new dell 34" :cool:

Nexus18 · 31 Jul 2015 at 17:48

Thanks guys, glad you all like the thread

SaL<XXX said:
Great stuff Nexus. You might like to add this as well (surprised there's so many) http://************.com/parts/monitor/#r=344001440,256001080.

Done.

PCM2 said:
That's largely LG's fault for having many very similar models with the same panel but slightly different aesthetics or ports.

Yeah it is quite frustrating how many models LG release... why can't they just release 1 good monitor that has everything :/ I am expecting them to re-release the 29um67 along with a better stand etc. in the next month or 2.

Nexus18 · 1 Aug 2015 at 09:37

Dell 34"

- better customer service
- looks great + has a superb stand, build etc.

However,

- still just as likely to have bleed issues as the others
- higher response times and quite a bit more input lag than the other 34" screens

I would advise trying the AOC 34" or LG instead, even though CS isn't as good or if you spend a bit more and look around you could consider the samsung 34" too, it is a VA panel so:

- not quite as sharp looking as the IPS
- better blacks/contrast ratio so things will pop more especially in dark content
- very little risk of having bleed/glow issues
- very responsive for a VA (iirc less input lag than the IPS screens) but response time when it comes to dark to bright and vice versa transitions aren't as good

Depends entirely on the end user when it comes to 144hz, gsync etc. if you are:

- very sensitive to motion clarity i.e. when you pan the camera in games quickly you don't like the smeary/blurry look
- very sensitive to screen tearing and want pure smoothness in games and you aren't satisfied with in game vsync or windowed borderless mode to do this
- can maintain at least 100FPS most of the time to make proper use of 144HZ

Then you might prefer the gsync, 144hz screen.

If you:

- want just an incredibly immersive experience
- better viewing angles
- better image quality in pretty much every way
- considerably more real estate (see my res. image comparison)

Then get the 21.9 34" screen

Nexus18 · 1 Aug 2015 at 10:26

Done. Except it is 81

Also added the PPI for 35" @ 2560x1080.

Nexus18 · 1 Aug 2015 at 13:22

I think sacrificing 44HZ to have 3440x1440 is a good move tbh, I suspect that motion clarity will still be noticeably better when you have a constant 144 vs 100FPS though...

Just a shame it is by acer though

johnnystuff said:
I'd also stick this in the OP: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18681881 at least to show how about 50% of the pc gamers and users in general has or is planning to shift to said aspect ratio, and the remaining 50% is just happy with what they have atm (doesn't mean they won't consider 21.9 whenever they'll have to upgrade). Maybe someone could start investing some time and pennies into R&D and bake some more 21.9 panels out of them factories. As others said already we're basically stuck with the only 2 IPS by LG and the single VA by Samsung (on 1440p that is). Little more choice on the 1080p.

Done.

We are stuck with pretty much the same panel choice for the 1080 too, only the VA by Samsung and IPS panels from LG + Benq's VA panel used in the 35" screen.

I will update the "Links to 21.9 monitor discussion threads" to outline the different panels & tech. later on.

snips86x said:
Good idea Nexus. I've been lazy with updating the thread I created sorry!

Slacker!!!!!

PCM2/badass or anyone else...

I am looking to add a "recommended viewing distance" guide for the 21.9 screens, however, I can't seem to find anything similar to HDTV's calculator for TV's. Any links or even your own suggestions?

Nexus18 · 1 Aug 2015 at 13:48

Rowlii said:
A huge thank you for this reply!

A few points:

- I thought the Dell was 5ms response time? This seems normal for IPS panels and something I am used to, so that's no issue.
- The LG is considerably more expensive than the Dell (£110) which would make it a £350 jump in price, I think I'd be calling myself crazy at that point.
- The real estate would actually be a drop down for me, going from 3840x2160 down to 3440x1440, but I don't think that's going to matter much to me, I find it a struggle to use all my monitor during day to day use as it is.

As for G-Sync and 144Hz, it's something I have never tried which means I have never experienced it, so I'm not sure if they're just bells and whistles that I won't enjoy. I wish there was a type of try-at-home monitor service where I wouldn't have to send them back under DSR or anything!

I've gamed on 60Hz for my entire life, I can't say I have ever noticed a lack of clarity/smoothness or anything along those lines.

Ah well, it's either the RoG Swift or the Dell U3415W, I'm scared of not having enough monitor space so I think I'm going to sway towards the latter

NP

Never go by the spec sheets for monitors, they are rarely correct especially when it comes to response time and contrast ratio figures. Here are 2 good reviews for the dell that cover the response time and input lag extremely well:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u3415w.htm

https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/dell-u3415w/

Yeah personally I wouldn't choose the LG over the AOC screen either. I suppose it comes down to if you want the curve or not as well.... Mixed opinions on that.

Ah didn't realise that acer screen was 4k, thought it was 2560x1440 but yes it will be a noticeable drop in screen real estate.

For 34" I think you need to sit at least 80cm away from the monitor. As posted in my OP

http://www.displaywars.com/27-inch-16x9-vs-34-inch-21x9

That will give you measurements for you to check the width etc. dimensions.

Nexus18 · 1 Aug 2015 at 16:31

I suppose it is a personal preference type of thing so I will leave that out for now

I find 70-80cm to be the sweet spot for 29" 2560x1080.

@Rowlii

Ah I see, tough choice! It sounds like the retailer you are dealing with have good return policy/customer service.... so it might be worth trying the LG 34" out and if not, just RMA it too.

Unfortunately it seems to be a lottery when it comes to getting a good monitor especially an IPS one these days

Nexus18 · 2 Aug 2015 at 12:09

Can't say that I have ever had that issue on my 29um65 via display port rowlii and phunkey. Are others having this issue?

I have updated the "links to 21.9 monitor discussion threads" part a bit, in brackets, I have now included the main stuff i.e. res. curved/flat, size, g/free sync, IPS/VA. I will only add the refresh rate if it is higher than 60HZ.

Nexus18 · 2 Aug 2015 at 18:42

A 34" 21.9 screen is the same height as a 27" 16.9 screen but with a lot more width, it isn't smaller in any way

http://www.displaywars.com/27-inch-16x9-vs-34-inch-21x9

Nexus18 · 2 Aug 2015 at 18:48

Ah I see

A sturdy box will fix that

Unfortunately LG can either have very good stands or bloody awful ones

Nexus18 · 2 Aug 2015 at 19:07

Personally I can't say that I have had a good experience with LG, I had to go through 2 of the 29um65 to get one that was free of severe bleed (second RMA had a dead pixel as well). With my second one, I tried contacting them to see if I could get the monitor repaired rather than just RMA'ing non-stop but there reply was more or less along the lines of:

that is within acceptable levels of bleed and we advise you to use the monitor in a bright environment with a low brightness

lol......

What my second monitor @ 20% brightness looked like....

It was also noticeable during the day/bright scenarios and with normal usage.

My third one was a lot better, still not perfect but it will do until I get something better later in the year.

Nexus18 · 2 Aug 2015 at 19:59

I know.... It has to be the dumbest thing that I have ever read

Gibbo created a thread a while ago where supposedly LG wanted feedback on their monitors etc.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18665128

However, lack of/zero communication from LG on the points we brought up = bad move in my books + with their latest products, it doesn't seem like they listened.... that was their chance to gain back my and I'm sure others interest/respect but they messed up afaic.

Of course, there will be people who will have had a great experience with them, like with any company out there, some good & some bad reports.

I have only had 2 other LCD monitors, a TN samsung 19" and a dell u2311h, both were perfect.

hehe no problem, that is what happens when we are in one of the greatest threads ever!

Nexus18 · 3 Aug 2015 at 17:29

In TFTcentral's review, the dell has significantly higher input lag and "maximum" response time than LG's and AOC's 34" screens.

And yeah same here, 1 negative review does it for me

What sucks is when you have 15+ people posting issues with bleed etc. for the same product and going through more than 1 of the monitor

Nexus18 · 22 Oct 2015 at 11:36

Updated the thread with a new addition:

There is also now a dedicated youtube review channel for 21.9 support in games!

Madvr now has support for 21.9/zoom control, so it will automatically change the zoom depending on the content, this will be superb for 21.9 films with imax scenes i.e. Nolan's films :cool:

I will add this to the OP with suggested settings in the next day or 2.

Nexus18 · 22 Oct 2015 at 20:16

IIRC, that 200HZ model is going to be 35" with a res. of 2560x1080....

Nexus18 · 22 Oct 2015 at 20:26

Each to their own but a ppi of 79 is far too low for me. Most people find it to be awful with the benq 35" 2560x1080 screen even in games....

I don't even see the point of 200HZ any way, 144/120HZ is plenty good enough, heck most people can't even tell the difference between 144 and 100 especially with g/free sync.

Nexus18 · 22 Oct 2015 at 21:02

Well if you are a "pro" gamer or CSGO is your main game, fair enough, but I would be willing to bet that even the vast majority of cs:go players wouldn't notice the difference between 120/144hz and 200HZ unless they are ESL level and even then it is a big if.....

Comparing 30-60 is just stupid, same way comparing 60-144 is stupid, like all tech, there comes a cut off point where the difference isn't noticeable for the majority and if people do "notice" a difference, I be willing to bet it is just placebo.

Also, yes refresh rate does play a part in pixel response time but the panel has to actually have proper overdrive etc. otherwise it might actually be worse for motion clarity like previous monitors that have tried to achieve 200HZ i.e. overshoot and in some cases you might even get higher input lag

Nexus18 · 22 Oct 2015 at 21:32

Going by this forum and many others, I would say most tech savy people (which is a large % of PC gamers) would notice the difference in smoothness/response and more so the motion clarity between 60 and 120.

Well even at 2560x1080 you are going to have a hard time pushing 200 fps in AAA titles.

***21.9 Ultrawide Thread***

21.9 Ultrawide Thread