HDR monitors when ?
- Thread starter MINUS12
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Soldato
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- 30 Nov 2011
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The panels being used in current monitors are not really capable of HDR output levels and you dont tend to get full array local dimming monitors. Nvidia have specced that gsync hdr monitors need to be capable of 1000cd/m2 which has delayed gsync hdr monitors in to early next year while they build up stock that can reach this spec. AMD are less fussy so the freesync "hdr" monitors out now can only reach 400cd/m2 which is basically pointless for HDR.
It will eventually trickle down to cheaper monitors but its going to take a while.
It will eventually trickle down to cheaper monitors but its going to take a while.
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I'm pretty interested in the new Philips 32" QHD and 4K offerings after reading this article:
http://www.canonrumors.com/new-philips-monitor-offers-99-adobe-rgb-only-costs-500/
I'm mainly interested in it's image quality for photo editing, as I'm not a gamer. The price of the QHD version seems extremely reasonable.
http://www.canonrumors.com/new-philips-monitor-offers-99-adobe-rgb-only-costs-500/
I'm mainly interested in it's image quality for photo editing, as I'm not a gamer. The price of the QHD version seems extremely reasonable.
there's a few hold ups with HDR for desktop monitors. Firstly, it's not actually very easy to achieve HDR from a PC connection, it's complicated in terms of supporting operating system, software, graphics card and the content as well. It's not a closed system like streaming services via a TV set, or like from a games console. PC gaming in HDR is not too bad, but game content support is still very limited. streaming services like Netflix won't work via a PC due to copyright protection, and Windows management of HDR is still patchy and in its infancy.
If you can get the content/input side of things sorted (including if you just wanted to plug in a games console or Blu-ray Player with HDR) then the screen side of things is still early on as well. there are probably 3 varieties of "HDR" advertised screens available already. manufacturers are investing more in these and you will see more and more screens promoted as supporting HDR over the coming months i'm sure.
1) screens which are advertised as supporting HDR content but don't actually offer any real hardware benefits to make it usable (e.g Dell U2518D). ie they will take an HDR input, but wont display the content as it was intended. for instance, they may be missing the vital local dimming support which is what actually boosts the contrast ratio for HDR. they might not reach anywhere near defined standards in terms of peak luminance, colour space support, colour depth etc. Be wary of screens advertised as HDR capable without any of these things which actually make it usable in real life. expect some smaller manufacturers to hop on the band wagon for marketing purposes but deliver very little.
2) mid range screens with some degree of HDR support (e.g. Samsung C32HG70, C27HG70, LG 32UD99) - these tends to have some level of local dimming support (commonly 8 backlight zones for now) to offer some boosted contrast ratios for HDR material. They will also have a boosted peak brightness around 600 cd/m2 commonly, and meet colour space/colour depth requirements for HDR standards. They don't have the local dimming control of more complex FALD backlights (see number 3), and dont meet all the defined standards but they are a good half way house for "monitor HDR".
3) higher end screens (e.g. Dell UP2718Q available now, forthcoming Acer Predator X27, Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ) - these have a more complex local dimming backlight (Full Array Local Dimming) which is capable of controlling the content in a more finite way with better results. they also meet higher standards for HDR including a peak luminance target of 1000 cd/m2, and then will meet the colour space/colour depth requirements too. the Dell is available now but is more of a content creators/professional grade screen, whereas for gaming the other models are due probably Q1/Q2 next year. the production of suitable panels, and the backlight units is still early on and likely to be causing the delays here.
lots more info on HDR and a focus on monitor market here: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/hdr.htm
If you can get the content/input side of things sorted (including if you just wanted to plug in a games console or Blu-ray Player with HDR) then the screen side of things is still early on as well. there are probably 3 varieties of "HDR" advertised screens available already. manufacturers are investing more in these and you will see more and more screens promoted as supporting HDR over the coming months i'm sure.
1) screens which are advertised as supporting HDR content but don't actually offer any real hardware benefits to make it usable (e.g Dell U2518D). ie they will take an HDR input, but wont display the content as it was intended. for instance, they may be missing the vital local dimming support which is what actually boosts the contrast ratio for HDR. they might not reach anywhere near defined standards in terms of peak luminance, colour space support, colour depth etc. Be wary of screens advertised as HDR capable without any of these things which actually make it usable in real life. expect some smaller manufacturers to hop on the band wagon for marketing purposes but deliver very little.
2) mid range screens with some degree of HDR support (e.g. Samsung C32HG70, C27HG70, LG 32UD99) - these tends to have some level of local dimming support (commonly 8 backlight zones for now) to offer some boosted contrast ratios for HDR material. They will also have a boosted peak brightness around 600 cd/m2 commonly, and meet colour space/colour depth requirements for HDR standards. They don't have the local dimming control of more complex FALD backlights (see number 3), and dont meet all the defined standards but they are a good half way house for "monitor HDR".
3) higher end screens (e.g. Dell UP2718Q available now, forthcoming Acer Predator X27, Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ) - these have a more complex local dimming backlight (Full Array Local Dimming) which is capable of controlling the content in a more finite way with better results. they also meet higher standards for HDR including a peak luminance target of 1000 cd/m2, and then will meet the colour space/colour depth requirements too. the Dell is available now but is more of a content creators/professional grade screen, whereas for gaming the other models are due probably Q1/Q2 next year. the production of suitable panels, and the backlight units is still early on and likely to be causing the delays here.
lots more info on HDR and a focus on monitor market here: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/hdr.htm