Monitors

[richard_rosenman]

Hi gang;

Well, after a ton of research and lots of great help from Blago and members of this forum, I've just dropped an absurd amount of money on a brand new Threadripper 1950X and some GTX 1080 Ti's.

Next I have to start from scratch looking at quality monitors. So once again, I'd love to hear suggestions.

I would very much prefer to stick with Dell because I've always used their monitors and have been pleased with them. However, they have so many lines now I have no idea which would be the pro choice to consider, or where to even start.

What is most important to me is of course color and accurate blacks. I've yet to find a good LED / LCD monitor that represents good, deep blacks.

My home TV is a 65" LG OLED and, of course, nothing compares to those blacks. But sadly it seems OLED is a long way off for computer monitors. What would some of you recommend from the Dell line?

I am open to other suggestions that aren't Dell if they are worth it.

I use dual monitors and my current ones are 24" widescreen. I would look at 24" - 27". I assume everything is 4K these days?

Thanks in advance!

-Rich

[bildform]

I just got myself the 38" monitor from Dell. It is curved, but you do not notice it, when you are sitting in front of it.
So far i like the screen a lot. The colors look good, but it is not a proofing monitor.
I still have second screen next to it. This setup works well for me.
I hope this helps,
Jan

[richard_rosenman]

That one looks sweet.

What I need to know more about is the technicalities of current monitors such as how to look for one with deep blacks, accurate colors, etc.

How did you go about choosing yours?

-Rich

[bildform]

I was thinking about getting either two new monitors with at least 100% AdobeRgb color space or something big and get by with 100%srgb. I do not need to color proofing and the dell is calibrated well enough.
In the end the 38" won because the better ergonomics of not having a bezel in the middle (Photoshop is really nice on a 38" display). I wanted to wait for a 42" with a 5120x2160 resolution, but this still bit away. You can see my setup here: https://www.instagram.com/bildformagentur/

The current trend for displays seems to be HDR but I have not seen any great panels that deliver a true hdr experience. My guess is, it will take to more years to get a good panel with hdr. Maybe this helps, scroll down to Graphics HDR monitors, those are : https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/16/...-buying-guide/
Maybe go for two LG 34WK95U or tow Dell UP2718Q. Those were on my list of choices, too. But the dell 38" was cheaper and bigger.

I hope this helps a little.

[GD3DESIGN]

I've been really pleased with these monitors-------->
https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-PD3200Q-...22+MONITOR+QHD

I don't care for the super wide screens because they still have the same height limitations as a smaller screen. The 32" @ 2560x1440 was the perfect size to resolution for me. My eyes arent what they used to be, so the larger screens have really helped, I have a lot less back/neck fatigue since I switched to these. Two 32" on monitor arms and you get all the real estate and flexibility you could need. Also just noticed the have a new model that is $100 cheaper that is pretty much the same thing without a few of the bells n whistles...might be worth a look.

As far as blacks, I haven't really noticed. They are 100% srgb, though. I havent had any problems with colors or post-processing....have actually been completely satisfied and will be going on 3yrs with my first one.

[richard_rosenman]

I keep reading really good things about the BenQ's.

Is there any benefit to getting 4K? I would imagine it might be more taxing in general to the system with fewer benefits at this time? I have also read a lot of software isn't yet adapted to 4K.

And I imagine that contrast ratio is still the figure to look at for solid blacks?

-Rich

[GD3DESIGN]

I haven't found any benefit to 4k for myself. The opposite actually. For monitors under 40", you tend to have issues with font being too small and having to use dpi scaling as well as compatibility with apps and toolbars being to small. Having said that, a lot of developers are addressing the 4k issues. But I found at 32" screen size the 2560x1440 resolution seems perfect for my eyes. (my eyes arent the best, wear glasses.) I've never had to mess with and dpi scaling or have had any compatibility issues. Also, I'm preparing renders for clients that use regular HD monitors, so dont really see any benefit for post-processing renders on a 4k monitor in that respect, either.

Again, I cant get into the solid black discussion....I'm just not that technical with my monitors. I don't even color calibrate. I just get my sherwin-williams / ben moore colors to look like the swatches in the catalog....beyond that, good enough is good enough for me.

I should note that after posting this morning, I read some amazon reviews of the new model and it seems they've had a problem with one of the parts and need to ship to be to be repaired. That might be something to consider. (I actually have their older model, BL3200PT....that link is for their newer version, the PD3200Q.)

I think Samsung's 32" QHD model would also be a good alternative: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-WQHD-...words=S32D850T

(I'm just starting the hunt for 2 additional 32"ers to add another workstation here, so going to be digging into some more reviews and research.)

[GD3DESIGN]

Just wanted to update what I had said previously about the amazon reviews for the PD3200Q. After another look (and turning on the reviews product filter) I noticed that it seems to only be the 4K model that is having the problems. The 32" models have all positive reviews(almost). I'm going on 3yrs with it's predecessor, the BL3200PT and they are the best monitors I've owned. Good luck with the search!