Asus’ three new 32, 43, and 49-inch PC monitors boast DisplayHDR certification but be vigilant. HDR is still a fata morgana in the PC ecosystem.
When HDR is not HDR
High Dynamic Range, or HDR, is one of the most significant developments in picture quality of this decade but PC monitor makers are trying hard to water down HDR before it takes off in the PC ecosystem.
With DisplayHDR certification in the rucksack, manufacturers of PC monitors are making bold claims about High Dynamic Range picture quality that are simply not true. FlatpanelsHD has already on several occasions outlined why VESA’s DisplayHDR is not actually HDR.
Asus is far from alone but just the latest example of this trend. With its three new ”ROG Strix” PC monitors the company is boasting DisplayHDR 400 and DisplayHDR 600 certification. But you should ignore it. High Dynamic Range is easy to support in software but puts high demands on the hardware and the specifications that form the basis of both DisplayHDR 400 and 600 do not come close.
The more interesting aspect of the new gaming monitors is the large format. The 32-inch XG32VQ has a 16:9-format VA LCD panel with 1440p resolution, while the 43-inch XG438Q has 4K resolution. The largest 49-inch XG49Q features a 49-inch 32:9-format VA LCD panel with 3840x1080 resolution. They support either 120 or 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync 2.
The three Asus monitors will become available in the coming months. Pricing was not announced but the monitors are unlikely to be cheap and with PC monitors approaching TV sizes, but with much poorer picture quality, may we suggest that PC gamers consider for a moment investing in an HDR TV instead.
