To be fair, most of these problems were solved more than a decade ago, with CRT, so it is kinda ridiculous that in 2014 we're paying well over a thousand dollars for a monitor that's worse than two decades old CRTs...
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34" 21:9 UltraWide Displays (3440x1440) - LG UM95/UM65 & Dell U3415W
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To be fair, most of these problems were solved more than a decade ago, with CRT, so it is kinda ridiculous that in 2014 we're paying well over a thousand dollars for a monitor that's worse than two decades old CRTs...
I cancelled my preorder due to the only "professional" review we have on it so far. http://www.digitaltrends.com/monitor-reviews/lg-34um95-review/
~500:1 actual contrast ratio after calibration. It advertises 1000:1, and many cheaper 16x9 1440p monitors can achieve 1000:1. I hope this review is wrong, I really do, but I'll wait for the dell version or more professional reviews on the monitor before considering it again. Unless you absolutely must have 21x9, I really don't see this monitor being all that great for movies and gaming. For strict desktop usages, it could be really good. However, $900 can get you an two 1440p 16x9 monitors, or three 1080p monitors with better contrast.
That review really killed my day. Was really looking forward to this... =/
~500:1 actual contrast ratio after calibration. It advertises 1000:1, and many cheaper 16x9 1440p monitors can achieve 1000:1. I hope this review is wrong, I really do, but I'll wait for the dell version or more professional reviews on the monitor before considering it again. Unless you absolutely must have 21x9, I really don't see this monitor being all that great for movies and gaming. For strict desktop usages, it could be really good. However, $900 can get you an two 1440p 16x9 monitors, or three 1080p monitors with better contrast.
That review really killed my day. Was really looking forward to this... =/
Erebus
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LOL, +1, that's the same vibe I'm picking up
I heard prad.de gave it top marks. Haven't read their review yet though as it's behind a paywall, won't go public until June 30.
I don't really get that digitaltrends review. The monitor isn't sold as covering AdobeRGB, but rather sRGB, which it does relatively well. Their issue with the brightness control was also covered by the calibration software (which apparently was foolproof and quick.) I'm not aware of many monitors in this price range from other manufacturers that support a similar level of hardware calibration through provided software.
The bit about the contrast ratio may be a fair complaint, but I've been living long enough with my U3011 that I can deal with so-so blacks so long as colors are good.
I just wish someone would have this monitor in stock to fulfill my order.
The bit about the contrast ratio may be a fair complaint, but I've been living long enough with my U3011 that I can deal with so-so blacks so long as colors are good.
I just wish someone would have this monitor in stock to fulfill my order.
Digital Trends used a Spyder 4 which is less accurate than X-Rite meters and can't measure contrast properly (it peaks around 700:1). PRAD's review preview is available for 2.50 Euros (this is a 1000$ monitor, bitching about spending a few $ on the most in depth review available should result in a week ban), they measured 800:1 which is slightly below average. The best 27" 1440p monitors do 900-1100:1, have excellent color presets and some are available for 300$, so I do agree that this monitor is vastly over priced, especially compared to the 550$ AOC Q2770QPU (Review links) and overclock-able Qnix/X-Stars.
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robbiekhan
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Is HCFR the best standalone software to run a measurement only? I'd like to keep a history of trending data over the course of a year or so of how the panel shifts after each calibration run.
800:1 is unacceptable given the price in my opinion. The 2560x1080 21x9 Dell I am currently on scored ~1100:1 according to the TFTCentral review. I've always believed contrast ratio is more important than sheer resolution for gaming, which is my main goal here. It's clear this is a desktop/workstation monitor with that contrast ratio.
BTW... Where did I bitch about spending a few extra $ on a review? Were you just talking in general?
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robbiekhan
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You do realise contrast ratio isn't the be all and end all right? On paper it might be 800 or 1100, whatever. Post calibration quality is all that's important for how it benefits your workflow. Musing so much over a figure is just a bit insane when on the whole it doesn't matter a great deal since it still produces the expected results in actual use.
I'd like to see a CRT that hasn't warped or had it's tube degrade in colour quality after a few years! Yeah LCDs shift but nowhere near as much as a CRT. I had a dual CRT setup, an LG Flatron and a Mitsubishi Diamondtron back in the day. Such good times especially the degaus button
Sadly they aged badly with time and made my then room feel like an oven so I got with the times and got some Lols.
To be fair, most of these problems were solved more than a decade ago, with CRT, so it is kinda ridiculous that in 2014 we're paying well over a thousand dollars for a monitor that's worse than two decades old CRTs...
I'd like to see a CRT that hasn't warped or had it's tube degrade in colour quality after a few years! Yeah LCDs shift but nowhere near as much as a CRT. I had a dual CRT setup, an LG Flatron and a Mitsubishi Diamondtron back in the day. Such good times especially the degaus button
Sadly they aged badly with time and made my then room feel like an oven so I got with the times and got some Lols.
Lolwut, I hope you're joking, I understand tftcentral's previews being $1, but we're getting now to 2.5 previews being accepted and normal? $1k or not, the difference is that you pay that only if you buy the monitor, while here you're asked to pay to know if the monitor is any good?
harsaphes
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I read that review after you posted. For me it's not a deal breaker at all. If you are really nit picky (I'm not) then, yes, this is a deal breaker. I'm not saying this isn't important but for the limited use browsing, occasional game and movie watching I'm sure it's fine.
Contrast ratio is contrast ratio. I was going to use this as a 21x9 gaming monitor, not desktop/workflow. I won't be buying this monitor, but I understand you defending your purchase. It's $750 for the BenQ BL3200PT VA Monitor with actual ~2800:1 contrast ratio, blacks that practically match the bezel even in pitch black rooms, and no IPS glow. It will produce a much better picture for gaming and movies, and it's cheaper.
This monitor is a workstation/desktop monitor first and foremost. It'll have more color accuracy then the BenQ, and has 21x9 going for it for more desktop space. If you need 100% color accuracy, this monitor is probably the way to go. If you play games game or watch movies a lot, I'd definitely go with the BenQ for the contrast ratio and dark black levels.
Luckily, my friend is ordering two of these LGs and I am ordering the BenQ. So I should be able to compare them in a few weeks when they arrive.
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So I should be able to compare them in a few weeks when they arrive.
looking forward to that, hopefully with side by side pictures and all.
Bloodflowerz
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Lolwut, I hope you're joking, I understand tftcentral's previews being $1, but we're getting now to 2.5 previews being accepted and normal? $1k or not, the difference is that you pay that only if you buy the monitor, while here you're asked to pay to know if the monitor is any good?
I would expect an entire magazine for 2.50 EUR and a free pull out poster too while I'm at it....
Bluesun311
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I get dispcal, and the results seem excellent. Much better than x-rite software anyway. But I don't understand HCFR. Is there a meter correction file somewhere I'm supposed to download? Or is HCFR for displays that have color controls? I just don't see what I'm supposed to do with it. Dispcal does this long process and then tells you what your gamut coverage was and it's much better about grayscale than the x-rite calibrations are.
Contrast ratio is contrast ratio. I was going to use this as a 21x9 gaming monitor, not desktop/workflow. I won't be buying this monitor, but I understand you defending your purchase. It's $750 for the BenQ BL3200PT VA Monitor with actual ~2800:1 contrast ratio, blacks that practically match the bezel even in pitch black rooms, and no IPS glow. It will produce a much better picture for gaming and movies, and it's cheaper.
This monitor is a workstation/desktop monitor first and foremost. It'll have more color accuracy then the BenQ, and has 21x9 going for it for more desktop space. If you need 100% color accuracy, this monitor is probably the way to go. If you play games game or watch movies a lot, I'd definitely go with the BenQ for the contrast ratio and dark black levels.
Luckily, my friend is ordering two of these LGs and I am ordering the BenQ. So I should be able to compare them in a few weeks when they arrive.
Too bad the BenQ has pathetic dot pitch... Which will turn even more people away from it.
Not everyone likes having to use binoculars to read.
The pros far outweigh the cons IMO. It may have roughly the same PPI as a 23-24" 1080p display, but it's way larger. You will see more detail that you normally would because of the larger display at the same PPI. I've owned both a 23" 1080p and a 27" 1440p, and both times I felt like I was missing fine details because the screen was too small. It just wasn't very immersive in games either, when compared to say gaming on my 55" 1080p TV.
The few people that have the monitor in the other thread stated there isn't much of a difference in sharpness from their 27" 1440p monitors to 32" 1440P. I'm inclined to believe them... people keep wanting more and more pixel density but I feel like we're hitting huge diminishing returns. Now people are getting 4K monitors stuffed into 28" displays and having to increase DPI scaling to read text. When does it stop? When do we start focusing on actual quality instead of more pixels?
I feel the BenQ monitor is a perfect middle ground.
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The Dark Session
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I saw a lot of people complaining about the low contrast, switch to Photo mode and you have "true" 900:1 , otherwise its around 778:1, compared to the heavily recommended Dell 2412M which also has 800:1 thats really no difference.
Contrast ratio is contrast ratio. I was going to use this as a 21x9 gaming monitor, not desktop/workflow. I won't be buying this monitor, but I understand you defending your purchase. It's $750 for the BenQ BL3200PT VA Monitor with actual ~2800:1 contrast ratio, blacks that practically match the bezel even in pitch black rooms, and no IPS glow. It will produce a much better picture for gaming and movies, and it's cheaper.
This monitor is a workstation/desktop monitor first and foremost. It'll have more color accuracy then the BenQ, and has 21x9 going for it for more desktop space. If you need 100% color accuracy, this monitor is probably the way to go. If you play games game or watch movies a lot, I'd definitely go with the BenQ for the contrast ratio and dark black levels.
Luckily, my friend is ordering two of these LGs and I am ordering the BenQ. So I should be able to compare them in a few weeks when they arrive.
When IPS glow is in effect, contrast ratio starts to become less of a talking point. For me, minimum black levels were always as, or more important than pure contrast ratio. On a 21:9 screen like this, the IPS glow is going to be present at almost all realistic sitting placements due to width, so (for me) contrast ratio is not a major factor. With VA, you compromise dark to dark pixel transitions and get some high angle color washout with darks, so it's all really what the user deems priority where panel tech becomes an important factor.
With the True Color Finder software you can calibrate this screen with an appropriate colorimeter and have that calibration available in all software including games without needing to resort to Color Profile keeper or other "GPU LUT locker" software to have accurate colors. This has a lot of value, and was (up until a couple of years ago) a feature only found on high end Eizo and NEC monitors.
BTW on another note that DigitalTrends review starts on a factual faux pas by saying 16:9 monitors have been popular for 10 years, and were replacements for 4:3 panels. They came into popularity with manufacturers in late 2008-2009 because of the way LCD panels are cut from substrate, and this made for cheaper models, AND they replaced 16:10 panels. 4:3 panels were already becoming nearly extinct at that point, with only the business market demanding them.
I also take issue with the reviewer using a Spyder4. After years of development, DataColor still can't seem to produce an instrument that can measure black levels.
I returned mine...The corners were not black but greyish. Like I said before if this monitor was 599.99 Id have kept it. Also after speaking to microcenter yesterday they are getting alot of these back. I wanted this monitor to be great and I did like the ultrawide..just the blacks did it in for me. My Korean 1440p has a better black level and its 27' and cost 300 bucks..So u can see why maybe I expected too much out of the LG but for 1k...oh well...
In general. The Dell's inner black bezel makes the blacks look grayish by comparison, a high contrast ratio+frame-less AH-IPS is kind of worthless. Brightness and bezel color is just as important as the measured contrast ratio.
Lolwut, I hope you're joking, I understand tftcentral's previews being $1, but we're getting now to 2.5€ previews being accepted and normal? $1k or not, the difference is that you pay that only if you buy the monitor, while here you're asked to pay to know if the monitor is any good?
PRAD's reviews are far more advanced than TFT Central's. If one can afford a 1000$ monitor, spending a few $ to know if it is good is not something a serious buyer should complain about...but rich people tend to be petty over things like this...
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The Dark Session
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Seriously, some people are really stupid
.Your korean cheap ass monitor has no Coating thats why blacks look like blacks not greyish compared to the other 95% oft the monitors out here.
Seriously, some people are really stupid
Your korean cheap ass monitor has no Coating thats why blacks look like blacks not greyish compared to the other 95% oft the monitors out here.
Who are you to judge what he prefers? He had both monitors in front of him and choose the one he liked most. You really have no right to call him stupid because he prefers something different than you.
It's HIS money and HIS opinion.
Well played, sir.
The Dark Session
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Because hes saying a 1000$ monitor has this issue which is clearly wrong, other 1000$ monitors also have this issue, thats not related with the product classification. In a nutshell :Who are you to judge what he prefers? He had both monitors in front of him and choose the one he liked most. You really have no right to call him stupid because he prefers something different than you.
It's HIS money and HIS opinion.
High end Monitor for graphic artists : 3000$ and still greyish-tones.
Cheap ass korean monitor : 300$ and black tones.
Middleware 600$ 1440P monitor from dell : again greyish-tones.
And why? Because most people prefer ag coating. Remove the coating and you'll have a superiour picture quality in every way.
I'm not stupid. I like what I like. Those "Cheap ass Korean Monitors" have sold thousands..Nothing wrong with them. If you like the LG thats great. I'm not going to call you names for liking it. Just wasn't for me. Have a nice day!
SilverSliver
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For what it's worth, thanks for your review. I have one of those cheap ass Korean monitors and I like it. Was thinking of picking up this monitor. I am glad I did not as I think you gave a realistic and hands-on impression for someone who owns both. Don't mind the chaff, a lot of people get easily worked up over defending/justifying their purchases.
The Dark Session
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I had two Qnix and one shimian, its not like i say they are bad. But you can't compare them to a 1000$ monitor and say they are better because most other monitors have the same problem as the 34um95.
robbiekhan
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I used HCFR to take a reading of the contrast ratio, I assume this is the bit I need to be looking at?
So 898 is what my screen is putting out with my calibration settings (6500K, 100cd/m2 luminanc and near perfect gamma at 2.21 - True Color Finder adjusted the OSD to 18 brightness and 70 contrast during calibration)?
If that's the right bit I should be looking at then indeed my results are inline with what LG spec for this screen considering my preferred lower brightness levels.
HCFR is complicated. Are there not any simple "just run a measurement and show me the results" apps out there?
So 898 is what my screen is putting out with my calibration settings (6500K, 100cd/m2 luminanc and near perfect gamma at 2.21 - True Color Finder adjusted the OSD to 18 brightness and 70 contrast during calibration)?
If that's the right bit I should be looking at then indeed my results are inline with what LG spec for this screen considering my preferred lower brightness levels.
HCFR is complicated. Are there not any simple "just run a measurement and show me the results" apps out there?
I've just received my new Benq BL3200PT, and I LOVE IT!
Way better then the LG34UM95 I've bought 10 days ago!!!
But here comes the surprise:
IT CAN BE OVERCLOCKED TO 75Hz ! ! !
I've tried 66Hz at first, then 70Hz, and finally the mystical 75Hz!
It worked fine every test and then [drum's roll]:
http://www.testufo.com/#test=frameskipping
NO FRAME DROPPING!
Tonite I'll play with it much longer and tomorrow I'll let you know the final impression.
Way better then the LG34UM95 I've bought 10 days ago!!!
But here comes the surprise:
IT CAN BE OVERCLOCKED TO 75Hz ! ! !
I've tried 66Hz at first, then 70Hz, and finally the mystical 75Hz!
It worked fine every test and then [drum's roll]:
http://www.testufo.com/#test=frameskipping
NO FRAME DROPPING!
Tonite I'll play with it much longer and tomorrow I'll let you know the final impression.
dukenuke88
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Do you guys think a Korean version of the 34UM95 will come out soon? I'd rather pay for the Korean counterpart for $600 shipped + $60 square trade warranty....than $1000 + tax over here.
Bluesun311
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I snarfed my Diet Pepsi at this.
That's when your beverage comes out your nose. Don't act like it's never happened to you.
It's like you're talking about me specifically in this quote, except I haven't bought this monitor yet.
Also, NCX: why you no explain me HCFR. It's just for measuring stuff? It's not useful for monitors with no OSD yes?
To be fair, most of these problems were solved more than a decade ago, with CRT, so it is kinda ridiculous that in 2014 we're paying well over a thousand dollars for a monitor that's worse than two decades old CRTs...
Wow... time for a reality check if you think a 100lb CRT from 20 years ago is better than this display.
The youth of today...
Bluesun311
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This.
Also, again, in regards to returning great products that are complete disasters:
This Man's Porsche is a Total Disaster
The Dark Session
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I want a korean 4K monitor for around 400€ with IPS which i could set near my 34UM95.
Good lord. That car is a total disaster. I had two Porsche's built in the 80's and they were incredible mechanically, but had the silliest electrical problems. Good to see their modern cars are carrying on the tradition.
Anyways, I ordered an i1 Display Pro for use on this screen (if if ever blesses me with its presence by shipping.) Until then, I'm going to use it on my other computers and see if I can get it to work on my television.
Ay yi yi, some of the responses in this thread.
First off, having owned korean monitors, a Hazro monitor, an ACD, and monitors with light AG coating (Currently the U2713HM), glossy is NOT always better. Sure, it looks nicer at first glance but I compared my ACD side by side with the U2713HM I had at the time and you know what ended up looking nicer? The Dell. In EVERY single glossy panel I have had (calibrated, too) when testing the black levels I always had black crush at the lowest 4 levels. I only started looking at that data after I noticed that I had trouble navigating minecraft at night with glossy monitors. I thought at first it may have been a fault of one of the cheap ones, but again, every single glossy monitor has done this to me. It is not a fault of the panel, but to do with the reflective coating. In comparison, every monitor with AG coating has much more acceptable lower black levels. Maybe the picture isn't as punchy, or has as much 'contrast' (a lie your eyes like to tell you) but so what? Just because the blacks look better at first glance, doesn't mean they will be on closer inspection. Perhaps you like your blacks to look blacker, but I prefer actually seeing some of the details in that black.
Furthermore, the reported AG coating on the LG is even less than the U2713HM, and that coating was perfectly acceptable, so it is a completely moot complaint by those that have convinced themselves that glossy always = better. And as per RobbieKhan's results, we can see that a calibrated contrast ratio is perfectly acceptable for the monitor. Having used monitors in the ranges of 700-1000, I can honestly say I ever struggled to notice the difference, and if I went looking for it i was merely being pedantic. Your surroundings do a whole lot more on how you view your screen than what the readings tell you. I'm pretty sure that as a photographer, if the monitor had horrible black levels then RobbieKhan would take complaint with it.
First off, having owned korean monitors, a Hazro monitor, an ACD, and monitors with light AG coating (Currently the U2713HM), glossy is NOT always better. Sure, it looks nicer at first glance but I compared my ACD side by side with the U2713HM I had at the time and you know what ended up looking nicer? The Dell. In EVERY single glossy panel I have had (calibrated, too) when testing the black levels I always had black crush at the lowest 4 levels. I only started looking at that data after I noticed that I had trouble navigating minecraft at night with glossy monitors. I thought at first it may have been a fault of one of the cheap ones, but again, every single glossy monitor has done this to me. It is not a fault of the panel, but to do with the reflective coating. In comparison, every monitor with AG coating has much more acceptable lower black levels. Maybe the picture isn't as punchy, or has as much 'contrast' (a lie your eyes like to tell you) but so what? Just because the blacks look better at first glance, doesn't mean they will be on closer inspection. Perhaps you like your blacks to look blacker, but I prefer actually seeing some of the details in that black.
Furthermore, the reported AG coating on the LG is even less than the U2713HM, and that coating was perfectly acceptable, so it is a completely moot complaint by those that have convinced themselves that glossy always = better. And as per RobbieKhan's results, we can see that a calibrated contrast ratio is perfectly acceptable for the monitor. Having used monitors in the ranges of 700-1000, I can honestly say I ever struggled to notice the difference, and if I went looking for it i was merely being pedantic. Your surroundings do a whole lot more on how you view your screen than what the readings tell you. I'm pretty sure that as a photographer, if the monitor had horrible black levels then RobbieKhan would take complaint with it.