BenQ XR3501: 35" 21:9 2560x1080 144Hz CURVED (Q2 2015)

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bAMtan2

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No g-sync/freesync. Panel appears to be IPS-like AMVA. Price appears to be $999 USD.

http://orwww2.benq.com/news/4396/1

Racing Gets Real with the BenQ XR3501 Curved LCD Gaming Monitor
Publish : 2015-04-28

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, April 28, 2015 – How real do you want your racing? Do you want to feel the engine rattle your bones and your stomach drop as you take a banked curve at nearly 200 miles per hour? Get ready, because BenQ, a world-leading human technology and solutions provider — and professional gaming monitor pioneer — today released the ultimate high-performance curved LCD monitor designed for a more immersive racing experience: the XR3501. Created for demanding racing gamers, the XR3501straps players in the driver’s seat with its 2000R curvature — the most of any LCD monitor — and extra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio.
Racing gamers want a real driving experience, and that is exactly what the XR3501 delivers in a high-speed feast for the senses that will have players living every heart-pounding moment of the race. Designed with extensive input from experts on and off the track, the XR3501features a full 35-inch screen and 2560x1080 resolution for visuals that will make you brace for every intense turn as you fight to break free of the pack. The 144Hz refresh rate keeps the action flowing smoothly for an experience that is as real as racing gets without a trip to the track.

Immerse yourself in the action
The ultimate racing game experience unfolds when you lose yourself in the action. The mundane world of your home or office fades away and you are transported to the Grand Hotel hairpin at Monaco or the pits at Talladega. XR3501’s 2000R curved screen puts the roadway right on your desktop. The concave 35-inch screen wraps around your peripheral visual range, making it easier to feel the thrill of speeding through city streets or making the dirt fly in a backroad rally. But before you get too lost in your virtual race, remember there are others maneuvering for the checkered flag and winner’s circle, as well. The XR3501’s extra wide 21:9 aspect ratio gives you significantly more space to keep an eye on your instruments and fellow drivers.
Virtual racing has never felt as real as it does with the XR3501. The monitor’s 2000R curvature is the most of any LCD monitor on the market, and that adds up to a driving experience that is the closest thing on a desktop to getting behind the wheel of an actual race car. Coupled with the monitor’s 144Hz refresh rate, you will swear you are in the heart of the action as scenery wraps around you with breathless fluidity.

See every detail
Lighting fast reactions don’t count for much if you can’t see the next turn. The XR3501 solves this with crystal clear 2560x1080 screen resolution and vibrant colors that will have you seeing every detail, from the decals on your opponents’ cars to the roadside grass and leaves on the trees you speed by.
The XR3501’s Color Vibrance feature allows you to easily adjust color and detail settings based on your personal preferences. Lighting changes can hide critical details. Do the other cars seem to vanish in the darkness of a tunnel? Throw some light on the problem with Black eQualizer, boosting the brightness of darker regions of the screen without blowing out the well-lit areas. Now you can see every detail without sacrificing image quality.

Feel the speed
Nothing can pull a racing gamer out of a fully immersive experience faster than jerky, stuttering visuals and animations. The XR3501 keeps the action fast and smooth with the help of its 144Hz refresh rate. The higher refresh rate eliminates blurring while lending a more natural look to everything from other vehicles to passing scenery.
The XR3501curved LCD gaming monitor is expected to retail in the second quarter of 2015. Slip on your driving gloves and prepare for real racing as you have never experienced it before. For more information, please visit www.BenQ.com and http://gaming.benq.com/.
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The panel might be mentioned here: http://auo.com/print.php?sn=107&lang=en-US&c=9&n=1775&t=

For high-end desktop monitor applications, AUO presents 35-inch ultra wide curved LCD, which is currently the world's largest in size and highest in curvature(*), for desktop monitor. Its 2000R ultra high curvature, WFHD (2560 x 1080) super fine image quality, 100% sRGB wide color gamut, and 21:9 ultra wide cinema image ratio together bring an immersive, lifelike viewing experience. The display is especially suitable for image processing, data analyzing, audio-video gaming, and industrial purposes.
Click to expand...

Edit 1:
A) Release date in July/September: http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041644841&postcount=311 https://twitter.com/BenQAmerica/status/606509410815475712
B) Hardware demo to be at E3: https://twitter.com/BenQAmerica/status/606525158979944451
C) First impressions summary from Computex: BenQ says 3440x1440 DisplayPort is limited to 100Hz, that's why their 21:9 144hz monitor is 2560x1080p. The author says the size and curve makes it feel "like virtual reality". He assumes the price is $999 USD in North America. http://www.4gamer.net/games/194/G019491/20150605022/
D) Another source from Computex: "Panel type is AMVA, cover the sRGB ratio of 100 percent of the color gamut. In addition, it also includes flicker-free and Blue Light reduction function to reduce the flicker. Interface HDMI 1.4 × 2, DisplayPort 1.2, mini DisplayPort, headphone jack." http://news.mynavi.jp/articles/2015/06/05/computex23/
E) Acer has two curved monitors coming: Predator X34 and Predator X35. The X35 is VA panel and 144hz. That could use the same panel as the BenQ XR3501? http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/4/8726489/acer-asus-curved-monitors-computex-2015

Edit 2:
Here's a "review" from a store. Basically he says it's excellent for movies and games. The bad part is that monitors with DPI/PPI this bad are NOT good for writing, reading, browsing, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrQNGvHRhf8

Images from 4gamer.net:

5Hp2y6W.jpg

whhCabB.jpg

B05FSJg.jpg
 
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This keeps getting more Ironic

Products announced IN Taiwan, made by Taiwanese companies, and is not probably going to be on sale in Taiwan...

I am soemwhat betting it will be TN though, unless AUO is also in the IPS business.
 
Oh, so a 144Hz 21:9 is actually going to exist and everyone interested in the Acer one isn't going to be let down?

Too bad it's still VA, and a 21:9 35" display and 2560x1080 at that.

I'm done with VA after first experiencing one on the FG2421, ugh. Curve or no curve, I doubt it will matter.

Hopefully there's an IPS panel not too far off.
 
this extra wide 35 inch 1080 screen will be ugly in terms of dot pitch, there is no way I would recommend this to anyone.
 
This can be considered as a first baby step in the right direction: High curvature, 21:9, 144Hz, 35". What is missing is resolution.

The best idea would the to start from the resolution of the current 16:9 32"@4K and add width to it getting 21:9 @5120x2160 which is double of the 35" @2560x1080.
 
I'd much rather have anything but TN. VA? IPS? Fine.

Overdue to move on and move past TN.
 
Excited for this, getting close to a single surround monitor.
 
With all these monitors releases, one of these companies have to announce a Curved Gsync 21:9 IPS monitor within this year.
 
DAOWAce said:
Oh, so a 144Hz 21:9 is actually going to exist and everyone interested in the Acer one isn't going to be let down?

Too bad it's still VA, and a 21:9 35" display and 2560x1080 at that.

I'm done with VA after first experiencing one on the FG2421, ugh. Curve or no curve, I doubt it will matter.

Hopefully there's an IPS panel not too far off.
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I wouldnt let the Eizo put you off VA... The eizo is a very bad example of VA compared to other VA panels eg. samsung VA screens like they use in TV's etc.. With the blur sorted out VA is the best panel type, TN just bad, IPS is good except the contrast and IPS glow which ruins dark games. .
 
1080p of any aspect ratio on a 35" monitor is a no-no. This will have under 80PPI, which is horrible.
 
I think I'll jump on this panel when it comes out since I'm in love with the aspect ratio when I had my LG um94/95. I ditched that for the overclockable qnix crossover for the ips productivity/gaming sweet spot and some extra cash back in my pocket. I probably wouldnt recommend these new 35" panels as a sole display but having it strictly for gaming would be awesome!
 
i2abid said:
I think I'll jump on this panel when it comes out since I'm in love with the aspect ratio when I had my LG um94/95. I ditched that for the overclockable qnix crossover for the ips productivity/gaming sweet spot and some extra cash back in my pocket. I probably wouldnt recommend these new 35" panels as a sole display but having it strictly for gaming would be awesome!
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I'm right there with you!
 
Not a big surprise but we now have confirmation the BenQ XR3501 and Acer Z35 are using the AUO Panel mentioned in OP - M350DVR01.0

It is not listed on panelook yet but tftcentral added it to their db and there is a flyer with information, so we have some specs.

mpL5z55.jpg

721RWWM.jpg


The stated contrast varies, so one of them is probably wrong.
There also appears to be an 1.1 version that is 75hz.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/monitor_panel_parts.htm
http://www.data-modul.com/tl_files/images/Flyer/DM_Flyer_AUO PID_0415_low.pdf ( mirror )
 
A good, favorable review of the monitor with some explanations for some who were asking why 2560x1080. As well, feedback on the overall experience with the monitor in comparison to some other curved monitors as well as BenQ's own line up.

You will have to translate the page (right click, translate with chrome), will read a little choppy but if you have half a brain, can easily make sense what is being said.

http://www.4gamer.net/games/194/G019491/20150605022/
 
Interesting that they are listing it as freesync which wasn't previously annouced.
 
Q-BZ said:
It is and I'm still not sold on 2560X1080.
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VA blacks @1080p>IPS bleed 1440p


After the terrible bleeding on both my LG ultrawide's I am willing to give up resolution for VA blacks(generally the colors look so much richer on VA's, lets hope BenQ doesn't fuck this up)

Now crossing fingers the BenQ is glossy not matte :rolleyes:
 
Martha Stewart said:
VA blacks @1080p>IPS bleed 1440p


After the terrible bleeding on both my LG ultrawide's I am willing to give up resolution for VA blacks(generally the colors look so much richer on VA's, lets hope BenQ doesn't fuck this up)

Now crossing fingers the BenQ is glossy not matte :rolleyes:
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You would really pay $1,299 for this monitor? You could just get three 1080p 144hz VA monitors for the same price and have better resolution...
 
The [racing] game illustrated in the first message seems woefully out of context. A machine gun shooting through narrow embrasure would be much more appropriate. Seriously, 21:9 is ridiculous, and they have stacked horizontally 3 of them???
 
Martha Stewart said:
VA blacks @1080p>IPS bleed 1440p
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It can be, depending on implementation. I've used both techs and I've seen good and bad.

I simply meant I'm not sold on the 2560X1080. I feel like the vertical is getting chimped there a little bit.

\I'd need to see it in person to really shake it down.
 
I'm still stoked about this monitor since I've had a 1080p 27" before and the extra width would be sweeeet...but damn that price is brutal. I think I just might bite the bullet since it's everything I need in a gaming monitor.
 
A) I am not sure about 21:9
B) It is slightly worse PPI than a 27" 1080p screen (which already does not look good)
C) I was considering this monitor due to 144hz VA screen (assuming it would cost about £550)... but at that price no chance.

D) What is so difficult about releasing a 1440p 144hz 27" VA Strobing screen. Loads of people would buy that.
 
Let's wait and see. This is the first "wild" listing of this monitor we have seen. Hopefully once the egg and amazon start pre-ordering, we will see NCIX being vastly overpriced as always, or at least this is a "feeler" pre-order trying to gauge the market for acceptable pricing.. (Hopefully)

I was planning to be at least $899 in the hole on this one, but I agree $1299 seems a bit steep.
 
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The upside of the resolution is that I don't have to drop a bunch of cash for better/more gpu's ;x
I loved my UM94 but trying to drive that thing for gaming over my usual 27" 1440p was noticeable.

I was also hoping for $800/900 for this bad boy, I might just have to save up a little longer since not buying a new shotgun isn't an option. :p
 
tegirinenashi said:
The [racing] game illustrated in the first message seems woefully out of context. A machine gun shooting through narrow embrasure would be much more appropriate. Seriously, 21:9 is ridiculous, and they have stacked horizontally 3 of them???
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You don't understand hor+ scaling where the FOV is fixed vertically.
 
strayan said:
You don't understand hor+ scaling where the FOV is fixed vertically.
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The idea of FOV vertical restriction is nonsense. Most of home movie&videogame consumption happens where the width is limited, not height. For a typical projector setup
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/92-community-news-polls/2027441-ht-month-yellow-dog-cinema.html
witness how quickly they exhausted horizontal space with plenty of vertical space still available.

Let iterate through the list where there is no limitation in either width and height:
- ipads (arguably the most popular consumer device) are 4:3, their android competitors are 16:10.
- laptops are 16:9
- TVs
- virtual reality headsets - 1:1(!) per each eye.

The only environments which are somewhat vertically challenged are mainstream movie theaters (as opposed to IMAX), and desktop monitors. However, the setup on the picture is nowhere close to being pushing vertical dimension, because there is ample space above and below. As many have already noticed, this 21:9 cripple sucks in resolution, screen dimensions, awkward height challenged image framing, and price.

Ultra short 21:9 TVs failed miserably with only two models tried: by Phillips&Vizio. Companies usually are pretty good at calculating their bottom line, so I wonder if those Phillips&Vizio designers still keep their jobs. The desktop "ultrawide" fad would follow the suit, because who in the right mind would buy this 21:9 thingy when there is healthy competition of 40+" UHD monitors?.
 
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That $1299 might just be a placeholder. That preorder has no ETA or date on it that I can see. NCIX may be jumping the gun there just a tad.
 
tegirinenashi said:
The idea of FOV vertical restriction is nonsense. Most of home movie&videogame consumption happens where the width is limited, not height. For a typical projector setup
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/92-community-news-polls/2027441-ht-month-yellow-dog-cinema.html
witness how quickly they exhausted horizontal space with plenty of vertical space still available.

Let iterate through the list where there is no limitation in either width and height:
- ipads (arguably the most popular consumer device) are 4:3, their android competitors are 16:10.
- laptops are 16:9
- TVs
- virtual reality headsets - 1:1(!) per each eye.

The only environments which are somewhat vertically challenged are mainstream movie theaters (as opposed to IMAX), and desktop monitors. However, the setup on the picture is nowhere close to being pushing vertical dimension, because there is ample space above and below. As many have already noticed, this 21:9 cripple sucks in resolution, screen dimensions, awkward height challenged image framing, and price.

Ultra short 21:9 TVs failed miserably with only two models tried: by Phillips&Vizio. Companies usually are pretty good at calculating their bottom line, so I wonder if those Phillips&Vizio designers still keep their jobs. The desktop "ultrawide" fad would follow the suit, because who in the right mind would buy this 21:9 thingy when there is healthy competition of 40+" UHD monitors?.
Click to expand...

Ah, no, you still don't understand. There is no 'fad'. One of the reasons gamers are buying ultrawides over 4k 16:9 displays is because verticle resolution is fixed (and horizontal, not) in many modern games (especially competitive ones like DOTA2).
 
even 999$ would be ridiculous, you can get a LG 34UM65 for less than 500€
with just one additional inch, maybe FreeSync and 144hz refresh rate added I'd say a fair price point would be more like 599-799$
its also listed for 9999 Yuan on zol.com.cn, that would be 1000 more than the Acer X34, it has to be a placeholder unless BenQ is intent on shooting itself in the foot
they also added the panel on panelook in the meantime. would like to check out that datasheet, but that is requiring a VIP buyer account for a "measly" 800$ per year

http://www.panelook.cn/M350DVR01.0_AUO_35.0_LCM_overview_24868.html

that confirms the 2000:1 contrast sadly, so dont expect the blacks to be as deep as on some other VA panels and it probably won't even come close to the Philips (which is using a different VA matrix and from photos it looks to be darker than even the old 5000:1 AMVA panels)
 
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I'm considering the Acer Z35 monitor :

The Z35 is almost the same but with Gsync !
Why no Gsync Benq?

Advantages:

VA (love the blacks)
2560x1080=2.764.800 vs 3440x1440= 4.953.600 pixels so fps almost doubles?
1" bigger than the 34" 21/9 displays.
most of all 144hz

I don't like :

all the extra useless internal speakers on the z35 (just adds to the price)
Colours and styling looks like it's build for kids
probably the priced too high for just an extra wide HD screen.
In desktop the 1080p & low res might suck.
 
igluk said:
even 999$ would be ridiculous, you can get a LG 34UM65 for less than 500€
with just one additional inch, maybe FreeSync and 144hz refresh rate added I'd say a fair price point would be more like 599-799$
)
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144HZ, Curve, VA, and an extra inch is a pretty big difference
 
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