The modern IT market is characterized by continuous improvement of production technologies for various types of devices. Among the fastest growing segments is the production of computer monitors. As soon as Full HD displays managed to shape the trend, they are being replaced by the latest monitors operating within the framework of the 4K, or Ultra HD standard. Devices corresponding to it in technological parameters are produced by leading world brands. What are the specifics of 4K monitors? What parameters can be considered key when choosing a device in the range of offers on the market?
What is a 4K monitor?
4K-monitor is a device with a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. There are other common designations for such devices. For example, it could be Ultra HD, UHD or 2160p. That is, 4K, Ultra HD monitors are synonyms. In the specified proportion, the aspect ratio of the screen in the 16: 9 format is assumed. But the 4K monitor can be made in other standards, for example, 21: 9 or 4: 3. There is also a screen ratio in the ratio of 1: 1, that is, it turns out that the height and width of the display are the same. Another common name for the technology in question is “ultra high definition format”.
Surprisingly, the Ultra HD standard is not the most revolutionary. An interesting fact is that the first monitors, which in terms of resolution were close to 4K displays, appeared in the early 2000s. One of the world's leading IT developers in the video device segment, NHK, Japan, in 2003 showed the public a prototype UHD TV. In 2012, the corresponding ultra-high definition television standard was approved. Soon, manufacturers of computer monitors began to adapt to it.
It should be noted that the previous UHD standard - Full HD, corresponding to a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, cannot be considered obsolete. Until now, many manufacturers of modern multimedia content focus on it. This resolution corresponds to a feature film with a volume of several tens of gigabytes - the technical capabilities of many modern users sometimes do not allow viewing even this type of content. However, 4K-displays, involving the broadcasting of multimedia in even more voluminous terms, are gradually gaining popularity. What is the practical need for the latest displays? In this connection, the user may need to overpay (in most cases, substantially) for an Ultra HD monitor, if he already has a perfectly working Full HD?
It is difficult to answer this question objectively. A user who uses a PC to solve everyday tasks may not really need the latest display. A real need for such devices may arise in people who are professionally engaged in multimedia processing, and the creation of computer games. But, once having tried to sit behind the Ultra HD monitor, the user will almost immediately feel how much more clearly and realistic the picture looks on it compared to the one that is displayed on the displays of previous generations. And in this sense, it will not be easy for him to return to work for a PC with a less advanced monitor.
It can be noted that the technological capabilities of many modern video cameras allow you to shoot videos, the full reproduction of which requires monitors not even 4K, but 8K, working at a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels. It is possible that such devices over time will begin to supplant the growing popularity of 4K-displays.
Monitors in 4K format are presented on the global IT market in a fairly wide range of varieties. Consider some popular devices. We do not set the task to review the best 4K monitors, but in our selection there will be really high-quality and marketable devices from the most famous world manufacturers.
Dell Monitor
Dell is one of the leading brands in the IT market. As for the market for 4K displays, the American corporation has developed a device with the index P2815Q. We study its main characteristics.
The type of display panel installed in the display is TN. The device has a backlight type W-LED. Dell P2815Q 4K Monitor Diagonal - 28 inches. The device reproduces the picture in 16: 9 format. The brightness indicator of the device is 300 cd / sq. m. Among the communication slots - audio input, as well as several USB 3.0 ports. What is the Dell monitor especially good at? The 4K standard implemented in it is accompanied by high quality color reproduction. According to a number of IT experts, this device is among the best solutions for such a criterion as uniformity of illumination.
Another significant advantage of the device is the affordable price ($ 500). Many competitive devices are more expensive. However, among the technological characteristics is not the most modern matrix standard type TN. In many ways, it is considered obsolete. Many of the leading developers are trying to equip devices with IPS or even IGZO displays. However, the TN standard can be considered quite functional and in demand even in such an innovative market segment as the release of 4K monitors. Dell is also not the only manufacturer of displays of the appropriate type that equips devices with a TN-matrix. Considering the solutions further, we will see this.
4K device from NEC
Another well-known IT brand, NEC, also released an excellent 4K monitor. Its diagonal is 23.8 inches, smaller than that of the device from Dell. It is characterized by excellent color accuracy. The pixel density on the device from NEC is 185 ppi. EA244UHD - under this index a monitor is made, equipped with modern GB-R backlight, which is able to provide sufficiently wide indicators for color gamut. Also, this type of backlight surpasses LED analogues by such a criterion as color management accuracy. NEC's 4K monitor has a decent brightness of 350 cd / sq. m. The device is also equipped with an automatic light sensor, which adjusts the brightness.
Among the main technological features of the display is a modern matrix type AH-IPS. That is, NEC decided to equip its device with a more modern component than the one that is present in the monitor from Dell. The AH-IPS matrix operates on 30 bits and is capable of displaying more than 1 billion color shades. Characterized by a screen produced by NEC, a minimum response time (6 ms) and excellent contrast ratios (1000: 1). The device costs significantly more than a monitor from Dell - 1350 dollars.
Does Apple release 4K displays?
An interesting fact is that one of the world's largest IT brands, Apple, has not yet introduced the general public to a 4K monitor of its own production. However, technologically an American company, most likely, can produce such devices. This conclusion can be made by the fact that on some of the all-in-one computers from Apple there is a display whose resolution completely exceeds the performance of 4K monitors. The level of technology used by the American company probably allows it to produce devices that can even surpass competitive solutions in this market segment. But while Apple’s 4K monitors are not on sale.
Another noteworthy fact: a Sharp 4K monitor is sold in the official online store of the brand. How can American and Japanese brands be affiliated in this market segment? Everything is logical: Sharp is one of the leading display contractors for Apple. For the production of screens in the framework of cooperation between the two brands, a separate factory in Japan was even built.
Apple does not release its own 4K monitor, but if we talk about models that can be direct competitors to the solutions from the brands discussed in the article, we see that Americans at least contribute to the promotion of Sharp products on the market. And therefore it will be useful to consider the main advantages of displays produced by the Japanese corporation.
Monitor Sharp PN-K321, related to the 4K-type, has a diagonal of 32 inches. Its cost is much higher than that of solutions from Dell and NEC - about 3.5 thousand dollars. The displays use modern IGZO technology, which involves the use of transistors containing indium oxide, as well as gallium and zinc. The advantages of this technology we will consider in more detail later. Sharp monitors are characterized by low power consumption, high image quality at any viewing angles, excellent color reproduction. The display from Sharp contains quite powerful 2-watt speakers, as well as a slot for connecting additional audio devices. The device has communication interfaces such as DisplayPort, as well as HDMI. The brightness indicator for the monitor from Sharp is 350 cd / sq. m
It can be noted that the monitor is optimal for Mac Pro computers manufactured by Apple.
LG display
LG is also not far behind other major global brands in the production of modern 4K monitors. So, Koreans brought to the market a model with the index 31MU97. Released LG 4K monitor has a diagonal of 31 inches. The display is based on an IPS matrix.
One of the features of the monitor from LG - its screen area can be divided into two parts, which function independently. For each of them, you can define color settings. The communication interfaces that the display is equipped with are HDMI, DisplayPort (including the Mini version), three USB 3.0 ports, and a slot for connecting audio devices. The price is quite average in the market - $ 1,400.
Samsung's 4K display
Another Korean brand, Samsung, also launched its own product in the 4K display segment. Consider its features. Just like in the case of the device from Dell, the Samsung U28D590D 4K monitor is equipped with a TN-matrix, which largely determines the cost-effectiveness of the device. Its price is comparable to an American device.
Even the diagonal of the monitor from the Korean brand is the same as on the monitor from Dell - 28 inches. The aspect ratio is made in a similar format - 16: 9. The brightness indicator that Samsung's 4K monitor has is 370 cd / sq. m. The contrast is quite high - 1000: 1. The interfaces that the display is equipped with are HDMI, as well as DisplayPort. It is possible to connect external audio devices through the corresponding slot. Samsung's 4K monitor is not equipped with built-in speakers.
Monitor from Asus
The Asus brand also delights enthusiasts of modern technology displays. The company released a device with the PQ321QE index, which belongs to the category of 4K monitors. The diagonal that the Asus 4K monitor has is 31.5 inches. The screen matrix is made using modern IGZO technology, as in displays from Sharp.
The monitor from Asus has a PPI of 139.8. The device is equipped with a modern W-LED backlight. The maximum brightness of the monitor is 350 cd / sq. m. Contrast - 800: 1. The screen can display 1.07 billion color shades. The monitor is equipped with built-in speakers.
It can be noted that Asus, according to information from a number of sources, was the first in the world to launch 4K computer monitors on the consumer market. And therefore it will be useful to pay attention to some remarkable technical characteristics of the device in more detail - in many respects they have become reference points for competing brands.
4K display brightness: optimal performance
The brightness of the monitor screen from Asus is 350 cd / sq. m. For many other devices noted above, it is comparable or similar. Is such brightness enough in terms of the needs of modern users? It is widely accepted among IT experts that this indicator is still relatively modest. But it is enough to perform everyday tasks that are typical for a typical PC owner, which are associated with working with text editors, simple graphic programs, watching movies and photos.
Optimum contrast
The display from Asus has a contrast ratio of 800: 1. How does it compare with the corresponding characteristic of competing models? Many brands that produce monitors 4K (Ultra HD), provide on their devices an indicator that is significantly higher, for example, 1000: 1. But those figures that Asus claimed suggest that the monitor will be able to provide a sufficiently high-quality picture. And therefore we fix that the contrast ratio of 800: 1, as on the monitor from the Taiwanese brand, is quite optimal.
Response
The Asus display has a response rate of 8 ms. Can it be considered typical? The question is controversial. The fact is that on many displays from competing manufacturers, a 5 ms indicator is provided. However, in practice, the difference will be almost invisible to the average user. Therefore, we, fixing the fact that the corresponding characteristic of the monitor from Asus is more modest than that which is present on some competing devices, we note that this indicator is quite optimal.
IGZO Technology
Many UHD 4K monitors, including a sample from Asus, are equipped with a screen matrix, which is based on IGZO technology. Does this give a clear advantage to devices over competitors? To answer this question, consider the specifics of this technology in more detail.
IGZO stands for Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide. That is, we are talking about metal oxide: indium, as well as zinc and gallium. This type of material is classified as semiconductor. It aims to become an alternative to amorphous silicon in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. Among its main features is the possibility of forming transistors with smaller sizes. As a result, the elements making up the image can also be reduced. The speed of the device as a whole increases, the pixel density indicator becomes higher, and the level of energy consumption also decreases.
We noted above that IGZO technology is also involved in the production of displays by Sharp - in fact, it developed it. It turns out that the corresponding development is quite in demand in the IT market. Perhaps the 4K-monitors manufactured on the basis of IPS technology will be gradually supplemented by devices based on the latest concepts of the type in question.
How to choose a monitor?
What conclusions can we draw by considering some of the characteristics of the monitor from Asus, one of the first solutions in the market of computer 4K displays, and comparing them with the performance of competitive solutions? Is it possible to determine the criteria that will allow you to choose the best 4K monitor based on the facts we have identified?
The question is controversial. If only because the pace of development of the modern IT market is such that some technologies are sometimes very quickly replaced by others. The same IPS technology used in the production of displays seems to be regarded as one of the most advanced, but, as we were able to find, it had a competitor in the form of IGZO, which the leading world brands are actively paying attention to.
Let's try to limit ourselves to theses, suggesting the allocation of typical characteristics that modern 4K monitors possess. We do not conduct a review at all to identify the objectively best devices, but rather, in order to highlight the main criteria that may be useful for a potential display buyer.
It makes little sense to consider the diagonal of the display - this is a subjective factor in most cases. Someone will be more comfortable working behind a 28-inch monitor; another user will find the 32-inch indicator insufficient. All other things being equal, it is not at all necessary that a person would prefer to choose a display whose diagonal is slightly larger.
Regarding such a characteristic as contrast, we can say that 800: 1 is quite sufficient, as on the monitor from Asus. However, ceteris paribus, we are entitled to give preference to a display with higher numbers. It will almost certainly make a difference if professional designers are supposed to use the monitor, when editing films, and when creating computer games.
Display brightness of 350 cd / sq. m is a sufficient indicator. If it’s higher, it’s good, but it’s probably not worth paying too much for a device that says numbers that exceed the value we noted.
As for the response, it all depends on the purpose of using the monitor. For professional designers, it would probably be desirable to have the device with the lowest response rate available. But if the user performs ordinary tasks on a PC, it is quite possible to get by with a device with a response of about 8 ns.
For lovers of the most modern trends in the IT industry, the fact that their display is equipped with an advanced matrix based on IGZO technology is likely to be significant. But it should be noted that the IPS standard is not out of date at all. Moreover, the Dell 4K monitor is equipped with a TN-based matrix, which is inferior to IPS in a number of characteristics. . Dell, , .
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As for communication standards, most brands try to ensure that their devices meet the standards actually adopted in the IT industry. That is, monitors will almost always be equipped with HDMI-connectors, DisplayPort interfaces so that they can be guaranteed to be connected to a PC. Choosing a display by such a criterion as equipment with interfaces is rarely advisable.