[drtim]

Thank you very much PCM2. For reading purposes which one of these 2 monitors would be your top choice?

[PCM2]

I’d give a slight edge to the 328E1CA due to the slightly lighter (less grainy) screen surface and potential viewing comfort enhancement of the curve.

[drtim]

Thank you. I have looked at a few curved screens and am not sure that I like a curved screen. I also prefer that the Philips 326M6VJRMB has HDR. I am leaning towards the Philips 326M6VJRMB as I feel that this is more of a future-proof purchase. Do you feel that the future will leverage HDR more and more? Is this your top pick 32″ HDR monitor? From reading your posts I feel that both these Philips monitors will be very close from a text readability viewpoint.

[PCM2]

When you say “looked at a few curved screens” – in what context? Unless you’ve sat down at a desk and used one for several hours plus, you won’t be able to adjust to them properly or appreciate how they are to use longer term. But it’s an individual thing and if you’re more comfortable with a flat screen then the Philips momentum is an interesting choice. We’ll shortly be publishing a review of a similar product from ASUS, the CG32UQ. A bit more expensive but a few differences that could sway some users.

And yes, there’s already been a good increase in HDR content recently and I’d expect that to continue. I personally watch quite a lot of Netflix content and I’m pleased to say HDR content is becoming easier to find. I’d still appreciate it if Netflix has a dedicated section for HDR content, but that’s another topic.

[drtim]

I have only ever looked at curved screens in stores; not for a few hours at a time. Thank you for all your input. The ASUS CG32UQ looks good. Will it be equally as good as the Philip monitors for text? I suppose I am open to a curved screen, just a little reluctant to purchase one based on not having used one before.

[PCM2]

Yes, it shares many similarities with the 326M6VJRMB as you’ll see when the review is published.

[drtim]

Do you have an expected timeline regarding the review for the CG32UQ?

[PCM2]

You can follow us on Twitter for the latest updates. Or wait until tomorrow/Friday. 😉

[drtim]

I have done some more reading on curved screens. I have become more open to it. Thank you for referencing the article “Factors Associated with Visual Fatigue from Curved Monitor Use”. Do you have a top pick for a 32″ curved monitor with HDR and that is good for text? A friend is trying to convince me that for productivity a triple monitor setup using 24″ or 27″ monitors is superior to one 32″ monitor. Thoughts?

[PCM2]

No, there aren’t any curved alternatives I’d recommend with HDR. They offer such basic HDR or compromise in other areas for your uses, so I’d stick with the recommendations given above.

[drtim]

On that note, I am leaning towards the ASUS CG32UQ as a single 32″ HDR monitor. I have a few questions for you. If I were to go triple monitor, could you provide me with a couple of your top picks? I presently use the EVGA GEFORCE GTX 1080 graphics card. Also, I have been looking into the different HDR certifications. Do you feel that at some point the brightness of the different monitors actually might start causing eye damage – for example DisplayHDR 1400? Can you recommend your top choice for a 32″ DisplayHDR 1000 monitor? Thank you.

[PCM2]

You should really stick with IPS-type panels for triple monitor setups unless you’re able to angle them towards yourself. Curved models (like the Philips 328E1CA) will naturally angle towards you at the edges and the curve becomes even more of a useful feature in a triple display setup. But given the sheer width of monitor you’ve got here, I’m not sure even that would be ideal. The Philips 276E8VJSB would lend itself well to a triple-display setup, as would the Dell U2719D. The resolution of the U2719D is arguably more practical and 3* 3840 x 2160 displays could be considered overkill. Plus you’ve got support for VESA mounting there, if you wish to use a three-monitor arm as a mount. These models are all featured recommendations – I’d recommend many of the same models whether a user is looking for a single or multi-display setup. The slender bezels that these models go for naturally works well for multi-display setups as well.

The only 32″ VESA DisplayHDR 1000 display is the ASUS PA32UCX. Very nice backlighting solution, very capable – also very expensive. I’m hoping to review this one, I’ve been waiting on a sample for ASUS but they don’t currently have one. I wouldn’t be concerned about eye damage even with a VESA DisplayHDR 1400 level display. If the whole screen was bombarding you with 1400 cd/m² (which is beyond the specification requirements) and you were looking at it for many hours at a time. In a dark room. Then yes, I think there’s cause for concern. But what actually happens is some areas of the image (and some of the accompanying dimming zones) can pulse to ~1400 cd/m² briefly. For explosions, flashes of light etc. You’re going to be exposed to higher luminance levels outside on a sunny day (without looking directly at the sun), or even from car headlights and suchlike at night.

I also feel the VESA DisplayHDR 1400 level will be something you’ll want to use in a reasonably well-lit room. Or at least with some additional lighting around the monitor. I find that eye fatigue is accelerated even with VESA DisplayHDR 600 -1000 level displays and many users would find the same. It isn’t something you’d want to use constantly, in a dimly lit room. But if you listen to your body and take a break if your eyes are telling you to, I don’t think there’s cause for conern even beyond VESA DisplayHDR 1400 (hypothetical levels, of course).

[drtim]

I use Iris for night time monitor use (when I am in a relatively dark room) which on Health setting automatically decreases brightness and blue light at night time. I did not know that DisplayHDR 600 – 1000 will accelerate eye fatigue. The more I try to decide what to buy for a monitor, the more I get confused. I am back leaning towards the ASUS CG32UQ as a single 32″ HDR monitor, but now have concerns of eye fatigue due to the HDR 600 rating. I think I am just going to go with a 32″ monitor for ease of implementation. Possibly, later in life, go with a triple monitor setup.

[PCM2]

Don’t get me wrong, if you’re sitting in a reasonably well-lit room a VESA DisplayHDR 600-1000 level display can definitely be a nice experience and it isn’t one I find uncomfortable in moderation. But I do always say (if I remember to, at least) in my reviews that HDR isn’t something you’re going to want to use all day, due to the accelerated eye fatigue. Everybody’s eyes are different. But for me, personally, I find the technology fine to use for 1-2 hours during the day. And my eyes recover quite nicely after a short break, so I’ll maybe go back to using HDR after that.

I wouldn’t use HDR in the evening, I too would use a Low Blue Light (LBL) mode similar to what Iris achieves. Having elevated luminance levels doesn’t mix well with wanting reduced blue light output from the monitor. And upset colour balance (reduced blue channel) isn’t really what HDR is all about either.

[drtim]

I am happy we are communicating as I am wondering about my decision based on your input. Most weeks I will spend at least 1 or 2 days a week, for 10+ hours consecutively with very little break, using my monitor for creation and research (largely text work). Perhaps it is best for me to not buy an HDR monitor based on eye fatigue. Do you agree? Thank you.

[PCM2]

As I said in my previous reply, HDR can be nice to use occasionally. Even within that 10+ hours per day usage of the screen. But if you feel you’d spend most of the time on the desktop doing text-based tasks it wouldn’t be useful. It restricts the monitor choices a lot, very few out there have what I’d consider “good” HDR implementations and if you’d only get to use that very occasionally you’d be paying a real premium for not much enjoyment.

[drtim]

Well, I think I am going to take your advice and save some money. I think I am going to take a chance on a curved monitor and I am going to stay away from HDR due to the amount of time I spend reading and dong text based activity with the monitor. I will give the Philips 328E1CA a go. Thanks for your insights and expertise on monitors.

[drtim]

My wife wants me to ask if LCD monitors are healthier for the eyes than LED monitors? Do you recommend any LCD monitors?

[PCM2]

I assume you mean CCFL-backlit monitors. All monitors being discussed here are LCD, they just have an LED backlight. As with CCFLs they come in many varieties, actually they’re more diverse now than CCFLs. CCFL is an archaic technology, they don’t manufacture such models any more except in very low quantities for specialist use. There’s a long-running thread that delves into a bit of scientific background on the comparison, too. It’s not something I’d concern yourself with (LED backlighting vs. CCFL), the market only has one path now anyway.

[drtim]

Back and forth I go, another question I have. If I buy a HDR monitor can HDR be turned off when wanted, and turned on when wanted? If possible, would you recommend that?

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