Feature of the new Android TV stick from Guleek

The device is quite powerful. The Android TV stick can play 4K-video at 60 f / s. A real find for those looking for an inexpensive multimedia system.

In the role of the operating system performs Android 5.1.1.

Mini PC is equipped with a wireless transmitter Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n with an external antenna (for better reception).

For adequate performance meet the 64-bit 4-core chip Amlogic S905 graphics controller ARM Mali-450. With the H.265 format, there is no problem.

With the memory, situation is as follows. There are 2 GB of RAM and storage capacity of 8 GB eMMC. In addition to the above, there is the slot for microSD and several ports USB: 1 full, as well as type 2 Micro.

Given the price – not a bad  Android TV stick with Ultra HD.

Source: liliputing

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What is special of 6 inch display smartphone?

Have Chinese engineers come up with that? They presented the 6-inch display for portable devices. The panel can boast the support of 4K and a decent pixel density – 734 PPI.

Resolution is the novelty in 3840 x 2160 points. Analogues yet.

A curious thing: the decision is not intended for tablets and smartphones.

Every display Optronics 6 inch display smartphone proposes to use the invention in the head-mounted display. Displays the type of AMOLED devices are ideal for VR.

Sounds intriguing. By the way, like 4K-project is now engaged in Sharp. However, there is a diagonal less – only 5.5 inches.

On the timing of the introduction says nothing.

Source: liliputing

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Technology development of displays in our time is the very valuable concept. Here’s a bit about how to develop the design and structure of the screens in our laptops. Many people may ask themselves. “I understand that the greater the resolution and pixel density in the display, the better the picture?” And yes, you will find yourself absolutely right.

Today we will discuss how there are good most influential screen of your laptop, namely the evolution of 4K displays? And is it worth it to pay attention?

First of all it should be noted one of the most important factors of the choice display with 4K resolution – is its cost. Yes, of course, when you look at Ultra HD laptop with a resolution of 4k laptops. You become uninteresting even its performance, as the appearance and look of the pictures – delicious.

The world in which you will look through a 4k laptops resolution on your laptop is so clean and beautiful that it will be difficult to distinguish from the real time.

The new world 4k laptops in a new way

The high resolution of the screen 4k laptops allows you to see the world from the other side. The picture with a high content of pixels will be transmitted more clearly and accurately if you see it live.

According to one of the researchers assistant professor of ophthalmology Dr. Bryan Jones at the University of Utah this is really true “straight to the point.”

Many factors depends on your location and what the distance you sit of the screen laptop. Suppose you sit away from the screen and watch a movie, then the value of the number of pixels will not differ from the usual values of pixels of the display. But now, if you are working or reading an article, the effect will be only positive, especially for your eyes.

Jones also added some interesting information that the importance a beautiful picture, not only depends on the density of the screen resolution, but also on the brightness, contrast, color and viewing angles. If these tasks carried out correctly, we get a wonderful display.

Another the task to be solved by a portable device will not cope particularly a powerful battery? Including whether it would be at all possible? Since the power consumption of screens is the biggest source of power supply in a laptop. In conventional battery power supply is enough for about 30 minutes. And this result does not brag. What are we going to think that sooner or later this problem solved.

And now I would like to note that the 4k laptops screen is a good opportunity to attract users to a new level. Since the new features are intended to be a new development in this area.

Source: TechRadar

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Budding photographers who want to improve the skills of professional recording pay attention to the camera Nikon 1 J5. This compact solution with interchangeable lenses was announced a few days ago.

Key features of the model – the ability to create clips 4K format and support continuous shooting at 20 frames per second.
Plus classic design – almost retro.

Basis news – CMOS sensor type CX 20.8 MP resolution. The Matrix is equipped with a backlit. There is a system fast autofocus.

Range ISO: from 160 to 12 800 units.

The device is equipped with a 3-inch touchscreen display inclined, as well as wireless modules NFC and Wi-Fi. Nikon 1 J5 quite “on the shoulder” video interval and work in low light conditions.

The device weighs – 265 grams. Sales start in late April. The users will be offered 3 options – a completely black body, silver, black and silver-white.

Issue price – from 500 to 1050 dollars (depending on configuration).

Source: Gizmag

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Until all traces of the MWC in Barcelona, there was another interesting event. Namely – GDC 2015 in San Francisco.

Here all the attention of the public announcement drew console Shield from Nvidia. New product designed to run on Android-Games big-screen TVs.

The device is easy to cope with 4K resolution and costs just $ 199. Home sales are expected in May this year.

This is not to the first experiment in the art. Under the mentioned brand recently been released portable consoles, and tablet for fans of interactive entertainment. Now the authors of the project challenged the classical systems room – like PlayStation.

Created a miniature device on the chip Tegra X1. Said solution is equipped with 3 GB of RAM and a powerful graphics core Maxwell.

The foregoing provides twice the performance indicators superior Xbox 360. Enough to ensure the smooth running Crysis 3 at 30 FPS.

In addition to games, Shield can play Ultra HD-video at up to 60 frames per second.

What else can boast of 654-gram platform? The presence of the SSD 16 GB card slot for microSD, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 surround sound (5.1 and 7.1).

There’s also a wireless controller, infrared receiver port micro-USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0, two USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet. Plus Power Adapter 40 Watt.

Shield is said to have become an excellent base for a streaming service Grid. It allows you to run the best hits for PC right out of the “cloud” Nvidia. To enjoy the Metal Gear Solid V or The Witcher 3, need only “fast” Internet.

The service will be operational in the near future.

Source: Geeky-Gadgets

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TVs with support for ultra-high resolution 4K TV already released quite a lot. They even have become much more affordable. But one of the problems remains a chronic shortage of appropriate content, without which to evaluate all the advantages of 4K will not be possible.

Fortunately, by the end of this year, this problem is at least partially be solved. Services Netflix and Amazon are actively working on the completion of their bases with new content. In addition to services, video on demand, in the second half of the year is expected to spread media 4K TV Blu-ray players and relevant. But the “live” television format 4K TV  in the near future there will be only a dream.

Of course, the emergence of streaming video, video on demand, video disk format 4K is already good. But “look 4K TV” in the traditional sense, that is, switch on the TV, see the guide channels and select 4K ESPN, 4K NBC or 4K Food Network … such a scenario yet considered by experts as the distant future. Maybe it will take several years, for example, seven or even more.

As for 4K TV shows and movies, the content for this type of problem does not exist

Even more convenient to watch it not real broadcast and on-demand, when it is convenient. But sports live broadcast, political shows, and some other major events, such as the next World Cup or the Olympic Games require still “live” broadcast.

While that single little progress in this direction is still there. For example, on January 15 organized the first transatlantic “living» Ultra HD-broadcast NBA games. Prior to this, similar experiments were carried out as rugby and golf.

The stadium London’s O2 Arena company BT Sport to organize a system of eight 4K-camera and broadcast a special setup that encode, compress and 4K-broadcast content at a speed of 15 Mbit / s. According to eyewitnesses, 4K-broadcast visually really very different from the standard HD.

The big difference is evident in the time of the transfer chamber into the stands or bench players, when each person is displayed with a very high level of detail.

Interestingly, the 4K-video and failed to broadcast without significant delay. Compared with the HD-broadcast delay was approximately six seconds.

On the way the mass distribution of 4K-television and costs too much load on the existing communication channels. Even the best current methods do not allow to obtain a compression of less than 15 -20 stream Mbit / s.

Cable providers in the majority today, can not afford such a wasteful use of resources. Need to change the infrastructure, equipment, adopt new standards, for example, ATSC 3.0. But this will require many years.

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Lower prices for 4K TVs translated them from the category of fashion (especially for producers) of goods in the category of conventional top models. And then potential buyers have a question: what we look at these wonderful screens? The answer is quite simple: favorite movies and latest films, concerts and documentaries.

What to look for 4K?

Once on the scene format Full HD, the prospect of distributing content was clear: Blu-ray discs provide storage of sufficient information and circuitry allow players to achieve the desired bandwidth. And there was a “fallback” – HD DVD. Retains backward compatibility, ie Enron spectators DVD played on a Blu-ray-players.

4K situation is radically different. Firstly, unfortunately, 4K standard optical media Blu-ray commercials late year. Secondly, fortunately, is now able to play TV “heavy” video as a directly connected with the carrier, and through a network, local or global.

What does this mean in practice? Since new movies are shot originally in digital form and with an eye to 4K, the appearance ULTRA HD versions boldly predicted at the near future. Film classic, at least of interest to the general public, may be pereotsifrovana with films, detailing which basically missing. Some films were digitized in 4Q initially (for example, a series of Sony «Mastered in 4K»), but released on Blu-ray in Full HD, respectively, they will have a chance to appear on the new screens.

Services broadcasting streaming video can be a very attractive alternative to optical discs. In the US, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video already offer their premium subscribers a number of films in 4K, domestic companies close to it. On YouTube a long time began to appear ULTRA HD videos.

According to experts, for the 4K requires an Internet connection to the real speed of 15 Mbps – quite affordable for many domestic providers figure.

Satellite companies repeater actively testing infrastructure. For example, Astra and Eutelsat launched their own demonstration channels.

Should not be discounted, and home video. 4K is already available in some smartphones, for example, LG G3 and LG G Pro 2 , and, most likely, will begin active participation in the amateur cameras 2015 model year.

Fans of spectacular games are also waiting for 4K, however, they will have to substantially upgrade their computers or buy a next-gen consoles.

However, it is now clear that in the near future the main source of the video for the new TVs will be Full HD versions of movies, concerts and broadcasts. Their resolution will automatically increase by up to 4K TV. Hello, upscaling!

Our old friend upscaling

Since then, as the ability to view video from a personal source appeared in our homes (and it happened in the late 80’s and early 90-ies), we are all faced with the process of upscaling.

Let’s make a small excursion into the past and see what happens when you play video tapes, optical disks and how to change TV.

First there was a standard VHS. Despite the fact that the development engineers JVC technically inferior to the main competing formats Sony Betamax, VHS won because of the hardware manufacturers do not require licensing fees, and so Sony learned nothing.

VHS was analog. On the tape, it allows you to record images with a vertical resolution of 240 lines, and the frame can be expressed in figures 320×240 pixels usual today. Since the luminance and chroma information is coded separately, their vertical resolution is different – the brightness was 240, and the color – less than half – 120 lines.

TV on the cathode-ray tube (CRT) were also calculated for analog and display standard TV signals, which, incidentally, is technically much superior recording on tape.

PAL, and SECAM (with variations) assumed 576 lines, and the frame is an analog image of 720×576 pixels. The theme of the service lines, interlaced and progressive scan, broadcast half pictures and other telepodrobnosti go beyond this material. In NTSC, the situation was similar, only with less vertical resolution Americans showed more frames per second.

When the signal from the VCR to the TV did, there was an analog “stretching” the image to the desired resolution. The question naturally arises as consumers put up with such disastrous (assuming dry digits) image?

Firstly, the possibility to choose what and when to watch worth it. Secondly, we must consider not only the resolution of the signal, but also how it can be displayed and looked.

The point size of the screen. For TV cathode ray tube most common diagonal 24-29 inches at a ratio of 4: 3 and 32 inch models 16: 9, actively sold only from the beginning of the century. When viewing distance of 2-4 meters, in principle, the image quality was sufficient.

Since then, as the ability to view video from a personal source appeared in our homes (and it happened in the late 80’s and early 90-ies), we are all faced with the process of upscaling.

Improvements such as S-VHS (400 lines of vertical resolution) were primarily related to the recording chamber and did not take root in the form of playback devices, sales / rolling cassettes.

While the cassette ruled the world of video engineers developed new standards.

In certain popularity West received analog laser discs LaserDisc (LD), providing 440 lines, but without the degradation of recording quality due to problems with the tape. We were lot of collectors and a source image for pirated copies, as in the languages ​​of the peoples of the USSR to publish editions of movies no one was going.

With the advent of DVD was a momentous event – the video for personal viewing reached quality, adequate means of displaying it. Standards require 576 lines, as much as they could reproduce the then TV.

Finally, by interpolation could get rid of! This image has been incredibly clear, detailed, sparkling natural colors. Compared with the VHS-cassette.

Respite ended quickly. High-definition television and HD video created new screens – plasma and LCD. Physical limitations on the length of the CRT have disappeared and began to increase the geometric dimensions.

Simultaneously, the shelves were filled with new players and new discs. The only problem is that it is slow (compared with the advent of DVD). No wonder, the tapes were to roar about a quarter of a century, and increase the image quality simply striking.

Blu-ray Disc (BD) allows you to store the video with a resolution of Full HD (1920×1080 pixels) and provides an incredibly clear and detailed picture of sparks natural colors. Compared with the DVD.

It would seem that the parity is stored. In figures – yes. In life – no. When the cabinet are virtually timeless film classic remastered DVD and pleasing to the eye, the desire to pay back does not occur so often. The more that the price of Blu-ray discs can not penny.

And then came to the aid of our old friend upscaling already digital, intelligent and fast. Many, incidentally, still watching your favorite movies from DVD to Full HD panels.

Upscaling today

Signal processing algorithms – one of the biggest mysteries of TV manufacturers. Since the release of the few companies that buy the rest of the workpiece and also engaged in the marketing of its own design algorithms.

To evaluate the work povyshateley resolution were taken two TVs with the same diagonal, 55LB690V LG and LG 55UB850V . First – Full HD, the second – 4K. LG 55UB850V features True 4K Engine – system with a separate processor automatically increases the resolution from any source up to 3840 × 2160 pixels.

As the test material used as specially prepared demonstration and adjusting the rollers, and conventional films. They were all in Full HD version and the built-in player played televisions connected to the USB-port drives – hard disk and flash card.

Trying to make the report as videosravneniya, unfortunately, failed. Shooting matrix with a digital camera, postprocessing (need to connect two halves of rolls to ensure visibility), processing Youtube, view with different quality settings – all this can distort the result beyond recognition.

It should be understood that the results of the algorithms are very dependent on the source material. It is one thing – quality transfer professionally shot film, quite another – re-clamping digital stream from a cable network operator supernumerary.

Let us assume that you see high-quality originals, because in DVD-era were “releases” from the series 10 militants on a single disc.

The image on the 4K TV looks advantageous. With this, no one can argue. All the matter in the resolution. People with good eyesight can see the pixel grid of 55-inch Full HD screen with three meters, and is in many apartments usual distance from the TV to the viewer. Fortunately, the man is able to adapt and to think out, which is why we bystropokazannyh instead of 24 “photos” see second movie. As a result, the pixel structure “dissolved” in the frame in the actions for which we follow.

Let’s see a movie. The film “Gravity” at all difficult for the TV because of the abundance of high contrast scenes with fine detail. The use of computer graphics makes “Gravity” an excellent tool for assessing the transmission of detail pictures.

Full HD TV LG 55LB690V confidently draws parts of space satellite in the first episode. Clearly visible fasteners – bolts, rivets, the surface does not look like a cartoon, plastic, and texts on some indicators Sandra Bullock costume if you want to consider. Including this same Full HD 4K file-TV LG 55UB850V. The difference is visible immediately.

First of all, the sky became more natural – the star is now smaller. Increase in density of pixels is good for detail and smooth gradients. Sandra Bullock on her face clearly visible pores of the skin, even through the glass suit.

The image can be divided into two components – the precise contours and smooth transitions. Still have the texture is essentially a combination of the two, is just too small relative to the size of the entire image.

Judging by the results of the visual evaluation, the processor is able to distinguish the contours of the TV from the transitions, because it emphasizes the contours and transitions, on the contrary, stretches.

It turns out that in Full HD movie contains information that Full HD TV can display, and it manifests itself in the 4K screen. Here’s an example, a piece of home video, shot on a very good camera. With increasing apparent that due to the fourfold increase in the number of picture elements 4K TV can better display small inclined details such as eyelashes. Yes, and tonal transitions are more smooth.

If you enable the setting tables to check-definition upscaling capabilities will reveal most clearly. The jagged edges of diagonal lines noticeably smoothed. Although the processor can not “invent” the non-existent (missing when shooting, encoding) the details to him the strength to distribute the available information so that the eye will perceive as a clearer picture. compare-02

Homemade video shot is not smart and inexpensive camera, looks interesting, but it is a merit-sized images much difference between Full HD and 4K screens are not visible.

When watching a video with the original low resolution, it is important to correctly configure the TV. It is primarily concerned with parameters such as sharpness and suppress compression artifacts MPEG. Clarity is desirable to leave at the minimum acceptable quality for 4K clips meaning. Otherwise, the artifacts in the form of light and dark contours generated processor with artificial sharpening will be noticeable and will not improve, and the irritant. It would be desirable, high suppression of artifacts is not recommended to put this blurry image. Minimum or automatic is a good choice.

* * *

Miracles happen. 4K TV can display Full HD content in a favorable light, but no promises that the quality magically rise to the level of real 4K video. Good releases will look in more detail, tonal transitions become softer picture will be enjoyable. And there are real 4K files will arrive in time.

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Very happy that lately, the market appears more and more monitors that support the resolution of 4K (UltraHD, 3840 x 2160). Just recently we reviewed (spiers in DOTA) on Samsung U28D590D , and now it’s time to test the solution from Dell UP2414Q. That you understand, PPI here may be 185.

Usually we are used to seeing UltraHD-resolution monitors with a diagonal of 26 (or more) inches, but Dell “tears template”, so the model Dell UP2414Q received 24 inches (or to be more precise, 23.8 inches). Frankly, I always had to work more convenient monitors less than 25 inches, because the eyes do not run around, as a result – not so much tired (but it is for me). By the way, the screen Dell has an extended color gamut, so professionals can safely be regarded as Dell UP2414Q purchase.

Appearance – Dell UP2414Q

Design Dell Monitors can be compared with the design of phones Samsung – it rarely changes. But to say that it’s bad, I can not. The company has found an interesting form factor and try to develop it. The main part of the monitor covers black matte plastic and metal inserts that frame the face. Screen, of course, there is also matte, so about the glare (and other problems gloss) can forget. The width of the framework is less than 2 centimeters. I can not say it’s a lot more, quite the contrary.

This border gives coolness appearance. You look at the monitor and you know – thing!

On the front side you can see only the company logo, and a little to the right – 5 buttons (for menu) and On / Off key. All necessary ports are traditionally behind. Before them hard to get, but if you want to hang the monitor on a wall (and this is available), you will not have any problems as it was, for example, LG 34UM95 , where all the connectors are oriented horizontally. Set of ports here, by the way, is very standard: DisplayPort, mini-DisplayPort, HDMI, and four USB 3.0 (although, what else do you need?).

Surprise to me was the presence of a card reader, which once again confirms the orientation of the screen to professional users (amateurs will appreciate such a nice bonus).

Special attention should stand UltraSharp. First of all, it is worth noting that the monitor is perfectly placed on a table, and the construction itself seems monolithic. By tradition the screen can be adjusted as you like: height, change the angle, rotate to portrait mode and rotate around its axis. It is the latter possibility is most useful, because it is the easiest way to show a funny picture to a colleague sitting in front of you.

Opportunities – Dell UP2414Q

The picture quality is one of the best displays of the ones I’ve seen lately. 24 inches is enough for comfortable operation, and the resolution of 3840 x 2160 is not only the envy of friends, but really makes it comfortable to perform different tasks (185 PPI, anyway). In principle, all sites and standard application displays properly (over zooming interface in Microsoft Windows 8.1 worked bad). Problems with some games, of course, have not gone away, but the spire is possible, even if not supported by 4K.

In Dell are very proud of the fact that their monitor has a wide coverage of the color spectrum (ie, for people who are constantly working with graphics, Dell UP2414Q fit almost perfectly). High detail provides color depth 1.07 billion colors. Although the settings you can change various settings and even calibrate (the bundle includes a special set of software).

To control the menu on the right frame are five touch keys. To recall the settings you need for a few seconds to click on the lowermost button, initially only it is highlighted in white, and then all the others are active. This type of navigation is even more convenient usual, which uses mechanical elements, but you understand that later, after you get used.

On the settings here have worked very well, but the first window quite small and shows the most popular items. You can select one of eight preset modes (one is better suited for the film, and the second – for the reading of the text). Further it is possible to adjust the brightness and contrast. Selecting a source allows you to activate the video output, you will use (HDMI or DisplayPort, for example). Next is a very huge point – “Menu”, well, and, of course, “Exit”.

In “Menu”, as I said, has collected everything in the world. Probably, in order to fully understand all the intricacies, you will need more than one hour, but it is even cool, because you can completely customize the display by itself (or rather, under the tasks that you need to do). Still here and mode PBP (Picture-by-Picture), which allows you to display an image from two different devices simultaneously. I was very pleased with the presence tab “Energy Saving”, where you can turn off the power lights, as well as the ports that are idle. The last paragraph of “Personalization” is needed for perfectionists, where you can sort all the tabs with the settings to your liking.

Eventually – Dell UP2414Q

Frankly, I liked the monitor. First of all, the fact that the manufacturer is placed 4K by 24 inches. Paired with IPS-matrix and steep angles it has the effect of “Wow”. As I have said, the monitor to buy can safely treat people who often work with graphics (photos, operators, etc.). But with daily tasks, he also excels. Want to watch a movie? Does not matter. Poshpilit a cool game? Also possible (albeit with a few nuances). Yes, and to work in the browser, especially if you activate the “Reading”, Dell UP2414 Qfits well. The price is certainly not the smallest ~ 18 thousand hryvnia ($ 1,300), but popolzovavshis monitor, I clearly understand that it’s worth it.

The post Review of the Monitor Dell UP2414Q: cool colors and 4K appeared first on Raqwe.

4K-TVs were one of the main trends of CES 2014. However, such a resolution “threatens” not only TVs, but computer monitors – there was announced several relatively affordable models (under $ 1000). However, the “first sign”, 31.5-inch ASUS PQ321QE, is already available for sale and visited our lab.

Design

The monitor is made in strict representative design, without any “frills” like metal inserts, gloss, etc. – Straight lines, black matte plastic and discreet silver paste in the stand.

Monitor stands at an impressive stand, attached to it the same thorough “foot” – the total weight is 13 kg lot, and have to display “only” 8 kg, 5 kg of others – and it’s stand leg. The compound is very tough to shake any noticeable screen fails. Allows you to adjust the height of the leg, change the angle of the screen and rotate around the vertical axis (translation in portrait mode is not).

Of the video inputs is present here only one DisplayPort (visible on the body cap under HDMI, but the port itself is not). And there are also a line input and headphone output, and, curiously, the location of connectors rather “television” than “monitor” – they are on the left side and directed horizontally, because of what can be seen attached cables.

Frame around the image of the average width of the order of 2 cm on it at the bottom you can find logos DisplayPort and ASUS, as well as in the lower right corner of the activity indicator, glowing dim green light.

Menu

Menu control buttons are located not in the usual way, and again resemble on TV than a computer monitor. They are right at the top, behind the bezel, with no notation on the frame itself is not – signature found on the rear panel behind the buttons so that the user will have to remember the location of buttons and adjust the monitor “blindly”. By the way, the power button is located here (top row in the control buttons), ie, at a distance of several tens of centimeters from the activity indicator. Buttons tight, pressed with a visible effort, while the menu is located on the other side of the screen closer to the left, so that navigation on it is not very comfortable. Without calling the menu by pressing can adjust the brightness and volume of the integrated speakers.

Menu in the ASUS PQ321QE radically different from the traditional menu that we saw in all ASUS models in recent years. It is surprisingly large and well more like a television than a “monitor.”

In paragraph Picture You can adjust brightness, contrast, black level, color, sharpness, select one of the preset modes (sRGB, Standard and Vivid), specify the color temperature (in the range of 3000-10000K) and range (1.8-2.4 or Standard), and also reset all settings to factory defaults. In the Setup menu, you can change the language, select the source and the audio level, and switch mode DisplayPort (on this a little more then we will stop). In the Monitor section, there is only two options – to switch between portrait and landscape modes, and off when it is idle. And the last section, Others provides access to configure the aspect ratio of the monitor, and the possibility to disable the audio information page about the parameters work.

Matrix

In ASUS PQ321QE used ASV-matrix (Advanced Super View) production Sharp diagonal 31.5 “, 16:9 aspect ratio and claimed 8ms response time (GtG). At the heart of this panel is the technology of VA, plus used transistors manufacturing technology IGZO, which allows to significantly increase the pixel density compared to conventional monitors. So, at a resolution 3840h2160 pixels pixel size of 0.182 mm – in computer time is an unprecedented rate (eg, 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels pixel size of 0.233 mm, and this is hardly the most “tiny” pixel of public models). However, in comparison with modern smartphone or tablet, this figure is not so impressive – the ASUS PQ321QE PPI value equals 140, while, say, the iPad Air – 264. However, consider the pixel ASUS PQ321QE can have (and then only with great difficulty) only from a distance, where the user typically holds a smartphone – at a distance of half a meter further, ie with the usual distance at which the work is for a desktop computer, see the individual pixels will only be with very sharp vision.

4K resolution

Subjective feeling of using a 4K-diagonal monitor for a few days – a few mixed. Immediately it should be noted that for this it is strongly recommended to upgrade to Windows 8.1, Microsoft since it introduced a number of improvements in the work of the monitors at high resolution. And even though the result is still imperfect, but overall impression is much more favorable than when connecting this monitor to your system with Windows 7 – so, in 8.1, it suffices to set the parameter “resize all elements of” 150%, and for the most part this installation will be practiced correctly, not only in the “native” applications Microsoft, but also third-party software.

Plus, in some cases, if a particular application fonts appear blurry need for each specific program to set its properties tick the option “Turn off image scaling at high screen resolution.” 

After that display problems are only in applications that use non-standard interfaces, which have not been optimized for the high resolution – the only way out of this situation is, unfortunately, or switching to a lower resolution or replacement applications on their analogs that are correctly displayed on This monitor.

In other words, to work in Windows, this monitor has no special advantages over the much more affordable options like 27-inch models with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. But the picture changes dramatically when viewing photos and 4K-video – suffice it to say that the photos displayed on this screen virtually “pixel by pixel” that not only looks impressive, but also greatly facilitates their processing in image editor. If we talk about the video, it explains a lot here a screenshot of the desktop window with a small video player, which at 100% normal playing FullHD-video – on the area it is 4 times smaller than the screen, and when you open the full screen looks like it’s actually DVD-Video.

Now find content in 4K still problematic – in fact, all his “diversity” still comes down to advertising trailer manufacturers 4K-TVs and camcorders. And they monitor all the advantages disclosed in full – sometimes it seems as if you look out the window, looks so realistic picture shows them. It remains to wait for 4K will be available in conventional movies / series, and not just commercials (although there is certainly another problem pops up – the size of files, for example, a two-minute trailer with 4K-bit-rate video in 120 + Mbit / s can be the “pull” 2 GB).

In games again ambiguous. On the one hand, at this resolution the picture is very clear, and with a pixel density of 140 PPI, as it turned out, completely eliminating the need for FSAA – even when anti-aliasing is turned off to see in the “ladder” is almost impossible. On the other hand, rests on the predictable performance – even on a powerful gaming PC, you can forget about the maximum settings, because FPS rate drops below the playability. So, on a test system (Windows 8.1 x64, Intel Core [email protected] GHz, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780) Metro: Last Light at maximum settings showed 11 FPS, at the minimum – 52 FPS (though it is fair to Note that at the minimum game looks almost the same as at maximum). Much less demanding Resident Evil 6 at maximum graphics issued 4664 points (FPS hovered around 25-30 frames / sec, which is not enough for a comfortable game).

In this paper,

Connecting ASUS PQ321QE is slightly more complicated than a conventional monitor – the default resolution 3840h2160 points refresh rate is set at 30 Hz, and to get a more acceptable 60 Hz have to do any additional configuration. It includes a mode switching mode DisplayPort with SST (single-stream transport) to MST (multi-stream transport), resulting in a system monitor appears as two virtual display. What happens next depends on the graphics card (with the exception of products NVIDIA – its drivers themselves determine the new configuration and include the correct mode 3840h2160 @ 60 Hz). ASUS has even published a special video instructions detailing the procedure.

Monitored used semi-matte screen coating, which is characterized by the almost complete absence of crystalline effect observed in conventional matte displays (slight graininess monochrome image areas), wherein unwanted reflections in the environment therein is also substantially less (at least in the normal operating mode, with deviation in the direction of reflection appear more clearly, and the maximum angle of the surface turns almost normal glossy).

Although the description of IGZO technology and says that it can significantly reduce the time delay between switching states of pixels in the characteristics of the monitor, as mentioned above, it is stated quite slow response time – 8 ms (GtG), which is quite comparable with conventional IPS monitors. The Monitor uses a proprietary technology overdrive TraceFree, but there is no possibility of its settings. Judging by the results of tests (almost missing artifacts overdrive and relatively noticeable lubrication), used “gentle” mode TraceFree, which is the default setting in the other monitors ASUS, where the user is allowed to adjust this parameter. In daily work any inconvenience this caused no response time, ASUS PQ321QE in this respect the feelings did not differ from the usual models for IPS-panels.

Viewing angles of this monitor are very good, some tangible discoloration is not observed even at maximum deviation – markedly reduced brightness, much weaker – contrast, plus a few “warmer” image.

This model is used to adjust the brightness using PWM, so that flickering illumination is present here, and in full – the flicker frequency is clearly not very high, so people with sensitive eyes may experience discomfort during prolonged work at such a monitor.

Uniformity of illumination is very high, especially for such a diagonal. Only in the upper part of the screen in two places noticeable backlight leakage weak in general, the picture looks very good.

Glow-in ASUS PQ321QE effect is virtually absent – when viewed at an angle from above appears very faint purple glow, the same as the right and left. 

Minimum brightness of this model is decent enough – 53 cd / m ². That will be quite enough for comfortable work in the shadows, but in the dark for some users, this monitor may still seem yarkovatym. Maximum brightness is turned all of the highest we’ve seen so far models – 370 cd / m ² (average value from measurements in 35 points). Difference in brightness between the different areas of the screen at the same time was also great – as much as 125 cd / m ², due, apparently, wide screen display.

SRGB mode allows a user to change the brightness and contrast settings (which does not occur very often). According to the results of tests show that the gamma value, and color temperature in this mode almost perfectly correspond to the standard values, but the color gamut is not as good as expected – it covers 92.7% sRGB, and clearly visible “shortage” in blue and red . Transmission accuracy is good, but not perfect (maximum deltaE exceed 3), demanding user for serious work with this photo mode still does not fit, require calibration.

In Standard mode, additional adjustments are available, such as the choice of color temperature and gamma values. When set to the default gamma (STD), we see a curve with a peak in the dark areas and light failure – it gives deep black shadows and good elaboration of detail in bright areas, but at the same time it means a loss of detail in shadows and pale expressionless light areas of the photo – if you are not satisfied with the settings, you can switch to 2.2 range, resulting in her chart, we get almost flat line, similar to what we saw in the mode sRGB. Color gamut is also virtually identical to the regime and is 92.5% sRGB. Interestingly, in Standard mode color accuracy is somewhat higher than in sRGB.

And the last mode, Vivid, characterized by more pronounced gamma curve (with a peak at 2.7 and a minimum of – 1.6, with a standard value of 2.2) and a slightly larger gamut – it is 93.1% sRGB.

After calibration, color gamut was 92.1% sRGB, the color accuracy has become much higher, and gamma curve and color temperature, which in the past were very good, now almost perfectly correspond to the default settings.

Color gamut, color accuracy, color temperature graph and gamma curve for grayscale (after calibration) 

Results

ASUS PQ321QE difficult to assess in terms of regular monitor – at a cost of more than 30 thousand UAH. him, to put it mildly, difficult to find the scope of which would justify such costs. This is pure proof of concept, proof that such a thing is possible that the Ultra HD in modern desktops – no longer science fiction, and even very expensive, but a reality. In this sense, the monitor is very good, though not without its flaws – a very high-quality image (albeit with incomplete coverage of sRGB), excellent viewing angles and constant “wah” in others when viewing advertising 4K-trailers.

Making forecasts – it is certainly a thankless, but one can assume that the cost of such models in the future drops significantly, but in the category of public, they still will not pass – as are not accessible to the general public “normal” monitors with a diagonal of 30 “(Price which is now in Ukraine vary in the range of 10-20 ths.). But the arrival of 4K to more suitable for home use diagonal (in the first place – 27-28 inches) looks very attractive – at least as early as this year at CES 2014 were announced the first 28-inch “swallows” on TN-matrices with a price tag of $ 700-800, and there is every reason to believe that in the next year or two will and better panels from other manufacturers for the same, and even lower prices. thing for a little – to convince developers of software for Windows that Retina support is important not only in Mac OS …

Liked

+ 4K
+ High quality image and build

Dislike

– Insufficient gamut
– Very high cost
– Using PWM

The post Review 4K-Monitor ASUS PQ321QE appeared first on Raqwe.

After 18 months from the date of signing the agreement on joint development of OLED-TV panels from Sony and Panasonic have decided to terminate it.

Online resource Publishing Wall Street Journal , citing sources familiar with the plans of companies, reports that Sony and Panasonic have decided to work towards the creation apart LCD-TV with a resolution of 4K.

It is worth noting that some fruits, this cooperation has brought yet. As Sony, Panasonic and brought to CES 2013 prototype 56-inch OLED-TVs with 4K. However, none of the companies in this year and has not released a commercial version presented in the beginning of the year the prototype, leaving the market Samsung and LG.

Wall Street Journal Reporters do not exclude the possibility that in the future, Sony and Panasonic may be reunited, but so far it seems unlikely, as OLED technology has reached a deadlock.

The post WSJ: Sony and Panasonic have decided to put an end to the joint development of OLED-panels appeared first on Raqwe.