Popular Archives - Best 27 Inch Monitor

November 14, 2015November 14, 2015

NEC EA275UHD – A Superb High Quality Graphics 27 Inch Monitor

If you’re looking for a 27-inch monitor that delivers high-graphic images, then you should definitely be looking at the NEC EA275UHD-BK-SV 4K monitor. Boy, that’s a mouthful. That’s a summation of the actual title. You ready? The NEC EA275UHD-BK-SV 27” 4K UHD sRGB IPS Monitor with SpectraViewII.

NEC EA275UHD for Photo Editing or Graphic Design

This 27-inch monitor is geared towards those in photo editing or graphic design who need their monitors to deliver high-caliber imagery employing high resolution and high PPI.

Now, if you’re only looking for a decent graphics experience and an ok response time then you don’t need to to consider the NEC EA275UHD. It might just be too much machinery for you. I don’t mean that as a challenge but why spend the extra money on something that delivers more than you actually need?

Let’s take a look at the specs on the NEC EA275UHD and see if it works for you.

Specs

27-inch screen from corner to corner
13.7 pounds without stand and 20.1 pounds with stand
Resolution is 3,840 x 2,160 (that’s nothing to sneeze at)
The screen display is backlit by LED
Response time is 6ms which is not too shabby
163 PPI (Pixels Per Inch)
Color Gamut = 78.1% Adobe RGB and 100% sRGB
IPS (In-Plane Switching) Panel for great viewing angles, up to 178 degrees

The connectivity situation on the back looks like this:

1 Display port 1.2
1 HDMI 2.0
1 DVI-D Dual Link
1 upstream USB 3.0
3 downstream USB 3.0

Additional features

There are a number of additional features that add to the quality of this monitor and makes it stand out amongst other 27-inch monitors. Additional features include a sensor which detects light and human presence to automatically brighten or dim the screen according to what it detects, ECO Mode which allows you to conserve up to 56% more power and thus saving you on energy costs and even ControlSync which allows you to run up to 6 connected monitors in a multi-monitor set-up.

Additionally, as indicated in the full title above it comes with SpectraViewII software which dramatically adds to the the ability to use the color scheme. It basically measures and calibrates the color on the screen and adjusts for accuracy. This is extremely useful in color-dependent tasks.

A version of this monitor is available without SpectraViewII software which will save you a pretty penny. But if you’re going for this monitor then there’s a good chance you are looking for something robust in the graphics department so I wouldn’t suggest doing without SpectraViewII.

What’s the NEC EA275UHD going to be good for?

The NEC EA275UHD is a high PPI (hey that rhymes), high resolution, color-robust monitor that is well suited for anyone working professionally in a high-graphics field. Photo editing and video editing obviously fall into this category but also for those who print banners and posters where color is a real issue.

Here’s what it will work well with:

Video editing
Photo editing
Gaming
Video watching
Any other graphic-heavy application
General office or home use

Professionals in these fields usually go for big monitors which is why this 27-inch monitor is great but if you’re looking for something even bigger with a similar set of color-rich and high-resolution imagery then you should definitely check out the 32-inch NEC PA322UHD-BK. The PA322UHD also comes with SpectraViewII.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

High resolution and color-rich graphics. Need I say more?

Cons:

The price is higher than most other 27-inch monitors but you get what you pay for with this guy.

Price

The NEC EA275UHD with SpectraViewII goes for $949 while without SpectraViewII it goes for $799. You can get either one from .

Summary

The NEC EA275UHD with SpectraViewII stands out as one of the better 27-inch monitors that handles heavy graphics applications. It’s perfect for the professional in any field that needs to see the red reds and the green greens if you know what I mean?

October 10, 2015October 24, 2015

ViewSonic VP2780-4K 27 Inch Monitor: Is it Worth Buying?

You may or may not have heard of the ViewSonic VP2780-4K because it doesn’t have the words “Dell” or “Apple” attached to it but I assure you it’s one of the good ones and is worth mentioning amongst the giants. Ok who are we kidding, ViewSonic doesn’t need our sympathy. They do about $1 billion in sales annually.

That’s neither here nor there. Your attention is probably on which 27-inch monitor you want to buy. There are so many 27-inch monitors out there that it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out which one to buy without immediately doubting whether or not you made the right decision.

What we try to do with these reviews is give you the full gamut of information regarding the 27-inch monitor we’re taking a look at. That way you can see if it fits your needs.

So let’s get into telling you all about the ViewSonic VP2780-4K.

ViewSonic VP2780-4K Specs

This monitor is known as a Professional Ultra HD LED monitor. That’s a lot of adjectives that basically means it delivers a wicked sharp picture or at least is supposed to. Other 27-inch monitors have slapped those titles on their products when they were unworthy.

Let’s look at the specs of the ViewSonic VP2780-4K to see if it lives up to that description.

Weight is 25.8 Pounds
The screen is 27 inches from corner to corner
Resolution is 3,840 x 2,160 which is a fairly high resolution
The screen display is backlit by LED
IPS panel (In-Plane Switching). See our 27-inch monitor guide for an explanation of IPS.
The screen has an anti-glare coating
5 ms (milliseconds) response time
It swivels, tilts, pivots and is height-adjustable. Perfect for the contortionist in you.

ViewSonic VP2780-4K rear ports — Viewsonic VP2780 rear ports

Here’s what the port situation looks like in the back:

2 HDMI ports
4 USB 3.0 ports
DisplayPort 1.2
Mini DisplayPort

ViewSonic VP2780-4K under ports — Viewsonic VP2780 under ports

What’s it good for?

The ViewSonic VP2780-4K is built to handle high-def videos and graphic-heavy applications. That’s what it was born to do. Straight out of the box this fact is clear. The image comes through ultra-sharp with vivid detail smacking you in the face.

Response times comes in at 5 ms which is excellent for gaming. I’ve seen an article or two ragging on this response time but this is totally fine for any gamer. Anything better and I swear you won’t be able to tell the difference. You’ll just be spending more money.

You can use the ViewSonic VP2780-4K for the following:

Gaming
Video editing
Photo editing
Graphic design
General home and office use

Pros/Cons

Pros:

High resolution imaging on a truly 4K display
5 ms response time is pretty good especially compared to some other similarly promoted monitors that come in at 20 ms
Reportedly one of the first 4K monitors that supports HDMI 2.0. This fact should go over really well with gamers.
IPS Panel allows for solid viewing from any angle

Cons:

It’s on the pricier side but honestly isn’t the most expensive monitor out there (it’s cheaper than the Apple Thunderbolt Display).
The actual physical make-up of the monitor isn’t really top-notch. It seems to be a bit flimsy with parts of it stuck on with adhesive.
There have been some complaints by users about a lack of sensitivity in the on-screen touch display.
No internal speakers

What kind of price are we looking at?

The ViewSonic VP2780-4K goes for $889.99 on viewsonic.com but can be picked up for even cheaper at amazon for $793.46.

If you’ve got some money saved up and are looking to invest in a robust 4K monitor, I highly recommend ViewSonic VP2780-4K due to it’s performance and ability to deliver high-quality imaging. Sureyou could save up several hundred more dollarsto buy something more expensive but “expensive” doesn’t always mean “better.”

October 3, 2015October 24, 2015

Best Video Editing Monitor Selection: Case Study With Kevin Thorpe of Big Jam Studios

Interview

Kevin Thorpe from Big Jam Studios — Kevin Thorpe Big Jam Studios

What is the best video editing monitor? How do you make your selection? Is it as simple as just gettting the highest resolution screen you can afford? Kevin Thorpe of Big Jam studios offered Best 27 Inch Monitor is an experienced professional video editor and also a bit of a legend in the trance music niche. I headed over to Big Jam Studios to interview Kevin and find out more.

What Video Editing Monitor do You Currently Use?

Big Jam Studios currently run with a basic Acer 17″ monitor as a line monitor and a 27 inch Dell 2709W for video and photo editing. Kevin commented:

This setup has been great for flexibility. Many people are surprised that we run “pc monitors” off a Mac. Of course it’s entirely possible to choose any monitor you like and still use a Mac

Big Jam Studios Current Video Editing Setup

Kevin bought the 27 inch monitor on the basis of a recommendation from a friend in the graphic design industry. At the time, with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, it was the best video editing monitor for the money. Resolution being a key consideration when selecting the best video editing monitor. Kevin also runs all of his sound editing work through the same setup hence the audio monitors (speakers) at either side of the monitor. Be careful to get screened speakers when placing them near any displays as the magnets in the speakers can distort the image.

Why Use a Multiple Monitor Setup?

Big Jam use a second smaller monitor as a line monitor. This allows Kevin and the team to monitor the frequency content of audio in real-time and while editing. This allows them to make changes to improve the overall audio quality while keeping the main 27 inch monitor free for either audio timeline management or for video footage editing.

Big Jam Studios Best Video Editing Monitor Setup — Big Jam Studios Setup

What is The Best Video Editing Monitor?

Going forward, Kevin and the team are investing in a brand new 27″ iMac Retina setup. When I asked why, Kevin commented

It’s just a great combination of awesome graphics, sleek design and the Mac is built in too.

The team have settled on a final iMac spec of:

2 x 2.06GHz quad core processors
Retina 27 inch screen
8TB External media drive

Big Jam are also planning to add a new 19″ monitor to complement the iMac and continue frequency analysis capability which keeps the main display free for video and audio timeline editing.

What is the Best Software to Use For Video Editing?

Kevin uses Adobe Premiere exclusively. It’s hands down the best video editing software out there. With the new Adobe CC range, it can be purchased for just a few bucks a month.

Can we See an Example of Your Work?

Kevin has recently comopleted a series of Vlogs (Video Blogs) for local hypnotist Tim Box.

I was really pleased with the way these came out, the clarity is great and of course Tim and Zoe are naturals in front of the camera.

Where do You see the Video Editing Industry Headed in the Next 20 Years?

Well vlogging is growing rapidly. Smartphones are becoming more and more powerful and I do expect to that a semi professional video editing platform might be available in the not too distant future. Right now it’s just about possible to take professional video with a Nokia Lumia 1020. In fact Ellie Goulding’s music video “How Long Will I Love You” was famously shot using this exact phone as a publicity stunt by Nokia.

It’s impressive although the industry still has a way to go before pro-editing capabilities are available on the move. I think the future is exciting with technology driving the availability of online video, the quality and proliferation will continute to increase rapidly. With organic LED and curved screen technology already available, the best video editing monitor in two decades will be very different to the tech we have now.

What is the Webcam For?

Many eagle eyed readers will have noticed a 3rd party webcam on top of Big Jam’s 27 inch video editing monitor. When I noticed, this is what Kevin had to say:

We’ve noticed a strong trend into online learning. A lot of people are using technolgy to reach education they might never have been able to access. I’m currently teaching a DJ in Australia how to make better sounding trance music and a student in Hungary how to improve his electronic music skills. As an award winning music creator I tend to be quite well known in the DJing and techno / trance music space. It’s an unusal niche to be in and it is very rewarding when you see someone on the other side of the world achieve something special that you helped inspire!

Have a question for Kevin? Drop a comment below and I promise to get a direct response for you!

July 18, 2015December 28, 2015

Best Photo Editing Monitor: My 27 Inch Setup In Detail

The Viewsonic VP2770-LED is the best photo editing monitor you are going to get for your money unless you want to spend out $1500 on a NEC PA272W-BK-SV in my opinion. Want to know why? Read on…

Best Photo Editing Monitor

If you are serious about photo editing, then you are going to need the right equipment and tools. Back when I first started, I can remember downloading Photoshop CC and trying to use it on my old 19″ TN based monitor. It was horrible. Photoshop is best used with a full Adobe RGB colorspace or at the very least an sRGB capable monitor (if you don’t know what that means, don’t worry – look here for a quick explanation).

IPS and Adobe RGB

So, once I had accepted that the old monitor had to go, I set about researching how to choose the best photo-editing for my budget. I quickly discovered that an IPS monitor (or TPS which is effectively the same thing) is essential for accurate colour reproduction. My price range was $300 – $800 and I soon found that it is not possible to find a monitor with full Adobe RGB colorspace for that money. So that brought a comparison of all the IPS monitors I could find under $800 with sRGB. There is surprising large choice and variety in the market even at that niche level.

Size and Resolution

Ever heard that size doesn’t matter – it’s what you do with it that counts? Well – every inch does makes a difference – up to a point. The majority of monitors on sale now are 27 inch. This is partly because it was one of the first sizes where manufacturers could achieve UHDMI resolution on a single panel. I believe it is also partly due to Apple releasing the iMac at 27 inches and driving the industry trend in that direction.

UHDMI resolution is widely available on monitors targeted at the photo-editing industry. This gives you a whopping 3840 x 2160 pixels. QHD is slightly less at 2560 x 1440 which is four times the coverage of standard HD.

Shortlist

Samsung U28D590D

I really liked the Samsung U28D590D – it has UHDMI resolution, comes with HDMI and Displayport connection and looks beautiful. As a bonus it also has a 1ms response time which would be useful should I ever wish to do any gaming. It has a colorspace of 1 billion, known as ‘1K’ which is reasonable for photo editing. It is a 28 inch size which is of course more than sufficient. I very nearly bought it, but the sticking point which I ultimately paid an extra $100 for was lack of IPS. The Samsung U28D590D has a TN based panel which simply isn’t accurate enough for serious photo editing. It is great for gaming although not my pick of the bunch for best gaming monitor.

Viewsonic VP2770-LED

The other main contender in my price bracket was the Viewsonic VP2770-LED monitor. This has an IPS panel and is therefore much better suited to photo and video editing. It is a pro-level monitor for photo-editing and other color critical applications and there are no extras like built in speakers as you might get with many other similarly priced monitors. It does have a built in USB 3.0 hub though, which I’ve found useful for connecting a graphics pad and other accessories to. The USB hub is no good for frequently used devices as it is rather fiddly to reach on the rear of the monitor.

In the end, I decided the best photo editing monitor for me was the Viewsonic VP2770-LED. It has the Displayport and HDMI connectivity of the Samsung and with the more faithful color reproduction using IPS technology, I felt it was the best monitor for my needs. It was tempting to upgrade to the VP2772 which has 99% ARGB coverage for an extra $300 but I decided to stick to the budget.

NEC PA272W-BK-SV

If I had the money and had been inclined, I would have invested in the NEC PA272W-BK-SV. It is really aimed at professional printers who need full Adobe RGB colorspace to see exactly the colors they will get on paper and is pretty much the best photo editing monitor out there unless you go for the 32″ version which really is the cream of the cream. The hood accessory for blocking out reflections and light is a nice touch. Although it is easy to make your own monitor hood from cardboard to suit any monitor which will be the subject of a future blog post. It also includes an NEC-specific calibrator “SpectraViewII” which does look very handy. However there are plenty of aftermarket calibrators available that are at least as good and will suit any monitor. I will be doing a blog post on selecting the best monitor calibrator soon.

Post – Purchase Update

So I’ve had the Viewsonic VP2770-LED for exactly a year now and have done a lot of photo-editing with it. I have found it to be an excellent monitor for the purpose and am very pleased with the purchase. The non-reflective screen is nice and faithful to the image being displayed although some might prefer a more reflective surface such as used on Apple products. I did find the placement of the monitor to be important i.e. away from windows and other non-intentional light sources. I also ended up buying a decent strip lamp to illuminate the wall behind it in order to gain the best possible contrast effect.

Have a comment based on your own experiences? Leave me a comment below, I promise to read them all!

July 12, 2015October 18, 2015

27 Inch Monitor Resources

This is a collection of 27 Inch Monitor Resources, all of which I use myself.

Products

HDMI Leads

To go for gold or not? Is the dividing question when it comes to monitor leads. The honest truth is that whether the lead has gold plating or not makes no difference at all to a digital signal lead. HDMI is digital and therefore buying a lead just because it is gold-plated makes no sense. However, it is often the case that gold-plated leads are better build-quality and most are gold-plated these days anyway. Here are my top three HDMI leads:

HDMI type A male – male: : Simple, straightforward and great value.
Displayport to mini displayport: I use this every day to connect my Macbook Pro to my Viewsonic 27″ monitor:

Screen Calibrator

There are a lot of screen calibrators out there and the wide choice can be confusing. The screen calibrator I reccommend is the X-Rite EODIS3 i1Display Pro: Honestly, you’re unlikely to need a calibrator unless you are doing some serious photo editing or graphic design. So if you are going to take the plunge, I do recommend the i1 Display pro as it is a high-end piece of kit. There’s no point making false economies here.

Monitor accessories

Cable Tidy

Many cable tidies come in the form of trunking which looks great but is a pain to pull apart when you want to add the next lead in or remove something. I recommend using velcro ties to keep your cables in order, one of the best is the D-Line Cable Tidy Band:

Rocking Speakers

If you do any video editing or just simply enjoy listening to music while you work, the best bang for your buck by far are the Logitech Z600 Bluetooth speakers:

Privacy Filter

If you work in a busy office and handle sensitive information, then these filters are fantastic at keeping prying eyes away from your work: Not so great for photo editing though as the true color will be lost.

Screen Cleaning Wipes

I regularly use these microfiber cloths: A quality cleaning system is vital for every monitor owner – irrespective of size. It is surprisingly easy to damage your 27 inch monitor with the wrong cleaning fluid and many insurance companies will not cover you for this.

Multi-Monitor Stands

If you’re using more than 2 monitors, you’re going to need a professional stand. Mainly aimed at gamers and the security industry, the Deluxe Hex Monitor Stand is a great stand, taking up to six full-size 27 inch monitors.

Standing Desks

electric height adjustable desk — Electric height adjustable desk.

I am a big fan of standing at desks. For the best flexibility, you might want to look at the VertdeskTM Electric Adjustable Height Desk. The health benefits are huge.

Desk Light

Correct illumination is essential to get the best from your monitor. Personally I use the Daylight U32500 Triple Bright Lamppositioned behind my monitor to maximise the contrast levels.

Useful Websites

I started this website because the vast majority of information sites out there are riddled with adSense advertising and have a horrible user experience. However, some of them do have useful information despite the adverts. Many of which I used when first researching which 27 inch monitor to buy. Here is my pick of the bunch:

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

There are some really useful guides on here, relevant mainly to photographers.

https://fstoppers.com

Another excellent site relevant to photographers.

http://uk.pcmag.com

Good for detail if you’re happy to wade through it all.

http://www.t3.com

Superb resource, run off the back of the successful technology magazine.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/

The best forum, hands-down for tech advice.

Books

Photography

If you’re new to digital photography, Doug Harman’s guide is invaluable:

Software

Photoshop

The Creative Cloud range of software is a great way to get up and running with Photoshop. You’ll also need Adobe Bridge to organise your pictures.

Adobe Premiere

Hands-down, the best video editing software out there.

Blogs

Mashable is about as good as it gets when it comes to niche blog topic reviews. Their tech section is second to none. http://mashable.com/tech/

Podcasts

I know what you’re thinking – a podcast about 27 inch monitors -really? Well… not quite but the Lifehacker podcast is so awesome I just had to mention it. A broad range of tech based topics, definitely worth a listen. http://lifehacker.com/

27 Inch Monitor Resources Conclusion

So there you have it! The most useful resources listed by application. If you are aware of a resource that I haven’t listed, please contact me and am happy to consider it.

Jonathan