Author Archives: Dora Strazicic

• HDR Tiers: A Guide

  27/01/2023 11:35 am Comments Off on HDR Tiers: A Guide

  

  Let’s bring the screen to life.

  High-Dynamic Range technology, more commonly known by its acronym HDR, increases contrast on the screen. The brighter highlights and darker shadows of HDR create more realistic coloring. Because of the importance of HDR to monitor imaging, we have created this guide to help you through all of the questions that you might have about HDR. This guide will include topics such as different HDR levels, which HDR format is best, if it is compatible with PC gaming, what each HDR Tier signifies, and if it affects image quality.

  So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

  What are the different levels of HDR?

  Although it may not be automatically apparent, there are three main HDR formats. These are HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. Other types of HDR are available, however, they are not commonly used. So, you might be asking… What is the difference between these monitors? Before deciding on which format to choose, it is essential to check certain criteria. The basic measurements for HDR quality are:

  1. Bit depth- the number of colors a movie/show/game includes
  2. Brightness- the maximum brightness on the screen
  3. Metadata- the amount of information sent to the screen

  In addition, the factors by which one can define HDR are:

  1. Color Depth
  2. Brightness
  3. Metadata

  The most basic format for HDR is HDR10; whereas Dolby Vision and HDR 10+ are more advanced versions. To explore these three versions, please refer to the bullet-pointed lists below to find out which HDR format is best suited to your needs:

  HDR 10

  1. Bit Depth: Good
  2. Peak Brightness Minimum: Good
  3. Metadata: Static

  HDR 10+

  1. Bit Depth: Great
  2. Peak Brightness Minimum: Good
  3. Metadata: Dynamic

  Dolby Vision

  1. Bit Depth: Great
  2. Peak Brightness Minimum: Great
  3. Metadata: Best

  It is important to note that all HDR content is available in HDR10 as a baseline, with HDR10+ rapidly growing in popularity for large streaming companies like Blue Ray and Amazon Prime video. Apart from availability, how do you know which HDR option is the best? Let’s explore this in the next section.

  What HDR mode is better?

  When comparing the three main HDR formats (HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision), there is much to decipher before deciding which mode is the best. Although we mentioned above that HDR10 is the most accessible format, it does not offer the same level of quality as its two other counterparts.

  HDR10+, on the other hand, offers the same benefits as Dolby Vision, but it has been slowly picked up by TV manufacturers and therefore has not become a widely-adopted alternative to HDR10.

  Therefore, the highest quality of HDR comes in the form of Dolby Vision due to its brightness, color, and metadata marks.

  Is HDR better than OLED?

  OLED is a new technology that has come into popularity in recent years. It focuses on depicting incredible contrasts for imaging on screen. However, it can get confusing when comparing HDR to OLED because both affect the contrast on the screen. So, when OLED technology hit the market, many started to ask which one was better.

  To answer this question, it is important to understand what HDR and OLED do to the screen. HDR creates a large variation in light levels and OLED is a technology that focuses on screen brightness and functions by using individually controlled pixels that emit light. Therefore, it’s better to view OLED and HDR working together for the best picture experience instead of comparing them against each other.

  So, the answer to this question is divided: OLED offers a better contrast ratio than LED, and, for that reason, it works better with HDR in dark settings. On the other hand, LED works better with HDR in lighter settings due to its extreme brightness. Whether you choose OLED or LED, HDR will help increase the color variation of your screen in any setting.

  What are the DisplayHDR Tiers?

  Aside from the main three HDR levels, DisplayHDR tiers are put in place in order to set an open standard for HDR quality. Each tier has specific criteria for measuring quality, such as the following:

  1. Luminance
  2. Color Gamut
  3. Bit Depth
  4. Rise Time

  VESA, a regulator for HDR quality, created a new tier with the title “True Black” in 2019 in order to include the new OLED technology that entered the market. Let’s dive into each HDR tier and the criteria for each one.

  DisplayHDR 400

  This tier is the minimum rating. A monitor within this tier must have:

  1. At least 400 nits of peak brightness
  2. 95 percent coverage of sRGB color space
  3. 8-bit color depth
  4. Global Dimming

  DisplayHDR 500

  With a slight increase in quality, the requirements for DisplayHDR 500 are:

  1. Local dimming
  2. 10-bit color depth
  3. Over 90 percent coverage of DCI-P3 color space

  DisplayHDR 600

  This tier has almost the same requisites as DisplayHDR 500, the only difference is brightness. Monitors with the rating of DisplayHDR 600 have a significantly higher brightness level than the lower tiers and especially SDR.

  DisplayHDR 1000

  In contrast to the 500 and 600 tiers, there is a significant jump in quality for monitors that qualify as DisplayHDR 1000. The main factors in this quality jump are the black levels and peak brightness. The lower black levels and higher brightness make any monitor with a DisplayHDR 1000 rating perfect for consuming HDR content.

  DisplayHDR 1400

  This is the highest HDR certification. The requirements for a DisplayHDR 1400 monitor are:

  1. Wide color gamut with 99 percent coverage of BT.709
  2. 95 percent of DCI-P3 color spaces
  3. Deeper contrast than DisplayHDR1000
  4. Very high peak brightness level.

  DisplayHDR True Black 400, 500, and 600

  As displayed above, True Black certifications are meant for self-emissive display technologies. For OLED screens, there is no need for measuring local dimming, black levels, or contrast ratio because each feature has infinite potential. However, what can be measured on OLED screens is brightness. Therefore, the DisplayHDR True Black 400, 500, and 600 are based on peak brightness levels.

  Is HDR good for gaming?

  In this section, we want to focus specifically on PC gaming. HDR has been a hot topic in the gaming world for many years now, but the short version of this answer is not yet.

  There are several explanations for this, however, the two main reasons for HDR not being compatible with PC gaming in the past is due to gaming software and monitor capability.

  When talking about Gaming software, the problem comes from static metadata. Although some forms of HDR offer dynamic metadata, such as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, the monitors that have these features are in the higher to premium price range; thereby making them less commonplace in the PC gaming world. In addition, the problem with static metadata is that it causes a problem of consistency for game developers. Meaning, the same game looks different from screen to screen.

  Moving onto monitor capabilities, it is the main source for HDR being unfavorable in gaming. The problem is that gaming software has progressed technologically, whereas HDR has not. However, new technology is currently hitting the market and is due to fix the divide between HDR and PC gaming.

  This technology is called QD-OLED, or in other words, OLED. With the switch to OLED, the hope in the gaming world is that it will drive better HDR performance, as did mini LED. In addition, OLED is more affordable than monitors that offer more advanced HDR. So, with the arrival of OLED in the gaming world, there are high hopes for HDR.

  Does HDR affect image quality?

  Yes, HDR does affect image quality, but for the better. It is important to note as well that HDR has nothing to do with resolution.

  Image resolution and HDR go hand in hand as seen with 4K HDR. Not only does the resolution go unaffected, but a monitor that has HDR compatibility will also most likely result in a screen that is full of vibrant colors with excellent contrast. The only caveat, however, is that

  HDR is only compatible with HDR content. So, make sure to check that the content you are streaming is HDR-compatible before buying an HDR monitor.

  Did we answer all of your questions? Feel free to check back on our site for more content relating to monitoring specs and news.

• Reinventing the rules of the game with Philips Monitors Evnia 27M2C5500W

  19/01/2023 12:00 pm Comments Off on Reinventing the rules of the game with Philips Monitors Evnia 27M2C5500W

  

  Amsterdam – 19 January 2023 – Today’s gamers have higher expectations than ever. They’re looking for a truly immersive experience that engages their senses and allows them to enjoy the full thrill of the game. They want a setup with cutting-edge specs, but these gamers want the emotion of gaming. Seeking to give gamers the excitement they’re looking for, Philips monitors has developed a range of monitors and accessories designed to ensure rich and rewarding gaming experiences for players of all tastes and all ages. The latest member of the Evnia family to be released is the Philips Evnia 27M2C5500W, a 27” Quad HD gaming monitor that combines a lightning fast 240 Hz refresh rate with a compact ergo design and a rich variety of high-performance features, ensuring that every gaming session is nothing less than epic.

  Key features

  • AMD FreeSync^TM Premium Pro for silky-smooth HDR gaming
  • Ultra-fast 240 Hz refresh rate for virtually lag-free gaming
  • Curved 1000R display design for get-in-the-game immersion
  • DisplayHDR 400 for more lifelike and outstanding visuals
  • Crystalclear images with QHD 2560 x 1440 pixels for eye-popping visuals
  • Fast VA up to 1ms GtG
  • MultiView for simultaneous dual connection and view

  “Reflecting Evnia’s mission to provide today’s gamers with the equipment they need to get the most enjoyment out of every gaming session, the Philips Evnia combines smooth gameplay, visual fireworks, and rapid response in one elegantly designed package. We’re proud of this irresistible model, of Evnia and what it stands for.”  – Xeni Bairaktari, Global Marketing Lead and Senior Brand Manager EU at MMD Monitors & Display

  Innovative features for next-level gaming

  The Philips Evnia 27M2C5500W has everything players need for fast, smooth, visually stunning, and physically comfortable gaming sessions, time after time. In terms of smoothness, the model is equipped with AMD FreeSync^TM Premium Pro combined with a dazzling 240 Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and fast response of 1ms GtG and 0.5ms MPRT. The result is virtually lag-free gaming with no blurring, lagging, ghosting, or tearing – which means that gamers can enjoy even the fastest-paced games such as online battle royale and racing without having to worry about whether their monitor can keep up.

  Visually speaking, the Philips Evnia 27M2C5500W is a force to be reckoned with. Its curved VA display offers gorgeous images with wide viewing angles of 178/178 and the pleasant enveloping sensation of 1000R curvature – designed specifically for jumping into the action. Crystalclear Quad HD images are sharp, bright, and true-to-life, and DisplayHDR 400 perfects them further still, thanks to astonishing brightness, contrast and colors for a visual result that reveals enhanced detail even in shadowy scenes.

  Connectivity is complete and easy, with two HDMI, two DisplayPort and a USB hub with 2 fast charging ports to easily plug in all peripherals that gamers need to live their adventures to the fullest. They can organize their desk as they dream it to be, without compromising.

  With a monitor like this, gamers will be reluctant to stop. Thankfully, the Philips Evnia 27M2C5500W was designed with gamers’ physical well-being in mind. LowBlue mode and Flicker-free technologies ensure easy-on-the-eyes gameplay, while the monitor’s stand can be tilted (-5°/20°), swiveled (+/- 30°), and height-adjusted (130 mm) to suit any physique – ensuring maximal comfort even during prolonged gaming sessions.

  Pricing and availability

  The Philips Evnia 27M2C5500W is available now for purchase at the price of €579.

• Extra screen real estate for greater productivity – Two all-new 40-inch Philips professional monitors introduced

  11/01/2023 10:00 am Comments Off on Extra screen real estate for greater productivity – Two all-new 40-inch Philips professional monitors introduced

  Amsterdam – 11 January 2023 – With the new year just around the corner, professionals around the world are undoubtedly setting ambitious goals for the coming twelve months. Seeking to provide users with solutions designed to meet their evolving needs, Philips monitors portfolio welcomes two all-new models equipped with a rich variety of features that are sure to please: the Philips 40B1U5600 and the Philips 40B1U5601H. Both new models offer the easy connectivity of USB-C technology, the superb picture quality of UltraWide QHD resolution with DisplayHDR 400, the convenience of MultiClient Integrated KVM, and even an earphone hook, making them the ideal choice for dynamic professionals who want to make 2023 their most productive year ever.

  

  Key features

  • USB-C with USB 3.2 protocol high-speed data transfer and hassle-free connectivity
  • CrystalClear, UltraWide QHD 3440 x 1440 resolution for gorgeous images
  • DisplayHDR 400 for more lifelike and outstanding visuals
  • Built-in 5MP webcam with Windows Hello^TM facial recognition and noise-cancelling mic for clear and secure communications (40B1U5601H)

  All the right features

  The Philips 40B1U5600 and 40B1U5601H offer a generous 40” format and dazzling UltraWide Crystal Clear 3440 x 1440 resolution. IPS LED technology and DisplayHDR 400 further enhance these monitors’ visual muscle, delivering wide viewing angles of 178/178° as well as outstanding color and contrast. With this kind visual firepower, photographers, graphic designers, and architects can count on brilliance and accuracy, while financial experts and spreadsheet users of all stripes can enjoy the space that allows them to compare documents side by side with ease.

  In today’s fast-paced hybrid offices, versatile and complete connectivity is an absolute must. Both the 40B1U5600 and the 40B1U5601H are equipped with USB type-C connectors with power delivery – ideal for clutter-free multitasking. A single slim, reversible USB-C cable provides easy connection and allows users to watch high resolution video while transferring data at ultra-fast speeds and charging compatible devices all at the same time. However, the 40B1U5601H provides even greater connectivity, as a top solution for the most demanding professionals. The added convenience of RJ45 through USB-C offers a fast and secure connection when needed, while DisplayPort-out lets users daisy-chain multiple displays using just one cable. With MultiClient Integrated KVM switch, users can control two separate PCs with one monitor-keyboard-mouse set up, conveniently switching between sources. The 40B1U5601H also offers the added benefit of a built-in 5MP webcam with Windows Hello^TM facial recognition and noise-cancelling mic for clear and secure communications when working from home or collaborating remotely.

  But that’s not all. These monitors also include a variety of sustainable features, such as the energy-saving PowerSensor, which automatically adjusts monitor brightness depending on the user’s presence or absence, resulting in up to 75% energy savings, but always delivering the perfect brightness with minimal power thanks to LightSensor. Whether it’s the 40B1U5600 or the 40B1U5601H, comfort and convenience are guaranteed, thanks to built-in high-quality stereo speakers, an integrated earphone hook for easy access to headphones, an adjustable stand that allows the monitor to be tilted, swiveled, and slanted to suit every user, and a handy VESA mount.

  Pricing and availability

  The Philips 40B1U5600 and 40B1U5601H is available now at the price of €809 and €909.