Introduction
Back in March 2015 we tend to printed a review of the Samsung S34E790C, that was novel at the time for its use of a wiggly 34" VA (Vertical Alignment) UltraWide panel. in addition as providing robust distinction and good color replica, responsiveness was quite good in addition. though element responsiveness was quite good for a VA panel, overall responsiveness was still restricted by the 60Hz refresh rate. We've currently seen from the likes of the ASUS MX34VQ and AOC AG352UCG that UltraWide VA panels will place in an exceedingly competent performance at 100Hz in addition. The Samsung C34F791 (also said as CF791 or C34F791W with numerous extra regional suffixes) offers an identical 100Hz VA panel to the ASUS MX34VQ and additionally couples this with support for AMD FreeSync, by approach of Adaptive-Sync on the monitor. Some additions on this model embody a vessel curve (1500R vs. 1800R), a 'Quantum Dot' backlight to additional enrich the color gamut and a height-adjustable stand. It all appearance terribly nice on paper, however we tend to see however things prove in apply.
Specifications
This monitor options a 100Hz 34" Samsung SVA ('Super' Vertical Alignment) panel, with a resolution of 3440 x 1440 and curvature of 1500R. True 8-bit color is supported, while not video digitizing, and a 4ms gray to gray reaction time is fixed (as usual, approach with caution). A Nanosys 'Quantum Dot' backlight answer is employed. a number of the key 'talking points' of the specification are highlighted in blue for your reading convenience below.
Screen size: thirty four inches
Panel type: Samsung LTM340YP04 SVA (Vertical Alignment) LCD Panel
Native resolution: 3440 x 1440
Typical most brightness: three hundred cd/m²
Colour support: sixteen.7 million (8-bits per subpixel while not dithering)
Response time (G2G): 4ms
Refresh rate: 100Hz (variable, with Adaptive-Sync)
Weight: 7.6kg
Contrast ratio: three,000:1 (Plus 'MEGA' Dynamic Contrast)
Viewing angle: 178º horizontal, 178º vertical
Power consumption: 70W
Backlight: Quantum Dot junction rectifier (Quantum Dots + blue LED)
Typical value as reviewed: £800 ($850 USD)
Features and aesthetics
From the front the monitor is dominated by its massive screen, that uses a really light-weight matte anti-glare screen surface and employs a 1500R curve. we tend to explore each options a bit later. The edges comprise a skinny arduous (silver plastic) outer bezel element and a skinny panel border, that blends in seamlessly once the monitor is shifted. the full edge dimension remains terribly slender; ~8.5mm (0.33 inches) at the highest and sides and ~17.5mm (0.69 inches) at very cheap , together with the sliver of panel border there. The stand base has the currently acquainted dish form that we've seen on the likes of the C24FG70 and C27F591FD. we tend to can't facilitate feeling higher use may are manufactured from such a 'dish', just like the energy Wireless charger integrated in an exceedingly similar place on the stand of the ASUS MX34VQ. you'll still place your phone there if you want, of course, however if you're needing to charge it victimisation the monitor you'd ought to use an honest previous USB cable instead.
A modern aesthetic
Quantum Dots and LEDs doing their factor
Top-down read to indicate curve
The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by a 'JOG button' (joystick) at the rear of the monitor, close to very cheap right as viewed from the front. there's additionally alittle power junction rectifier towards the correct of very cheap edge, facing forwards. This glows blue once the monitor is on and flashes if it enters a coffee power state. If most well-liked it will be designed to remain off once the monitor is on. The practicality of the OSD is showcased within the video below.
From the aspect the monitor shows off tons of white plastic, other than the matte silver parts round the fringe of the screen and therefore the prime of the stand base. The monitor is ~10mm (0.39 inches) at thinnest purpose, lumping out centrally wherever the stand attaches. the full depth of monitor together with stand is ~305mm (12.01 inches). The stand offers tilt adjustment (14°/2° forwards and 22°/34° backwards with the stand absolutely up or down, severally) and restricted height adjustment (100mm or three.94 inches). At lowest stand height very cheap of the screen clears the table surface by ~50.80mm (2.00 inches) with the highest of the screen ~411mm (16.18 inches) higher than the table.
A scene
The rear of the monitor continues with the shiny white theme, showing rather minimalistic. The stand attaches centrally, however will be removed and replaced with a 100x100mm - 200x200mm VESA bracket enclosed with the merchandise. directions on the way to do that ar enclosed on page sixteen - seventeen of the user manual. The monitor includes a pair of x 7W up-firing speakers, that manufacture a fairly bassy sound with many volume. the quality and clarity wasn't up to par with the MX34VQ, however higher than several integrated monitor speakers extremely. there's a three.5mm electro-acoustic transducer jack and a couple of USB three.0 ports atop a concealable port space. This port space incorporates a removable plastic cowl with a niche in one corner for straightforward access and to feed ports through. Removing this cowl reveals the remaining ports; DC power input (external power brick), 2 HDMI 2.0 ports (supports Adaptive-Sync), DP 1.2a (Supports Adaptive-Sync), a USB 3.0 upstream port and a service port. there's additionally a Kensington lock socket to the left of this concealable port space.
The shiny white rear
The ports
Both DP 1.2 and HDMI a pair of.0 support the total 3440 x 1440 @ 100Hz on this model. For complete AMD FreeSync practicality DP one.2a or HDMI a pair of.0 should be used on a compatible GPU. A DP cable and HDMI cable is enclosed within the box aboard the ability adapter.
Calibration
Subpixel layout and screen surface
This monitor uses a lightweight matte anti-glare screen surface, as mentioned antecedently. This has quite an swish surface texture, providing white and different light-weight shades with quite an swish look that's free from obvious roughness of 'smearing'. there's a touch of sunshine misty roughness (the look isn't as swish as 34" IPS models) however this is often not significantly obtrusive and it isn't a colossal distinction extremely. this kind of screen surface additionally provides robust glare-handling, keeping reflections treed. in spite of the effectiveness during this respect, it's necessary to contemplate your space light-weighting and avoid direct light-weight putting the screen or excessively bright close light wherever doable.techpcguide
Subpixel layout
The standard RGB (Red, inexperienced and Blue) stripe subpixel layout is employed, that is that the default expected by trendy operational systems resembling Microsoft Windows and raincoat OS. raincoat users don't got to worry regarding text fringing which will occur thanks to non-standard subpixel layouts, while Windows users don't essentially got to use ClearType. you'll see from the image higher than that the subpixels seem slightly squat, however not like on the Samsung S34E790C this failed to produce a softer than optimum look to the image. of course we tend to found the image excessively sharp by default. we tend to ran through ClearType in line with preferences however this had very little impact on this - there was some terribly slight red fringing to text and it simply appeared excessively sharp to our eyes. once reducing sharpness from the default of '60' to '44' as coated within the 'Test Settings' soon we tend to found the sharpness and text clarity to air par with different models (including American state and IPS-type displays of comparable element density).
Testing the presets
The C34F791 offers a spread of 'MagicBright' presets; 'Custom', 'Standard', 'Cinema', 'Dynamic Contrast', 'Basic Color' and 'High Bright'. additionally, there ar numerous different settings to tweak together with three 'Gamma' settings and a 'Color Tone' choice. we tend to take a look at a spread of settings, specifically those we tend to feel provide smart utility or ar otherwise fascinating. we'll not be outlay (read: wasting) our time analysing the 'Game Mode' setting, as all this will is oversaturates, over-sharpens and customarily upsets the image while not providing any real edges. The 'Standard' mode is clone of 'Custom' however with brightness set to '38', which might after all be achieved within the 'Custom' mode in addition. The table below includes key readings taken employing a Datacolor Spyder5ELITE tintometer aboard general observations.
The monitor was left to last over a pair of hours before these readings and observations were created, connected to a Windows ten system. we tend to put in the motive force enclosed on the disk that came with the monitor - this is often additionally offered to transfer from Samsung. like all trendy monitors, it's entirely 'plug and play' and doesn't need a driver to perform its core functions or build positive changes to image quality. all the same, some users have rumored some improvement in FreeSync behaviour with the motive force. we tend to can't see that we tend to noticed constant, though we tend to unbroken the motive force put in instead of the fundamental 'Plug and Play' driver because it did no hurt either. Our take a look at system used a Club3D Radeon R290 royalAce FreeSync-compatible GPU connected via DisplayPort. we tend to additionally tested with associate degree Nvidia GTX 1070 and tested each GPUs via HDMI and created similar observations in terms of image quality. Unless expressed otherwise and for our 'Test Settings', assume mill defaults were used with the monitor set to 100Hz. Note; the refresh rate failed to influence the image quality for the needs of this table anyway.
Out of the box the C34F791 provided a vivacious image with smart balance overall. Gamma and white purpose were each among snug vary of their targets of '2.2' and '6500K', severally. The gamma tracked at '2.1', basically creating some shades slightly lighter than they'd be at a gamma of '2.2'. However; this did very little to upset the robust quality of the monitor and truly helped alleviate a number of the 'black crush' related to this panel kind, slightly up visibility in dark areas. This worked well for the supposed uses of this monitor, we feel, and there ar different 'Gamma' settings offered if users would like to use them. the pictures below show the mill activity report enclosed with our unit and therefore the gamma curve victimisation our 'Test Settings', severally.
Factory activity report
Gamma 'Test Settings'
There are many 'Low Blue Light' (LBL) settings enclosed with the monitor. Our most well-liked choice is just setting 'Color Tone' to 'Warm2', as this was extremely effective in reducing blue light-weight output from the monitor while not powerfully impacting distinction. It additionally permits manual management of brightness. The mode that's specifically marketed, though, is 'Eye Saver Mode'. This creates a way rheostat and hotter image, while not manual management of brightness. It additionally purposefully restricts the static distinction of the monitor in order that it's extraordinarily weak, supposed cut back'to scale back'to cut back} the vary of sunshine levels outputted by the monitor and therefore reduce the number of your time spent by the attention compensating for such changes. we tend to definitely found this mode snug, however we tend to didn't feel our eyes 'needed saving' from additional typical settings anyway. For users with significantly sensitive eyes this could definitely be value experimenting with, a minimum of for prolonged reading sessions or maybe within the evening.
Test Settings
For our 'Test Settings' we tend to merely down brightness. There was no want for manual color channel changes on our unit, because the white purpose and overall balance was pleasing once reducing brightness. Note that individual units might vary, however. we tend to additionally reduced the sharpness slightly to '44' as we tend to found things artificially sharp with a really slight red fringe to text victimisation the default worth of '60'. like everything else, though, this is often one thing that ought to be set in line with personal preferences. we've additionally enclosed the 'Response Time' setting, 'FreeSync' setting for the monitor and refresh rate employed in Windows, only for reference. Any setting not mentioned here, together with distinction, was left at default.
Brightness= forty five (according to preferences and lighting)
Sharpness= forty four (according to preferences)
Response Time= normal
FreeSync= final Engine
Refresh rate= 100Hz
Contrast and brightness
Contrast ratios
We used a BasICColor SQUID three (X-Rite i1Display Pro) to live the brightness level of white and black employing a vary of settings. From these values, static distinction ratios were calculated. This knowledge is conferred within the following table, with black highlights indicating the best white brightness level, lowest black brightness level and peak static distinction magnitude relation recorded. Blue highlights within the table indicate the results underneath our 'Test Settings'. apart from the changes already mentioned within the activity section or this table, assume defaults were used.
The average distinction magnitude relation with solely brightness adjusted was 2533:1, excluding readings at '0% brightness' wherever the black purpose measure lacked spare accuracy. the best static distinction magnitude relation recorded was 2725:1, that comes quite on the point of the desired 3000:1. in spite of this, perceived distinction was robust and there was a definite 'VA look' to things with quite smart inky-looking deep shades. underneath our 'Test Settings' a distinction of 2371:1 was recorded, that is in-line with the opposite readings extremely and solely slightly lower thanks to misestimation of the black purpose. the bottom static distinction was recorded victimisation 'Eye Saver Mode' (41:1), however as mentioned earlier this is often intentional. The 'Basic Color' sRGB emulation setting yielded the best white brightness level (314 cd/m²) and provided robust distinction - contrary to several sRGB emulation modes that adversely have an effect on distinction. The minimum white brightness level recorded on this table was sixty eight cd/m², that isn't quite as dim because the competitive models we've recently reviewed. This provided a brightness level adjustment vary of 246 cd/m².
There is a 'DynamicContrast' setting as a separate 'MagicBright' predetermined on this monitor. This fully locks off manual management of varied settings, together with 'Brightness', 'Contrast', Sharpness' and 'Color'. It permits the backlight to dim or brighten supported the level of sunshine or dark being displayed on the screen. As usual, the backlight is controlled as one unit and so there's no ability to catch up on convoluted mixes of sunshine and dark. The backlight reacted apace to changes in overall light-weight or dark in an exceedingly given scene, however we tend to most well-liked manual management of the backlight and so different settings on the monitor.
PWM (Pulse dimension Modulation)
This monitor doesn't use PWM (Pulse dimension Modulation) to manage backlight brightness at any level. DC (Direct Current) modulation is instead used, which means that the backlight is taken into account flicker-free. this can be welcome by those sensitive to aflicker or different side-effects from PWM usage.
Luminance uniformity
We discovered a black background in an exceedingly dark space and discovered no obvious backlight bleed. There was slight vaporisation, maybe close to very cheap left of the screen, however nothing hard. this is often shown within the image below, that was taken a long way back to eliminate alleged 'VA glow'. this is often a achromatic or purple glow that's visible towards very cheap of the screen especially, from a traditional viewing angle. It blooms out additional perceptibly from slicker viewing angles. this is often obscurity close to as obtrusive as 'IPS glow' nor will it have constant damaging impact on fine detail or overall atmosphere in dark scenes. Note that individual units vary once it involves backlight bleed, though being the most effective light-blockers, VA models resembling this ar typically comparatively robust during this space.
Monitor displaying black in an exceedingly dark space
The Spyder5ELITE was wont to analyse the uniformity of nine equal white quadrants running from the highest left to bottom right of the screen. the subsequent table shows the brightness level recorded at every quadrant aboard the proportion deviation between every quadrant and therefore the brightest recorded purpose.
Luminance uniformity table
The brightness level uniformity of the screen was wonderful overall. The brightest purpose recorded was 'quadrant 5' within the centre of the screen (158.2 cd/m²). the best deviation from this occurred at 'quadrant 8' below the centre of the screen (137.9 cd/m², that is thirteen rheostat than centre). Elsewhere recorded brightness was among one - ten of the brightest purpose, that is robust. It's necessary to notice that individual units vary once it involves uniformity which additional deviation will be expected on the far side the measured points. The graphic below could be a map showing these deviations diagrammatically, with darker greys representing lower brightness level and therefore bigger deviation from the brightest purpose than lighter greys.
Luminance uniformity map
We additionally measured the color temperature (white point) uniformity of constant nine quadrants. Deviations here ar appointed DeltaE values, with higher values representing bigger deviation from the 6500K (D65) daylight white purpose target than lower values. a worth below DeltaE three is taken into account deviation that the majority users wouldn't promptly notice by eye.
Colour temperature uniformity map
The results here were smart, with no important deviations recorded. the purpose nearest to 6500K was higher than centre, with a most deviation of this towards very cheap right of the screen (DeltaE a pair of.7). like brightness level uniformity, it's necessary to notice that individual units will vary once it involves color temperature uniformity. Note in addition that VA models resembling this have perceived shifts that aren't accounted for by these readings, thanks to viewing angle weaknesses. in spite of this, it's smart to visualize such a powerful performance for each measures of uniformity on the Samsung.
Contrast in games and films
The monitor provided a powerful distinction performance on tract one (BF1). Dark scenes appeared with wonderful depth and an honest level of detail. a bit detail was lost thanks to 'black crush', whereby some shades within the central region of the screen seem darker than they ought to and mix into a kind of black or terribly dark shade. this is often a typical VA characteristic, however there was regarding as very little of this as we've seen on a VA model of anyplace close to this size. There was additionally alittle quantity of 'VA glow' close to very cheap of the screen that lightened some shades slightly. however this was way more subdued than 'IPS glow' or something like that and therefore the overall atmosphere (depth of shades) was pleasing. Brighter shades contrasted nicely in darker surroundings, with the screen surface guaranteeing such parts look comparatively swish instead of excessively granulose.
The distinction performance was additionally pleasing on Dirt Rally. There was once more a bit 'VA glow' close to very cheap of the screen and a few 'black crush' as on BF1, however the distinction of shades and atmosphere created in dark scenes was excellent. The robust distinction performance additionally helped bring out well-defined details for vegetation leaf structures, cracks in rocks, building masonry etc. Brighter parts resembling automobile headlights within the night stood out all right so against darker surroundings and had solely a small roughness from the screen surface instead of something obtrusive. we tend to additionally tested the Blu-ray of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and located distinction equally appealing. This film options several shades that actually have the benefit of robust distinction on a monitor, with light-weight parts resembling light-weight sabers piercing the encompassing spacy darkness. The monitor did a really smart job at making the type of atmosphere this film desired.
We additionally tested the Blu-ray of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The robust static distinction once more power-assisted the planning of this film, with many scenes showcasing this nicely. Flames, explosions, burning projectiles and glowing light-weight sabers stood out terribly nicely within the darkness. the extent of detail within the dark areas was smart overall, with the minor 'black crush' doing very little to reduce from the medium look of the film.
Lagom distinction tests
Lagom's distinction tests were wont to analyse specific weaknesses in distinction performance which can not are known throughout different testing. the subsequent observations were created.
The distinction gradients were excellent overall, with most blocks showing distinct from their neighbours. The exceptions were the primary 2 blue blocks, that intermingled in an exceedingly bit too promptly with the black background.
Performance on the black level take a look at was smart overall. the primary four blocks intermingled in an exceedingly bit too promptly, though it's expected that the primary 2 would do that on a monitor with traditional '2.2' gamma trailing anyway. If you progress your head off-centre the visibility of those blocks improves, thanks to the 'black crush' mentioned antecedently. The tone of the many of the blocks modified at the side of head movement, showing to shimmer with a kind of oil-slick look. this is often typical VA gamma behaviour. we tend to failed to observe obvious video digitizing.
Performance within the white saturation take a look at was robust, with all blocks visible against the background. the ultimate board pattern wasn't as distinct because it may be against the white background, cloaked by light-weight (misty) roughness from the screen surface. All blocks were visible against the background, though the ultimate block was a touch less distinct than it ideally would be (masked by a small 'mist' from the screen surface).
The greyscale gradient was terribly swish while not obvious adornment or video digitizing from the monitor. there have been light-weight striations within the gradient if you looked closely, however nothing that actually stood call at an evident approach on this take a look at.
Colour replica
Colour gamut
The C34F791's color gamut (red triangle) was compared to the reference sRGB color house (green triangle) as shown below. The monitor offers comprehensive (100%) sRGB coverage with some overextension significantly within the inexperienced and red regions of this diagram. this permits the monitor to breed all shades among the sRGB house with some further saturation. the color gamut remains significantly affected compared to ancient wide gamuts like Adobe RGB, particularly within the inexperienced region. several users can realize this vivid however not tawdrily oversaturated color replica appealing for play and all-purpose use.
Colour gamut 'Test Settings'
The monitor additionally offers associate degree sRGB emulation setting, specifically a 'MagicBright' predetermined known as 'Basic Color'. This massively reduces the color gamut, as shown below. As coated earlier thereon will therefore while not reducing distinction, however it will solely offer ~94% sRGB coverage. Some users might realize this a touch restrictive for work among the sRGB color house, if color accuracy is very important to them. Then again, the inconsistencies relating to VA panels (viewing angle weaknesses even from traditional viewing positions) makes them lower than ideal for such work anyway.
Colour gamut 'Basic Color'
Colour in games and films
The monitors displayed a formidable array of vivid shades on tract one (BF1). There was clearly robust saturation, overall, however not the type of ugliness gained once associate degree wild wide gamut (Adobe RGB or greater) monitor displays sRGB content resembling this. The environments looked made and natural, instead of artificial and alien. there have been some imposingly luscious forest greens aboard a pleasant vary of additional muted shades, serving to provides a lush look to vegetation. Earthy browns were additionally well-represented on the full, with simply barely of additional red in places however not the type of unnatural mars-like hue wide gamut models gift here. There was a delightful quality to fires, explosions and numerous different bursts of color (including some spectacular red poppies on some map). we tend to wouldn't extremely say competitive models just like the ASUS MX34VQ suffered an evident lack of vividness in scenes like this. all the same, the 'Quantum Dot' backlight of the CF791 and slight stretching out of the color gamut that results will offer another further dose of quality. There was some loss of saturation towards the flanks and bottom of the screen, as a result of viewing angle connected gamma shifts that ar typical on VA models. This loss of saturation was regarding as low as we've seen on a VA model - even together with considerably smaller models - and even at these extremities the saturation levels remained pretty robust. These slight inconsistencies have very little impact once play or simply victimisation the monitor typically, however ought to still be thought of if color accuracy could be a prime thought.
Shades were additionally diagrammatic in an exceedingly vivacious and varied approach on Dirt Rally. The automobile paint jobs showcased some significantly spectacular bright and element shades, resembling pink and orange, aboard some smart deep shades. the foremost attention-getting of those were in all probability bright element shades (such as pink) painted on a darker background. the mixture of robust distinction and generous color gamut created spectacular vivacious 'pop'. The athletics environments looked vivid however natural, with a delightful array of khaki shades displayed aboard some made and full greens and browns. As we tend to discovered on tract one, some brown shades had slightly an excessive amount of of a red hue, however this wasn't significantly irritating and positively not as obvious as on wild wide gamut models displaying this content. The illustration of greens, though quite saturated in places, provided an honest deep associate degreed natural-looking impact instead of an out of place tawdry look, too. once more in distinction with wild wide gamut displays.
We additionally created some notes on the shade illustration on Futurama: Into the Wild inexperienced Yonder. With its massive blocks of individual shade, this is often a very smart and unforgiving take a look at for color consistency. This highlighted the variations in saturation (i.e. weakening saturation towards the perimeters and bottom of screen) all right, however additionally beat home {the fact'the terribly fact'the actual fact} that the consistency was truly very spectacular for such an outsized VA panel. These slight saturation variations additionally meant that subtly completely different shades (such as character skin tones) lost a touch of their individuality, however the monitor still provided an honest expertise therein regard. the vary of shades, the quality of shades that demanded it (neon shades, deep shades etc.) and smart pastel look to additional muted shades was all terribly spectacular.
Viewing angles
We used Lagom's tests for viewing angle to analyse color consistency and therefore the influence of viewing angle in an exceedingly additional specific approach. the subsequent observations were made of a traditional viewing position, around 70cm from the screen. Perceived changes in gamma and saturation will be additional pronounced if you sit nearer to the screen.
The purple block appeared made lilac for the bulk of the screen, however had a pink hue towards the perimeters and bottom. This touched promptly with head movement.
The red block appeared made red throughout, with a touch of saturation lost towards very cheap and to a lesser extent the intense aspect edges. This saturation shift was astonishingly minor for a VA model of the dimensions once displaying this explicit shade.
The inexperienced block appeared lime inexperienced throughout with simply a bit further yellowing additional down the screen.
The blue block appeared deep blue throughout.
The Lagom text appeared intermingled gray with a good red hue to the marking throughout. This was a touch weaker (more orange) centrally and additional up the screen with a deeper red within the close regions. there have been no obvious shifts between red and inexperienced from a traditional viewing position. this is often quite typical for a VA model, with the red hue stronger than usual thanks to the color gamut. It indicates a small viewing angle dependency to the gamma curve of the monitor. the subsequent image provides a rough plan of however this take a look at appeared from a traditional viewing position.
Lagom Text take a look at
The video below shows this text take a look at, a mixed desktop background and dark desktop background from a spread of viewing angles. you'll see a loss of perceived distinction and general lightening of the image from additional extreme viewing angles, however vertically especially performance is stronger than American state (Twisted Nematic) panels as there's no color inversion or additional extreme color shifts. the ultimate third of the video highlights the 'VA glow' mentioned antecedently, that blooms out from extreme viewing angles however isn't ne'er as obvious as 'IPS glow' in spite of viewing angle.
Responsiveness
Input lag
Using a sensitive camera and little tool known as SMTT a pair of.0, we tend to compared the latency of the C34F791 to a spread of monitors of notable latency. Over thirty repeat readings were taken to assist enhance accuracy. victimisation this technique, we tend to measured sixteen.86ms (over one.5 frames @100Hz) of input lag. The 'Game Mode' and 'Response Time' setting failed to have a big impact on this worth. Note that this worth is influenced each by the part of input lag you see (pixel responsiveness) and therefore the part you are feeling feel (signal delay). It indicates a moderate signal delay that sensitive users may notice, however most users ought to realize fine. we tend to don't have the instrumentality to accurately live input lag while FreeSync is active, sadly.
Perceived blur (pursuit photography)
In this article we tend to explore the factors poignant monitor responsiveness. one in all the key ideas explored here is 'perceived blur', influenced by each what the monitor is doing (i.e. element responsiveness) and by eye movement as you track motion on the screen. we tend to additionally introduce a photography technique known as 'pursuit photography' that captures motion on a monitor in an exceedingly approach that reflects not solely what the screen is doing (pixel responsiveness) however additionally blur thanks to eye movement. And this second issue is usually the foremost important on trendy monitors. the subsequent pictures ar pursuit images taken victimisation the flying saucer Motion take a look at for ghosting, with the take a look at running at its default speed of 960 pixels per second. this is often an honest sensible speed for such photography and reflects each parts of perceived blur nicely.
The monitor was tested in the slightest degree 'Response Time' settings, at each 60Hz and 100Hz. Note that the flying saucer during this take a look at moves across the screen from left to right at a frame rate matching the refresh rate of the screen. All 3 rows of the take a look at ar analysed (i.e. a dark, medium and lightweight cyan background) in order that an honest vary of transitions between numerous shades ar shown. We've additionally enclosed a reference shot at each 60Hz and 100Hz, specifically the hollow S2417DG running the take a look at with the medium cyan background. This shows however things ought to look wherever element reaction time isn't extremely a limiting issue and solely eye movement is basically poignant perceived blur. Any interlocking patterns shown here ar merely moiré from the camera instead of any artifacts being shown by the monitor itself.
Perceived blur with numerous settings
At 60Hz the article itself (UFO) seems soft and muzzy, reflective a high level of perceived blur thanks to eye (camera) movement. victimisation the 'Standard' setting for 'Response Time', there was a good degree of trailing behind the article for the dark background (first image), that is trailing from slower than optimum element response times. The medium cyan background showed abundant fainter trailing, however additionally a bit little bit of overshoot (a light-weight 'halo' trailing that is sort of faint during this example). For the sunshine background there was an extra reduction in trailing, though the overshoot was a touch additional pronounced currently. Bumping up to 'Faster' had little impact during this take a look at. The 'Faster' setting gave robust overshoot for the dark background, as you'll see associate degree ink-black path behind the flying saucer. The overshoot was additionally simply slightly exaggerated for the medium background and exaggerated fairly important for the sunshine background, with an evident halo.
At 100Hz, the article appeared additional sharply focussed and narrower, as a result of a big reduction in perceived blur from eye (camera) movement. victimisation the 'Standard' setting gave a reasonably daring and deep path behind the flying saucer wherever the dark background was used. this means slower than optimum element transitions - it's going to seem bolder than the trailing at 60Hz, however if you look rigorously at the image you'll see a fringe of this daring trailing close to the rear of the article at 60Hz in addition. The path is just additional pronounced at 100Hz thanks to the natural increase in refresh rate and frame rate for the take a look at. The trailing was fainter with the medium cyan background and fainter still for the sunshine cyan background. For the sunshine background there was additionally a touch of overshoot visible. The 'Faster' setting provided solely refined changes, with maybe a really slight decrease in trailing for the medium background and barely additional overshoot for the sunshine background. The 'Fastest' setting introduced some overshoot for the dark background, giving it a grimy look, and introduced a bit for the medium background in addition. The overshoot levels were additional exaggerated for the sunshine background.
From this analysis, it'd be tempting to conclude that 'Faster' is that the optimum setting. However; while observant a broader vary of element transitions, we tend to noticed that overshoot became quite an bit additional widespread with this setting, significantly wherever lighter shades were concerned within the transition. we tend to found this slightly distracting every now and then and didn't feel that the reduction in typical trailing was in the slightest degree noticeable. we tend to so settled for the 'Standard' setting, giving {the least'the smallest quantity} amount of overshoot with none real drawbacks elsewhere.
Interlace pattern artifacts
On some monitors artifacts will be discovered once viewing content moving on the screen, significantly for prime refresh rate screens. These artifacts will seem as a mesh or fretted or woven lines of associate degree alternating shade that's lighter or darker than intended; therefore the name 'interlace pattern artifacts'. Such artifacts weren't gift on this model throughout motion. there have been terribly faint static interlocking patterns in places if you looked closely, with the horizontal bands alternating between a really slightly lighter and darker version of the supposed shade. These aren't value worrying regarding in our read, though, as they were too faint to note once play and aren't one thing most users would notice throughout general use anyway.
Responsiveness in games and films
The monitor gave a competent one00Hz expertise on tract 1 (BF1), wherever the frame rate unbroken pace with the refresh rate. The exaggerated refresh rate provided associate degree improvement to the 'connected feel' which feeling or exactness and 'snappiness' once interacting with the character. This was one thing that no 60Hz monitor will capture, in spite of however low its input lag is also. this is often thanks to the very fact the monitor is outputting one.67 times the maximum amount info each second. This exaggerated refresh rate and frame rate additionally provided important edges in reducing perceived blur, with the sport world showing slicker and additional careful throughout movement compared to a 60Hz show. With each factors combined, the playability of this game and our ability to be competitive in multiplayer was greatly increased compared to play on a 60Hz model. Most of the element transitions were additionally sufficiently quick to produce a very good 100Hz expertise, too. This was a way cry from older VA models, even those with high refresh rates resembling the genus Acer Z35. instead of obvious widespread weaknesses in element responsiveness, giving a smeary and every now and then quite untidy expertise overall, most element transitions were performed at an honest speed. There was some further trailing in places for 'common transitions' between light-weight and medium shades, however this was light-weight and powdery in nature instead of serious and smeary. It didn't extremely catch our eye or have an effect on the playability of the sport. There was additionally a bit little bit of overshoot in places, significantly wherever the lightest shades were concerned, however this was quite light-weight and not obtrusive to our eyes.
There were some weaknesses apparent wherever darker transitions were concerned, however. this is often one thing of associate degree sure thing with VA panels, however the degree of weakness here will vary. For this model, things were truly rather smart for a VA panel even wherever the weakest transitions were gift. there have been no obvious extended 'smoke-like' smeary trailing and no obvious look of wet ink being smudged across the screen. There was some 'break-up' pathing wherever dark shades with a small hue (such as made brown earth within the darkness or dark rocks with a small blue-grey hue to them) appeared with a additional vibrant trail behind them than you may expect. There was additionally barely of overshoot further to the combination for a few of those transitions involving dark shades, though it absolutely was tough to tell apart between this and 'break-up' trailing on this model. instead of confuse you with additional descriptions of those weaknesses, we'll provide you with a video-based rehearsal instead. This video is truly for the ASUS MX34VQ, however response behaviour and these specific weaknesses ar similar on the Samsung.
On Dirt Rally the 'connected feel' was once more wonderful on this 100Hz show, wherever the frame rate well-kept. while we tend to didn't feel this was as helpful to our play expertise as on independent agency titles like BF1, that's in all probability additional all the way down to our talent (or lack of) on this game. For additional competitive athletics fans, having an honest 'connected feel' between the controller and therefore the automobile within the game may definitely be of nice profit. The perceived blur was additionally greatly reduced compared to the additional restricted frame rates offered by a 60Hz monitor, with the athletics surroundings, tracks and competitors all showing slicker and additional 'focussed' while athletics. constant weaknesses discovered on BF1 were apparent here, though most transitions were once more terribly snappy and provided a solid 100Hz expertise. a number of the additional obvious weaknesses became apparent once driving in the dead of night, as this introduced a number of the slowest 'high contrast' transitions involving significantly dark shades. Even then, it absolutely was additional of a case of 'slightly extended trailing' instead of the plain smearing that several VA models suffer from. Even those with high refresh rates, resembling the genus Acer Z35. There was significantly obvious smearing on the genus Acer for a few of the element transitions between terribly dark greys and slightly lighter greys, resembling mountains or trees silhouetting the marginally brighter night sky. On the Samsung things were much more affected in such situations. And there was no obvious overshoot, either.
To finish off, we tend to take a look ated our Blu-ray test titles. there have been no obvious weaknesses discovered from problems with the monitor's element responsiveness, resembling trailing or overshoot. The twenty four -30fps about at that these titles run is basically the most limiting consider terms of their liquidity and therefore the needs in terms of element responsiveness is considerably not up to running higher frame rate content resembling games. The 100Hz refresh rate didn't offer any profit given the low frame rate, either.
FreeSync - the technology and activating it
AMD FreeSync could be a variable refresh rate technology supported by bound AMD GPUs (including the GPUs listed here, in addition as future models). like Nvidia G-SYNC, another variable refresh rate technology for Nvidia users, the technology is intended to permit the monitor to dynamically modify its refresh rate to match the frame rate of the content. In doing therefore, there's associate degree elimination of the inarticulate (VSync on) or tearing and juddering (VSync off) that may typically occur if the refresh rate and frame rate was mismatched. additionally, there's reduced input lag compared to running with VSync enabled - though aren't able to accurately live this. not like Nvidia G-SYNC, that uses a proprietary 'G-SYNC board' integrated into the monitor, AMD FreeSync makes use of VESA Adaptive-Sync. This practicality is integrated into the DP one.2a or HDMI one.4a (and above) port controllers of some monitors, together with the C34F791.
Our take a look at system uses a Club3D Radeon R9 290 royalAce FreeSync-compatible GPU. This GPU uses DP one.2a, wherever FreeSync worked for sure, however lacks HDMI a pair of.0 therefore we tend to were unable to properly take a look at practicality via HDMI. FreeSync was mechanically activated after we initial hooked the show up to the GPU. that ought to typically be what happens, provided you furthermore may have 'FreeSync' enabled within the 'System' section of the monitor's OSD. There ar 2 choices to pick out that may modify the technology here; 'Standard Engine' and 'Ultimate Engine' as we tend to explore shortly. to form positive everything is additionally created properly within the graphics driver, open 'AMD Radeon Settings' and click on 'Display'. you must then make sure that the primary slider, 'AMD FreeSync', is about to 'On'. If you hover over this, it'll additionally report the variable refresh rate show supported by the show. Note that the image below is for a special monitor and is simply used here for reference.
Enable FreeSync
The variable refresh rate vary supported by the monitor is forty eight - 100Hz with 'Ultimate Engine' chosen (80 - 100Hz with 'Standard Engine' selected). higher than the refresh rate ceiling for FreeSync (100Hz, adore 100fps in an exceedingly game), the GPU respects your choice of 'VSync on' or 'VSync off' within the graphics driver. With 'VSync on' the frame rate won't rise on the far side 100fps, at that purpose VSync activates, transfer with it the same old latency penalty once it will therefore. With 'VSync off' the frame rate is absolve to rise higher than 100fps, however the monitor can merely occupy 100Hz and so tearing and juddering can occur. VSync is designed within the 'Gaming' section of 'Radeon Settings', wherever it's said as 'Wait for Vertical Refresh'. this may either be set globally underneath 'Global Settings', or severally for every game title. The default is 'Off, unless application specifies' which implies that VSync can solely activate if it's chosen within the game itself (if there's such associate degree choice, that there typically is). The in-game choice is also said as 'sync each frame' or one thing on those lines instead of 'VSync' or 'Vertical Sync'. Most users can in all probability would like to modify VSync once victimisation FreeSync to make sure that they don't get any tearing. one in all the ultimate 2 choices within the list, shown within the image below, would so be desirable.
VSync choices
Below the ground of FreeSync operation (48Hz), the monitor employs AMD LFC (Low Frame Rate Compensation) once FreeSync is active, in spite of the VSync setting used. this is often solely the case once 'Ultimate Engine' is chosen, as LFC needs the refresh rate ceiling to be a minimum of 2x the refresh rate floor of operation (48 - 100Hz satisfies this). The documentation connected to is out-of-date therein it states the utmost should be a minimum of a pair of.5x the minimum, that isn't any longer the case. With LFC, the refresh rate can try and stick with multiples of the frame rate once the frame rate dips below 48fps. therefore if maybe the sport was running at 35fps, the monitor would run at 70Hz. this is often effective in combatting the tearing or inarticulate that may occur if the monitor merely stayed at a static refresh rate matching its floor or ceiling (i.e. 48Hz or 100Hz). If 'Standard Engine' is employed, the monitor respects your choice of VSync on or VSync off below the 80fps (80Hz) floor once victimisation this feature, therefore you get inarticulate or tearing, respectively.
The monitor can say 'FreeSync' at very cheap of the 'Information' section of the OSD if it's connected up to a compatible GPU and therefore the choice is enabled within the OSD. there's no indication of the monitor that FreeSync is truly active and being employed, solely that it's been 'enabled'. It ought to be obvious from the behaviour in an exceedingly game once it's or isn't being employed, though, and provided everything is about up as higher than there shouldn't be any problems. the ultimate factor in contact in mind that FreeSync will solely take away inarticulate or juddering from frame and refresh rate mismatches, it can't catch up on different interruptions to swish gameplay resembling network latency or short system memory.
FreeSync - the expertise
We tested a spread of game titles including; tract one (BF1), Elder Scrolls on-line (ESO), Star Wars front line (SWBF), Hitman, Mass impact Andromeda and numerous indie titles victimisation FreeSync. For the foremost half the technology worked as we'd expect on these titles, however we tend to did observe some aflicker at bound frame rates. On these titles the screen would flicker like thunder between forty five - 53fps in-game (45 - 53Hz), however was fine either higher than or below this level. Some titles might flicker at different frame rates with FreeSync active in addition, and that we ar awake to users reportage this on some titles. we tend to fully perceive the frustration with this issue, however it isn't restricted to the CF791 and is truly a broader issue. Similar observations are created on the ASUS MX34VQ and for a few titles numerous 16:9 FreeSync models in addition. this is often a difficulty that's up to AMD to handle with associate degree improved driver extremely. For reference, we tend to were victimisation AMD Crimson live over Edition seventeen.2.1 and as mentioned earlier had the Samsung monitor driver put in on a system running Windows one0.
For frame rates and refresh rates outside of the vary full of aflicker, we tend to found FreeSync did its factor and performed very much like we'd hope for given our past experiences with the technology. we'll merely be centering on BF1 for this analysis because the final result was constant on all of the titles we tend to tested. moreover, this title has the flexibleness with graphics settings to be run at a full vary of various frame rates on our Radeon 290-based take a look at system. With our usual settings utilized the frame rate fluctuated quite promptly between around fifty -100fps, though typically stayed around seventy - 80fps. With FreeSync disabled and therefore the monitor running a static 100Hz, these fluctuations resulted in tearing and juddering (VSync off) or inarticulate (VSync on). To North American country these imperfections were obvious, though sensitivity to such things will vary. With FreeSync enabled the sport simply 'flowed' higher, not interrupted by such nuisances.
As frame rate born aloof from 100fps the extent of perceived blur exaggerated and 'connected feel' worsened. This was the case even with FreeSync enabled; it can't catch up on reduced frame rates and build them want higher frame rates. It will merely rid the expertise by removing the tearing and inarticulate that may otherwise occur. As frame rates approached the 'flicker zone' on BF1 and so born well (or uncomfortably) below 60fps, it wasn't extremely a pleasant place to be. Not simply because of the looming threat that aflicker may kick in, however additionally owing to the large call in the 'connected feel' and wide increase in perceived blur. we tend to additionally discovered a touch additional overshoot as frame rate born, that are a few things we tend to ordinarily observe on FreeSync models. {this is'this is often'this will be} a bonus of G-SYNC - the element overdrive is tuned for various refresh rates {individually'separately'singly'severally'one by one'on associate degree individual basis} and 'slackened off' at lower refresh rates wherever such speedy element responses aren't needed and overshoot can become additional of an ugliness. Having aforesaid that, though the overshoot was somewhat additional noticeable at lower vs. higher refresh rates, it absolutely was not extremely significantly obtrusive or widespread extremely.
The 34" 3440 x 1440 wiggly 'UltraWide' expertise
This article takes an in depth scrutinize the 3440 x 1440 resolution and therefore the style of expertise it provides on the desktop, once enjoying games and once observation movies. we tend to won't be continuation too several of the basics of this here and instead would urge you to browse that article. One notable distinction with the Samsung, though, is that it's a reasonably steep curve to the screen at 1500R. this is often double as steep as this model's precursor, the S34E790C. It's additionally slightly vessel than the curvature of models just like the ASUS MX34VQ, and AOC AG352UCG. after we initial started victimisation the screen, we'd simply come back from a spread of flat screens and positively noticed the curve. The precipitousness of the curve was quite evident once viewing the taskbar on the desktop, maybe. Even then, the expertise failed to feel unnatural and that we didn't feel things looked odd or out of place. Designers and different users WHO need geometrically correct shapes can after all ought to be terribly cautious with this, except for general use it wasn't a difficulty. we tend to additionally found our eyes quickly adjusted to the present and rapidly we tend to felt right reception victimisation the 1500R wiggly screen. we tend to can't specifically copy Samsung's claims that the viewing expertise is formed more leisurely by this kind of curvature because it creates a additional uniform viewing distance between the centre and edges of the screen. however that's simply because we tend to don't extremely realize flat screens inherently uncomfortable. and that we definitely didn't realize this one uncomfortable - and maybe reading text at the perimeters of the screen was a touch easier. the pictures below ar only for illustrative functions and build the curve seem quite exaggerated and additional noticeable than it's once you truly use the monitor.
- The desktop (image from earlier)
- Multi-tasking
For play we tend to found that the curve gave an additional feeling of depth and immersion, complementing the 21:9 ratio nicely. the improved Field of read (FOV) afforded to most game titles (including BF1) was additionally appreciated, that are a few things coated by our 3440 x 1440 expertise article. Compared to the marginally less steep curve of models just like the ASUS MX34VQ (1800R), the 1500R curve created a refined however noticeable distinction during this respect. even as we've found with increasing curvature from the first 3000R screens to around 2000R, the distinction is sort of refined once you get wont to it, however one thing we tend to quite likeable. we all know users don't continuously like amendment and a few see the curve as a 'gimmick', however typically once those users see it for themselves and truly use the monitor for a touch they learn to rather just like the curve. thereupon aforesaid, once more note that the pictures below (of Mass impact Andromeda) exaggerate the curve and in no approach replicate however the monitor appearance in the flesh in terms of image quality either. they're only for illustrative functions.
- Some Mass impact Andromeda
- Some additional Mass impact Andromeda
- Yet additional Andromeda
- A final dose of Andromeda
- Interpolation and upscaling
This monitor has associate degree integrated pulse counter and provides 2 choices within the OSD (On Screen Display) that have an effect on the handling of non-native resolutions; 'Auto' and 'Wide'. The 'Auto' choices maintains the ratio of the resolution you've got chosen, therefore 2560 x 1440 (WQHD) is displayed with massive black borders at the aspect. The image itself seems ingenuous and is displayed with 1:1 element mapping, during this case even as a 27" 2560 x 1440 show. this is often so a helpful fall-back for titles that don't support 21:9. For 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), the monitor once more maintains the 16:9 ratio and displays the image victimisation interpolation, once more consumption 2560 x 1440 pixels on the screen. thanks to the interpolation method, there's a degree of softening compared to viewing 1920 x 1080 natively on a 27" screen. It isn't too severe extremely and positively doesn't provide the image the maximum amount of a soft look as some screens do once victimisation interpolation. Some users can also wish to use 'MagicUpscale' to extend sharpness, though we tend to found even the weaker of the 2 settings ('Mode 2') excessively sharp and artificial-looking.
The 'Wide' choice ensures that every one pixels on the screen ar well-lighted, ignoring the ratio of the supply resolution. The said 16:9 ratio resolutions so seem stretched in an evident approach, as a result of that's specifically what happens to the image. The monitor may also show 2560 x 1080 victimisation interpolation, victimisation the total screen house and keeping the 21:9 ratio. It will this in spite of whether or not 'Auto' or 'Wide' is chosen. This uses significantly less GPU H.P. than 3440 x 1440, therefore may be helpful for a few of the additional difficult game titles. The interpolation method once more provides a touch of softening compared to a 34" native 2560 x 1080 show, however it's truly rather smart overall. It's definitely one in all the higher models we've seen for displaying 2560 x 1080 non-natively and that we feel this might be a helpful choice for a few users.
Conclusion
The Samsung C34F791 builds on a number of the strengths of the S34E790C, that includes a more moderen VA panel with similar strengths in distinction however numerous changes and enhancements resembling a vessel curve, additional generous color gamut and superior refresh rate. Out of the box the CF791 offered a formidable image setup, with a well-balanced white purpose and smart gamma handling. Gamma failed to track absolutely at the '2.2' curve that's usually desired, however it came reachable trailing at '2.1' on the average. And with the generous color gamut afforded by the Quantum Dot backlight, quality wasn't in brief offer. colors were made and spirited with robust selection. color consistency was additionally pleasing given the panel kind, maybe increased slightly by the curvature, though a bit saturation was still lost towards the perimeters and bottom of the screen. Overall, the image was barely additional vivacious than on different recent UltraWides we've tested, resembling the ASUS MX34VQ and AOC AG352UCG. however this wasn't a colossal distinction extremely, simply a small near a department several users can probably admire. fortuitously it didn't impart the unnatural look of associate degree wild wide gamut (Adobe RGB+) model displaying sRGB content. Things still looked natural overall instead of fully overblown.
The distinction performance was robust, as you'd hope for given the panel kind. though we tend to were unable to quite come through distinction matching the desired 3000:1, we tend to did get many readings around 2500:1 and a touch higher than. which gave a clearly 'VA' look to the image with respectable depth and robust distinction between bright and dark shades. As is common for a VA model there was a degree of 'black crush', though this was as low as we've seen on a model of this size. the atmosphere created in dark scenes once play or observation movies was excellent, way superior to what any non-VA model may manufacture. The screen surface didn't mar lighter shades with obtrusive roughness, either. There was simply barely of sunshine roughness instead of associate degree ugly smear of serious grain. during this respect the monitor was like the opposite VA UltraWides we've checked out recently and so quite like its precursor.
One space especially wherever it's unreasonable to expect perfection from the VA panel kind is responsiveness. though perfection wasn't achieved, that ought to come back as no shock, the monitor did offer a competent expertise that created excellent use of its most supported refresh rate of 100Hz. Overall, element responses were adequate to drive 100fps @ 100Hz well, with most weaknesses leading to a touch of additional 'powdery' trailing instead of the intensive smeary trailing that some VA models manufacture. The monitor was free from obtrusive overshoot, a minimum of within the 'Standard' setting that we tend to truly favour for this reason. FreeSync additionally worked to combat the tearing and inarticulate related to mismatches between frame rate and refresh rate. As we regularly observe with the technology, overshoot was a touch additional noticeable as refresh rate attenuated. however was ne'er an excessive amount of of associate degree ugliness. The additional obvious visual distractions came from some clear aflicker, that affected the lower finish of the FreeSync vary on the titles we tend to tested (45 - 53Hz or forty five - 53fps in an exceedingly game with FreeSync active). This aside, we tend to continuously found the expertise on this monitor most pleasant at higher frame rates and feel FreeSync could be a nice bonus instead of a process feature of the monitor for North American country. Indeed, our greatest enjoyment throughout multiplayer play came from our additional powerful Nvidia GPU. {this may'this might} could deliver a solid one00fps while not requiring any forceful image-quality destroying graphical tweaks on titles like tract 1.
It would even be improper not mentioning the curve of the monitor. this is often the strongest curve we've full-fledged on any monitor, somewhat vessel than the 1800R - 2000R of competitive UltraWides and considerably vessel than the 3000R curve of this model's precursor. we tend to felt this provided a touch of additional depth to the expertise, however wasn't truly as noticeable or distracting as you may suppose. particularly given however steep it's in some pictures. Once you're sitting ahead of the monitor victimisation it, it's one thing you before long adapt to and it becomes a pleasant a part of the expertise instead of this terrific and odd feature. Overall we tend to feel this is often a well-refined monitor that builds on the strengths of its precursor to deliver a convincing and immersive 100Hz play expertise.