You know how important having the best monitor for VFX is to you if you are a video editor. Your monitor should be able to function correctly and perform well. While there are many aspects to consider before purchasing a monitor, it is still essential to ensure that you are not investing in anything other than the best monitor available on the market.
When it comes to making corrections in your work, color accuracy is as important to your audience as you are as an editor. Consequently, you must purchase a monitor with a full-color spectrum and an accurate color description. If you want the best, you must get a monitor with 4K resolution.
Based on the flood of monitors on the market and the different brands praising their monitors, we realize how difficult it can be to choose a good monitor. Our “Best monitor for VFX” reviews will help you find the right one for your video editing needs.
Our Recommendations On Best Monitor for VFX
Best Overall: BenQ 32 inch, 4K UHD Monitor
Best Editor’s Choice: LG 34UM69G-B 34-Inch
Budget Pick: ASUS TUF Gaming 27″ 2K HDR Gaming Monitor
1) BenQ 32 inch, 4K UHD Monitor
Product Overview
- Brand BenQ
- Resolution 3840 x 2160 Pixels
- Screen Size 32-Inch
- Refresh Rate 60 Hz
- Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Brightness 350 Nits
- Weight 27.6 lbs
The 32-inch BenQ PD3200U is ideal for CAD / CAM users, content creators, and graphics professionals. The monitor offers a wide range of graphics-based image modes, an adjustable stand, a built-in KVM switch, and an SD card reader.
The BenQ PV3200PT follows the same design theme as the BenQ PD3200U with its matte black cabinet and half-inch bezels. You can adjust its height, tilt, swivel, and pivot with its rectangular stand. Additionally, VESA mounting holes are available for use with the optional wall mounting kit.
There is a slight difference in port placement from most monitors. It has two HDMI inputs (full size and mini) and two DisplayPort inputs (full size and mini). A headphone jack is located below two USB 3.0 downstream ports.
Three USB 3.0 ports are also provided on the back of the monitor (one downstream, two upstream) and a connector for the included hockey pick controller, which sits in a stand-based cradle and allows the user to assign hotkeys, select image modes, and adjust settings.
With a maximum resolution of 3,840 by 2,160, the 10-bit IPS panel covers 100% of the sRGB and REC.709 color gamuts. There is a 16: 9 aspect ratio, a 1,000: 1 local contrast ratio, a pixel response time of 4 milliseconds, and a maximum brightness of 350. However, the embedded 5-watt speakers cannot compete with the 9-watt speakers with the Dell U3417W.
The monitor also features a light meter and timer that reminds you to relax your eyes and a presence sensor that puts it to sleep when you aren’t using it. With this monitor, you do not be able to adjust the Hue and Saturation individually, as you can with the BenQ PV3200PT and Dell U3417W. Still, you can adjust the overall Hue and Saturation levels with two sliders.
This BenQ monitor is very accurate in its color reproduction outside of the monitor box. As depicted in the following color chart, my red, green, and blue measurements (shown as color dots) closely resemble their ideal CIE coordinates (shown as cells). Moreover, the monitor is also tested for color purity and uniformity and provides razor-sharp UHD images from Marvel’s Deadpool on Blu-ray. Given the outstanding performance of the panel in the 64-Step Grayscale test, its ability to display superb detail in my test images even under high light and shadow conditions is not a surprise. Unlike most IPS panels, wide viewing angles are available with no visible dimming or color changes.
Although it’s not designed for gaming, the PD3200U performed well. The panel’s 4-millisecond response time is minimalist, and even though there was some tearing, it was not excessively noticeable.
All in all, if you work with CAD / CAM, graphics design, or other applications requiring precision and color accuracy, the BenQ PD3200U is a great choice. Its 32-inch UHD display delivered accurate color and excellent grayscale performance during our tests. In addition, it includes a built-in KVM switch, a fully adjustable stand, an SD card reader, and a USB hub.
Pros
- Accurate colors
- Solid grayscale performance
- Crisp Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) picture
Cons
- Pricey
- Limited advanced color options
2) LG 34UM69G-B 34-Inch
Product Overview
- Brand LG
- Resolution 2560×1080 Pixels
- Screen Size 34-Inch
- Refresh Rate 75 Hz
- Aspect Ratio 21:9
- Brightness 250 Nits
- Weight 18.70 lbs
With the LG 34UM69G, you are getting a 34″ UltraWide IPS Monitor with a 2560×1080 resolution, FreeSync up to 75Hz, and USB-C (with DP Alt mode). This LG 34UM69G-B is an ultraportable 34-inch monitor with an IPS panel, AMD Wide Monitor, FreeSync, and USB-C port. Regarding image quality, performance, design, and price let’s see how it stands out against similar and new UltraWide displays.
Based on an IPS panel, the LG 34UM69G monitor has a resolution of 2560 by 1080 pixels, a luminance of 250 nits, a static contrast ratio of 1,000: 1, and a color depth of 16.7 to 8 bits. However, most IPS models use Dithering to obtain 8-bit color, even though there are accurate 8-bit monitors in this price range. It’s not noticeable, so it’s not worth worrying about 8-bit versus 6-bit + FRC colors.
Under normal viewing conditions, the monitor is bright enough under its peak brightness of 250-nits. Additionally, the LG 34UM69G is factory calibrated and has an accurate, consistent, and precise color gamut of 99% sRGB, so accurate, consistent, and transparent colors are also suitable for entry-level color.
The LG 34UM69G displays FreeSync and Motion Blur Reduction (MBR), which reduces the haunting caused by fast-moving objects when the backlight is strobed. If FreeSync is disabled and the monitor’s refresh rate is set to 75Hz, then this technology can be enabled. Black Stabilizer enhances the visibility of shadowed objects in video games, and cross shires (custom crosshair overlays, also known as practice/chat crosshairs) are other options.
The monitor’s OSD (on-screen display) menus are easy to navigate, and you can quickly move from the Joyce Stick to the on-screen control desktop application located right under the monitor’s lower bezel.
In addition to the ability to adjust common image properties, such as contrast, brightness, color temperature, and input source, more advanced features like gamma and saturation control and hue and saturation can also be accessed.
With a mid-range gaming graphics card, you can enjoy 75FPS even with a 2560 * 1080 and 3440 * 1440 screen resolution. AMD FreeSync is also supported on the LG 34UM69G display with a 40-75Hz variable refresh rate (VRR).
A delay of only 9ms at 75Hz is unimaginable in an LG 34UM69G. Although the 75Hz flow provides a slight boost in motion definition over the 60Hz, it is nowhere near as effective as the 144Hz. We recommend a gaming monitor with at least 100 Hz for a faster gaming experience, while the LG 34UM69G is suitable for graphics-intensive games.
The monitor has skinny bezels and can be adjusted up to 120 millimeters in height. VESA can mount the screen with a 100x100mm pattern, and the screen can be tilted to -5 ° / 20. In addition to DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4, the device has a USB-C port with DP 1.2 Alternate mode, a headphone jack, and dual 7W integrated speakers.
With its 34 inch IPS panel, AMD FreeSync, and USB-C (with DP 1.2 Alt mode), the LG 34UM69G is a flat-screen ultra-wide monitor that supports 2560 x 1080 resolution at 75Hz. The monitor offers a smooth experience, vibrant colors, and a good image quality; however, there are better alternatives within this price range with a higher resolution and a higher refresh rate.
Pros
- Height-adjustable stand
- Plenty of useful features, including MBR and FreeSync
- Wide viewing angles and quick response time
- Vibrant, accurate, and consistent colors
Cons
- USB-C port lacks Power Delivery
- The design lacks a swivel option
3) ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming Monitor
Product Overview
- Brand ASUS
- Resolution 2560×1440 Pixels
- Screen Size 27-Inch
- Refresh Rate 165 Hz
- Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Brightness 350 Nits
- Weight 12.79 Pounds
The TUF branding has been used by Asus for its motherboards and graphics cards for quite some time and has now become the company’s entry-level gaming brand. Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ is one of the first monitors I have seen so far with this title; this title has appeared on laptops and headsets in recent months.
TUF may be one of ASUS entry-level gaming brands, but don’t be fooled into thinking the VG27AQ isn’t worth it. This 27in IPS panel comes with AMD FreeSync 2 and a 1440p resolution.
It works with both AMD FreeSync 2 and Nvidia G-Sync at 144Hz, so it works with any AMD or Nvidia graphics card. Additionally, the display has an overclocking feature that allows a maximum speed of 165Hz.
Asus only supports this 165Hz mode via DisplayPort, not HDMI. And to get the most out of this panel, you’ll need a graphics card capable of playing games at up to 2,560 x 1,440 and frame rates of up to 144fps or 165fps. This is easily accomplished for sports titles that are less demanding graphically, but for single-player titles at these speeds, you will need something like the RTX 2070 Super or AMD Radeon RX 5700.
The 2,560 x 1,440 resolution is a good size for gaming, and the 27in diagonal provides 109ppi for crisp images. In ELMB mode, gaming is smooth as butter, there are no ghosts or explosions, and the screen looks incredibly sharp.
The build quality and adjustment options are excellent for the Asus panel. It can swing to the right in portrait mode and supports 100mm VESA mounting. It has a 130mm height adjustment, 180 degrees left to the right shoulder, and 38 degrees forward and back tilt.
The display itself has thin bezels and a hole for cable routing on the stand so that this screen might be used with multiple monitors. The Asus on-screen display is displayed on this screen. While it is not the best looking or the biggest, it is well organized.
There is no color deviation that the human eye can detect on the Asus panel. Delta E factory measurement is 1.36, which means the human eye can detect no color deviation. It offers accurate and vibrant tones, but it is not too far from the ideal 6,500K to be noticed during gameplay.
The VG27AQ has a 98.5% sRGB color coverage level, which is excellent. However, the panel’s color range in Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 games fell below 80%, which means that this screen doesn’t have the color capability needed to handle these professional and HDR-focused games.
Asus’s default brightness level is 277 nits, which is acceptable but not exceptional, and the peak brightness level is 354 nits, which is better but still not exceptional.
All in all, with a peak refresh rate of 165Hz and improved motion blur technology, the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ provides fast, smooth, and crisp gaming. The screen is sharp and clear, and the colors are vibrant.
Pros
- Great color quality
- Cheaper than many rivals
- Adds motion blur reduction for gaming
- Stellar high refresh-rate performance
Cons
- Middling contrast levels
- Poor speakers
10 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Monitor for VFX
Besides setting up your editing system, what else should you look for in a monitor beside your budget? The following are some general factors to consider when choosing a video editing monitor.
1) Screen Resolution
You should consider higher resolution if you are editing 4K, and you can change the monitor price to 4K or higher. In contrast, if your current editing software is compatible with 1080p and you do not want to upgrade your editing system to the more demanding requirements of 4K, you can use Proxies to view the 4K footage on a 1080p monitor. If you want to upgrade your monitor, you can edit lower-res footage on a high-res monitor (although it will be in a smaller, “windowed” format). When you do color classification, you’d be better off with 4K + resolution, of course.
2) Screen Size
For these editing sessions (or overnight sessions), you’ll need a monitor with enough width and resolution for comfortable viewing. There are popular sizes such as 19, 21.5, 24, 27, and 32 “screens and Ultra Wide models. If your viewing distance can be adjusted, bigger monitors, such as 40″ and larger, are available. Several options are available. You can choose a travel case to suit your needs if you plan on doing any work on the seat. The 19” monitor is a good compromise between screen size and portability.
3) Panel Types
LCD monitors offer high contrast, brightness, and color harmony and are widely used for editing. The in-plane switching LCD panels provide better viewing angles than the TN (twisted pneumatic) predecessors. Displays with OLED technology offer wide viewing angles, high contrast ratios and brightness levels, and true black. However, they cost more than LCDs of a similar size.
4) Supported Video Resolutions
Most production monitors support a variety of input resolutions. If you use a format at the upper or lower end of the spectrum or an unusual frame rate, it is crucial to verify compatibility.
5) Color Support: Gamut, Color Depth, Chroma Subsampling
The color gamut (color range) support is expressed as a percentage of monitor coverage. To manipulate your choice of color in post-production, deep colors provide more detail. However, keep in mind that a 10-bit color monitor requires your GPU, OS, etc., to handle 10-bit streams.
6) HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support
Using HDR technology will significantly enhance your images’ color intensity and contrast. In HDR displays, a critical factor is the monitor’s brightness, measured in cd / m2 (candela per square meter or nits). For the best HDR editing, find 1000 cd / m2 or more. Some monitors support Dolby Vision or HDR10 +, a more common HDR standard. Use your editing software to determine which standard is supported.
7) Dual Monitor Setup
If you wish to edit in one window and play full size in another, ensure that you have a dedicated card inserted into your computer to output the color profiles of your NLE system. Using a back display or two monitors for editing tracks and color correction.
8) Connectivity
A loop-out port can help transmit your signal to a large monitor for the director or client to see during post-production. You can split embedded audio into an external speaker on specific monitors that offer audio I / O.
9) Display Tools
With LUT (Lookup Table) support, you can view your log recordings without using the flat format. HDR and SDR (standard dynamic range) display options are available on some monitors. Some monitors have pre-loaded LUTs, and others can be loaded via a USB port or SD card slot. Many monitors display vectors, histograms, exposure zebras, and frame markers.
10) Calibration
Last but not least, calibrate your monitor regularly. It ensures a consistent shape throughout your project and conforms to an established standard. The calibration of some monitors can be adjusted using software or by loading a LUT.
Conclusion
As an editor, choosing a monitor with just average image quality is not a trivial decision. To make sure it meets your video editing needs, you should ensure it has the right colors, has enough input, and is the right size. Otherwise, you will experience severe damage to your video editors, resulting in corrupted videos.