Philips Demos 328P8K: 8K UHD LCD with Webcam, Docking, Coming in 2018

TPV Technology is demonstrating a preliminary version of its upcoming 8K ultra-high-definition display at IFA trade show in Germany. The Philips 328P8K monitor will be a part of the company’s professional lineup and will hit the market sometimes next year.

Philips is the second mass-market brand to announce an 8K monitor after Dell, which has been selling its UltraSharp UP3218K for about half of a year now. The primary target audiences for the 328P8K and the UP3218K are designers, engineers, photographers and other professionals looking for maximum resolution and accurate colors. Essentially, Dell’s 8K LCD is going to get a rival supporting the same resolution.

At present, TPV reveals only basic specifications of its Philips 328P8K display — 31.5” IPS panel with a 7680×4320 resolution, a 400 nits brightness (which it calls HDR 400) and presumably a 60 Hz refresh rate. When it comes to color spaces, TPV confirms that the 328P8K supports 100% of the AdobeRGB, which emphasizes that the company positions the product primarily for graphics professionals. When it comes to connectivity, everything seems to be similar to Dell’s 8K monitor: the Philips 8K display will use two DP 1.3 cables in order to avoid using DP 1.4 with Display Stream Compression 1.2 and ensure a flawless and accurate image quality.

It is noteworthy that the final version of the 328P8K will be equipped with a webcam (something the current model lacks), two 3W speakers as well as USB-A and at least one USB-C port “allowing USB-C docking and simultaneous notebook charging”. In order to support USB-C docking with this 8K monitor, the laptop has to support DP 1.4 alternate mode over USB-C and at present, this tech is not supported by shipping PCs. In the meantime, since in the future USB-C may be used a display output more widely, the USB-C input in the Philips 328P8K seems like a valuable future-proof feature (assuming, of course, it fully supports DP 1.4 alt mode over USB-C).

Gallery: Philips Demos 328P8K: 8K UHD LCD with Webcam, Docking, Coming in 2018

Philips does not disclose whose panel it uses for the monitor, but given that the specs of the Philips 328P8K are similar to those of the UP3218K, it is highly likely that both models use the same panel from LG Display (with whom TPV has a joint venture in China). Meanwhile, Dell’s UP3218K ended up supporting 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (in addition to 100% of the AdobeRGB and 100% of the sRGB color spaces), hence, if the panels are the same, the Philips 328P8K may well support DCI-P3 as well. In fact, the company has published a marketing rendering of the 328P8K that displays the Adobe Photoshop CC working under macOS. Apple has been gradually transiting its own devices to P3-supporting displays for some time now and therefore offering Apple customers a non-P3 monitor in 2018 does not seem like a bright idea. So I’d be surprised if we don’t see DCI support in the final version.

TPV intends to ship its Philips 328P8K sometimes in Q1 or Q2 next year, but the company has not made any decisions regarding the final timeframe. High-end products require a lot of tweaking, so do not expect TPV to rush the 8K monitor to the market. As for pricing of the Philips 328P8K, it is hard to make guesses without knowing market situation, availability of the panels and competition. For example, Dell has cut the price of its UltraSharp UP3218K by 22% since the launch in late March to $3,899 despite the lack of any rivals. In any case, since the Philips 328P8K is aimed primarily at professionals, do not expect it to be affordable from a consumer point of view.

Related Reading:

• Cosemi Announces 328-Feet ‘8K-Ready’ OptoDP Active DisplayPort 1.4 Optical Cable
• Dell’s 32-inch 8K UP3218K Display Now For Sale: Check Your Wallet
• Dell Announces UP3218K: Its First 8K Display, Due in March
• CEATEC 2016: Sharp Showcases 27-inch 8K 120Hz IGZO Monitor with HDR, also 1000 PPI for VR

ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ Available: 27” Curved, FHD@144Hz & FreeSync w/ELMB

ASUS is about to start shipments of its ROG Strix XG27VQ display — an inexpensive curved 27” screen with a high refresh rate and AMD’s FreeSync technology designed for gamers and modders. The monitor has all the features that one expects from the ROG trademark as well as one brand new tech from ASUS, the so-called Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB). Besides, the XG27VQ is among the first monitors to have the ASUS Aura RGB lighting on the back along with a customizable light signature projector on the bottom. With the launch of the ROG Strix XG27VQ, ASUS not only releases a moderately-sized curved LCD, but also makes a ROG-branded monitor more accessible since the new model costs $349.99. The product will soon be joined by a  more advanced ROG Swift PG27VQ.

ASUS is gradually expanding its family of curved monitors. Unlike some of its rivals, the company started introduction of curved displays into its lineup from the very high-end with the ultra-wide ROG Swift PG348Q aimed at gamers in mid-2016. Since then, the company has released two curved Designo displays for those looking for style, a couple of inexpensive curved monitors for gamers and even the ROG Swift PG35VQ (the successor of the PG348Q) with a 200 Hz refresh rate, HDR and quantum dots. One of the distinguishable features of all ASUS’ curved displays so far was their diagonal size: all of them were 32” and larger. While some argue that curvature makes sense only for very large monitors, there are manufacturers, which produce considerably smaller curved screens.

In a bid to offer a similar option for its customers, ASUS introduced two 27” curved displays for gamers into its premium ROG lineup earlier this year (think of BMW 1-series: they are compact cars with premium features). The monitors belong to the Swift and Strix sub-families and thus use different panels and come with different sets of features. Meanwhile, there are several things that the ROG Swift PG27VQ and ROG Strix XG27VQ displays have in common: they are 27” large, they feature very high refresh rates of 144 and 165 Hz, they support dynamic refresh rate technologies, and they feature the ASUS Aura RGB lighting. Apparently, the ROG Strix XG27VQ is going to reach the market earlier than its brother as Amazon and Newegg recently started to list it.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ is based on a 27” VA panel with a FHD 1920×1080 resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio. General specifications of the panel are typical for contemporary entry-level gaming devices: 300 nits brightness, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles, a 4 ms response time (grey-to-grey) and so on. The monitor can use HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, or a dual-link DVD-D connector. As for ergonomics, the Strix XG27VQ can adjust height, tilt, swivel or can be attached to a VESA wall mounting.

While at first glance the new ROG Strix looks like a fairly standard monitor, there are several features that make the XG27VQ especially appealing to gamers. Firstly, it has a 144 Hz maximum refresh rate along with AMD’s FreeSync that works over both DP and HDMI with a refresh range between 48 and 140 Hz. Secondly, it has a brand-new feature called the Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB), which promises to make fast-paced actions look sharper. ASUS does not describe how the ELMB works, but it may be the company’s alternative to the ULMB tech that has been around for a while. Thirdly, the XG27VQ has a 1800R curvature for those who want some additional immersion. Fourthly, it is equipped with the ASUS Aura RGB lighting on the back to customize its look (and match it with lighting effects on a PC based on a motherboard featuring the ASUS Aura lighting) as well as a customizable light signature projector on the bottom. Finally, the monitor supports the ASUS GamePlus modes, which are present on other gaming monitors by the company.

When it comes to the ROG Swift PG27VQ display announced alongside the ROG Strix XG27VQ, it looks considerably more advanced. The Swift PG27VQ has a higher resolution of 2560×1440, a faster 1 ms GtG response time, an “overclockable” 165 Hz refresh rate, NVIDIA’s G-Sync dynamic refresh rate technology with ULMB, 1800R curvature, the Aura Sync RGB lighting (which can synchronize lighting effects with all connected Aura-enabled components) as well as all the ergonomics and features of its younger brother. Quite obviously, this one is going to be more expensive too.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ display can be pre-ordered from Amazon and Newegg for $349.99, which is highly likely going to be its MSRP. The exact availability date of the monitor is unknown, but it will probably ship in Q3. As for the more advanced ROG Swift PG27VQ, nothing is clear at this point. ASUS still has not released its final specs just yet and no retailers are taking pre-orders.

Related Reading:

• ASUS VA326H and VA326N-W: 31.5-Inch Curved 144 Hz FHD Displays for $399
• ASUS Adds Entry-Level VP28UQG to Gaming LCD Lineup: 28”, 4K, FreeSync, 1ms
• ASUS Launches VG245Q ‘Console’ Gaming Monitor: 1080p with FreeSync, $200
• ASUS Demonstrates ROG Swift PG27UQ: 4K, 144 Hz, HDR, DCI-P3 and G-Sync
• ASUS Starts to Ship Its First Curved Ultra-Wide Display: ROG Swift PG348Q
• LG’s 34UC89G 21:9 Curved Display with G-Sync, 144 to 166 Hz, Available for $999

Dell’s UltraSharp U3818DW Now Available: Curved 37.5”, 3840×1600, USB-C, $1499

Dell this week began shipments of its curved ultra-wide 3840×1600 UltraSharp U3818DW display. The monitor is the fourth screen of this size and with this resolution on the market, and one of a few displays with a USB Type-C input (via DP 1.2 alternate mode). Dell is positioning its U3818DW as a business-class monitor, so it gets market-typical features such as an antiglare coating, but notably it does not get support for AMD’s FreeSync (which is available on competing monitors).

The Dell UltraSharp U3818DW is based on a 37.5” 8-bit + FRC IPS panel featuring a 3840×1600 resolution, a 24:10 aspect ratio, 2300R curvature, and 1.07 billion colors. This panel has rather unique specifications and comes from LG Display. So far, three displays have used the panel for monitors aimed at consumers. For example, LG’s own 38UC99 and Acer’s XR382CQK come with FreeSync support and up to 75 Hz refresh rate (LG’s one only supports 75 Hz when FreeSync is used). Moreover, ASUS’s Designo Curve MX38VQ has integrated wireless Qi charging, whereas the LG 38UC99 has Bluetooth speakers (to playback music from smartphones or notebooks without using wires), two consumer-oriented features. By contrast, Dell seems to position its UltraSharp U3818DW in a similar way that it positions a number of its other curved displays: as a solution for business users looking to do a lot of multi-tasking.

In a bid to better appeal to the target audience, Dell has managed to increase maximum brightness of its U3818DW to 350 nits (from 300 nits on competing monitors), added an antiglare coating, and also added support for Dell’s Command remote management capability. Each screen is sRGB-calibrated to Delta E < 2 accuracy, which is important for those who work with color-managed content. Meanwhile, the monitor also technically supports the DCI-P3 color gamut, but only covers 78.1% of it.

Dell’s formal positioning of the U3818DW does not really curtail its advantages for home users. Its resolution and the aspect ratio are well suited for displaying HD and UHD content filmed in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 or 2.40:1 (a lot of movies are shot in such aspect ratios) as well as for games. Meanwhile, the monitor is equipped with HDCP 2.2, so it can display protected UHD content transfered to it using one DP 1.2 or two HDMI 2.0 inputs.

Dell’s UltraSharp U3118DW is now available directly from Dell for $1500, which is a bit lower than the price of LG’s 38UC99, but higher compared to similar displays from Acer (available now) and ASUS (set to be available in Q3).

Related Reading:

• Acer Launches Curved XR382CQK Display: 37.5-inch, 3840×1600, FreeSync, & USB-C
• ASUS Announces Designo Curve MX38VQ: 37.5 Inch Curved Display with Qi Charging
• LG 38UC99 Announced: 37.5-Inch Curved 21:9 Display with 3840×1600 Resolution