Acer Predator Z271UV Gaming Monitor: 1440p, 144-165Hz, G-Sync, Eye Tracking

Although we have already reported on the flagship Acer Predator X27 gaming monitor, an interesting model that isn’t getting quite as much attention is the Predator Z271UV. By foregoing the X27’s more premium features like 4K resolution and HDR, this new model is being positioned as a more wallet-friendly option for the serious gaming crowd.

The Predator Z271UV is a 27-inch model with a WQHD resolution of 2560 × 1440 and an 1800R curve that should help provide a wider field of view. It features a TN panel with 400 nits brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and viewing angles of 170°/170°. The 8-bit panel can display 16.7 million colors, and uses a quantum dot film in order to support 130% of the sRGB and 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamuts. The TN panel on this model is rated to a response time as low as 1ms (3ms native), while the refresh rate can be overclocked from the default 144 Hz all the way up to 165 Hz (the fact that the monitor isn’t sold as 165 Hz suggests that your mileage may vary). When you combine those figures with the built-in NVIDIA G-Sync or ULMB (Ultra-Low Motion Blur) technologies, this is a gaming monitor that is being promoted as having no problems with motion blur, stuttering or tearing.

This Predator Z271UV also includes Tobii eye-tracking hardware, which uses infrared light to track your head movements and where your eyes are looking on the screen. Designed to complement a keyboard and mouse, one of the uses is that you can pan around a digital world without having to use the mouse, kind of like with a virtual reality headset. There are apparently 100 game titles that support eye tracking technology. Further catering to gamers are additions like Predator GameView, which allows users to make precise color and dark level adjustments that can be saved to three different profiles, and which can be easily switched between at any time during gameplay. There are also vendor features like Acer VisionCare with Flickerless, BluelightShield, ComfyView and low dimming technologies that are intended to reduce eye fatigue during extended gaming sessions.

This model also has what Acer describes as a ZeroFrame design, which is a thin bezel that should improve the viewing experience for those planning a multi-monitor setup. The stand was designed with ergonomics in mind, and it can tilt the display between -5 to 25 degrees, swivel +/- 30 degrees, and provide height adjustments of up to 4.7 inches (120mm). There are also two 7-watt speakers with Acer TrueHarmony technology built into the monitor.

When it comes to connectivity, the specs are little less clear. There is no indication as to the version of the HDMI input – which would likely indicate HDMI 1.4 – while the only other video connector is a DisplayPort 1.2 input. If this is accurate, only the DisplayPort would support the 165Hz refresh rate at the native resolution. The HDMI port would be limited to 60Hz. There is also a five port USB 3.0 hub (1 up, 4 down) and one audio out jack.

The press release did not have any details regarding pricing, availability, or warranty.

Related Reading

• Acer’s Announces Predator Gaming Displays with Tobii Eye-Tracking Technology
• ASUS Launches VG245Q ‘Console’ Gaming Monitor: 1080p with FreeSync, $200
• AOC Expands AGON Family with Curved AG322QCX and AG272FCX 144 Hz Displays

LG 43UD79-B Launched: 42.5-inch 4K IPS with FreeSync

LG is about to launch a new monitor that is one of the most feature-filled monitors on the market once it arrives. Referred to as the 43UD79-B, this 42.5-inch display has a native UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 with a conventional refresh rate of 60Hz. It features an IPS panel with a non-glare coating, a peak brightness of 350 cd/m2, a contrast ratio of up to 1000:1, and an 8ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time. The viewing angles are wide at 178°/178°, which is typical for an IPS display. Although support for 1.07 billion colors is claimed, the lack of an explicit mention of a 10-bit panel leads us to believe that this is an 8-bit panel using A-FRC to achieve a 10-bit color depth. On the plus side, this model will ship color calibrated from the factory.

Assuming that the press release is indeed accurate, this model not only supports FreeSync variable refresh technology, but also a host of other gaming-oriented features like Game Mode, Black Stabilizer, and Dynamic Action Sync (DAS) Mode. The native 60Hz refresh rate will likely preclude this model from ever becoming a gamer favorite, but we are still glad to see that LG made an effort in catering to the gaming crowd. The peak refresh rate is likely 60 Hz for the Freesync, however LG does not specify the lower bound. Technically the specification sheet says 56-61Hz, although that is rather small for a FreeSync range.

The connectivity front is where this monitor really shines. There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs (4K @ 60Hz), two HDMI 1.4 inputs (4K @ 30Hz), one USB 3.1 Type-C port that can operate in DP Alt Mode and thus carry a DisplayPort signal, and one DisplayPort 1.2a input (4K @ 60Hz) that supports the aforementioned FreeSync feature. The reason for all these inputs is that this monitor can display images from up to 4 devices at once. You can either split the screen into four 21.5-inch 1080P sections, two horizontal or vertical sections, or even three sections of varying sizes. There is also support for basic Picture-in-Picture (PIP) if you don’t wish to subdivide the screen real estate.

Different monitor arrangements with multiple inputs

Also present is LG’s Dual Controller feature, which essentially turns the monitor into a KVM switch. Users can plug a mouse and keyboard into the two downstream USB 3.0 ports, connect the monitor to two computers, and control both systems from that single mouse/keyboard combo. Rounding out the basic specifications are built-in 2x10W Harman Kardon stereo speakers, a headphone jack, an RS-232C connector, and a small remote control. The included stand is fairly basic in that it only allows tilt adjustments.

While the press release indicates a countrywide Japanese launch on May 19th at a price of around 83,000 yen, US-based retailers are already offering preorders for $697 with an expected availability of May 9th. If that holds true, that is a very attractive price for a roughly 43-inch 4K monitor with that many built-in features and a three-year warranty.

Gallery: LG 43UD79-B

LG 43UD79-B Launched: 42.5-inch 4K IPS with FreeSync

LG is about to launch a new monitor that is one of the most feature-filled monitors on the market once it arrives. Referred to as the 43UD79-B, this 42.5-inch display has a native UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 with a conventional refresh rate of 60Hz. It features an IPS panel with a non-glare coating, a peak brightness of 350 cd/m2, a contrast ratio of up to 1000:1, and an 8ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time. The viewing angles are wide at 178°/178°, which is typical for an IPS display. Although support for 1.07 billion colors is claimed, the lack of an explicit mention of a 10-bit panel leads us to believe that this is an 8-bit panel using A-FRC to achieve a 10-bit color depth. On the plus side, this model will ship color calibrated from the factory.

Assuming that the press release is indeed accurate, this model not only supports FreeSync variable refresh technology, but also a host of other gaming-oriented features like Game Mode, Black Stabilizer, and Dynamic Action Sync (DAS) Mode. The native 60Hz refresh rate will likely preclude this model from ever becoming a gamer favorite, but we are still glad to see that LG made an effort in catering to the gaming crowd. The peak refresh rate is likely 60 Hz for the Freesync, however LG does not specify the lower bound. Technically the specification sheet says 56-61Hz, although that is rather small for a FreeSync range.

The connectivity front is where this monitor really shines. There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs (4K @ 60Hz), two HDMI 1.4 inputs (4K @ 30Hz), one USB 3.1 Type-C port that can operate in DP Alt Mode and thus carry a DisplayPort signal, and one DisplayPort 1.2a input (4K @ 60Hz) that supports the aforementioned FreeSync feature. The reason for all these inputs is that this monitor can display images from up to 4 devices at once. You can either split the screen into four 21.5-inch 1080P sections, two horizontal or vertical sections, or even three sections of varying sizes. There is also support for basic Picture-in-Picture (PIP) if you don’t wish to subdivide the screen real estate.

Different monitor arrangements with multiple inputs

Also present is LG’s Dual Controller feature, which essentially turns the monitor into a KVM switch. Users can plug a mouse and keyboard into the two downstream USB 3.0 ports, connect the monitor to two computers, and control both systems from that single mouse/keyboard combo. Rounding out the basic specifications are built-in 2x10W Harman Kardon stereo speakers, a headphone jack, an RS-232C connector, and a small remote control. The included stand is fairly basic in that it only allows tilt adjustments.

While the press release indicates a countrywide Japanese launch on May 19th at a price of around 83,000 yen, US-based retailers are already offering preorders for $697 with an expected availability of May 9th. If that holds true, that is a very attractive price for a roughly 43-inch 4K monitor with that many built-in features and a three-year warranty.

Gallery: LG 43UD79-B