Let’s face it – looking for a monitor could be a serious struggle even for some of the highly experienced creative professionals out there, and for a reason. Not only must the display be capable of accurate color reproduction and provide a multitude of premium features, but it also should be at a price point that is reasonable enough, especially for up-and-coming professional video editors or colorists alike.
While most high-end monitors that fit the above criteria would set you back several thousands of dollars, filmmaker Tom Antos had recently come across a unit that provides a decent feature set and performs surprisingly well all without breaking the bank.
In a nutshell, the BenQ SW271 is a 27-inch 16:9 monitor that was specifically crafted for colorists and video editors in mind. The unit features a slim-bezel UHD IPS display with a 3840×2160 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. Not only that, the monitor sports a 10-bit HDR panel capable of reproducing 1.07 billion colors with 350nits brightness, 1000:1 static contrast, 5 ms response time and 178° viewing angles.
Regarding color accuracy, the SW271 is unquestionably ready for any creative professional’s workflow. The display supports 99% of AdobeRGB in addition to 100% of the Rec.709 and sRGB color spaces. For more professional, cinema-grade applications, 93% of DCI-P3 is also supported.
Furthermore, the monitor is not only factory calibrated but also features a color calibration microchip built-in to aid in the calibration process down the line. Another handy feature available with the BenQ SW271 is the GammutDuo. In essence, this functionality allows you to view two different PC input sources all at the same time. The feature also enables users to evaluate the feeds using two different color spaces, which might be pretty handy when comparing shots or edits with differing viewing settings.
In terms of I/O, the SW271 comes with plenty of connectivity options making it compatible with a variety of computer configurations. The monitor features a Thunderbolt 3 compatible USB-C not only to connect the display to the computer but also to transmit data. The device also sports dual USB 3.0 Type A ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 connectors, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack.
One unique feature of the SW271 is the inclusion of a Hotkey Puck that’s within reach of your hand for quick and easy access to the main monitor’s controls. The innovative remote contains three different buttons to toggle between different presets.
In addition, the center of the hotkey puck can be used to navigate the monitor menus which turns out to be another more intuitive method of adjusting your display settings on the fly.
BenQ SW271 27″ 16:9 4K IPS Monitor Highlights
- 27″ In-Plane Switching (IPS) Monitor
- USB Type-C / HDMI / DP Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time (GtG)
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- 99% Adobe RGB Color Coverage
- Built-In USB Hub
- Price: $1,100
With the enhanced color accuracy across multiple color spaces alongside its intuitive interface and generous I/O, the BenQ SW271 monitor is definitely a purchase worth considering. Best of all, the SW271 provides performance that matches many high-end UHD monitors, all at a much lower price point which makes it a quite appealing option for those looking for a 10-bit HDR monitor that provides an optimal viewing and visual-intensive work experience.
[source: Tom Antos]
Order Links:
BenQ SW271 27″ 16:9 4K IPS Monitor (B&H, Amazon)
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