New Ultrawide Panels Coming; 37.5" 3840×1600 IPS and 30/35" 3440×1440 Curved 144Hz VA

[Glenwing]

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/news_archive/35.htm#panels_jan

LG.Display 37.5" 3840×1600 (24:10) IPS Panel

LG.Display continue to invest in their borderless neo-blade panels in varying sizes including 23.8", 27" and even 31.5" it seems. The main panel of note from LG.Display is the forthcoming LM375UW1 panels. This is 37.5" in size and will offer an unusual 3840 x 1600 resolution, giving it a perfect 2:4:1 aspect ratio. This is basically the same as 21:9 ultra-wide format but it is the exact aspect ratio of Blu-ray content so perhaps this has something to do with the developments in 4K Blu-ray this year. On a screen this size the pixel pitch should be very similar to the 40" 3840 x 2160 16:9 aspect ratio panels we've seen so far. The new panel is based on LG.Display's IPS technology with specs listed as 14ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 178/178 viewing angles. It is expected to go into production in Q3 2016.

So, it's a small step above the 3440×1440 panels we've seen so far. The pixel density at 37.5" is the same as a 40" 3840×2160 panel, and close to the density of a 27" 1440p panel or a 20" 1080p panel. It is exactly 1.5× the horizontal pixels of the venerable 2560×1600 resolution used in older high-end 16:10 displays.

 

The aspect ratio, 24:10 (or 2.4:1 as more commonly referred to in cinematography) is slightly wider than 21:9 mathematically, but it is important to realize that "21:9" monitors are not actually a 21:9 ratio. 2560×1080 is 64×27 (or 21.333×9) and 3440×1440 is 43×18 (21.5×9). 24×10 is equivalent to 21.6×9, so this new resolution is basically the same ratio as 3440×1440.

 

It should also be noted the response time of 14ms is the raw response time of the panel without any response time compensation technologies applied, so in practice it's likely this panel will have the usual 5ms response time of LG IPS panels (not that response time really means anything anyway).

 

The optimal refresh frequency of the panel is not listed, but likely 60Hz or 75Hz like other LG IPS panels. At 3840×2160 DisplayPort 1.2 should be capable of up to about 100Hz in theory, and HDMI 2.0 should be capable of up to about 75-80Hz, so both of those connection types will be options for standard 60-75Hz monitors using this resolution.

AU Optronics 30" and 35" 3440×1440 144Hz Curved VA Panels

 

AU Optronics have some limited information available as well. There are 30” and 35” ultra-wide curved panels coming in Q3 and Q2 respectively. These will be VA panel technology with 3440 x 1440 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate which would be a first at that resolution. In fact, this would push things beyond DP 1.2 bandwidth limitations as we understand it, so this might require the forthcoming DP 1.3 interface to be practical. In other specs they panels also offer 3000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 172/178 viewing angles and 2000R curvature.

These will apparently be VA panels, not an IPS type like previous 3440×1440 panels. So far the only VA ultrawide panel in production is a 35" 2560×1080 144Hz VA panel as seen in the Acer Z35 and BenQ XR3501, but there haven't been any available with the higher 3440×1440 resolution available. VA panels have much better contrast and black levels than IPS, and should hopefully be much better in terms of backlight bleed, though that does come down to quality control more than the panel type.

At 144Hz, it's beyond the limits of DisplayPort 1.2. Any monitors taking full advantage of this panel will likely be using the DisplayPort 1.3 interface, but this panel won't hit the market until later in the year, and new generations of graphics cards with DP 1.3 support should be available by then. Meanwhile DisplayPort 1.2 should be able to reach around 110-120Hz at 3440×1440 for those who want to keep using current generation graphics cards.

SDC (Samsung Display Corporation) 31.5" Curved 2560×1440 144Hz VA (?) Panel, and 8K Wide-Gamut Panel

 

The Samsung roadmaps are annoying as there’s no part numbers and limited specs listed, so it’s hard to try and decipher what panels are what. Looks like they will have a 31.5” panel with 2560 x 1440 res (QHD) with curved format and 144Hz refresh rate in Q3 2016. This is likely to be SVA technology based on the information we've seen in the past. Of interesting note also are two very large and unusual panels again planned for possible Q3 2016 production. These are 41" and 49" in size and a very, very wide 32:9 aspect ratio and FHD+ resolution as it is listed in the spec (not sure what that actually is)! Whether they will be used as monitor panels or not is questionable given the format but they were listed in the roadmap with other monitor modules. Finally Samsung have a 31.5" sized panel coming in Q3 also with a whopping 8K4K (7680 x 4230) resolution and Adobe RGB colour space coverage which clearly positions it as a premium professional grade panel.

At 8K resolution (7680×4320), even DisplayPort 1.3 will cap out at 30Hz with 10-bit per color channel. It's likely any monitors using this panel will utilize dual DisplayPort connections, similar to how 5K displays are driven with DisplayPort 1.2.

[Tagiau]

Isn't the aspect ratio of 4k something like 256:135? This proves that lg likes to do everything because lucky goldstar.

[Glenwing]

Isn't the aspect ratio of 4k something like 256:135? This proves that lg likes to do everything because lucky goldstar.

 

Yes, DCI 4K (4096×2160) is 256:135, usually approximated as 19:10 or 17:9, both are very close to the actual ratio.

[WoodenMarker]

It looks pretty cool. I'd love to play around with one. 

I wish manufacturers picked a pixel density and tried to stick with it. 

[EChondo]

So this is like 2560x1440 and 2560x1600 then? lol.

[Andrew Storlie]

I kinda want a monitor like that. But still would probably buy a 34" 3440x1440 144hz ips gsync first.... once it comes out lol

[Lethal Seraph]

I kinda want a monitor like that. But still would probably buy a 34" 3440x1440 144hz ips gsync first.... once it comes out lol

Acer has one I believe.

[Glenwing]

I kinda want a monitor like that. But still would probably buy a 34" 3440x1440 144hz ips gsync first.... once it comes out lol

 

Acer has one I believe.

 

Yup, the X34. It's 100Hz not 144, but close enough. ASUS is also going to be releasing their own version eventually, the PG348Q.

[corsairian]

Mmmm, I've been waiting for a new 16:10 monitor. I seriously need to upgrade...

[Senzelian]

Suddenly my 34'' doesn't look that impressive anymore

[alexyy]

Interesting but each panel is be more expensive than my whole rig.

[MrDynamicMan]

Hhmmmm. That 3840*1600 looks tasty.

[silberdrachi]

Id really like to get an ultra wide screen but with a higher pixel density than my 27in 1440p screens. i just cant justify the cost of the monitor if all it does is just make the panel wider without really improving the fill.

[Exotath]

37.5" sounds quite nice.

[Andrew Storlie]

Acer has one I believe.

only 100hz... if im gonna fork out freak 1200 for one monitor, its gotta be 144hz