With the launch of their Polaris family of GPUs earlier this year, much of AMD’s public focus in this space has been on the consumer side of matters. However now with the consumer launch behind them, AMD’s attention has been freed to focus…
With the launch of their Polaris family of GPUs earlier this year, much of AMD’s public focus in this space has been on the consumer side of matters. However now with the consumer launch behind them, AMD’s attention has been freed to focus…
BenQ this week introduced its new SW320 display designed specifically for professional photographers and other people who require 4K/UHD resolution, the sRGB and the Adobe RGB color spaces, and support for HDR10 capability. The monitor is calibrated directly at the factory on a per-unit basis.
The BenQ SW320 is a 31.5-inch display featuring a 10-bit IPS panel, which can reproduce 1.07 billion colors and covers 99% of the Adobe RGB, sRGB, and 87% of the DCI-P3 color spaces. The Adobe RGB color space is important for professional photographers that need to edit their photos for publications, whereas the sRGB and the DCI-P3 color spaces are crucial for video editors and animation designers who do post-production work. One of the interesting features of the SW320 is the ability to display content in different color spaces simultaneously side-by-side in PIP/PBP modes (two inputs are required).
It is worth noting that when it comes to the DCI-P3, the SW320 covers 87% of the color space, which is below 98%-99% covered by numerous displays aimed at video professionals. Meanwhile, the BenQ SW320 supports 10-bit HDR along with a 14-bit 3D LUT (look-up table) and is calibrated to DeltaE ≤ 2 in both Adobe RGB and sRGB. The support for HDR10 with proper blending accuracy is needed for those that work on adding HDR to various content, including photos and videos. BenQ cite that users involved in post-production for UHD movies (for streaming services or for Ultra HD Blu-ray media) will take advantage of the SW320.
As for the other specifications of the BenQ SW320, they look pretty standard for a high-quality 4K display: a 3840×2160 resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, 350 nits typical brightness, 1000:1 static contrast, 5 ms response time in fast mode and 178° viewing angles. The monitor uses a CCFL backlighting with brightness uniformity feature to ensure consistency. As for input/output capabilities, the display is equipped with one HDMI 2.0a, one DisplayPort 1.4 as well as one mDP 1.4 header (all of them support HDCP 2.2 required for various content). In addition, the SW320 is equipped with a dual-port USB 3.0 hub and a card reader that may be useful for photographers.
| BenQ SW320 | ||
| Panel | 31.5″ IPS | |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 | |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | |
| Response Time | 5 ms gray-to-gray | |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² | |
| Contrast | 1000:1 | |
| Viewing Angles | 178°/178° horizontal/vertical | |
| Color Saturation | 100% sRGB/REC 709 99% Adobe RGB 87% DCI-P3 |
|
| Display Colors | 1.07 billion | |
| 3D-LUT | 14 bits | |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.233 mm | |
| Pixel Density | unknown | |
| Anti-Glare Coating | Yes | |
| Inputs | 1 × DP 1.4 (HDCP 2.2) 1 × mDP 14 (HDCP 2.2) 1 × HDMI 2.0a (HDCP 2.2) |
|
| USB Hub | 2-port USB 3.0 hub | |
| Card Reader | Integrated | |
| Power Consumption | Idle | 0.7 W |
| Active | 50 W | |
Just like many other professional displays, the SW320 monitor has an adjustable stand that allows rotating the panel clockwise or counter-clockwise to view the screen in portrait orientation. The BenQ SW320 comes pre-calibrated, just like competing devices, with users able to further calibrate it using the appropriate equipment.
BenQ plans to start selling its SW320 professional display in January 2017. Pricing is unknown, but since we are talking about a high-end monitor that has its own peculiarities (support for HDR and the Adobe RGB), so expect an appropriate price.
Related Reading:
BenQ this week introduced its new SW320 display designed specifically for professional photographers and other people who require 4K/UHD resolution, the sRGB and the Adobe RGB color spaces, and support for HDR10 capability. The monitor is calibrated directly at the factory on a per-unit basis.
The BenQ SW320 is a 31.5-inch display featuring a 10-bit IPS panel, which can reproduce 1.07 billion colors and covers 99% of the Adobe RGB, sRGB, and 87% of the DCI-P3 color spaces. The Adobe RGB color space is important for professional photographers that need to edit their photos for publications, whereas the sRGB and the DCI-P3 color spaces are crucial for video editors and animation designers who do post-production work. One of the interesting features of the SW320 is the ability to display content in different color spaces simultaneously side-by-side in PIP/PBP modes (two inputs are required).
It is worth noting that when it comes to the DCI-P3, the SW320 covers 87% of the color space, which is below 98%-99% covered by numerous displays aimed at video professionals. Meanwhile, the BenQ SW320 supports 10-bit HDR along with a 14-bit 3D LUT (look-up table) and is calibrated to DeltaE ≤ 2 in both Adobe RGB and sRGB. The support for HDR10 with proper blending accuracy is needed for those that work on adding HDR to various content, including photos and videos. BenQ cite that users involved in post-production for UHD movies (for streaming services or for Ultra HD Blu-ray media) will take advantage of the SW320.
As for the other specifications of the BenQ SW320, they look pretty standard for a high-quality 4K display: a 3840×2160 resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, 350 nits typical brightness, 1000:1 static contrast, 5 ms response time in fast mode and 178° viewing angles. The monitor uses a CCFL backlighting with brightness uniformity feature to ensure consistency. As for input/output capabilities, the display is equipped with one HDMI 2.0a, one DisplayPort 1.4 as well as one mDP 1.4 header (all of them support HDCP 2.2 required for various content). In addition, the SW320 is equipped with a dual-port USB 3.0 hub and a card reader that may be useful for photographers.
| BenQ SW320 | ||
| Panel | 31.5″ IPS | |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 | |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | |
| Response Time | 5 ms gray-to-gray | |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² | |
| Contrast | 1000:1 | |
| Viewing Angles | 178°/178° horizontal/vertical | |
| Color Saturation | 100% sRGB/REC 709 99% Adobe RGB 87% DCI-P3 |
|
| Display Colors | 1.07 billion | |
| 3D-LUT | 14 bits | |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.233 mm | |
| Pixel Density | unknown | |
| Anti-Glare Coating | Yes | |
| Inputs | 1 × DP 1.4 (HDCP 2.2) 1 × mDP 14 (HDCP 2.2) 1 × HDMI 2.0a (HDCP 2.2) |
|
| USB Hub | 2-port USB 3.0 hub | |
| Card Reader | Integrated | |
| Power Consumption | Idle | 0.7 W |
| Active | 50 W | |
Just like many other professional displays, the SW320 monitor has an adjustable stand that allows rotating the panel clockwise or counter-clockwise to view the screen in portrait orientation. The BenQ SW320 comes pre-calibrated, just like competing devices, with users able to further calibrate it using the appropriate equipment.
BenQ plans to start selling its SW320 professional display in January 2017. Pricing is unknown, but since we are talking about a high-end monitor that has its own peculiarities (support for HDR and the Adobe RGB), so expect an appropriate price.
Related Reading:
Despite the mark on mechanical keyboards, not a lot of PC users have actually tried a classic mechanical typewriter, with round keys as well as the distinctive look, feel and sound. For those feeling nostalgic, Nanoxia this week introduced a keyboard with a retro look and round keys, which resembles the steampunk keyboards used by the Warehouse 13 characters in their office. One of the important things to mention is that this mechanical keyboard is also water resistant.
Despite its classic yet fancy look, the Nanoxia Ncore Retro is a modern keyboard based on the Kailh White switches (similar to Cherry Blue, with an operational force of 50 cN/peak actuation at 60 cN) and aimed at gamers. The keyboard is made of plastic but features chromium plating on each of the keys to give it a distinctive look. The Ncore Retro supports 15 multimedia keys accessed with the help of the FN key as well as typical features of keyboards designed for gamers, such as 6-key and N-key rollover, 1000 Hz polling rate, anti-ghosting and so on. The keyboard uses USB interconnection and is listed to be only compatible with Microsoft Windows. Each of the keys is rated to 70 million presses.
| Nanoxia Ncore Retro General Specifcations | |||||
| U.S.-Layout NNR-US |
U.K.-Layout NNR-UK |
German-Layout NNR-GER |
|||
| Number of Keys | 104 | 105 | |||
| Switch | Kailh White | ||||
| Multimedia Keys | 15 (accessed with the FN key) | ||||
| N-key Rollover Support | Yes | ||||
| Interface | USB 1.1 with 1.8 m cable | ||||
| Removable Keys | Yes | ||||
| Compatibility | Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 | ||||
| Water Resistant Design | Yes | ||||
| Color | Black | ||||
| Color of Keys | Black/Silver | ||||
| Dimensions | 465 × 150 × 69 mm | ||||
| Weight | 1300 grams | ||||
| MSRP | €109.99 (incl. 19% VAT) | ||||
One of the important features of the Nanoxia Ncore Retro, besides its extravagant look, is its water resistant design. The company did not mention whether the keyboard is IP-rated and thus is capable of withstanding water immersion, but Nanoxia did state that it can withstand a spill of a glass of water over it. In any case, water resistance also means easy and safe clearing.
The Nanoxia Ncore Retro is one of the first keyboards to use Kailh’s white switches to give users a different haptic feeling compared to other keyboards (and a little closer to that of actual typewriters). The Kailh White switches have an advertised tactile force of approximately 61 grams as well as a distinctive click. In addition, the manufacturer claims that its new switches have a life expectancy of 70 million hits per key because of the improved key shaft.
| Comparison of Mechanical Keyboard Switches | |||||||
| Kailh White | AZ Linear | AZ Tactile | Razer Green | Cherry MX | |||
| Actuation Point | 1.9 mm | 1.7 mm | 1.7 mm | 1.9 mm ± 0.4 mm | 2 mm/2.2 mm ± 0.6 mm | ||
| Actuation vs Reset Point | no data | no data | no data | 0.4 mm | no data | ||
| Total Travel | 4 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | ||
| Actuation Force | 51 g | 45 g | 45 g | 50 g | 45-55 g | ||
| Actuation Feel | tactile | linear | soft tactile | soft tactile | linear/tactile | ||
| Switch Lifecycle | 70 million | 60 million | 60 million | 60 million | 50 million | ||
| Switch Color | white | olive | mustard | green | red/brown/ black/blue |
||
Nanoxia will offer three versions of its Ncore Retro with a German (which means QWERTZ as well as some additional letters), a UK and a US layout. The keyboards will initially be available in retail stores in Europe for €109.99 (that’s including 19% tax) this month. The company did not mention US availability, however we would expect it to do so in due course.
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