Unfortunately, even if a particular monitor has the capability to have its firmware updated to enable FreeSync over HDMI, I doubt many manufacturers will offer the upgrade. AFAIK, there have historically been very few updates available for computer monitors compared to say, motherboards or video cards.
I wonder if AMD will push to have these custom protocols included in the next revision of the HDMI specification.
Yeah there is next to zero chance of seeing new firmware pushed out for older monitors, the manufacturers want you to buy a new one with this feature instead, of course.
I get why this is appealing in the ongoing FreeSync vs. G-Sync battle, but I don't see much point in enabling FreeSync over HDMI on existing FreeSync monitors... unless maybe... you really want to replace a perfectly good DisplayPort cable and use those speakers built in to your monitor?
Display port can transmit audio too you know. I do it with my freelance monitor. I have headphones but when I feel like using the speakers I just unplug the headphones it works fine over dp.
On the one hand, releasing this as a monitor seems pointless when we already have a competitive DisplayPort FreeSync monitor market. On the other hand, it's nice to see further evidence that it can be done without proprietary hardware in a more common cable design.
Now if Samsung released it on their lineup of televisions or even released a firmware update for existing televisions, then they would get my attention!
Respectfully disagree. It would be nice to be able to use almost any cable connector and enjoy the same features. It will take a little bit of time to become more widespread, but it will eventually occur especially if it does become part of the HDMI spec.
At best, it will only ever be an optional part of the spec. The only way it will go mainstream is if PS4/Xbone support it. If Samsung, LG, Sony, etc. know that they can market televisions to ~50 million console gamers, then it goes from niche to mainstream real fast.
On monitors? Curved screens are the best things that can happen on a monitor. It makes no sense on a TV but a monitor is one person sitting in a fixed location close enough that the edges would otherwise have a very different viewing angle to the middle. My flat 3440x1440 has noticeable brightness shifting when I sit at it that my curved one doesn't for that exact reason.
OH, I forgot to mention they're all 700 inches diagonal sure, but 1.4 inches high !
These ridiculously large 34 inch screens with no vertical height suck even WORSE when curved, USELESS for a work environment where you might prefer more height for columns and certain layouts.
Personally, I don't like the visual distortion introduced by curved displays. It makes some work (drawing) a nightmare. No thanks, I'll stick with flat.
these monitors are a bit particular but if it becomes standard feature, eventually it will also be supported in the cheap monitors without displayport and maybe televisions and other video systems that have always only supported hdmi. This kills the g-sync.
Curved monitors appear to fulfill the needs of a small niche contingency of customers...therefore, they will certainly be latched onto by display manufacturers like a dog on a soup bone. (a la the death of 4:3 and 16:10 for the niche 16:9 we get rammed down our throats today)
I thought the OEMs had to pay a royalty fee to use HDMI and DisplayPort was an open standard with no fees? If true, I don't see why companies want to use HDMI unless it is cheaper on the manufacturing end.
VA panels... I dunno... Yes, they have the best contrast ratios, but they have the worst response times. Then there's the black-crush issue when viewing dead-on. Even if those two issues are minimised, what about input lag and Max refresh rate (and the min refresh rate, and thus the total freesync span)? I'm not very optimistic these will be the monitors to usher in the adaptive refresh rate revolution for gamers.
wide gamut = inaccurate color for windows gaming, always everytime, never fails. so this monitor is fail. FHD? 1080p..... fhd name is so lame. I have a 8 year old Planar monitor that is 1080p 25". it is sitting on the floor not plugged in for a reason. because it is 2016. Also, Curved? seriously? Curved? people must never have girlfriends who buy these screens. They must be one person watching a screen staring head on with a gaming swivel chair eating cheese puffs and drinking mountain dew.
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Creig - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Unfortunately, even if a particular monitor has the capability to have its firmware updated to enable FreeSync over HDMI, I doubt many manufacturers will offer the upgrade. AFAIK, there have historically been very few updates available for computer monitors compared to say, motherboards or video cards.I wonder if AMD will push to have these custom protocols included in the next revision of the HDMI specification.
EdgeOfDetroit - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
I'm holding out for HDMI 2.1, confirmed! Hahaextide - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Yeah there is next to zero chance of seeing new firmware pushed out for older monitors, the manufacturers want you to buy a new one with this feature instead, of course.mrvco - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
I get why this is appealing in the ongoing FreeSync vs. G-Sync battle, but I don't see much point in enabling FreeSync over HDMI on existing FreeSync monitors... unless maybe... you really want to replace a perfectly good DisplayPort cable and use those speakers built in to your monitor?sabot00 - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
mrvco what are you talking about with the speakers?Murloc - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
hdmi transmits audio so if you want to use the integrated speakers you may want to use hdmi.Dr. Swag - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Display port can transmit audio too you know. I do it with my freelance monitor. I have headphones but when I feel like using the speakers I just unplug the headphones it works fine over dp.Dr. Swag - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Meant to say free sync not freelance stupid spell check.mrvco - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Aha. I had no idea, but it makes perfect sense. That blows up my "why would any one want to switch from DP to HDMI on existing hardware" theory.nathanddrews - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
On the one hand, releasing this as a monitor seems pointless when we already have a competitive DisplayPort FreeSync monitor market. On the other hand, it's nice to see further evidence that it can be done without proprietary hardware in a more common cable design.Now if Samsung released it on their lineup of televisions or even released a firmware update for existing televisions, then they would get my attention!
bill.rookard - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
Respectfully disagree. It would be nice to be able to use almost any cable connector and enjoy the same features. It will take a little bit of time to become more widespread, but it will eventually occur especially if it does become part of the HDMI spec.nathanddrews - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
At best, it will only ever be an optional part of the spec. The only way it will go mainstream is if PS4/Xbone support it. If Samsung, LG, Sony, etc. know that they can market televisions to ~50 million console gamers, then it goes from niche to mainstream real fast.prime2515103 - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Too bad they're curved...xthetenth - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
On monitors? Curved screens are the best things that can happen on a monitor. It makes no sense on a TV but a monitor is one person sitting in a fixed location close enough that the edges would otherwise have a very different viewing angle to the middle. My flat 3440x1440 has noticeable brightness shifting when I sit at it that my curved one doesn't for that exact reason.Murloc - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
mh the brightness shifting thing could be interesting for big monitors but I'm not sure how I'd like looking at straight lines on a curved monitor.Murloc - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
although the example provided of multiple screens surely sounds better with curved screens rather than flat screens distributed around you.royalcrown - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Curved screens SUCK, the curve is overdone and looks like garbage.royalcrown - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
OH, I forgot to mention they're all 700 inches diagonal sure, but 1.4 inches high !These ridiculously large 34 inch screens with no vertical height suck even WORSE when curved, USELESS for a work environment where you might prefer more height for columns and certain layouts.
Alexvrb - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
"They don't work well for me personally, so therefore they suck! Nobody in the world has any right to like them or benefit from them in any way!"You TELL EM, Royal! Preach from that throne!
royalcrown - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
OBVIOUSLY I can't speak for everyone. I think they suck. I know some ppl like them.Senti - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
"noticeable brightness shifting" – does your monitor use TN panel? You get what you've paid for. There are no such problems on any decent IPS panel.nathanddrews - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
Personally, I don't like the visual distortion introduced by curved displays. It makes some work (drawing) a nightmare. No thanks, I'll stick with flat.althaz - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
This. I am in the market for a new monitor. I'm never going to be in the market for a curved one.Murloc - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
these monitors are a bit particular but if it becomes standard feature, eventually it will also be supported in the cheap monitors without displayport and maybe televisions and other video systems that have always only supported hdmi.This kills the g-sync.
jsntech - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
Curved monitors appear to fulfill the needs of a small niche contingency of customers...therefore, they will certainly be latched onto by display manufacturers like a dog on a soup bone. (a la the death of 4:3 and 16:10 for the niche 16:9 we get rammed down our throats today)madwolfa - Monday, February 29, 2016 - link
I will not buy curved anything, period.The_Assimilator - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
Bad AMD. Stop supporting HDMI. DisplayPort is the superior standard we must aim for.Senti - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
Well, while I completely agree that HDMI should die, the fastest death of G-Sync is more important.royalcrown - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
Nope the death of curved > G-Sync :PTewt - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
I thought the OEMs had to pay a royalty fee to use HDMI and DisplayPort was an open standard with no fees? If true, I don't see why companies want to use HDMI unless it is cheaper on the manufacturing end.SydneyBlue120d - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
Any chance 2017 Samsung OLED and quantum dot TV will suppor it as well? :Dnwarawa - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
VA panels... I dunno... Yes, they have the best contrast ratios, but they have the worst response times. Then there's the black-crush issue when viewing dead-on. Even if those two issues are minimised, what about input lag and Max refresh rate (and the min refresh rate, and thus the total freesync span)? I'm not very optimistic these will be the monitors to usher in the adaptive refresh rate revolution for gamers.NChris88 - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
https://www.avforums.com/review/samsung-cf591-c27f...wakrather - Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - link
wide gamut = inaccurate color for windows gaming, always everytime, never fails. so this monitor is fail.FHD? 1080p..... fhd name is so lame. I have a 8 year old Planar monitor that is 1080p 25". it is sitting on the floor not plugged in for a reason. because it is 2016. Also, Curved? seriously? Curved? people must never have girlfriends who buy these screens. They must be one person watching a screen staring head on with a gaming swivel chair eating cheese puffs and drinking mountain dew.
fingerbob69 - Thursday, March 3, 2016 - link
You've basically just dis'd 99% of Anandtec's readership.Congrats.
Dug - Monday, March 7, 2016 - link
I like cheese puffs.NChris88 - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
https://www.avforums.com/review/samsung-cf591-c27f...NChris88 - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
Whats the difference between the CF591 27 and CF390 27 inch? Color accuracy and everything the same? Are these matte screens?