One would hope it is FALD if it achieved DisplayHDR 1000 (though it could just be edge-lit garbage, given they aren't using FALD as a selling point). Assuming it is FALD, the big question is backlight behavior with VRR and HDR both active. For far, we have seen 3 solutions:
- FALD active when VRR active, consistent backlight levels. Thus far only monitors using the Maximum Grunty version of the G-Sync module and FALd drivers have achieved this in practice. - FALD deactivated when VRR active, regardless of whether fed with a HDR input. This is the solution most 'freesync' TVs use. - FALD active when HDR active, brightness varies with refresh rate. This is what some Samsung 'freesync' TVs were firmware flashed to do after launching with FALD disabled during VRR.
VRR and FALD in combination is hard. The backlight illuminators typically have a low update rate (a fraction of the panel rate) and a fairly poor update latency, neither of which is acceptable for VRR gaming where a new frame can arrive at any time and multi-frame syncing delays are unacceptable.
It might be difficult, but Samsung found a way with their 2018/2019 Q-LED displays. FreeSync+HDR works incredibly well with FALD across a range up to 4K60 or 1440p120. Shouldn't be too hard for Acer to accomplish here.
@nathanddrews Would you mind telling us which of Samsung's 2018/2019 models you think come with FALD and FreeSync support? As far as I can tell that's incorrect. Some have edge lit local dimming (I've read up to 32 zones), but that's very much inferior to a real FALD solution.
As far as I know there are yet no FreeSync controllers on the market that support FALD. Supporting FALD on a monitor which employs a controller that doesn't specifically support FALD is very difficult. It's so costly in terms of engineering effort that it's unlikely to ever be delivered.
Such controllers will obviously hit the market at some point. Maybe they already have and I'm mistaken. I just doubt it because I don't see the FALD+FreeSync monitors anywhere which you claim do exist.
I have a feeling it will quite likely be using the same solution as the Philips 436M6VBPAB with 32-zone edge lit local dimming. If Acer have (or are about to get) official VESA HDR-1000 certification on this monitor, it has to have local dimming. The Philips did a half decent job with its HDR implementation from what I read in professional reviews, but obvioulsy FALD would be preferable. We'd be looking at a FAR more expensive monitor if that were the case though. It will be interesting to see reviews though... hopefully this ends up being a solid performer for the price (which all in all, isn't that bad). I expect Asus' offering with the XG438Q to be far more expensive while offering the same performance.
interested in seeing the response times on this. ideally it can hit around 7ms average for 144hz. va panels are usually the worst compared to tn and ips.
That driver support was born during the early days of 4K monitors. When DisplayPort could only drive 30 Hz 4k display manufacturers jumped ahead of the standard by driving the displays as two screens, half and half.
At the time you could make both halfs behave as one using Eyefinity, but Nvidia surround was limited to three monitors only. 2 or 4+ was for professionals only on higher end GPUs.
Fortunately they allowed two screen Nvidia surround after a few updates, so now it shouldn't be an issue.
How would this compare with the 2018 OLED models from LG, that are now available around $1000-1500. Are there really astounding advantages to this LFGD in and outside gaming.
specs for the price are pretty good but how the heck to u game on this coming from say a 27 - 34 inch display. I cant imagine sitting 3 feet away from this but maybe u get used to it
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edzieba - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
One would hope it is FALD if it achieved DisplayHDR 1000 (though it could just be edge-lit garbage, given they aren't using FALD as a selling point). Assuming it is FALD, the big question is backlight behavior with VRR and HDR both active. For far, we have seen 3 solutions:- FALD active when VRR active, consistent backlight levels. Thus far only monitors using the Maximum Grunty version of the G-Sync module and FALd drivers have achieved this in practice.
- FALD deactivated when VRR active, regardless of whether fed with a HDR input. This is the solution most 'freesync' TVs use.
- FALD active when HDR active, brightness varies with refresh rate. This is what some Samsung 'freesync' TVs were firmware flashed to do after launching with FALD disabled during VRR.
VRR and FALD in combination is hard. The backlight illuminators typically have a low update rate (a fraction of the panel rate) and a fairly poor update latency, neither of which is acceptable for VRR gaming where a new frame can arrive at any time and multi-frame syncing delays are unacceptable.
nathanddrews - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
It might be difficult, but Samsung found a way with their 2018/2019 Q-LED displays. FreeSync+HDR works incredibly well with FALD across a range up to 4K60 or 1440p120. Shouldn't be too hard for Acer to accomplish here.a5cent - Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - link
@nathanddrewsWould you mind telling us which of Samsung's 2018/2019 models you think come with FALD and FreeSync support? As far as I can tell that's incorrect. Some have edge lit local dimming (I've read up to 32 zones), but that's very much inferior to a real FALD solution.
As far as I know there are yet no FreeSync controllers on the market that support FALD. Supporting FALD on a monitor which employs a controller that doesn't specifically support FALD is very difficult. It's so costly in terms of engineering effort that it's unlikely to ever be delivered.
Such controllers will obviously hit the market at some point. Maybe they already have and I'm mistaken. I just doubt it because I don't see the FALD+FreeSync monitors anywhere which you claim do exist.
BurgerTyme - Sunday, April 21, 2019 - link
I believe they are referring to the flagship 2018/2019 QLED TVs, not monitors.Simon_Says - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
Considering the MSRP is only $1300 and IIRC the displays with FALD are typically way more than that I think this is just edge lit.atomicus80 - Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - link
I have a feeling it will quite likely be using the same solution as the Philips 436M6VBPAB with 32-zone edge lit local dimming. If Acer have (or are about to get) official VESA HDR-1000 certification on this monitor, it has to have local dimming. The Philips did a half decent job with its HDR implementation from what I read in professional reviews, but obvioulsy FALD would be preferable. We'd be looking at a FAR more expensive monitor if that were the case though. It will be interesting to see reviews though... hopefully this ends up being a solid performer for the price (which all in all, isn't that bad). I expect Asus' offering with the XG438Q to be far more expensive while offering the same performance.Opencg - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
interested in seeing the response times on this. ideally it can hit around 7ms average for 144hz. va panels are usually the worst compared to tn and ips.zodiacfml - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
Convincing but at $900 or lower.DigitalFreak - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
LOL If it launched at $900 you'd say 'Convincing but at $700 or lower'haukionkannel - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
This is already incredibly cheap.... Where have they cut corners to get this?Opencg - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
convincing but at $50 or lower. and with 240hz and make it oled.Pinn - Monday, April 15, 2019 - link
Where is driver support on video card for dual DisplayPort? Some hack of multiple monitor support?RetsamCP - Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - link
That driver support was born during the early days of 4K monitors. When DisplayPort could only drive 30 Hz 4k display manufacturers jumped ahead of the standard by driving the displays as two screens, half and half.At the time you could make both halfs behave as one using Eyefinity, but Nvidia surround was limited to three monitors only. 2 or 4+ was for professionals only on higher end GPUs.
Fortunately they allowed two screen Nvidia surround after a few updates, so now it shouldn't be an issue.
patel21 - Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - link
How would this compare with the 2018 OLED models from LG, that are now available around $1000-1500.Are there really astounding advantages to this LFGD in and outside gaming.
Hxx - Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - link
specs for the price are pretty good but how the heck to u game on this coming from say a 27 - 34 inch display. I cant imagine sitting 3 feet away from this but maybe u get used to itbeefytom - Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - link
Oh my. Just dropped 2k on the x27 before seeing this. really feeling that g-sync premium right now.