Ultra wide monitor upgrade

[Scouser]

Just wondered if anyone can help with suggesting some ultra wide monitors worth looking at.

I find there are so many factors to take into account when buying a monitor, that it can get somewhat confusing.

Essentially, I have reached a point with the standard monitor I have, whereby it has become a real pain when trying to operate my DAW along with several virtual instruments ( ez drummer - ez bass - ez keys )

So I would like to get an ultra wide in order to run dual monitors so I can keep all the VI on one scree and the DAW on the other.

Presumably I don’t need anything as expensive as OLED or mini LED ? Or maybe I do ? Like I say I’m unsure but I thought many of the high end panels are more important for gamers and video editing and the like ? Perhaps someone can help I have looked at a couple so far but not sure if I’m looking at things which are below par ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AOC-U34E2M-Mon ... d217f&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-UltraWide-M ... d217f&th=1

[BillB]

A very quick response from me. Consider two monitors side-by-side, rather than a single ultra-wide. I tried using a 27" monitor, albeit at standard 1920 pixel resolution, thinking that it would allow me to have multiple windows side-by-side. It didn't, I found myself wanting separate monitors (like I have in my office) because it makes window management a little more easy. So I went for separate monitors in the end. However, you may be fine with an ultra-wide, if it gives you the space. 3440 is about 1700 pixels per window if side-by-side. 2 x 1920 pixels obviously gives you a bit more screen estate to play with.

[Scouser]

Thanks Bill, unless I have misunderstood you, as mentioned in my post above I’m talking about adding an ultra wide to my existing monitor, so I would be running two monitors, albeit different sizes.

[Wonks]

You might want to go and look at some first.

Those two monitors have very different horizontal and vertical pixel counts, yet both are the same screen size. So one will give you a lot more screen real-estate, but the picture elements within it will be physically smaller for a given font size.

Both screens have roughly a 2.4:1 aspect ratio.

I expect your current screen is 1940 x 1080. So the 2560x1080 will probably have roughly the same physical vertical size to it, so the screen image will be the same size as you see it now, just wider, whilst the the 3440x1440 screen will again be physically the same height, but the images within it will be smaller (75% of the size on the 2560x1080 screen). Whilst you can enlarge your scaleable windows to fit, the text size generally stays the same in terms of pixel height, so all the text will be smaller.

If you've got good eyesight and can read smaller text, then fine, but if you struggle a bit, then you might not want to go for a 3440x1440 screen.

Which is why I suggest you go and have a look at some first.

Yes, you can use a 2560x1080 resolution setting on a 3440x1440 screen, but the images are never quite as good as when a screen is used at its full native resolution IMO.

[Scouser]

Thanks Wonks, you are correct I don’t want the 3440 x 1440 if it means smaller txt etc. I’m learning already! So the 2560 x 1080 would be the better of the two. So we are beginning to narrow things down.

Are there any other equally important points I should be considering ?

[Wonks]

The downside is that the 2560 x 1080 only gives you an extra 30% in comparable screen width. It's certainly useable, but it might be not all the extra screen real estate you want, or had in your head.

It seems that Reaper can scale some, but not all, the font sizes.

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=76734

[Drew Stephenson]

What Wonks said. I went from two 19" 4/3 ratio displays to a single 3440 ultra-wide. It works for me but I wouldn't be able to sit any further away than I currently do and use it comfortably because of the reduction in font size.

[Scouser]

The downside is that the 2560 x 1080 only gives you an extra 30% in comparable screen width. It's certainly useable, but it might be not all the extra screen real estate you want, or had in your head.

It seems that Reaper can scale some, but not all, the font sizes.

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=76734

I was thinking of running the daw on existing monitor and using new ultra wide for all the toontrack stuff, which is scaleable along with the plugins which are generally smaller.

If I wanted more screen real estate would that simply mean a larger monitor or different resolution?

On the same hand adding the 2560 x 1080 will still be a lot better than trying to juggle all of the software mentioned on the existing single screen I have, having said that if there are better options I’m all ears

[Scouser]

Also wondered if there are any factors that count when it comes to spending lots of time in front of monitor, ie do higher refresh rates make it any easier on the eyes ?

[Wonks]

Not really. My current monitors (two 27" standard size monitors) run at 75Hz and that's fine. My previous ones were 60Hz and that was fine as well. Gamers like the highest refresh rate possible but I have no idea whether that really improves gameplay smoothness given persistence of vision. But it's not something that you need to worry about too much for DAW use.

If you could live with slightly smaller text, then the 3440 xx 1440 option would allow more open re-scalable window space than the 2560x1080 option.

[Scouser]

Thanks for all your feedback wonks. Would you say the 2440 xx 1440 would be a good compromise? Is that resolution a setting on the monitor or would it be listed as 2440 x 1440 as on looking I’m not seeing anything with those resolutions ? I will try to pop to curry’s or some such to have a look, before purchasing. I’m guessing that an ultra wide would be okay in a dual monitor set up with just a standard 27 inch monitor sorry for all the questions, but it’s not often I make these kind of upgrades and as ever I’m keen to get it as right as I can

[Wonks]

That was a typo, should have said 3440x1440 (I've edited my post now),

It's the vertical value that will determine the default font height, at least for a given size monitor screen. So 1440 high on a 34" will give smaller fonts than a 1080 high 34".

But if you moved up to a 45" widescreen monitor, 1440 high would give you a roughly comparable font height to a 34" widescreen 1080 high monitor.

[tea for two]

http://www.displaywars.com/38-inch-21x9-vs-27-inch-16x9
pretty neat site to put in various monitor sizes to compare.
Every now and then I've wanted to get an ultra wide monitor 34" or even 38" monitor never had one.

[Scouser]

I wonder what stage the second monitor becomes unnecessary.

if I were to go for something larger than originally suggested i.e. 45 inch would there still be value in having a second monitor ? And that scenario, I would also be reaching the realms of needing a new desk if I had the second monitor !

I guess this is part of the problems of having too much choice, one ends up getting lost

[Drew Stephenson]

I think you start having to worry about how much reflective surface you have between your monitors as well.
Moving to a single wide monitor, with a home-made mount, has meant I can get my screen a good 8" behind the front baffle of my speakers. This has made a surprising difference to tightening up the stereo imaging.

[ajay_m]

My primary monitor is an AOC 32 inch device running at QHD (2560 X 1440) and I have the scaling set to 125% which makes everything pretty easy to read at a distance of around 2 feet away from the screen.
I picked this up for around £150 years ago and it has done sterling service. I had a secondary 27 inch Samsung monitor but my partner's primary monitor (Acer) failed a few weeks ago and I donated my second screen to her and haven't yet gotten around to replacing it.
At work we have ultrawide curved screens. I have kind of mixed feelings about them, especially for studio work. I think the lack of depth vs width is a bit of a nuisance. I kind of think that perhaps just having one even larger monitor than the one I have could be handy - a lot of TVs now have decent resolution (4K) at reasonable prices and I somewhat lust after something like a 42 inch 4K OLED unit now that they are starting to become available in smaller sizes. They would make awesome monitors because the viewing angle is wider than standard LCD screens and if you are using a dark theme then black is absolutely black, even with all the lights out.

[Folderol]

But can you still get a TV that doesn't absolutely insist on a network connection?

[Scouser]

I don't want to start thinking about tv's ! I'm trying to simplify...

I'm guessing there is a reason that people generally go for pc monitors as opposed to TV's ?

I went to have a look in the high st and the ones they suggested were these

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/aoc-a ... lsrc=aw.ds

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-499P9H ... hdGY&psc=1

On an unrelated front I have recently noticed jittery display only when looking at the forums here, thought it might have something to do with display card or monitor, but as it is only happening here ?

[Wonks]

No idea about the forum jittery display. It's fine on my PC.

One the ultra-wide curved displays, just keep in mind the height of the display. Because the aspect ratio is so different to a standard 16:9 screen, it's difficult to work out from the diagonal dimension if the screen height is similar, smaller or greater to what you're used to. The ultra wide screen monitors I've seen in shops seem to be quite small in height (though I've never been looking with intent to buy so never taken a tape measure with me). And the dimensions given on Amazon are generally either the box dimensions or the height with a stand.

So if the screen height is less than your current screen and it has a greater vertical resolution, the text on any non-scaleable displays could be very hard to read. So don't work purely on the width of the display, still keep that height in mind. And I'd ask to see what the screen looks like at lesser resolutions in case you find you need bigger text.

Also make sure your graphics card or motherboard's graphics can cope with a single display of 5120 x 1440 pixels.

[tea for two]

Aspect ratio 21:9 of ultra wide 34" 38" monitors, 32:9 of 49" ultra wide monitor is important for fitting more things side by side.
5 tabs open side by side on this 49" monitor at 2min29sec of this video.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ7qn0Q7n6c

If a 4K 40" tv is 16:9 which they tend to be, then it will fit same amount on screen as a 14" laptop with 4K 16:9 screen.

::

I've had plenty letters from tv license then filled in the form to say I don't have a tv.
Haven't watched on my own tv since the late 90s. Surprised to find can pick up LG JVC 4K 40" 43" LED tv £120 £130 used with warranty.
Butt it's 34" monitor ultra wide I'd want for its 21:9.

[Wonks]

I have read (with regards to the specs of a previous monitor of mine) that LED monitors in general gave a different arrangement of RGB LEDs (or equivalent) to TVs. Whilst this normally makes no difference to graphics, the software (ClearType on Windows) that can be used to make text sharper relies on the standard monitor arrangement, and the TV arrangement causes the text to go a bit blurry.

I wondered why the graphics looked sharp but the text not great, and now I know. My new monitors are fine. As I found this out after I changed monitors, I can’t say whether turning off ClearType would have made any real difference to my screen text or not. But something to consider if using a TV rather than a monitor.

[tea for two]

I went to have a look in the high st and the ones they suggested were these

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/aoc-a ... lsrc=aw.ds

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-499P9H ... hdGY&psc=1

If you get a 49" ultrawide or 34" ultrawide then Windows FancyZones is worth a look.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windo ... fancyzones
Then various windows tabs apps can be resized to zones that you set up.
It's part of Windows PowerToys downloadable here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windo ... mendations