The case for 4k vs Ultra Wide vs 2k and all that jazz...

[Mgard78 141]

Hi folks,

Looking around to get some information towards getting a new monitor, and while there are tons of information available it seems that pretty much everyone just "defends" whatever monitor thy purchased and not really providing the why beyond that they just like it.

I mean, that's fair of course we all should use whatever we like more, but I am trying to understand exactly what each option gives you and why, with the idea of getting the best possible views for flying.

I also get that GA vs Airliners are different, and so what could be an ideal view given by a monitor for one could not be as good for the other.

I was these days considering one of those Ultrawide ones, specifically a 34" Dell monitor, that as most UWs has a 3440x1440 resolution. Some videos I saw are making me reconsider, due to there not being sufficient vertical real estate, etc. more noticeable in airliners.

So here are the questions I have, maybe some of you will know the (technical) answer to.

Regarding monitors and their images, the immersion we can get, etc., I guess there are three main parameters, which would be the actual physical size, the resolution, and the FoV (not really a property of the monitor, but you know), and then the refresh rate they can support. Anything else worth consideration?

I can understand that the higher the resolution, the sharper/better defined the image you can get will be.

What I mostly hear people that vouch for ultra wide say is that you cannot beat the immersion that the extra horizontal FoV gives you.  And this is where I kind of think to myself "ok, sure, but that really depends on what you compare against".

I mean... Sure, if you compare to a "normal" 2k 16:9 monitor which is 2560x1440, you get the same vertical resolution but a lot more horizontal, so I can appreciate that. But:

- If a "normal wide" 16:9 2k monitor wouldn't have the "squashed" look for airliners for example, why does the ultrawide when they have the exact same vertical resolution and the ultra wide just adds more image to the sides?

- While the ultrawide does give you the extra horizontal image and "fov", why would that matter if you use a 4k screen, which will have exactly the same (or more actually) horizontal resolution than the ultra wide at 3840, plus the added vertical resolution of 2160 ?

Wouldn't the actual best option order be:  4K > UW > 2K ?  (And I do get that some GPUs may not be able to push 4k, but assuming you could, or else just go down the list in that order)

Also get that the physical size matters, cause you could have a small 4K with  beautiful but tiny image and there's zero immersion there...

But in summary, best view for flying, both GA and Airliners without feeling *something* (be it instruments, view of the environment, part of the cockpit, etc.) is missing.

 

I read you 🙂

 

 

 

 

[Bob Scott 7,743]

I have a 55" 4K TV on my P3D machine, and a 34" 3440x1440 ultra-wide on my XPlane/MSFS box.

The lack of vertical real estate on the UW is an issue--it's not a showstopper, but it does detract somewhat.  The large-format 4K display does as much as the UW w/r/t horizontal FOV.  So I think a large-format 4K display is the best view solution overall, if you have room for the big display.

One thing, though--if you want VRR, finding a large display with flicker-free G-Sync "compatible" VRR that can rival a true G-Sync equipped UW display is something of an undertaking.

[Mgard78 141]

20 minutes ago, Bob Scott said:

I have a 55" 4K TV on my P3D machine, and a 34" 3440x1440 ultra-wide on my XPlane/MSFS box.

The lack of vertical real estate on the UW is an issue--it's not a showstopper, but it does detract somewhat.  The large-format 4K display does as much as the UW w/r/t horizontal FOV.  So I think a large-format 4K display is the best view solution overall, if you have room for the big display.

One thing, though--if you want VRR, finding a large display with flicker-free G-Sync "compatible" VRR that can rival a true G-Sync equipped UW display is something of an undertaking.

That is more or less what my head was thinking, but wanted to hear opinions since a lot of folks praise UW while others mention these shortcomings.

 

Regarding VRR, I will give a shot at connecting my machine to my current TV, which actually does have VRR (It's a Hisense U78H).  Let's see how it goes...

 

[brucewtb 250]

On 11/29/2023 at 5:32 AM, Bob Scott said:

One thing, though--if you want VRR, finding a large display with flicker-free G-Sync "compatible" VRR that can rival a true G-Sync equipped UW display is something of an undertaking.

What large display TV would you suggest Bob?

Bruce

[regis9 4,033]

I’ve never owned an UW, but I did move from a 2k 34” monitor to a wall mounted 55” 4K TV.

I’d never go back, the clarity of the panels and overall immersion is fantastic.

Just keep in mind you’ll take a performance hit at 4k vs 2k though with my current setup I have no concerns.  The move to 4k on my previous setup (i9 10900k and RTX2080ti) was ok but not great performance wise at 4k.  It was perfectly good at 2k though.

Edited December 2, 2023 by regis9

[Bob Scott 7,743]

17 hours ago, brucewtb said:

What large display TV would you suggest Bob?

Honestly, I'm not well-enough versed in the current batch of TVs to make a recommendation...some preliminary research had me considering a 55" LG G3, but I'm still quite wary about long-term dimming and burn-in effects from prolonged PC use of OLED displays, and reviews of the previous (C3) generation of LG TVs did note some issues with flicker when used with a PC or game box.

The ultimate goal is to replicate on my X-Plane and MSFS machine the sort of experience I have with a 55" display on my dedicated P3D setup, but with VRR instead of a 30Hz VSync lock to keep things fluid.  I was really hoping to find a large format true G-Sync display.  ASUS produced a 65" G-Sync monitor back in 2018--but alas, it's been discontinued and there looks to be nothing in that space out there now.

Nothing is currently jumping up and grabbing my attention.  So for now I'm gonna hold pat with my 34" G-Sync ultra-wide.

 

[brucewtb 250]

Thanks Bob your concerns about prolonged PC use with OLED displays reflect my own at this stage.  I  currently have a 49" Sony 4K TV circa 2017 with a 60 Hz (for MSFS2020) or 30 Hz (for P3D) refresh rate and this works very well with a 4090 and FG enabled and vsync in the NCCP despite still using my 9900KF (which I will probably keep until MSFS2024 drops).  But a current generation CPU would would enable much higher framerates with my 4090 and a new VRR TV that wasn't restricted by a 60Hz refresh rate..  I have also used the family's much more recent 55 inch Sony 4K TV which also works quite well but I found it to be just a bit large for my desktop real estate.

Bruce

[dbw1 445]

I've had a 34" Dell Ultrasharp, 3400x1440 (+/-) for about 8 years and while not inexpensive it has worked flawlessly. The vertical real estate is definitely a factor though as mentioned above not a deal breaker and if/when this monitor is to be replaced  i may go for a 38" , 2100x3800 (+/-) res..... This is the 2nd Ultrasharp I've had  and I'd buy a third.

[Bob Scott 7,743]

I just bought a Dell/Alienware AW3821DW (38", 3840 x 1600, 21:9 ultrawide), as I am pretty sold on hardware G-Sync these days, and my research into "G-Sync compatible" TVs led me to conclude that most, if not all, only sync above the display's minimum refresh rate of 48 Hz.  That, plus my scepticism on the long-term reliability of OLED displays motivated me to go with this option now and wait a few more years to see how the technology shakes out.

So far I'm pretty impressed.  It's just enough bigger than the previous 34" UW that I can easily read the displays without having to lean way forward or zoom in.

[micstatic 4,340]

19 hours ago, Bob Scott said:

I just bought a Dell/Alienware AW3821DW (38", 3840 x 1600, 21:9 ultrawide), as I am pretty sold on hardware G-Sync these days, and my research into "G-Sync compatible" TVs led me to conclude that most, if not all, only sync above the display's minimum refresh rate of 48 Hz.  That, plus my skepticism on the long-term reliability of OLED displays motivated me to go with this option now and wait a few more years to see how the technology shakes out.

So far I'm pretty impressed.  It's just enough bigger than the previous 34" UW that I can easily read the displays without having to lean way forward or zoom in.

I also have the 3821DW and like it a lot.  Totally agree with you on hardware g-sync vs just compatible.  I went from 43" 4k samsung to this 38" ultrawide.  With the exception of the CRJ, I find all displays crisp and easy to read.