The BenQ EW277HDR is aimed at filling the highly competitive and attractive budget segment with a solid VA monitor capable of HDR imaging. The combination of reasonable pricing and collective performance in this niche generates exponentially greater sales and consumer interest more than gaming-grade displays. This fact makes the BenQ EW277HDR more crucial to the market since it’s easy to own nature ensures that this product can reach more households that want HDR computing.
BenQ EW277HDR Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+15°)
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0x 2, VGA x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.17” x 18.13” x 7.12”
Design and Features
The BenQ EW277HDR features a svelte design with some similarities with the RL line of monitors thanks to the overall shape. The matte black and space gray with brushed textures match its sleek modernity, plus there are no bezels save for thin panel borders on the face. Only the bottom strip is noticeably thicker since it holds the OSD buttons, the golden HDR hotkey, and the BenQ logo.
The rear of the cabinet for the BenQ EW277HDR is dominantly finished in matte black with a brushed metal texture which gives the product a semi-luxurious appearance. The EW series of monitors use this aesthetic formula to give the product a sophisticated feel without the matching price, although the materials are mostly plastic. The simplicity may appeal to a wider audience, although we hope BenQ did not sacrifice build quality for the appearance this product emphasizes.
Another prominent feature at the back is the rear-facing I/O port which is slightly indented into the discrete bulge. You get two HDMI 2.0 ports and a DVI for video inputs, plus a pair of low-powered speakers and 3.5mm jacks to match. Since the BenQ EW277HDR will release as an HDR monitor for the masses, the options you get are limited, but you won’t need the likes of DisplayPort slots for HDR operation.
The BenQ EW277HDR will also run a limited stand which will only offer tilt, unlike the upmarket products in BenQ’s portfolio. This setback is understandable since the monitor is too thin for a complicated mechanism and it helps lower the cost as well. There is also no VESA mounting option because the cabinet would be too fragile for it, so you might need a display stand if you are blessed with height.
Display and Performance
The BenQ EW277HDR features a 27-inch VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and a 12ms response time which you can boost to 4ms. 400cd/m2 and a 3000:1 contrast ratio are also specified so that we can expect oily blacks, vibrant colors, and a decent gradual range of brightness. These specs are typical for entry-level to midrange VA models, but the device offers HDR10 compatibility.
The brand is claiming that the panel they used has an 8-bit interface to produce 93% DCI-P3 coverage which extends significantly past 100% sRGB. There is also no mention of localized dimming zones so most likely we will not see a true HDR experience from this model. As we all know, real HDR requires a specialized lighting array (FALD) with a 1000cd/m2 peak brightness and at least a 10-bit color interface.
The golden button on the face has four levels, so we can assume that pressing it repeatedly will increase or decrease saturation levels and the overall effect to simulate HDR compatibility in some form. The brand’s Brightness Intelligence Plus feature is found in the BenQ EW2770QZ also included in the BenQ EW277HDR so that the device can adjust its backlight according to your ambient lighting. It’s exciting to see how these specs come together to create the HDR effect enthusiasts crave and how the product adjusts between the HDR content it detects and the surrounding factors.
More or less we can classify the BenQ EW277HDR as a luxury entertainment or office monitor since the specs are aimed at these two uses. Gaming on a 1920 x 1080 screen with a 60Hz refresh rate can be considered as old fashioned, plus there are well-equipped gaming displays with presumably the same price. Also, there is no mention of FreeSync support for this model, and even if 1080p is peanuts for any GPU, you can’t expect buttery smooth visuals from this offering.
Thoughts on the BenQ EW277HDR
What makes the BenQ EW277HDR exciting is how the brand’s Brightness Intelligence Plus and its promising VA panel will be able to project HDR visuals for the masses. The technology still carries the dread first generation premium tax, so most probably eyes will focus towards the budget products which are easier to own.
The specs say that this model doesn’t have a true HDR output, but the crown for budget HDR monitors is still missing an owner. At this time, there is no word from BenQ regarding pricing and actual release dates, but we will update you as soon as the information becomes available.
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