+30" monitors...

#1

Hi Guys!
On my workstation I have 2xDell 30" LCDs (3007 & 3008). I´ve had these for many years now and a couple of months ago I started looking for bigger and better screens. It feels like the monitor market is exploding right now with new models each and every month which makes the decision even harder.
First I looked at AOC´s 34" monitor that recently got out (AOC U3477Pqu) which have gettin some nice reviews:
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&id=1414762607

And then I stumbled upon Philip´s new 40" beast (BDM4065UC). Problem with this one, from whta I´ve read is that the pixels is not quite 1:1 but more like 1 : 1.xx which makes it pretty useless for CAD/DCC work.
How about curved screens? Could it be an issue when doing graphis if the screen is curved?

I would appreicate any input from you guys since I have a buyer for my two 30" screens that wants too close the deal. So right now I really don´t know if I should keep my screens or take the plunge and by new ones.

#2

What makes you think the pixels are not square on the Philips monitor? Why would anyone make such a product? I think you need to double check that information.

#3

“This causes the image displayed to be slightly stretched width-wise, such that a 1:1 perfect square would be displayed as 1:1.0177. In other words, the image would appear to be stretched 1.77% wider than it should be.”
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041247601&postcount=242

Good enough?

#4

I realize you want bigger but more resolution is of more value. After you’ve used a 4K or 5K screen, it’s hard to look at anything else. If I had to buy something today, it would be this:

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-PQ321Q-31-5-Inch-4K-Monitor/dp/B00DJ4BIKA

It’s the same panel as the Sharp 4K I’m using now.

#5

Cool, thanks man! I use mostly Autodesk software and I´ve read somewhere that 4K monitors and for instance 3dsmax is not super combatible. It screws up the interface somehow… Makes the icons really small.

#6

we have a 5k imac here and maya’s icons look slightly pixelated compared to a 1440p monitor of the same size, but it’s hardly a big deal.

Not sure how maya runs on a 4k or 5k screen with windows though

…btw, maya’s viewport performance (legacy and 2.0) sucks on the 5k imac - at least with heavy models. It just chugs, even if you resize maya to 1/4 the screen size (1440p)

#7

It’s possible that the viewable area specification (the reason people think it’s non-square pixels) is a typo and that the monitor does actually have square pixels. One way to confirm this would be to measure the display yourself in person. I highly doubt a reputable electronics manufacturer would make a display with non-square pixels but stranger things have happened. Next time I’m at Fry’s I’ll see if they have one of these on display.

#8

The UI isn’t retina (HiDPI) yet.

…btw, maya’s viewport performance (legacy and 2.0) sucks on the 5k imac - at least with heavy models. It just chugs, even if you resize maya to 1/4 the screen size

Hide the Help Line on Mac. It’s lags the Maya viewport as you tumble.

#9 
     Thanks. That helps the frame-rate go from 3.2 to 3.5 fps so I guess that's something.
     
     btw, when we view our models with viewport 2.0 on the imac, it can't handle it. It dynamically hides/unhides several objects as the view changes. I don't feel like this task is all that extreme. It's just 22 million polygons across 21 objects - it'll only display about 15-16 objects at a time.
     
     Legacy viewport works perfectly (as usual), even at roughly the same frame-rate as viewport 2.0
     
     Kinda weird still though when you consider we literally bought the top-of-the-line imac with 4 gig radeon. I have no idea why a 4 gig radeon can't handle 22 million polygons with viewport 2.0 when a 2 gig video card on windows can just fine.
 
 Honestly, IMO the machine so far isn't ready for any high-poly 3d maya work. The single main reason we bought it though is to run osirix on it for medical diagnostic image modeling and it does that great.

anyway, this is all off-subject

I’ve never heard of non-square pixels on a computer monitor

#10

I’m not sure non square pixels would make a difference for CAD work. That gets done my measurements and numbers, not visual estimation. I’ve never heard of a screen like that though.

I use a 47" TV as a screen at home. I can just put my keyboard on my lap, lay back, and relax. Ive got a pair of old 22" 1600x1200 screens below it, so I’ve got non stop pixels from my knees to almost the ceiling. Ive got all buttons on the bottom two screens close to me, and the TV on top is a workspace. When your on the computer all day, things like posture, position, layout, room lighting, and distance to screen all play a part in being productive. Having the extra pixels are great, but if I have to learn forward and squint my eyes to read things, its not helping. Its also kind of a pain to click those tiny buttons. :wink:

Unless your doing 4K footage stuff or really high quality photography work, I don’t see a reason you would have to go above 1920x1080 other than sharper text and bragging rights.

I guess I’m just advising you to think beyond “bigger and better”. If your 30" screens don’t feel big enough, have you tried adjusting your workspace so you sit closer to them? Have you tried using one large screen as a workspace, with smaller screens for buttons and tools? Maybe working in a darker office?

VP2.0 seems weird. Is it really meant to be on when your working? Or is it meant to just be a preview thing that you turn on every once in while?

#11

Thanks guys…

No I´ve never heard of it either!

It´s not that I need bigger screens, but many of the new ones are 32, 34 and 40 inch monitors . And it´s kinda hard to downsize when you’re used to the bigger screens. I have no problem with the 30" being too small, they are great, but now I have this guy who wants to buy them so I kinda thought now is a good time to upgrade. I’ve had them for +6 years…
If I don´t find anything that is better I just keep the monitors but since this opportunity came up I wanted to pick your brains a little…
I think 4K monitor is out off the question. The software I use aren’t ready for it yet, I think…

#12

If you have a pair of 30’s @2560, frankly I would just keep them. They’re good size, not stupidly big, not so pixel dense that a machine will struggle, you have no HiDPI modes half supported to worry about, I’d just keep them. Im running 30" 2560x1600 + 24" 1920x1200 here and although Ive considered doing the 4k thing, I just can’t say there’d be any worthwhile benefit from doing it. It would be nice, but right now theres also an equal number of reasons not to do it, especially on the windows side where support if iffy.

#13

nevermind about my viewport 2.0 performance comments with the imac - works fine in maya 2015. We had 2013.5 loaded.