Ultra HD 144Hz HDR compatible G-Sync monitors will launch this month. It's now confirmed. In a series of media briefings this week Nvidia shared that they will launch this month, Newegg is listing the Predator at $1,999.99 (!).
Fast refresh rate Ultra HD 144Hz HDR G-Sync monitors have been talked about ever since CES 2017, there the first announcements have been made by parties like ASUS and Acer, with availability in Q2 2017. From there onwards things went belly up really, delays and availability kept being pushed back.
At a series of media events Nvidia now has confirmed that the screens will become available late this month, we expect the Computex timeframe. ASUS will be releasing a 27" model PG27UQ and Acer their X27, both offering 4K/144Hz, with G-Sync and HDR. Nvidia has made it clear, HDR = HDR with a peak brightness of 1000 nits. The panels have local dimming with 384 zones, ensuring proper contrast at just the right spots. Don't expect cheap prices though, with prices running over a thousand bucks. AOC should also be releasing their AG273UG at one point, also you may expect some 35" 21:9 displays at some point this year with 512 local dimming zones at 3440 x 1440 pixels en 200 Hz. Nvidia BFG (65in). monitors will ship late this year, likely the Christmas season. I am curious though, at 27" wouldn't 2560x1440 be a much more viable option?
Updated - Friday, May 18th, 2018: Today I have visited one of the events that NV held throughout Europe and have been able to witness some demos including hands-on experience of the new Ultra HD / HDR / GSYNC / 144 Hz screens. They are impressive alright. We've talked a lot with NVIDIA on the new screens, the delays on the launch and HDR in specific. Below a quick paragraph of some of the stuff, I've been able to confirm.
As mentioned above, these screens have been announced last year in Q1, and then got delayed for over a year, well up to this point in time really. NVIDIA was behind the delay, there were not happy about a few things, mostly on the software side. The source hardware was 100% from the start, NVIDIA mentioned. They did not want to release these screens before both the technology and software worked 100% We'll probably never know the precise reason, but NVIDIA feels extremely confident about the new monitors.
Each screen with GSYNC (from manufacturers) is tested and validated by NVIDIA before they can be released. The Acer Predator X27 and ASUS PG27U will be the first two to reach the market fully validated and certified. And, indeed, means availability by the end of the month. The GSYNC certification includes validation on the dynamic refresh rate, resolution but now also HDR level. The two panels both have local dimming (384 zones). NVIDIA aims high for HDR levels in relation to a proper NIT value. Nvidia seeks the LCD panels to offer 1000 Nits at peak brightness. There aren't any, but if a PC monitor would have an OLED panel, that value would be a notch lower in the 750 nits, due to the technology itself.
The two screens on display cannot be captured by photo properly, but they are flabberghasting beautiful with HDR games. NVIDIA was showing games like Destiny 2 and the Latest Final Fantasy to show of HDR on the new UHD GSYNC screens. I have to say I was impressed by the rich color tones, bright colors and intense brightness in say explosions. Comparing an SDR and HDR screen next towards each other is an incredible difference. In the previous paragraphs we mentioned prices of over a thousand Euro for the screens, unfortunately, we've not been able to hear an answer on final pricing, which kind of validates that price point I guess. I would not be surprised to see that rise to the 1500 EURO marker or even higher. There will be ultra widescreen panels (35") later this year as well as the BFG monitors, but these will arrive at the market late this year.
Below photos of the Acer Predator X27 and ASUS PG27U from today's event.
Update, Newegg just listed the monitor for preorder at a staggering, wait for it ... $1,999.99
