Best cheap display

Introduction

Samsung currently offers a variety of monitors with flexuous screens – after all they currently appear to be pumping out a lot of screens with a curve than while not. As we have a tendency to noted on our review of the S27E650C, the curve is typically too delicate to essentially notice. during this case the inclusion of a 4000R curve did very little to alter the viewing expertise. The C27F591FD boasts a a lot of distinctive curve, that at 1800R is ‘more than double as curved’ as previous models. Note that this model is additionally cited as C27F591F or LC27F591 of the CF591 series, with numerous regional suffixes. Another new addition is support for Adaptive-Sync (and thence AMD FreeSync). we have a tendency to place this monitor through its paces to search out out what the vessel curve brings to the table and conjointly analyse its performance in key areas similar to distinction, color performance and responsiveness.

 

 

Specifications

This model options a 72Hz 27” SVA (‘Super’ Vertical Alignment) panel, with a comparatively pronounced 1800R curve. True 8-bit color is supported aboard a specific 4ms gray to gray latency (take with salt). a number of the key ‘talking points’ are highlighted in blue below.

 

 

Screen size: twenty seven inches

 

Panel type: Samsung SVA (Vertical Alignment) digital display Panel

 

Native resolution: 1920 x 1080

 

Typical most brightness: 250 cd/m²

 

Colour support: sixteen.7 million (8-bits per subpixel while not dithering)

 

Response time (G2G): 4ms

 

Refresh rate: 72Hz (variable, with Adaptive-Sync)

 

Weight: 4.40kg

 

Contrast ratio: three,000:1 (Plus ‘MEGA’ Dynamic Contrast)

 

Viewing angle: 178º horizontal, 178º vertical

 

Power consumption: 36W typical

 

Backlight: WLED (White lightweight Emitting Diode) with ‘Active Crystal Colour’*

 

Typical value as reviewed: £260 ($320 USD)

 

*We had originally surmised from the name that this might be some type of Quantum Dot answer for the backlight. Having spoken with people who work on such technologies it appears possible that ‘Active Crystal Colour’ refers to the utilization of doped phosphors (i.e. increased phosphors) instead of Quantum Dots to somewhat enhance color gamut.

 

 

Features and aesthetics

From the front, the monitor contains a fashionable look with slender bezels. These comprise a awfully slender silver plastic outer edge and a awfully skinny black panel border at the highest and sides – a complete thickness of ~7.5mm (0.30 inches) for each elements. At the lowest there's a silver plastic lip that hides just about a sliver of panel border, a complete thickness of ~17mm (0.67 inches). The stand base contains a silver-coloured matte plastic end, in a very dish form. this can be fairly unconventional stand base style and will take up a lot of table house than is critical, however it makes a handy place to stay a phone or one thing of that nature. It nearly appears like it ought to have a vitality charger integrated into it – however it doesn’t. different noteworthy options at the front embody a lightweight matte anti-glare screen surface and also the comparatively steep (1800R) curve of the screen. Note that this seems greatly exaggerated on the photographs compared to once mistreatment the monitor nose to nose. each of those options area unit explored deeper into the review.

 

Extra flexuous

 

Very slim bezels

 

Top-down read

 

The OSD (On Screen Display) and power state of the monitor is controlled by a joystick (JOG button) settled at the rear of the monitor, towards the proper aspect as viewed from the front. this can be an effect system we have a tendency to invariably realize quite intuitive on fashionable Samsung monitors, and this was no exception. The monitor contains a little power semiconductor diode at the proper of the lowest edge, that glows blue to signal that the monitor is on (can be disabled within the OSD) and flashes if it enters an occasional power state. The video below runs through the menu system of the monitor and explores a number of the key options.

 

 

 

 

 

From the aspect the monitor is fairly slender, sporting its curve nicely. It measures ~10mm (0.39 inches) at thinnest purpose however lumps out centrally and towards the lowest especially. The stand of the monitor offers tilt (2° forwards, 20° backwards) because the solely engineering freedom. the overall depth of the monitor as well as stand is ~255mm (10.03 inches). the lowest of the screen clears the table by ~100mm (3.94 inches) with the highest ~460mm (18.11 inches) on top of the table.

 

A scene

 

The rear of the screen, as obvious from a aspect side additionally, is shiny white plastic. The JOG button is seen from this side towards the lowest left, with the enclosed stand attaching close to the lowest central region. There aren't any VESA holes at the rear, just a few backwards-facing ports; refugee one.2a (supports Adaptive-Sync), HDMI 1.4a (supports Adaptive-Sync), VGA, 3.5mm electro-acoustic transducer jack, 3.5mm audio input and DC power input (external power brick). There also are 2 down-firing 5W speakers and a K-Slot towards the so much right. These speakers offer fairly made sound output with pretty tight clarity and a small amount a lot of of a bassy quality than most integrated speakers (using the ‘Music’ setting, at least). They definitely aren’t short on volume either. In terms of overall quality, bass amount and volume they can’t vie with an honest standalone speaker or electro-acoustic transducer set, however they're positively useable and higher than several integrated speakers. 

 

Glossy white rear

 

Note that the required power adapter is enclosed within the box. normal accessories vary by region, however typically Associate in Nursing HDMI and DisplayPort cable are enclosed. 

 

 

Calibration

Subpixel layout and screen surface

As mentioned antecedently, a lightweight matte anti-glare screen surface is employed on this monitor. This contains a fairly sleek surface texture, delivering a picture that's free from obvious roughness even once viewing lighter content. External glare handling characteristics conjointly stay smart. though we have a tendency to don’t have one handy for a side-by-side comparison, we’re inclined to mention that the image seems barely drum sander than on the older (‘E’ series) 27” flexuous models. Not that they were dangerous in this regard anyway.

 

Subpixel layout

 

The subpixel layout of the monitor is that the usual RGB (Red, inexperienced and Blue) stripe, shown on top of. you'll be able to see that the subpixels maybe seem a small amount squat, that we've attributed to problems with sharpness or the introduction of complex patterns on older flexuous Samsung VA models. This model didn't suffer a loss of sharpness or hard complex patterns as a results of the squat subpixels. there have been the faintest traces of complex in places, on some Very light shades, however this wasn't as noticeable as on earlier models. as a result of this can be one thing of a customary layout for each mack and Windows machines, there’s no have to be compelled to run ClearType as a Windows user or worry regarding text fringing on mack systems. you will still would like to run the ClearType wizard to fine-tune consistent with preferences, however.

 

 

Testing the presets

As usual for a contemporary Samsung monitor, there's a variety of ‘MagicBright’ presets; ‘Custom’, ‘Standard’, ‘Cinema’, ‘Dynamic Contrast’ and ‘Basic Color’. This final setting is Associate in Nursing sRGB emulation mode, that cuts down on extension on the far side sRGB within the color gamut as explored later. There also are 2 settings that were introduced not too way back to Samsung models; ‘Eye Saver’ and ‘Game Mode’. the previous is intended to market reposeful viewing while the latter provides excessive shade crushing, oversaturation and a typically inaccurate image. we have a tendency to explore a variety of those modes aboard another settings within the OSD similar to ‘Gamma’. The table below includes key readings taken employing a Datacolor Spyder5ELITE measuring system aboard general observations done by eye. Readings and observations were taken once the monitor was left to last a minimum of two hours.

 

The monitor was unbroken in its ‘plug and play’ state with no extra drivers or Interstate Commerce Commission profiles loaded – assume any setting not mentioned was left at default with the exception of our ‘Test Settings’. The check system used a Club3D Radeon R9 290 royalAce FreeSync-compatible GPU connected via DisplayPort. Note that there was a bug once setting the monitor to 60Hz (or 59Hz) via refugee whereby the image appeared flooded (as if distinction was at ‘100’ even once it wasn’t). we have a tendency to thus set the monitor to 72Hz for these observations. Note that the image was terribly similar once HDMI was used, except that 60Hz worked because it ought to while not everything wanting flooded (so don’t worry, games console users). sadly, we have a tendency to were while not Associate in Nursing Nvidia GPU for the period of the review therefore couldn't check behaviour once connected to Associate in Nursing Nvidia GPU. There shouldn’t be any issues although as HDMI will definitely work as supposed at 60Hz for Nvidia users. what is more, you must be ready to set the monitor to 72Hz if most well-liked even once refugee is employed, avoiding any potential ‘flooding’ of the image, as we have a tendency to explore later.

 

If you are doing arrange to connect mistreatment HDMI, you must make sure the color signal is corrected as careful during this article. additionally to making sure the graphics driver is doing the proper factor, there’s a further setting within the ‘Picture’ menu of the monitor’s OSD known as ‘HDMI Black Level’. Once you’ve got the graphics driver mistreatment the proper ‘Full vary 0-255 RGB’ signal you must guarantee ‘HDMI Black Level’ is about to ‘Normal’ instead of ‘Low’. Games console users ought to ask the section of this text underneath the heading ‘How do I originated my monitor for console gaming’. oddly enough our AMD GPU was set to use the proper ‘Full vary 0-255 RGB’ signal by default and also the ‘HDMI Black Level’ setting was truly greyed out. we have a tendency to may ensure by eye that everything was operating properly, therefore nothing to stress regarding there. Nvidia GPU users can possible got to amendment the settings as on top of.

 

 

Out of the box the C27F591FD (CF591) provided a strikingly vivacious and rather bright image, however had a plain cool tint. Gamma strayed simply slightly from the fascinating ‘2.2’ curve, however not alarmingly therefore and positively not enough to sap the image of depth. there have been different ‘Gamma’ settings that hyperbolic the gamma, however they strayed either slightly or so much on the far side ‘2.2’. there have been 2 helpful ‘Low Blue Light’ settings, as well as ‘Warm2’ that maintained robust distinction and ‘Eye Saver Mode’ that purposefully weigh down distinction. the aim of this can be to cut back the time the attention spends accommodating for changes in lightweight (assuming close lightweight levels aren’t unsteady an excessive amount of, of course). we have a tendency to most well-liked ‘Warm2’ however like that Samsung has taken quite an distinctive and extensive approach with ‘Eye Saver’ – one thing some users would possibly appreciate.

 

There is conjointly a ‘Basic Color’ setting, a further ‘MagicBright’ predetermined that's Associate in Nursing sRGB emulation mode. as a result of the color gamut of this monitor extends a good bit on the far side sRGB, this kind of setting is helpful to chop down on the additional saturation led to by the intractable gamut. This setting locks off manual color channel changes, though a measuring system may still atone for this on a code level. For general use and diversion functions we have a tendency to truly likeable the native gamut because it provided an additional dose of vividness while not lost too faraway from the supposed shades. this can be terribly totally different to a model with Adobe RGB or wider gamut displaying sRGB content. we have a tendency to thus used the complete gamut for our ‘Test Settings’, with the gamma chase quite pleasing for our uses and free from worrying deviations from the ‘2.2’ curve.

 

 

Gamma 'Test Settings'

 

 

Test settings

Our check settings concerned a big reduction in brightness aboard some changes to the color channels, with the default ‘Mode1’ used for gamma. Following these changes the image was nicely balanced, terribly made and well-varied; tantalizing for general purpose and diversion usage. Note that user preferences and individual units vary, therefore these settings area unit simply to be used as a reference and won’t essentially be best all told cases. We’ve conjointly enclosed extra settings similar to ‘Response Time’ setting and also the refresh rate used only for reference. something not mentioned was left at default.

 

 

 

 

Contrast and brightness

Contrast ratios

We used a BasICColor SQUID three (X-Rite i1Display Pro) to live white and black brightness levels, from that static distinction ratios may be calculated. The table below shows this knowledge with numerous settings used, as well as those explored within the activity section. Assume any setting not mentioned was left at default, nevertheless the changes already mentioned within the activity section and for our ‘Test Settings’. Black highlights here indicate the best white brightness, lowest black brightness and most distinction magnitude relation recorded. Blue highlights show the results mistreatment our ‘Test Settings’.

 

 

The average distinction magnitude relation with solely brightness adjusted was 3112:1, excluding at ‘0%’ brightness wherever black purpose was below our instrument may accurately live. This slightly exceeds the required 3000:1 and could be a robust performance well on the far side what non-VA LCDs can do. This distinction magnitude relation provides a decent ‘inkiness’ to black and different deep shades while lighter shades stand out terribly nicely in darker surroundings. distinction remained robust at 2867:1 following the changes underneath our ‘Test Settings’, while the ‘Basic Color’ sRGB emulation mode had no measureable impact on distinction in any respect. The distinction born to 2036:1 mistreatment the ‘Warm2’ Low Blue lightweight setting, while it born to a mere 56:1 mistreatment the ‘Eye Saver Mode’ – within the latter case, of course, this drop is entirely intentional. the utmost brightness recorded was 321 cd/m², on the far side the 250 cd/m² specific. in the meantime the minimum brightness recorded was a awfully low twenty five cd/m², providing a 296 cd/m² brightness adjustment vary with many useable values.

 

There is conjointly a zealous ‘MagicBright’ predetermined known as ‘Dynamic Contrast’, that permits the backlight to regulate its intensity supported the level of sunshine or dark on screen. The backlight adjusts jointly individual unit, as usual, therefore simply works on averages across the screen. This setting cared-for offer excessive brightness even throughout mixed scenes, even wherever many dark shade were enclosed. It did dim fairly effectively for preponderantly dark content. we have a tendency to don’t like such settings and like manual management of the backlight, however it’s there if you would like to use it.

 

 

PWM (Pulse breadth Modulation)

This monitor doesn't use PWM (Pulse breadth Modulation) at any physical property and instead uses DC (Direct Current) dimming. The monitor is thus flicker-free as publicized , even at low brightness settings. this may return as welcome news to those sensitive to the results of PWM.

 

 

Luminance uniformity

We discovered a black background in a very dark area and discovered no obvious backlight bleed. There was a small amount of vapour towards the lowest, however this was still minor. It ought to be noted that individual units might vary during this regard, however because the best lightweight blockers VA panels do tend to be comparatively robust during this space. The image below was taken from one or two of metres back to eliminate questionable ‘VA glow’. this can be a silverish-purple glow seems from a standard viewing position towards the lowest of the monitor, significantly close to the corners. It becomes a lot of noticeable from suburbanised viewing angles, as incontestible later in a very video. it's terribly totally different to ‘IPS glow’ because it is obscurity close to as intense or obvious.

 

Monitor displaying black in a very dark area

 

The Spyder5ELITE was accustomed analyse the uniformity of lighter colors, portrayed by nine equal white quadrants running from prime left to bottom right. The table below shows the brightness recorded at every quadrant aboard the proportion deviation between a given quadrant and also the brightest purpose recorded.

 

 

Luminance uniformity table

The brightness uniformity of the screen was pretty affordable on the total. The brightest purpose recorded was ‘quadrant 5’ within the centre of the screen (161.1 cd/m²). the best deviation from this occurred at ‘quadrant 2’ on top of centre (132.9 cd/m² that is eighteen variable resistor than centre). A 12-tone system deviation was recorded at ‘quadrant 7’ towards the lowest left (141.1 cd/m²). Elsewhere brightness was between 4-10% of the central worth. Note that individual units vary once it involves uniformity and there is also more deviations on the far side the measured points. The relief map below represents these deviations diagrammatically, with darker greys representing lower brightness and thus bigger deviation from the central purpose than lighter greys.

 

 

Luminance uniformity map

We conjointly measured the color temperature (white point) uniformity of an equivalent nine quadrants. Deviations here area unit allotted DeltaE values, with higher values showing bigger deviation from the 6500K (D65) daylight white purpose target than lower values. a worth on top of DeltaE three is taken into account vital deviation that some users would promptly notice by eye.

 

 

Colour temperature uniformity map

The results here were robust, with none vital deviations recorded. the best deviation recorded was DeltaE two.7 towards the lowest right. you'll be able to expect some deviation between individual units and there may be deviation on the far side the nine points measured. conjointly bear in mind that there is some slight shifts in perceived color temperature supported viewing angle weaknesses on VA panels similar to this.

 

 

Contrast in games and films

The distinction performance was wonderful on piece of ground four (BF4). Dark areas on this game, similar to gloomy underground tunnels, appeared befittingly deep and atmospherical. There was simply bit|a bit} touch of ‘black crush’. this can be involving VA gamma behaviour; whereby close to-black shades seem to mix into each other if the screen is viewed from directly ahead however may well be distinct if viewed slightly from the aspect (or if observant content near the sides of the screen). luckily, this was regarding as delicate as we’ve seen from a VA panel. Some fairly delicate details similar to grouting in bricks on the undersurface of bridges (in darkness and shade) were still visible, though were a lot of distinct if you captive your head to at least one aspect. Bright shades contrasted brightly with their darker surroundings, similar to roaring flames and shooting. as well as the fairly sleek screen surface, techpcguide they looked quite ‘pure’ additionally.

 

Dirt Rally conjointly affected as so much as distinction was involved, with wonderful depth to dark shades and bright shades that penetrated through nicely. athletics at nighttime on this game, significantly while not headlights, generates grade of darkness that isn’t invariably replicated on different titles. This tested a decent check of however pure and atmospherical dark areas may look. during this respect things were clearly in ‘VA only’ territory as so much as LCDs area unit involved. There was simply a touch little bit of ‘VA glow’ towards the lowest of the screen, however the depth of black and different dark shades so much surpassed IPS or TN panels. This robust distinction conjointly helped offer vegetation and different objects a particular structure, with shadows and fine dark details different terribly nicely with the brighter shades aboard.

 

On the Blu-ray of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the robust distinction performance was once more evident. there have been several scenes involving Associate in Nursing Byzantine mixture of sunshine and dark parts – lightsabers and explosions set against the depths of house let's say. These parts shone with brilliance, while the dark surroundings had terribly pleasing depth and quite ‘inky’ look to the terribly darkest shades. These bright parts appeared nice and sleek with no obvious roughness imparted from the screen surface.

 

 

Lagom distinction tests

Lagom’s distinction tests were accustomed analyse specific weaknesses in distinction performance which can not are known throughout different testing. the subsequent observations were created.

 

 

The distinction gradients were wonderful, with distinct brightness steps throughout. The darkest blue block was slightly less visible than it would be ideally, from a standard viewing position. It became clearer if you raised your head or lowered  the position of the block on the screen slightly.

 

Performance on the black level check was robust. the primary few blocks homogenised into the background quite promptly, as you'd expect from the ‘2.2’ gamma curve. The remaining blocks were clearly visible. If you progress off-angle the primary few blocks were truly discovered and so all blocks perceived to have a kind of shimmering look as viewing angle modified. this can be typical for a VA panel and involving viewing angle restrictions. There was no noticeable video digitizing.

 

Performance within the white saturation check was excellent as all gameboard patterns were visible against the background. the ultimate block wasn't as visible because it may be, though the screen surface didn't impart noticeable roughness over this that is sweet.

 

The greyscale gradient appeared terribly sleek, free from obvious band or noticeable video digitizing.

 

 

Colour replica

Colour gamut

The Samsung C27F591FD’s (CF591’s) color gamut (red triangle) was compared to the sRGB color house (green triangle). As you'll be able to see from the gamut illustration below, the monitor comprehensively covers sRGB and offers a good little bit of extension on the far side this (>100%). this offers the monitor the potential to output all shades at intervals the sRGB color house, with a small amount of additional saturation, loaning itself well to all-purpose and diversion use. It doesn't extend as so much as ‘Adobe RGB’ within the inexperienced corner of this specific diagram and positively doesn’t provide the kind of extended color gamuts shown by the likes of the holler UP2716D. therefore it's to not be thought-about a large gamut model in this respect.

 

 

Colour gamut check settings

The monitor conjointly offers a ‘MagicBright’ sRGB emulation setting known as ‘Basic Color’, that as you'll be able to see below chops down the color gamut considerably. there's truly some under-coverage (96% sRGB measured), significantly within the red corner of this diagram. This cuts down saturation and permits probably a lot of correct illustration of shades at intervals the sRGB color house. If you’re once correct sRGB replica it would arguably be higher to easily use the native gamut of the monitor and tame the shades a small amount employing a measuring system, however.

 

 

 

Colour gamut 'Basic Color'

 

 

Colour in games and films

Colour replica was pleasing on BF4, with a awfully made and varied look. there have been some exceptionally vibrant-looking reds and oranges (roaring flames), while the in-game Department of Housing and Urban Development markers showcased a pleasant intense vary of blues, reds, yellows and greens. though shades did lose a small amount of saturation towards the flanks and bottom of the screen, this was quite delicate for a VA panel – helped maybe by the curvature of the screen. there have been some pleasingly vivid greens aboard a lot of muted pastel shades and a few smart earthy browns. Things definitely looked vivacious, however didn't have the brassy oversaturated quality you’d see from a large gamut (~Adobe RGB color space) screen displaying this game.

 

Colour replica was equally pleasing on Dirt Rally. The athletics environments appeared natural, despite an additional little bit of saturation in places from the color gamut. The robust shade selection and acceptable muted look of the earthy browns and khaki shades was maintained, while a number of the lusher and deep greens didn’t have that not suitably bright and daring quality that wide gamut screens tend to supply. The automobile liveries and advertising round the track benefited from this remarkably vivacious look, with some actually beautiful colors. Some orange shades appeared a small amount too deep, however didn’t have an equivalent intense red hue to them that some wide gamut screens tend to supply. The reverberance was significantly spectacular wherever bright shades (such as pinks, greens and yellows) were painted on against darker backgrounds, standing out fantastically because of the mixture of robust distinction and generous color gamut.

 

We conjointly found the color replica pleasing on the Blu-ray of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. At the chance of continuation what we have a tendency to aforesaid within the distinction section, the scenes wherever lightweight and dark met (no pun intended) were significantly spectacular. The intensity of the red and blue lightsabers was significantly hanging here. The huge areas of sandy desert appeared with mostly acceptable saturation, not usurping Associate in Nursing inappropriate red hue. The saturation did weaken slightly towards the so much edges and close to the lowest of the screen, as is typical for a VA panel. This weakening was a lot of delicate than you’d sometimes observe, however. Skin tones conjointly appeared mostly as they must, maybe simply a touch a lot of saturated than they must in places however not in this ‘sunburnt’ wide gamut approach.

 

Finally, we have a tendency to assessed color performance on the Blu-ray of Futurama: Into the Wild inexperienced Yonder. With giant areas of one shade, this film is a superb check for color consistency and shade selection. during this respect the monitor place in a very pleasing performance, particularly for a model with a VA panel of this size. Consistency wasn't as robust as on IPS-type panels – if you discovered a character’s skin tone at totally different areas of the screen, let's say, the saturation became weaker towards the perimeters and bottom as noted elsewhere. the bulk of the screen showed spectacular richness, though, and it did appear that the curve helped enhance this side of color performance. As a results of this, the monitor was ready to show a decent vary of shades with acceptable distinctiveness. Even closely matching skin shades, let's say, had quite an distinctive identity and appeared a lot of or less as they must throughout the screen. The robust reverberance was conjointly a great deal evident on this screen, with some exceptionally obvious Ne and deep shades. The saturation levels weren't therefore uncontrolled on create pastel shades seem so much too deep or clearly inaccurate, either, that is enjoyable. 

 

 

Viewing angles

Lagom’s tests for viewing angle tests were accustomed facilitate more explore viewing angle performance and color consistency. the subsequent observations were made up of a standard viewing position, with eyes around 70cm from the screen.

 

 

The purple block appeared purple for the foremost half, with a small amount of a pink hue towards the terribly edges and also the bottom of the screen. This pink hue shifted with head movement.

 

The red block appeared made red throughout, with simply a touch little bit of saturation loss at the terribly bottom however no obvious pink tint.

 

The inexperienced block appeared a reasonably made lime inexperienced throughout with a small amount of a stronger yellow tint at the terribly bottom.

 

The blue block appeared deep blue throughout.

 

The Lagom text appeared homogenised gray for the foremost half, with a small amount of red marking towards the lowest and edges. This was less obvious than usual for a 27” VA panel and free from the prepared orange, red and inexperienced shifts discovered on a TN panel. the subsequent image offers a control of however this check appeared from a standard viewing position. Note that the pressure mark towards the lowest left was harm caused by a previous tester and wouldn't be expected on a standard unblemished unit.

 

Lagom Text check

 

The video below shows this text check, a mixed desktop background and dark desktop background from a spread of viewing angles. Note the ‘VA glow’ mentioned antecedently, that seems to bloom out a small amount off angle. It doesn't do that to anyplace close to an equivalent extent that ‘IPS glow’ would.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Responsiveness

Input lag

Using a sensitive camera and tiny tool known as SMTT two.0, we have a tendency to compared the latency of the C27F591FD (CF591) with a variety of monitors of better-known latency. By seizing thirty repeat readings to reinforce accuracy, we have a tendency to measured six.70ms (over 1/3 of a frame @60Hz) of input lag. we have a tendency to didn't live a big distinction in input lag at 72Hz and don’t have the suggests that to accurately live input lag while FreeSync is doing its factor. This worth is influenced each by the component of input lag that you simply feel (signal delay) and also the component that you simply see (pixel responsiveness). This worth indicates a awfully low signal delay that shouldn’t impede diversion performance.

 

 

Perceived blur (pursuit photography)

In this article we have a tendency to explore the key ideas involving monitor responsiveness. Chief amongst these is that the thought of perceived blur and the way it's not solely the picture element responsiveness of a monitor that contributes towards this however conjointly the movement of your eyes as you track movement on the screen. This second issue is usually the predominant reason for perceived blur, in fact. we have a tendency to conjointly explore ‘pursuit photography’, a way of image capture that reflects each of those parts of perceived blur instead of simply showing the influence of picture element responsiveness.

 

The images below area unit pursuit pictures taken on the phantom Motion check for ghosting, with the check running at the default speed of 960 pixels per second. Such a speed is sensible for taking such photos and highlights any problems on the check nicely. the primary column shows results with the dark cyan background while the second column shows the medium cyan background (top and middle row of the check, respectively). All latency settings on the monitor were tested additionally as a capture with the monitor running at 72Hz, that this monitor also will do well as we’ll return onto later. the lowest image shows a ‘Fast 60Hz reference’, that could be a Samsung S27A750D set to full brightness (forces DC dimming, while not flicker) and 60Hz mistreatment its ‘Faster’ latency setting. This reference shows however things ought to look during this check at 60Hz wherever motion blur thanks to eye (camera) movement is that the solely real limiting issue.

 

 

Perceived blur with numerous settings

When mistreatment the ‘Normal’ setting, there's a good degree of trailing behind the thing additionally to moderate blurring of the thing itself. This trailing is due to slower than best picture element responses, whereas the blurring of the thing itself is right down to eye (camera) movement. The trailing is a lot of pronounced with the dark cyan background thanks to picture element responses being significantly slow for these transitions. mistreatment the ‘Faster’ setting offers a marginal reduction in trailing and changes the character of the trailing a small amount. There seems to be a small amount of a ‘dirty’ quality to that – this truly indicates a touch little bit of overshoot (inverse ghosting) thanks to fairly high levels of gray to gray acceleration being employed. The ‘Fastest’ setting shows a lot of extreme overshoot, with obvious vibrant inverted trails behind the UFOs.

 

When observant the monitor underneath a lot of realistic and varied testing scenerios (such as games), it becomes clear that the ‘Faster’ setting will weigh down on standard trailing quite an bit compared to the ‘Normal’ setting. and also the trade-off of that – slight overshoot in places – is admittedly the lesser of 2 evils. Having established that this can be the best setting to use, we have a tendency to conjointly tested the monitor at 72Hz mistreatment this setting. On these captures things extremely look quite kind of like 60Hz. the thing is maybe a small amount a lot of compact (it appeared therefore once observant it directly) however the trailing remains a great deal an equivalent. primarily motion blur thanks to eye movement is weigh down simply a touch from the hyperbolic refresh rate, however picture element responsiveness remains a limiting issue as is common for VA models. one thing not shown here is however the monitor truly feels after you move with the sport world – 72Hz provides a rather a lot of ‘connected’ feeling in this respect.

 

 

Running a custom resolution (overclocking)

The monitor can well run at up to 72Hz at 1920 x 1080. If you change FreeSync within the OSD, it'll mechanically default to 72Hz. If you’re running Associate in Nursing Nvidia GPU, you'll be able to set a custom resolution to ‘overclock’ the monitor to 72Hz. Doing therefore doesn't have negative implications for the image similar to changes to gamma, distinction or color temperature nor will it cause frame skipping. If you are attempting to line the monitor to the next refresh rate, similar to 75Hz, you're given Associate in Nursing ‘input not support’ message. This appears to occur notwithstanding affiliation used and timings. The video below shows you ways to line the monitor to 1920 x 1080 @72Hz, by making a ‘custom resolution’ – for users United Nations agency area unit unable to use FreeSync. 

 

 

 

 

 

Because the monitor is intended to run at 72Hz, this can be to be thought-about a ‘mild’ overclock that's utterly at intervals manufacturer tolerances. there's nominal risk concerned and all told probability the monitor can last for its helpful life in a lot of an equivalent approach as if it absolutely was run at 60Hz. the final recommendation we have a tendency to offer at this stage on remember that overclocking are a few things that you are doing at your own risk. the chance may be terribly low, particularly because the monitor is clearly designed to run at 72Hz, however we have a tendency to settle for no liability ought to something happen to the monitor which can or might not result to running it at Associate in Nursing hyperbolic refresh rate.

 

 

Responsiveness in games and films

On piece of ground four there was quite an little bit of motion blur, noticeable in any respect paces of action (whether running regarding as a solider or zipping regarding in a very vehicle). Eye movement connected to refresh rate was the most reason for this, however there was definitely Associate in Nursing influence of slower than best picture element responses in places. several picture element transitions occurred quickly enough in order that there was solely a touch if any extra blur additional to what you’d understand on the most effective 60Hz or 72Hz LCDs for responsiveness. The perceived blur hyperbolic in places thanks to some picture element transitions being introduced that the monitor can’t perform as quickly. This was particularly noticeable wherever dark shades were concerned within the transition, similar to moving past a dark and shaded building with a reasonably cerulean or gray sky within the background. The building (object) had a small amount of additional trailing behind it. you may maybe describe it as slightly smeary in its look, though it didn’t have the kind of extended (almost smoke-like) smeary look that such transitions wear slower VA models. There was a small amount of overshoot in places additionally, however nothing significantly obvious or heavy. once moving thermal optics with white hot objects against cooler medium or darker gray backgrounds, let's say, you may see a small black tint to the path behind the objects. And the same trailing may be discovered on the map ‘Paracel Storm’, with tree trunks set against a stormy sky having a reasonably noticeable (to our eyes) semi-transparent black path to them that didn't seem as a mix of the background and object color.

 

We created similar observations on Dirt Rally. it absolutely was once more the case that the majority of the perceived blur may be attributed to eye movement, however there have been some weaknesses in picture element responsiveness in places. This was most noticeable once driving at nighttime and dark shadowy objects similar to trees silhouetted the marginally brighter sky. you may see a a lot of pronounced nearly smeary path behind the objects – however once more, these were a lot of impermanent  and not as obvious as on some VA panels. There was conjointly a small amount of overshoot; one thing not everybody would notice and customarily quite delicate instead of being one thing that jumps out at you.

 

Overall it appears that the C27F591FD (CF591) provides quite an smart balance in terms of picture element responsiveness, significantly for a VA model. Most transitions area unit snappy enough to possess restricted influence on perceived blur, while the acceleration isn't therefore excessive on introduce obvious widespread overshoot. There area unit positively imperfections and a few slower than best picture element transitions, however as so much as VA models goes this can be one amongst the higher ones for diversion performance. we have a tendency to conjointly tested our Blu-ray film title for responsiveness and didn’t encounter any obvious limitations there. The ~24fps at that the films run was extremely the key limiting issue, zero that was obstructed by the monitor itself.

 

FreeSync – the technology and activating it

AMD FreeSync could be a variable refresh rate technology supported by bound AMD GPUs (such as these and future models), that makes use of VESA Adaptive-Sync. this can be a capability integrated into some refugee one.2a and HDMI one.4a port controllers, similar to those found on the Samsung C27F591FD (CF591). like Nvidia G-SYNC, this enables the GPU to speak with the monitor to let it recognize what frame rate the content is presently running at. The monitor is then ready to dynamically alter its refresh rate to match this, wherever potential. Doing therefore eliminates the inarticulate  (VSync on) or tearing and juddering (VSync off) that happens wherever the frame rate and refresh rate area unit misaligned. though it isn’t one thing we have a tendency to {are|ar|area unit|square live} ready to accurately measure, there's conjointly a discount in latency compared to running VSync enabled, within the variable refresh rate atmosphere (i.e. frame rate below refresh rate limit of monitor).

 

Unlike with G-SYNC, a separate ‘G-SYNC board’ or similar isn't needed and instead the prevailing scaling and monitor natural philosophy area unit used. This reduces price to each the manufacturer and is a neater possibility for makers to implement with their styles – thence why the amount of ‘FreeSync’ (compatible) displays dwarfs the amount supporting G-SYNC. As noted on top of the CF591 supports Adaptive-Sync and thus AMD FreeSync via each HDMI one.4a and refugee one.2a. Our check system uses a Club3D Radeon R9 290 royalAce, that is compatible with the technology. AMD’s recent drivers embody Radeon code Crimson, that makes activation of the technology terribly straightforward. So simple, in fact, that it ought to be mechanically enabled after you 1st plug the show in. to visualize this, open ‘AMD Radeon Settings’ and click on ‘Display’. you must then make sure that the primary slider, ‘AMD FreeSync’, is about to ‘On’. If you hover over this, it'll conjointly report the variable refresh rate show supported by the show. Note that the image below is for a unique monitor and is simply used here for reference.

 

Enable FreeSync

 

Note that there area unit 2 ‘FreeSync’ settings on the Samsung, found within the ‘System’ section of the OSD; ‘Standard Engine’ and ‘Ultimate Engine’. The ‘Standard Engine’ offers support for a variable refresh rate vary of fifty eight – 72Hz, whereas ‘Ultimate Engine’ supports forty eight – 72Hz. There didn’t appear to be any drawbacks to mistreatment the latter possibility and also the broader refresh rate vary it supports, therefore we propose users merely continue that. Outside of this vary, the GPU respects your choice of ‘VSync on’ or ‘VSync off’ within the graphics driver. With ‘VSync on’ the frame rate won't be allowed to rise on top of 72fps, with VSync activating mechanically at this time and imposing the standard latency penalty once it will therefore. With ‘VSync off’ the frame rate is absolve to rise on top of 72fps (72Hz refresh rate ceiling of the monitor). this may deactivate FreeSync and cause tearing and juddering that some users would realize teasing.

 

VSync is designed within the ‘Gaming’ section of ‘Radeon Settings’, wherever it's cited as ‘Wait for Vertical Refresh’. this could either be set globally underneath ‘Global Settings’, or or else for every game title on its own. The default is ‘Off, unless application specifies’ which suggests that VSync is merely active if you change it at intervals the sport itself, if such Associate in Nursing possibility exists (it sometimes does). it would not be known as ‘VSync’ however is also cited as ‘sync each frame’ or one thing like that. Most users can in all probability wish to change VSync once mistreatment FreeSync to confirm that they don’t get any tearing. one amongst the ultimate 2 choices within the list, shown within the image below, would thus be desirable.

 

VSync choices

 

There area unit one or two of ultimate points to notice. Firstly, the applying should be running in fullscreen mode, not a window (borderless or otherwise). Secondly, this monitor doesn't offer Associate in Nursingy obvious indication that FreeSync is really active similar to an semiconductor diode lightweight or on-screen notification. you'll merely got to assume that it's operating – provided you’ve activated the setting within the OSD and Radeon Settings, then it definitely ought to be. and at last, FreeSync will solely take away inarticulate  or juddering from frame and refresh rate mismatches and can’t atone for different problems caused by network latency, lack of memory and similar.

 

 

FreeSync – the expertise

Usually after we check FreeSync it's on monitors with the next refresh rate and/or higher resolution, that provides to be probably rather exacting. it's not too troublesome to realize a standardized 72fps (to match 72Hz) at the 1920 x 1080 resolution employing a moderately powerful GPU and fairly wise in-game settings. There area unit still some dips that may be expected here and there, though, particularly on a lot of exacting titles. It conjointly permits you to crank up the detail settings a small amount if you've got the headroom to try and do therefore – and you don’t have to be compelled to worry regarding those slight dips below 72fps that you simply would possibly expertise. Note that sensitivity to ripping and inarticulate  varies, therefore some users won’t realize the distinction as hanging as others. It’s terribly subjective, therefore note that the observations below area unit simply our observations as seasoned reviewers with a keen eye for this kind of factor.

 

The first title we have a tendency to set to check was Tom Clancy’s The Division, that could be a fairly diagrammatically exacting title reckoning on the settings used. we have a tendency to used fairly modest settings, with that the frame rate cared-for fluctuate between around sixty – 72fps. With FreeSync disabled there was (to us) obvious inarticulate  or tearing, creating the expertise quite jarring and disrupting the ‘flow’ of gameplay. With FreeSync enabled, the refresh rate was matched to the frame rate and such unwanted aspects were eliminated. there have been times wherever the action intense such the frame rate born more. you may positively feel and see the results of this (i.e. hyperbolic motion blur, weakened connected feel) that the lower frame rates alone were quite jarring in a very approach. there have been times once the frame rate even swayback momentarily below the 48fps (48Hz) floor of operation for the monitor, resulting in tearing or inarticulate  as you’d see on any monitor.

 

We conjointly tested GTA V (Grand thievery car 5), that once more has the potential to strain a poor very little Radeon 290 even at the complete HD resolution. mistreatment fairly high settings, the frame rate cared-for hover somewhere around sixty five – 72fps, however not invariably reaching 72fps. Even these little drops from what would be the static refresh rate of the monitor cause teasing tearing, juddering or inarticulate  while not FreeSync. With the technology enabled everything had that kind of ‘frame rate at refresh rate’ flow to that, with none such interruptions. sometimes the frame rate born below this, typically nearer to 50fps. The expertise here was definitely a lot of nicer than while not FreeSync enabled, however the decrease in frame rate may still be felt. the extent of motion blur was hyperbolic and interactions with the sport world felt a small amount a lot of sluggish.

 

 

The curve

Samsung area unit promoting flexuous screens quite heavily at the instant – so it’s one thing that began with a number of their ‘E’ series models last year. They’re keen to show that having a dish-shaped curve to the screen is a lot of natural and cozy on the eyes. That’s as a result of the sides of the screen area unit brought nearer to the eyes (i.e. distance from centre to edges of screen decreased). We’ve reviewed the S27E590C, let's say, that had a delicate 4000R curve. This tested to be therefore delicate that it barely modified the expertise in any respect – it didn’t extremely add a lot of or take a lot of aloof from the expertise. Such a delicate curve was the norm for his or her flexuous twenty four – 27” ‘E’ series models.

 

The C27F591FD (CF591) brandishes a vessel curve; at 1800R. Bearing in mind a lower ‘R’ worth indicates a vessel curve; this makes it ‘over double as curved’ because the previous models. The curve definitely tested a lot of noticeable this point around, however despite however it should seem on paper and so some shots (especially once taken from a non-central angle) the curve remained a comparatively delicate factor. It definitely wasn’t spare to form the monitor feel all that totally different after we used it – that is sweet in a very approach, as we have a tendency to found it terribly natural and tailored to that terribly promptly so. If the promoting is to be believed, then it conjointly has the potential to reinforce viewing comfort. For designers or people who work with straight lines and shapes, we have a tendency to may definitely see however this curve may truly encourage be a lower than fascinating factor. we have a tendency to didn't notice any obvious distortion on the desktop, though if we have a tendency to discovered the task bar or different straight lines the curvature of the screen did make a lucid delicate bending as you may expect. This was most noticeable in stand out (second image below). Note that these pictures area unit just for illustrative functions and have a tendency to form things look a small amount totally different to however they are doing nose to nose, with the curve typically a lot of noticeable within the pictures. The complex patterns on some pictures area unit moiré from the camera, not artifacts from the monitor. 

 

A website

 

An stand out program

 

We found the curve once more utterly natural and simple to adapt to (if adaptation was even needed, that is questionable) once look movies and enjoying games additionally. It isn’t such a steep curve that it wraps around your face or something, however it will enwrap your read a small amount over a praise screen would. This gave a kind of additional depth to the expertise, however not in a very approach that dramatically wedged the ‘feel’ of the moving-picture show or game. it's onerous to explain extremely – we have a tendency to likeable the result, however found it quite delicate extremely. Any strange complex patterns in these pictures (and so those above) area unit moiré from the camera instead of artifacts on the monitor itself.

 

A rare moment of calm on GTA V

 

Some BF4 action

 

Star Wars line on Endor

 

 

Video review

The video below summarises a number of the key points raised during this written review and shows the monitor in action. The video review is intended to enhance the written piece and isn't nearly as comprehensive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

It appears that last year’s flexuous 27” models from Samsung were testing the water, seeing however customers react to the thought of getting a flexuous instead of flat screen. The Samsung C27F591FD (CF591) represents Associate in Nursing evolution of those, with a considerably vessel curve. though the curve is a lot of of a feature this point around, it will stay quite an delicate one. mistreatment the monitor felt natural to U.S.A., while we have a tendency to feel the curve brought a small amount of additional depth to games and films. This was one thing we have a tendency to didn’t extremely feel with the older (less curved) models, because the curve was just too delicate to note in any respect.

 

 

Where shades extremely caught the attention was in ‘high-contrast’ things – with the distinction performance being a better-known strength of VA panels similar to this. during this respect things we have a tendency tore as we expected, with robust static distinction of ~3000:1 (as specified) and a backlight that continues to be flicker-free in any respect brightness levels. This helped the monitor deliver quite deep-looking blacks and dark shades and helped lighter shades ‘pop’ out amongst them. The matte screen surface wasn't solely lightweight; it absolutely was conjointly sleek – presenting light shades while not the roughness related to some matte surfaces.

 

Responsiveness isn't the uniqueness of VA technology which was definitely the case here. There was a small amount of trailing from slower than best picture element transitions, however this wasn't as pronounced as we’ve seen on some VA models and customarily confined to darker shades. there have been conjointly some traces of overshoot. Overall, though, we’d see this was one amongst the higher balanced VA models we’ve encounter in terms of responsiveness. This helped the monitor create use of its refresh rate, that is ‘officially’ 72Hz with FreeSync enabled and may be ‘overclocked’ thereto while not. The monitor worked as you'd hope with FreeSync, providing Associate in Nursing expertise between forty eight and 72Hz (FPS) that was free from the inarticulate  or tearing that comes with a static refresh rate. Input lag was conjointly low, with the signal delay clearly being nominal and also the picture element latency accounting for the overwhelming majority of the input lag readings we have a tendency to took.

Overall we have a tendency to feel this monitor delivers one amongst the foremost participating ‘Full HD’ experiences out there. it should not be the most effective alternative for colour-critical work (although is used for a few if you’re a hobbyist) nor can it win any wars of responsiveness with the upper refresh rate gaming-oriented screens. however once it involves general use Associate in Nursingd providing an gripping diversion and moving-picture show look expertise, this model hits the spot. It definitely isn’t the most cost effective of models nor will it provide the kind of engineering flexibility some would hope for given the worth. However; we have a tendency to do still feel it will enough to justify this tag.