The LG 32UK550-B is a 4K Ultra HD monitor that packs several interesting features need for professionals and gamers, but has a great price
LG has just launched an interesting 4K monitor for professionals that surprisingly doesn’t come with a high price tag. The LG 32UK550-B is a 4K display that supports HDR10 and several other top-end specifications. However, the 31.5-inch Ultra HD computer monitor is priced very aggressively.
LG has been developing and launching quite a few professional computer displays that sport a mid-range price. The 32UD60-B monitor that launched earlier this year has been one of the eagerly sought affordable displays for the top-end features it offers at a surprisingly affordable price. However, to pack all the high-end and premium features, LG has had to make a few tough but well thought design and hardware choices. Let’s take a look at the latest LG 32UK550-B, which is a 31.5inch 4K Ultra-HD computer monitor that could sport a retail price below $500.
LG 32UK550-B is a 31.5-inch monitor designed and developed to keep the price of professional displays within the mid-range market prices. Interestingly, the monitor appears to be LG’s first HDR-capable large-screen LCD that may eventually sport a list price lesser than $500. LG chose Japan as the first destination for the Ultra-HD computer display, but the Korean company should launch the product elsewhere soon.
The 32UK550-B is an Ultra-HD display that supports HDR10, covers 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space, and features AMD’s FreeSync dynamic refresh rate technology. Incidentally, the monitor does not pack an IPS (In Plane Switching) display. Instead, LG has deployed a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel. Still, the panel boasts of an impressive 3840 × 2160 or 4K resolution.
Despite having a VA panel, the 32UK550-B can reportedly reproduce 1.07 billion colors over 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space. In other words, LG assures the monitor can hit 100 percent of the sRGB color gamut. Moreover, LG has taken the pains to factory-calibrate the display.
The 32UK550-B can go up to 300nits typical brightness, which isn’t a very high number. The other specifications like the 3000:1 contrast ratio, a 4ms Grey-to-Grey response time, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and VA-standard 178°/178° horizontal/vertical viewing angles aren’t highly impressive either.
Connectivity options on the LG 32UK550-B include two HDMI 2.0a ports, as well as one DisplayPort 1.2 input. All of these ports support HDCP 2.2. Incidentally these standards are mandated by most major content providers that offer Ultra-HD and/or HDR10 content. Interestingly, the monitor also packs two individual 5W speakers as well as a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for audio out. Surprisingly, the monitor does not have any USB ports.
The 32UK550-B supports HDR10, AMD’s FreeSync dynamic refresh rate technology with an impressive 40Hz to 60Hz range. It also packs LG’s own Super Resolution+ upscaling technology. In simple words, these features should ensure a crisp image even for content with sub-standard resolution. This is also great news for gamers. Incidentally, the display features LG’s Black Stabilizer and Dynamic Action Sync.
[Image Credit: AnandTech] Simply out, the first feature dynamically improves the brightness whenever the content is very dark. Meanwhile, the second feature overrides internal processing to reduce input lag. The monitor could also potentially minimize motion blur to near non-existent levels. Needless to mention, gamers who are in the market for a professional monitor could certainly consider the LG 32UK550-B.
The LG 32UK550-B monitor will first launch in Japan. LG Japan will start selling the rather inexpensive 31.5-inch Ultra HD monitor with HDR10 support starting October 11. LG has priced the LG 32UK550-B in Japan at YEN 55,000 (excluding taxes). This should roughly translate to $500 or Rs. 36,000 when the monitor will launch in the U. S., and subsequently in other regions around the world, including India.
Incidentally, LG currently sells 32UD60-B for around $530 (Rs. 38,000 approx.) in the U. S. This monitor with a similar VA Panel doesn’t support HDR10. Needless to mention, it is quite likely LG may drop the asking price for this monitor when the 32UK550-B starts selling.
