4K HDR is the New Standard in 2020

The new standard for streaming, gaming, and multimedia entertainment is 4K HDR. Content is more vivid and detailed than ever before. And a 4K monitor will make sure you’re enjoying the best view you can get. 

Not long ago 4K had limited programming and games. It slowly integrated into the mainstream in the mid-2010s and soon HDR emerged, making digital display more realistic than ever.  

Once upon a time 4K had you mystified, but now you simply need to have it by your side. Or more accurately, in front of you. For nearly a decade, 4K was a dream, then in the mid-2010s it slowly became mainstreamed, then HDR emerged as the perfect partner for ultra HD 4K, and by 2020 we have a new normal. That new baseline is simple: 4K, 3840 x 2160 with high dynamic range (HDR) is the starting point. It’s the new mainstream, replacing full HD 1080p, which dominated for a decade starting in the mid-2000s. But as the saying goes, time and technology wait for no one, and things continue to evolve to give us better visuals, more detail, greater fidelity, and increasingly lifelike graphics. Eventually we’ll get to The Matrix, though that may be a ways off. And by the way, when we say HDR we generally mean the widely-adopted HDR10, but also any HDR standard – Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10+. The more standards your display supports, the better, and for sure having official VESA DisplayHDR certification is a good thing.

Until not long ago, 1080p 60Hz was the graphics performance benchmark for gaming. Originally only available for PC gaming, this display became available on console with the Xbox One and PS4. By the late 2010s PC hardware got more powerful, and consoles received upgrades in the form of the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. Suddenly 4K or 2160p wasn’t so out of reach anymore. Similarly, HDR became the norm on consoles thanks to their close association with TVs. On PC, HDR remains more on a per-game basis, with implementation up to the developers. You just need to make sure your display can handle it.                                                                                                             This year, between the new consoles and the new graphics cards for PC, high resolution will be the de facto standard for all major game releases with many likely to target higher frame rates like 120Hz. Currently, 1080p SDR has staying power because it’s appealing for competitive gaming and e-sports where speed trumps visuals. However, as graphics power increases and becomes inevitably more affordable, pro gamers might also make the switch to 4K HDR as there simply won’t be any reason not to. The push goes on to manufacture displays with great resolution, high refresh rates, and an affordable price tag.

Making sure you’re up with the new normal doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Monitors like the BenQ EW3280U have everything you need to sync up with the 4K HDR standard. DisplayHDR certification, 60Hz IPS panel, HDRi technology, a sumptuous 32” screen with 10-bit color, and even lush built-in 2.1 channel audio. That’s a true all-rounder, right there. In one purchase, you have everything you need for your PC and consoles for the next few years, including USB-C. And lest we forget, you also get AMD FreeSync technology to prevent screen tearing and framerate drops. Already supported by Xbox One, it’ll also be on PS5 most likely, so you’ll be ready. 

There’s an ongoing process of improving the production value of our content and the equipment we use to enjoy it on. An investment in a 4K HDR monitor is just that, an investment. If your current monitor isn’t making the most of your viewing time because it lacks the clear detail, distinct shading, and realism that define immersion, it might be time to upgrade. With the library of 4K HDR content exploding, the decision gets easier every day.