If CES was any indication, 2014 is the year of Ultra HD. Dell’s UP2414Q is now the third 4K screen we’ve had the opportunity to test in as many months. And our experience thus far suggests that monitors with 3840x2160 resolutions are still ahead of the rest of the supporting ecosystem.
Gamers anticipating their favorite titles in the lush detail offered by 4K still need to consider the cost of at least one ultra high-end video card. And they need the right display outputs if they hope to achieve a 60 Hz refresh rate. Anything faster necessitates settling for 1920x1080 (or a modded QHD monitor). Plus, enthusiasts seeking out the fastest screen response and lowest input lag have to turn to TN-based panels. The AH-IPS technology we find in Dell's UP2414Q is still slower.

The company knows this, of course. So, for its first-generation Ultra HD products, the focus is on graphics professionals and photographers. Rather than trying to emphasize speed, the main purpose of this 24-inch (like its 32-inch big brother) is rendering accurate color in both sRGB and Adobe RGB gamuts, while providing a sharp image with no visible pixel structure.
When we first started testing wide-gamut monitors, we lamented the fact that you couldn't choose between gamuts. If a panel can natively do Adobe RGB, then it is theoretically capable of rendering any other gamut within that triangle. Asus delivered the functionality we were looking for in its PA279Q (Asus ProArt PQ279Q Monitor Review: 27-Inch, Wide-Gamut, QHD). And Dell includes it in the Ultra HD UP3214Q.
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Model | UP2141Q |
| MSRP | $1300 |
| Panel Type | AH-IPS |
| Backlight | GB-r-LED |
| Screen Size | 23.8 in |
| Max Resolution | 3840x2160 |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Color Depth | 8-bit |
| Native Gamut | Adobe RGB |
| Response Time (GTG) | 8 ms |
| Brightness (cd/m2) | 350 |
| Speakers | - |
| VGA | - |
| DVI | - |
| DisplayPort v1.2 | 1 standard, 1 mini |
| HDMI v1.4a | 1 |
| Audio In | - |
| Headphone | - |
| USB 3.0 | 1 up, 4 down |
| Media Card Reader | 1 SD |
| Panel Dimensions W x H x D w/base | 22.4 x 14.6-19.8 x 7.6 in 569 x 371-501 x 192 mm |
| Panel Thickness | 2.2 in / 56 mm |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg |
| Warranty | Three years |
At first glance, it's tempting to think of the UP2414Q as a UP3214Q that was zapped with a shrink ray. As you’ll see in the coming pages, that is largely true. The OSD is identical, and so are the chassis and trim.
But the similarities end there. Whereas the 32-inch screen employs a white-LED IGZO panel from Sharp, the 24-inch monitor is built around a GB-r-LED part from LG. This is one of only two 23.8-inch Ultra HD pieces currently made by LG, and the only one that offers the wider Adobe RGB color gamut. We tested one other GB-r-LED-based display recently, the above-linked Asus' PA279Q. Here’s a quick technology refresher, though:
Rather than the white LEDs found in most LCD monitors, a GB-r-LED backlight consists of green and blue diodes coated with a red phosphor. The net effect is that the three primary colors' spectral peaks are pretty much even. With white-LED, blue's spectral peak is much higher, so software and the panel's color filters must intervene to achieve the correct balance. A GB-r-LED panel is more accurate natively, rendering software and the color filter layer less critical. You get the added benefit of the wider Adobe RGB gamut, too. It's more expensive to manufacture than W-LED, but less so than the rarely-seen RGB-LED.
Dell includes factory calibration with its UP2414Q, guaranteeing color and grayscale errors of less than two Delta E and screen brightness uniformity of no more than two percent deviation. Each monitor comes with a data sheet showing the results for that specific sample. The UP3214Q exceeded its factory measurement data in our tests. Where does that land it relative to the competition? Read on!
Dell’s recent packaging eliminates most of the Styrofoam blocks typically encountered in monitor cartons. Replacing them are carefully-shaped parts made of corrugated cardboard. The new system seems to have enough strength to withstand the rigors of shipping, and is easier to recycle. Our sample arrived without a scratch.
Again, the UP2414Q includes a calibration data sheet specific to each monitor that shows results for grayscale tracking, color, gamma, and screen uniformity. Our test results support Dell’s claims of errors below two Delta E for both the sRGB and Adobe RGB color gamuts, and gamma is spot-on. Grayscale tracking turns out to be a tad over two Delta E, but still lower than I could see with my eyes. We were also able to duplicate Dell’s results in the screen uniformity test when we turned the compensation on.
Also included in the box are cables for USB 3.0, DisplayPort, and an IEC power cord. Drivers and manuals are provided on a CD-ROM.
Product 360

The base and upright are made from a satin-finished aluminum that looks very high-end. Dell uses the same material in the bezel surround, which is visible from the side. The screen’s frame is slightly narrower than average at 20 millimeters. Height adjustment spans a substantial 5.2 inches, and you can tilt the screen up to 15 degrees and swivel it 45 degrees in either direction. Rotation to portrait mode is supported, and an option in the OSD flips the image automatically. All the movements are very precise, offering just the right level of resistance.
Not surprisingly, the anti-glare layer is just as good as the one we saw on Dell's UP3214Q. It rejects light extremely well and still looks super-sharp. Just imagine how small text and other Windows objects look on a 24-inch Ultra HD screen. Even though OS-level DPI scaling is pretty much mandatory, this monitor completely earns its UltraSharp designation.

Controls on the UP2414Q work exactly like Dell's other displays. In the lower-right corner is a tactile power toggle followed upwards by five back-lit buttons. Touching any of them brings up an OSD that sits right next to the screen’s edge. We really like Dell’s user interface. Once you get the hang of it (which takes very little time), you can maneuver through the extensive menus with ease and efficiency.

The UP2414Q is just over two inches thick, so it won’t win any awards for compact dimensions. But there are no extraneous bulges to get in the way of wall mounting. The left side (not shown) sports an SD card slot, which is activated through the input panel's USB connection. In the image above, you can see the aluminum strip that surrounds the bezel very clearly.

The back is an all-plastic piece that tapers smoothly from side to side and bottom to top. Ventilation is handled by narrow grills at the top and bottom. The upright comes off without tools to reveal a 100 mm VESA mount. You can just make out the input panel on the bottom, which is hidden by a removable plastic cover. And a small hole in the upright takes care of cable management.

We’re seeing more and more monitors without VGA or DVI inputs. The UP2414Q includes only HDMI 1.4a and two DisplayPort connectors. One of them is the mini version, supported by the bundled mini-to-full-size cable. Dell claims compatibility with DisplayPort 1.2, which is sufficient for 3840x2160 at 60 Hz through multi-stream compatibility. We have yet to see a computer monitor with an HDMI 2.0 interface, but that's all the same given a lack of similarly-equipped graphics cards. Then again, we just reviewed a Toshiba 4K HDTV with HDMI 2.0 support, so it's only a matter of time.
The UP2414Q doesn't have built-in speakers, but the same soundbar Dell offers with its UP3214Q is also available for this screen.
Initial Setup
As with the UP3214Q, you need to use DisplayPort to access the monitor’s native resolution at 60 Hz. Your graphics card must be version 1.2-compatible, enabling multi-stream (MST) support. The UP2414Q actually ships with DisplayPort 1.2 disabled, which means that when you first hook it up, the refresh rate will only be 30 Hz. Obviously, if you're gaming, that's bad. But you don't even really want to use your desktop at 30 Hz, in my opinion. Maybe we're extra-sensitive to the difference. However, it's easy to see objects and cursors chopping across the screen.
Luckily, the fix is as simple as a visit to the OSD. Go to Display Settings and change DisplayPort 1.2 to Enable. If you’re wondering about the dual-HDMI option you read about in Gaming At 3840x2160: Is Your PC Ready For A 4K Display?, Dell doesn't offer that option; it's Asus-only.
I got a nice little surprise when I connected the UP2414Q to a Radeon HD 7750. Even though the official specification for my MSI card lists a maximum resolution of 2560x1600, it was able to output 3840x2160 at 60 Hz through DisplayPort. And an older driver update from November (13.250.18.0) worked without issue.
Now, when I review a display, I'm focusing on usability and image quality, not gaming. But if you're buying a new Ultra HD monitor for that use case, you probably already know a Radeon HD 7750 isn't going to cut it. Rather, read Chris Angelini's story, linked above, for some performance data at 3840x2160.
OSD Tour
The UP2414Q has a large OSD with many options for color calibration, as well as convenience features. It’s controlled by five buttons arrayed on the lower-right side of the bezel. Touching any of them brings up the menu, along with icons telling you the function of each button.
Touching the bottom button brings up a quick menu of the most often-used functions. The preset modes number eight, and we’ll describe them in more detail below.
Pressing Menu takes you to the full OSD.
Like most monitors, Contrast has a small range where it’s most effective and won’t crush the brightest detail. The default setting is 50 and you can turn it up to 60 before any clipping occurs. We found 48 to offer the best grayscale accuracy and intra-image contrast.
The Brightness slider controls the backlight rather than the black level, and it has a very wide range. At zero, you’ll see around 38 cd/m2 maximum output, and at 100 you’ll have over 326 cd/m2.
Here’s where you select your input source. For 3840x2160 pixels at 60 Hz, you need to use DisplayPort. Go down to the Display Settings menu and make sure it’s set to version 1.2, which supports the necessary multi-stream signal.
Now we get to the meat of the OSD.
Aside from Brightness and Contrast, all of the other calibration controls are in the Color Settings Menu. Input Color Format is something we don’t often see. For PC signals, the default setting of RGB is correct. If you connect a source that only outputs YPbPr, like a Blu-ray player, you can choose that option to activate the correct color decoding matrix. Gamma options are only PC or Mac (2.2 or 2.0), and they do measure as indicated. Zonal Color Space is a unique feature where you can have two different color spaces on the screen simultaneously. If you turn this on, you can adjust the Contrast on the left half separately.
There are eight picture modes.
The UP2414Q comes set to Standard, which employs the Adobe RGB 1998 gamut with a D65 white point. This is fairly accurate. However, the better preset is Color Space mode. There you can choose between sRGB or Adobe RGB. Both are extremely close, as you’ll see in our tests. Game and Paper are more interpretive of correct color rather than literal. They should be used only as matter of personal preference. Color Temp. also uses the Adobe RBG gamut and unlocks a single slider that sets the white point by Kelvin value. The two grayed-out modes, Multimedia and Movie, require a YPbPr signal through the HDMI input to activate.
Custom Color opens up high- and low-range RGB adjustments and Hue/Saturation controls for all six colors.
Dell uses the term Gain for the high range and Offset for the low. We calibrated at 80 percent brightness to set the Gains and 30 percent to dial in the Offsets. Defaults for Gain start at maximum, so you’ll have to subtract the different colors to arrive at the desired result. Fortunately, the control resolution is very fine so great precision is possible.
These are the sliders for Hue and Saturation.
The UP2414Q’s CMS doesn’t work as well as the one in the 32-inch model. When we tried to create a custom Adobe RGB gamut, we were unable to improve upon the fixed preset. Luckily that one is very accurate, so it’s not a big deal. All of the sliders default to the center of their range. Again, great precision is easy to achieve.
Now we move on to other features.
Aspect ratio choices are the usual 4:3, Auto, and 16:9. Dell also adds 1:1 to the mix. In this mode, the scaler is bypassed and all signals are pixel-mapped, which means resolutions below the native 3840x2160 are displayed in a window rather than filling the screen.
Sharpness defaults to 50 and should be left at that setting. Any lower and visible softness occurs. Higher settings trigger edge enhancement. Uniformity Compensation works by using an internal look-up table. We ran tests with it off and on and found a few compromises. In short, turning it on improves screen uniformity, while reducing contrast. We preferred to leave it off.
DisplayPort 1.2 is grayed out because we’re using an HDMI input to shoot these photos. Ordinarily, you would have to visit this option to turn on the multi-stream capability required for full-resolution 60 Hz input signals. Be sure you do this. Otherwise, on-screen motion will be choppier at 30 Hz.
This is the signal info window. Not only does it report input resolution and refresh rate, but it also shows the PIP status and your DisplayPort capability; very handy!
In every screen we've shown so far, there is an Energy Use indicator at the top-right. This goes up and down with the backlight setting, though changing the power button LED and USB port options can reduce energy use a bit too.
We’re glad to see a timeout option for the OSD. The maximum is 60 seconds, and that's more than enough for our tweaking purposes. You can’t move the menu around the screen, but because it's always in the lower-right quadrant, that’s not a problem. This is the place to lock out the OSD if you desire.
We found the button sound option intriguing. It turns on a little chime that rings every time you press a button.
Unlike the UP3214Q, the 24-inch screen does rotate on its stand (which would explain why I saw an auto-rotate option in the larger monitor's OSD). Turning Auto Rotate on means the image flips on its own.
As always, DDC/CI should be left on to allow two-way communications between the display and your computer.
LCD Conditioning runs a series of screen wipes to combat image retention.
The final menu allows you to change the function of the first three touch keys. This gives you one-button access to various options without navigating the full OSD.
Dell UP2414Q Calibration
Even though its OSD is identical, the UP2414Q does not respond to calibration the same way as the UP3214Q. Like the larger screen, fixed Adobe RGB and sRGB Color Space modes are pretty accurate. But unlike the UP3214Q, I couldn't get an improved result from the Custom Mode. Although I tried to create an Adobe RGB gamut, only the white balance advanced to an extremely low error of .79 Delta E. The tradeoff is a gamma average value of 1.88 and a color gamut error of 3.55. Those numbers simply aren't acceptable from a pro-oriented product.
For our tests, we're measuring the fixed sRGB and Adobe RGB modes, which only allow adjustments for brightness, contrast, and gamma. The gamma presets are accurate at 2.2 for PC and 2.0 for Mac. Although the contrast control doesn’t clip at its default setting of 50, backing it off to 48 actually raises the contrast ratio by a hair.
| Dell UP2414Q Calibration Settings | |
|---|---|
| Picture Mode | Color Space (Adobe RGB or sRGB) |
| Brightness | 39 |
| Contrast | 48 |
| Gamma | PC (2.2), Mac (2.0) |
| Sharpness | 50 |
To measure and calibrate monitors, we use an i1Pro spectrophotometer, a Spectracal C6 colorimeter, and version 5.2.0.1374 of SpectraCal’s CalMAN software.

For patterns, we employ an AccuPel DVG-5000 video signal generator. This approach removes video cards and drivers from the signal chain, allowing the display to receive true reference patterns. Connections are made via HDMI.

The AccuPel DVG-5000 is capable of generating all types of video signals at any resolution and refresh rate up to 1920x1080 at 60 Hz. It can also display motion patterns to evaluate a monitor's video processing capabilities, with 3D patterns available in every format. This allows us to measure color and grayscale performance, crosstalk, and ghosting in 3D content via the 3D glasses.
The i1Pro is placed at the center of the screen (unless we’re measuring uniformity) and sealed against it to block out any ambient light. The Accupel pattern generator (bottom left) is controlled via USB by CalMAN, which is running on the Dell XPS laptop on the right.
Our version of CalMAN Ultimate allows me to design all of the screens and workflows to best suit the purpose at hand. To that end, we’ve created a display review workflow from scratch. This way, we can be sure and collect all the necessary data with a concise and efficient set of measurements.
The charts show us the RGB levels, gamma response, and Delta E error for every brightness point from zero to 100 percent. The table shows us the raw data for each measurement. And the area in the upper-left tells us luminance, average gamma, Delta E, and contrast ratio. The individual charts can be copied to the Windows clipboard to easily create graphics for our reviews.
Every primary and secondary color is measured at 20-, 40-, 60-, 80-, and 100-percent saturation. The color saturation level is simply the distance from the white point on the CIE chart. You can see the targets moving out from white in a straight line. The further a point is from center, the greater the saturation until you hit 100 percent at the edge of the gamut triangle. This shows us the display’s response at a cross-section of color points. Many monitors score well when only the 100-percent saturations are measured. Hitting the targets at the lower saturations is more difficult, and factors into our average Delta E value (which explains why our Delta E values are sometimes higher than those reported by other publications).
Uncalibrated
Before calibrating any panel, we measure zero- and 100-percent signals at both ends of the brightness control range. This shows us how contrast is affected at the extremes of a monitor's luminance capability. We do not increase the contrast control past the clipping point. While doing this would increase a monitor’s light output, the brightest signal levels would not be visible, resulting in crushed highlight detail. Our numbers show the maximum light level possible with no clipping of the signal.
Our comparison group includes the last six monitors reviewed at Tom’s Hardware, including Asus' PQ321Q and Dell’s UP3214Q Ultra HD screens. Before we move on, all of the luminance measurements are taken with Uniformity Compensation turned off, except where noted otherwise. When it’s turned on, the monitor’s dynamic range is reduced by about 16 percent, mainly due to a higher black level. We used the fixed Adobe RGB picture mode for these tests.

Despite their significantly different panel technologies, the UP2414Q and UP3214Q post nearly-identical max brightness numbers. This looks to us like a decision on Dell’s part to keep its products consistent across the same model line. A result of 326 cd/m2 is more than enough light output for any conceivable room environment or computing task.
Let’s see where that high backlight setting puts the black level.

Unfortunately, .4287 cd/m2 is fairly high. You’ll see as we go on that the UP2414Q’s contrast performance isn’t quite up to the levels posted by its larger brother.

We measure 762.5 to 1, which is an average contrast ratio result. There are plenty of screens on both sides of that level. While the image has reasonable depth and pop, the larger Asus and Dell monitors deliver a bit more dynamic range.
Somewhere around 50 cd/m2 is a practical minimum standard for screen brightness. Any lower and you risk eyestrain and fatigue. Some monitors, such as Dell's UP2414Q, measure under that level. We recorded a minimum white level of 38.9765 cd/m2 with the backlight turned all the way down. That's a bit too dim for practical use. Raising the brightness to six gets you 50 cd/m2.
The minimum black level, however, is pretty good.

When the black level is this low, you can’t tell that the monitor is even turned on; only our i1Pro knows the truth. If you turn up the backlight to six, the black level is a still-low .0652 cd/m2. Like the UP3214Q, the UP2414Q demonstrates very consistent contrast performance.
And here are the contrast values:

No matter where you set its backlight, the UP2414Q’s contrast falls between 760 and 780 to 1. That’s the kind of consistency we like to see in any monitor. Of course, more contrast is preferable. Dell's screen doesn’t score as high as many other less expensive displays. But maintaining the same dynamic range at all brightness levels is a sign of a well-engineered product. No matter what the viewing environment, you’ll always see the same picture.
After Calibration
Since we consider 200 cd/m2 to be an ideal point for peak output, we calibrate all of our test monitors to that value. In a room with some ambient light (like an office), this brightness level provides a sharp, punchy image with maximum detail and minimum eye fatigue. It's also the sweet spot for gamma and grayscale tracking, which we look at on the next page. In a dark room, many professionals prefer a 120 cd/m2 calibration. Realistically, there's little to no difference in the calibrated black level and contrast measurements, though.

Here is where the different backlight and pixel structure used in Dell's UP2414Q starts to exhibit a disadvantage. We’ve already established that this screen has lower native contrast than its big brother. Even after calibration, it doesn’t improve. And if you use the Uniformity Compensation feature, there is a hit to the black level.
Here are the final calibrated contrast numbers:

The calibrated contrast ratio is about the same as the uncalibrated one at 763.8 to 1. That puts it near the bottom in our comparison group, but right around the middle of all the displays we’ve tested in the last year. I'm additionally including a measurement showing the result of turning on Uniformity Compensation. It does improve screen uniformity by a measurable amount, though at a cost to contrast performance.
ANSI Contrast Ratio
Another important measure of contrast is ANSI. To perform this test, a checkerboard pattern of sixteen zero- and 100-percent squares is measured, giving us a more real-world result than on/off measurements because it tests a display’s ability to simultaneously maintain both low black and full white levels, factoring in screen uniformity as well. The average of the eight full-white measurements is divided by the average of the eight full-black measurements to arrive at the ANSI result.

The outcome lands close to the on/off number, at 710.4 to 1. This time, the reduction in contrast is only eight percent (compared to the 16-percent drop from the previous tests). Demonstrable consistency shows that high-quality components are used in the UP2414Q’s construction, particularly the grid polarizer. Consequently, there is minimal light leakage between the darkest and brightest areas of the image.
The majority of monitors (especially newer models) display excellent grayscale tracking, even at stock settings. It’s important that the color of white be consistently neutral at all light levels from darkest to brightest. Grayscale performance impacts color accuracy with regard to the secondary colors: cyan, magenta, and yellow. Since computer monitors typically have no color or tint adjustment, accurate grayscale is key.
At this point, we thought the UP2414Q would respond similarly to the UP3214Q, since it has identical color modes and calibration controls. After considerable experimentation, though, we discovered the two monitors are actually quite different.
For instance, Dell's UP3214Q has an excellent Custom Color mode, which gives you two-point grayscale controls and a color management system facilitating top-notch results. The UP2414Q offers the same controls. However, we recorded inferior numbers in the Custom mode and wound up settling on the fixed Adobe RGB mode as the most accurate configuration.
We’ll let the measurements tell the story.

This is the chart you can expect in both the Adobe RGB and sRGB color modes. You're only able to adjust Brightness and Contrast; grayscale and color gamut cannot be dialed-in. The result isn’t bad per se, but we really do miss white balance controls.
We tried out the available sliders in Dell's Custom Color mode:

This is an excellent measurement run that comes within a whisker of the UP3214Q’s Custom mode chart. Unfortunately, if you want that level of grayscale performance from the UP2414Q, you’ll have to accept some compromises in gamma and color gamut accuracy. Keep reading to see those results.
Here’s our comparison group again:

Our instruments return an error of 2.75 Delta E in Adobe RGB mode, which is a little higher than Dell’s claim of two Delta E, though perhaps this can be attributed to our specific press sample. Other UP2414Qs might measure higher or lower. And really, the error is still invisible. Some monitors do perform better at their default settings. But when the error is under three, you won’t be able to distinguish it with anything but a colorimeter.
What follows are the fixed and Custom Adobe RGB mode results.

Having white balance controls available helps get us an extremely low error of .79 Delta E. That's right up there with the best screens we’ve tested. In the fixed Adobe RGB mode, all we could do was adjust Brightness to our 200 cd/m2 standard level and tweak the contrast so the error remained the same.
Gamma Response
Gamma is the measurement of luminance levels at every step in the brightness range from 0 to 100 percent. This is important because poor gamma can either crush detail at various points or wash it out, making the entire picture appear flat and dull. Correct gamma produces a more three-dimensional image, with a greater sense of depth and realism. Meanwhile, incorrect gamma can negatively affect image quality, even in monitors with high contrast ratios.
In the gamma charts below, the yellow line represents 2.2, which is the most widely accepted standard for television, film, and computer graphics production. The closer the white measurement trace comes to 2.2, the better.
You saw above how great the grayscale tracking was in the Custom mode. This gamma chart is the tradeoff.

The UP2414Q seems to use its Standard mode as the basis for adjustment in the Custom modes. A poor gamma trace is one of the byproducts of that mode. Yes, you can have super-accurate white balance. The trade-off is gamma that is too light in tone throughout its range. After seeing this and the gamut results, I decided the non-adjustable modes are superior.
And here’s the chart in Adobe RGB mode.

Much better, right? That's a trace more befitting a professional-caliber display. It is disappointing to see such a difference compared to the UP3214Q. In all fairness though, the fixed modes, while not perfect, do offer decent performance.
Here’s our test group once more for the gamma comparisons.

The gamma in Adobe RGB mode is pretty much perfect, and that's the kind of accuracy we'd expect from a pro-level tool.
Our test was run in PC mode, which adheres to the 2.2 standard. If you use a Mac, there is preset that changes the gamma to 2.0. The measured tracking is equally flat.
We calculate gamma deviation by simply expressing the difference from 2.2 as a percentage.

With only a one percent deviation from 2.2, this result is within a hair of perfection as well. The biggest luminance error is at 90 percent, where it’s off by only 1.1 cd/m2.
Color gamut is measured using a saturation sweep that samples the six main colors (red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow) at five saturation levels (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%). This provides a more realistic view of color accuracy.
As in the grayscale and gamma tests, we attempt to improve upon the UP2414Q's out-of-box performance by using the Custom mode and its CMS. Like the UP3214Q, there is no color luminance control; only saturation and hue can be changed. That wasn't a problem with the 32-inch screen. But on the 24-inch model, we didn’t fare as well.

The CIE chart shows why it’s important to measure multiple saturation levels. I was able to bring the 100-percent (outermost) points in line. However, the 20-, 40-, 60-, and 80-percent levels remain the same. That means only the brightest colors are affected. The rest of the gamut is generally under-saturated, especially in the blue/magenta/red portion of the triangle. Luminance values are also quite high for all colors at all saturations.
Luckily, there is a fix.

By simply switching to Adobe RGB mode, we are able to clean things up nicely. The CIE chart still shows slight under-saturation, but at least it’s within visible tolerances. And check out that luminance chart! It doesn’t get any better. The resulting errors are all below three Delta E.
Now, let’s see how it stacks up against the competition.

You can't make any color adjustments in Adobe RGB mode, but an error of only 1.75 Delta E means you don’t really need to. When you use the Custom mode, the CMS can only get the error down to 3.55 Delta E, which is of no benefit to users looking for a monitor with pro-grade accuracy. The sRGB color gamut measures about the same. Both numbers meet Dell’s factory calibration results.
Gamut Volume: Adobe RGB 1998
There are basically two categories of displays in use today: those that conform to the sRGB/Rec. 709 standard like HDTVs, and wide-gamut panels that show as much as 100 percent of the Adobe RGB 1998 spec. We use Gamutvision to calculate the gamut volume, based on an ICC profile created from our actual measurements. The chart shows the percentage of both sRGB and Adobe RGB 1998 gamuts.

This is the best gamut volume result we’ve recorded to date. Some users prefer to rate a display’s color performance with this metric rather than Delta E. If you’re looking for a perfect 100-percent figure for both Adobe RGB and sRGB, the UP2414Q comes closer than anything else we’ve tested.
The more monitors we test, the more we can see that off-axis viewing performance is dependent not only on pixel structure (IPS, PLS, TN, etc.), but also backlight technology as well. The anti-glare layer even makes a difference.
The UP2414Q has a traditional AH-IPS pixel structure like many monitors, but takes the unusual step of incorporating a GB-r-LED backlight, rather than the more common W-LED. The only other monitor we’ve tested like this is Asus' PA279Q. Dell's solution exhibits similar color shifts to that screen, where a red tint can be seen as we move to the sides, and a blue one appears when we go above or below the center. The exotic backlight definitely improves color accuracy and makes the Adobe RGB gamut possible. However, it sacrifices some off-axis viewing performance.
Screen Uniformity: Luminance
To measure screen uniformity, zero- and 100-percent full-field patterns are used, and nine points are sampled. In a change from previous reviews, we’re now comparing the results to other monitors we’ve measured. First, we establish a baseline measurement at the center of each screen. Then the surrounding eight points are measured and their values expressed as a percentage of the baseline, either above or below. This number gets averaged. It is important to remember that we only test the review sample each vendor sends us. Other examples of the same monitor can measure differently in this metric.
First up is black field uniformity:

The numbers are excellent with and without Uniformity Compensation. Since it’s such a small difference, we think it best to leave that feature off, rather than accept lower contrast. Only seven monitors out of the last 25 we tested fare better. We couldn’t see any hotspots on our press sample, but the meter tells us the lower-left corner is a tad brighter than the rest of the screen.
And here’s the white field measurement:

This result isn’t quite as good, but it’s still barely visible to our eyes. The center is the brightest zone, and there is a tiny bit less light on the right side of the screen. Suddenly, Uniformity Compensation makes a marked difference in the measurements. When viewing real-world content, though, you won’t see any issues; we still recommend leaving the feature turned off to maximize contrast.
Screen Uniformity: Color
To measure color uniformity, we display an 80-percent white field and measure the Delta E error of the same nine points on the screen. Then we subtract the lowest value from the highest to arrive at the result. A smaller number means a display is more uniform. Any value below three is a variation invisible to the naked eye.

The Uni-comp makes almost no difference to color uniformity, and a Delta E range of 1.69 is well below the point where anyone will see a problem. I'm happy to report a uniform white field at all brightness levels with no tint of any kind.
To perform these tests, we use a high-speed camera that shoots at 1000 frames per second. Analyzing the video frame-by-frame allows us to observe the exact time it takes to go from a zero-percent signal to a 100% white field.
The pattern generator is placed at the base of the monitor so our camera can capture the precise moment its front-panel LED lights up, indicating that a video signal is being received by the monitor. With this camera placement, we can easily see how long it takes to fully display a pattern after pressing the button on the generator’s remote. This testing methodology allows for accurate and repeatable results when comparing panels.
Here’s a shot of our test setup. Click on the photo to enlarge.
The brighter section of the camera’s screen is what will actually appear in the video. You can see the lights of the pattern generator in the bottom of the viewfinder. We flash the pattern on and off five times and average the results.
The next chart includes screen draw results:

Our test results show that for IPS and PLS panels, the draw time is always between 20 and 25 milliseconds. Only TN screens are faster, which is why they are still favored by gamers. The IGZO panels used on the 32-inch Ultra HD products should respond more quickly due to their greater molecular mobility. But that potential hasn’t been tapped yet, most likely because of processing bandwidth limitations. The UP2414 leverages good old AH-IPS technology, so it slots in right where you'd expect.

Like the UP3214Q, this 24-inch 4K screen is not great for gaming. The input lag on both Dell monitors is just too high for titles that require fast reaction times. We’re quite anxious to get our hands on Dell’s 28-inch 4K display, the P2815Q, because it’s not only the least-expensive 4K screen out there, but it’s also a TN-based panel. For now though, it seems that IGZO and IPS high-res displays need to up their processing power before they can be part of a high-performance gaming rig.
When we received the UP2414Q for review, we expected a monitor that was identical to the UP3214Q except in size. That is mostly true. However, we picked up on a number of differences, too.
Visually, both displays exhibit a high degree of fit and finish, resulting in excellent build quality. When you’re paying four figures for a monitor, it’s reasonable to expect a solid metal base and some high-end trim pieces. It’s reasonable to expect a factory calibration. And it’s reasonable to expect a level of accuracy and functionality that should typify a professional-grade tool.
Dell's 24-inch UP2414Q is a 4K display. It has a 60 Hz max refresh rate and uses an AH-IPS panel. The monitor is built around a GB-r-LED part from LG and offers the Adobe RGB color gamut. Dell includes factory calibration. The Ultra HD display is aimed primarily at graphics pros and photographers. Read the Full Review
Dell UP2414Q
To meet this design goal in a 24-inch form factor, Dell uses an GB-r-LED part from LG, if only because it’s the only panel this size that’s both Ultra HD and Adobe RGB-compatible. That becomes the source of performance differences we measured throughout today's review.

In the fixed Adobe RGB and sRGB Color Space modes, Dell's 24- and 32-inch 4K screens achieve a high level of accuracy without calibration. Dell claims errors of less than two Delta E, and the company delivers. When you decide to calibrate yourself, however, the larger monitor is clearly superior. It allowed us to create a custom Adobe RGB gamut that was not only near-perfect, but it was accompanied by equally precise grayscale and gamma tracking. When we tried the same trick with the UP2414Q, we came up short.
If you work in traditional color spaces, that's not a problem. But if you need to use a less common standard like DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative), then you might have to look elsewhere for a reference display. Ultimately, a professional-grade monitor needs to support multiple color spaces and have the ability to adjust all of them. High performance out of the box is great. However, long-term precision requires dialing-in changes. You simply don't have enough flexibility with Dell's UP2414Q.
Today, most of the discussion about Ultra HD monitors centers on price. Paying more than a grand for a 24-inch monitor is a lot. And although this will change over time, manufacturers are operating on thin profit margins, so downward pressure is likely to be slow. Just look at the prices for 27-inch QHD screens last year. They barely moved. We have two such displays in the lab now: ViewSonic's VP2772 and NEC's EA274WMi. Both are currently selling for over $800.
Another hurdle that must be overcome is the infrastructure. With HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.3 still unavailable to PC enthusiasts, first-gen 4K displays must either do 30 Hz over HDMI 1.4 or achieve 60 Hz through a DisplayPort 1.2 MST connection (we're going to ignore dual HDMI inputs for the time being). There are many Internet forum threads dedicated to the challenges of getting everything working together. Ultra HD on the desktop is simply ahead of its time. Power users are still the only ones able to wrangle the hardware and software.
Speaking of software, if you think text looks small on a 32-inch screen at 3840x2160, it's downright microscopic on a 24-inch panel sporting the same native resolution. DPI scaling is a must if you want to avoid eyestrain. While this improved going from Windows 7 to Windows 8 (and even Windows 8 to 8.1), clarity still suffers when you make things larger. As with any hardware purchase, you have to decide what technology and feature set is right for your application.
If you work primarily in graphics, and you don’t mind the smaller display, Dell's UP2414Q can save you 70 percent compared to a UP3214Q or Asus PQ321Q. Alternatively, you might want to wait for Dell’s 28-inch Ultra HD TN model coming soon for $700, providing you don't need the Adobe RGB color gamut. Whichever screen you choose, know that you’re still buying into a first-gen product. From our experience so far, these 4K monitors work well, but still have some maturing to do.



