Asus ProArt PA32UCDMR 32-inch 4K professional OLED monitor review: Precision, speed, and flexibility

Also comes with a slick calibrator and controller combination, and sports an all-metal chassis with elegant style

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Asus PA32UCDMR
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(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The PA32UCDMR is one of the most capable HDR monitors you can buy. It supports multiple PQ curves for HDR10 plus Hybrid Log Gamma and Dolby Vision. The only thing it doesn’t have is HDR10+.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

· HDR White Luminance – 420.0729 nits

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· HDR Black Level – 0 nit

· HDR Sequential Contrast – Unmeasurable

The PA32UCDMR is rated for VESA DisplayHDR 400 and exceeds that rating when measured with a 25% window pattern. Asus claims 1,000 nits for a 3% window, and this result casts no doubt on that. Black levels and contrast cannot be measured. I noted that peak brightness was about the same regardless of which PQ curve was selected. You can expect the same numbers for Dolby Vision content as well. It is possible to engage constant brightness for HDR content, but it looks much better when that’s left off.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

The PA32UCDMR’s HDR color accuracy is equal to what I found in SDR mode. For this test, I used HDR10 with a BT.2020 gamut and PQ Clip. Grayscale tracking is perfect with all errors below 2dE. The EOTF runs a tad dark from 0 to 40% where it meets the reference line up to the tone-map transition point at 65% brightness. This is correct for the measured black and white thresholds.

In the color test, there is slight oversaturation throughout the gamut range for both DCI-P3 and BT.2020. This is typical of the HDR monitors I’ve measured, though the PA32UCDMR isn’t quite as over-the-top as some others. I would expect to see this behavior given its professional aspirations. This can be tightened up with a calibration if you wish.

Test Takeaway: The PA32UCDMR is a reference display for HDR content. It will look superior to just about any other OLED outside of a premium TV, or another pro monitor. LCD? Yeah, not even close. This is a great monitor, whether you buy it as a professional tool or simply to enjoy its gorgeous picture and elegant styling.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jwcarney67
    Links to this model don't show up in Amazon or Bestbuy.
    The actual model number from Asus is
    ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDMR-K
    Which shows up in other online retailers.
    Bestbuy only has the 27" model.
    Reply
  • YSCCC
    The Gamut table seems odd? how can native gamut be 104%?? and the Adobe RGB and P3 coverage seems kinda low for OLED.
    Reply