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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
The PG34WCDM gives the user two options for controlling brightness. One is the traditional brightness slider, while the other is the Uniform Brightness option. Turning this on ensures that the light level doesn’t shift with changes in content. This is the better choice for SDR unless you need brighter highlight areas. In either case, contrast is stunning. For this test, I turned it off to measure the monitor’s peak capability using a 25% window pattern that registered 413.0117 nits. With UB on, the peak is around 260 nits. Either way, black levels are too low to measure, so contrast is tremendous. Note that the Mini LED screens are much brighter which is a feature of that technology. Both are VA panels, so they deliver high native contrast as well.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration doesn’t alter the OLED’s black levels, but there is a small gain in contrast with the Mini LED monitors. I measured them with local dimming turned off for a native value. This performance is excellent but not in the same league as the OLEDs. ANSI contrast is solid for the Mini LEDs and unmeasurable for the OLEDs.
Test Takeaway: I have yet to measure a black level or a contrast ratio for an OLED panel. In theory, there is no difference in dynamic range, and I can also state this is true upon visual observation. Differentiating an OLED panel’s image quality comes down to color saturation, color accuracy, and resolution. In contrast, they are on equal footing. The PG34WCDM is a bit brighter than some others, but once adjusted for real-world conditions, that fact is not an advantage.
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