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Brightness and Contrast

To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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ViewSonic VX2730D-4K — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The VX2730D-4K is firmly in the “not super bright but bright enough” category. For indoor use, 300 nits is plenty, and you’ll be more comfortable at 180-200 nits peak. What’s more important is the black level, which is almost 50% below the next screen from Titan Army. The resulting contrast of almost 1,600:1 is a standout among IPS panels. This feat is achieved without any clipping.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Contrast gets a tad higher after calibration, where it tops 1,600:1, well ahead of the P2712V. This is a difference you can see in a side-by-side comparison of actual content. Though a VA or OLED screen will look even better, the VX2730D-4K easily outpaces its direct competitors.

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In the ANSI test, the VX2730D-4K stays consistent, even adding 3.7 points to the total. It’s rare for any monitor to be this consistent in my contrast tests. On planet IPS, it doesn’t get much better.

Test Takeaway: The VX2730D-4K has lower-than-average black levels for an IPS monitor, resulting in a contrast ratio of over 1,600:1. That delivers a greater perception of color saturation, depth, and sharpness. Coupled with its 163ppi pixel density, it delivers a supremely clear, detailed image. It isn’t super bright, but for any indoor environment, it has more than enough light output.

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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.