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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 VX2738-2K switches to HDR mode automatically if the HDR option is set to Auto in the OSD. There are no adjustments or additional picture modes available.
HDR Brightness and Contrast
The VX2738-2K delivers its brightest possible picture in HDR mode with 419 nits measured from a 25% window pattern. Variable brightness is in operation and cannot be turned off. It easily qualifies for VESA DisplayHDR 400 like much of its competition. Asus and Gigabyte drive their panels a bit harder to get 580 and 653 nits peak, respectively. The VX2738-2K has decent impact with deep blacks and infinite contrast, but is not exceptionally bright.
Grayscale, EOTF and Color
The VX2738-2K’s HDR color is fixed with no provision for adjustment. Grayscale tracking is excellent in the darker parts of the image where there are no visible errors. At levels above 50%, it gets a bit warm in tone. These errors do not significantly diminish image quality. It would be nice to have the RGB sliders available, though. The EOTF runs a bit dark from zero to 40%, then stays close to the reference and a 65% tone-map transition point, which is correct given the measured black and white thresholds.
In the color tests, the VX2738-2K tracks hue points well with only slight variation in magenta. The chart is generally oversaturated like nearly all HDR monitors but with points that progress in a linear fashion. This approach keeps fine detail sharp and clear in all parts of the image. DCI-P3 is fully covered as it should be. BT.2020 runs the VX2738-2K out of color at 90% red, 80% green and 95% blue.
Test Takeaway: The VX2738-2K delivers an HDR image of average brightness with infinite black levels and contrast like any OLED display. With 419 nits peak, it has a satisfying impact and makes an obvious difference between SDR and HDR. Color is nicely saturated and accurate enough to be pleasing. No one will complain about the VX2738-2K’s HDR quality, it is very high. I noted slight grayscale errors that could not be corrected, but this did not affect the image in any significant way.
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