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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.
Applying an HDR10 signal switches the PG279QM to HDR mode automatically. There are no additional picture modes available, but you can still access the same presets as SDR as well as adjust contrast and color temperature.
HDR Brightness and Contrast
The PG279QM is a DisplayHDR 400 monitor, and it tops 423 nits as expected. Though there are brighter monitors here, the more important metrics are contrast and black levels. There, the PG279QM takes the prize by a large margin, thanks to its zone dimming feature. It isn’t quite as dramatic as a full-array backlight but by modulating the edge array, the PG279QM can achieve excellent HDR contrast and image depth.
Grayscale, EOTF and Color
I couldn’t create an independent HDR calibration, but the settings I used in SDR mode worked well for HDR. There is a slight coolness in the brightest steps, but that error is hard to spot in content. The EOTF starts off too dark because of the zone dimming but rises to meet the spec with a hard transition at 65% brightness. Some shadow detail can be hard to see depending on the game or video you’re viewing, but in general, the PG279QM delivers superb HDR.
I checked both DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 gamuts for HDR and found the PG279QM maintained the correct hues for each. Inner color targets are 5-10% oversaturated which is not enough to cause a problem. If you’re viewing HDR material mastered to DCI-P3, it will render accurately. If it’s encoded to Rec.2020, it will also be accurate until the highest saturation levels where color runs out. But with only a 20% volume deficiency, the PG279QM will still outshine nearly any other monitor regarding color saturation.
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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.
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waltc3 Couple of major flaws for me @ an $840 price point: It's way too small, imo, but I'm prejudiced because once you go to 43" you won't go back...;) The HDR is really lacking...HDR 400 is barely into the DisplayHDR spec, frankly. I had a 32" BenQ with HDR 400, and it's nowhere near as nice as my present DisplayHDR 1000 monitor. Last, it's limited to 1440P--I think that 4k is a must in a monitor in this price range. I think that all too often people get side-tracked by supposed Hz of the monitor and forget about everything else...;) It's hard to beat a wide color gamut combined with DisplyHDR1000 certification, imo. Cut this price in half, and it would be far more interesting.Reply -
Findecanor It could be worth explaining that Rec.2020 had been designed to be wider than what any available display is able to reproduce. It had been designed to cater to future improvements in display technology.Reply
Therefore, there is no actual "Rec.2020 display". like there are displays that support 100% sRGB or DCI P3.