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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

The SUW49DA is the second 5120 x 1440 resolution monitor we’ve reviewed, so the AOC Agon AG493UCX is included here for comparison, along with an array of 34-inch and one 35-inch ultrawides. They are the Cooler Master GM34-CW, Viotek GNV34DBE, AOC CU34G2X and ViewSonic Elite XG350R-C.

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Ultrawide monitors don’t have to be quite as bright as their 16:9 counterparts to provide enough output. That said, the Viotek AG493UCX is an extreme overachiever. It could light up a small town when the backlight is maxed. The SUW49DA doesn’t quite hit its 400-nit spec, but at 360 nits, there is more than enough output for satisfying gameplay or any other task.

Black levels are about average for a VA panel, which results in a respectable 2,599.6:1 static contrast score. The AOC manages to eke a little more dynamic range, but any of these monitors will deliver better blacks and a deeper image than an IPS or TN display.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration (see our recommended settings) gave us a nice gain in dynamic range (2,839:1 versus 2,600:1), thanks to changes we made to gamma and the contrast slider. We also saw an improvement in color saturation.

Our sample monitor had solid screen uniformity and a properly fitted grid polarizer, so intra-image contrast is nearly the same as the static value. That’s excellent performance, especially given the Viotek’s price, which is lower than other 32:9 screens.

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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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