RedShark News - Video technology news and analysis

Cheaper 4K computer monitors are coming

Written by David Shapton | Jul 28, 2014 10:00:00 AM
Seiki 4K computer monitors

4K computer monitors completely transform your day to day working experience. I know this because I've been using one for the last few months

Up to now, they've either been very expensive (compared to normal resolution monitors) or just not very good. The cheaper ones available use older screen technology and their colour reproduction isn't great. They also tend to be smaller, have limited viewing angles, and don't generally give a great impression. That's what people who've used them have told us.

At the top end

The one I've been using is a Dell UP3214Q, a 32" behemoth, with a high-end screen technology and very accurate colour reproduction. But it's far more expensive that most people are able to pay for a monitor.

If you don't stretch to that sort of budget, Seiki has some good news for you. They're going to be launching a range of "Pro" monitors next year. They will have 4K resolution and some fairly useful specs - including the now essential HDMI 2: so they should be good for 60Hz refresh rates at 4K.

4K will become the standard

I believe that 4K will quickly become the standard for computer monitors - faster, perhaps, than 4K will be adopted in the living room.

All the specs are in the Seiki press release, after the break.

 

SEIKI BREAKS INTO DESKTOP MONITOR MARKET

WITH A TRIO OF SEIKI PRO BRANDED 4K ULTRA HD DISPLAYS

Seiki Introduces High-performance 28-, 32- and 40-inch Displays

Featuring 3,840 by 2,160 4K Ultra HD Resolution, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.3, and MHL 3.0

NEW YORK (CE Week 2014) – June 25, 2014 – In keeping with the goal of accelerating the adoption of 4K Ultra HD standard, Seiki (www.seiki.com), a leading brand in the emerging 4K Ultra HD display market, today announced its entry into the desktop monitor segment with a new lineup of 4K Ultra HD displays. The new Seiki 4K displays will be branded Seiki Pro, the company’s innovation brand for advanced products, and designed for today’s 4K Ultra HD early-adopter users ready for the ultimate desktop computing and gaming experience.

“According to industry experts, 4K desktop monitors are forecasted to reach two million units in 2014 and continue to climb through 2017. Seiki aims to tackle the desktop monitor market and duplicate the success we’ve experienced in the 4K Ultra HD TV market,” said Frank Kendzora, executive vice president at Seiki. “Our strategy again is to offer products that capture the excitement surrounding 4K Ultra HD and make the technology available to the masses at a fair price.”

                Seiki will demonstrate its new high-performance Seiki Pro 4K Displays for the first time at the CE Week Exhibits & Conferences (June 25-26) held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.

Seiki Pro 4K displays are designed to deliver the ultimate desktop computing experience for intensive computer graphics, photo and video editing, and programming applications, as well as fast-paced 4K PC gaming at up to 60 frames per second.

Seiki will introduce three displays sizes including a 28- (28U4SEP-G02), 32- (32U4SEP-G02) and 40-inch (40U4SEP-G02) models. Current specification list include:

·         Vertical Alignment (VA) LED panel technology with 3,840 by 2,160 4K Ultra HD resolution

·         12-bit color processing and 14-bit gamma mode

·         HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.3, MHL 3.0, DVI and VGA standards display connections

·         Picture-by-picture (x4) and daisy chain mode

·         USB 3.0 hub (1 upstream and 2 downstream)

·         VESA-compliant adjustable monitor stand with quick release

The Seiki Pro 4K Ultra HD displays will be available in Q1 2015. Suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to product availability.