LG 32UL500-W UHD/HDR Monitor

[solarrdadd]

Howdy, first thing I'd like to say is I didn't buy this as a gaming monitor, I don't game from my PC and I don't have any consoles connected to this monitor.

Now, I'd like to also mention, I have this monitor connected to a Dell Optiplex 3020 with quad core/8 LP CPU, 16gb ram and a MSI/Nvidia GT 1030 4K graphics card in it and running Windows 10. The card supports both DP1.4 & HDMI 2.0 and is HDCP2.2 compliant.

for about 6+ years I had a different pc with a BBY Dynex HDTV 1080p HDMI connected to it. last year I got the Dell and I always wanted a 4K display connected to it. I dabble with graphics and 3D modeling so i wanted to take advantage of a larger more capable display for that and perhaps the ability to connect a 4K/HDR display to it for casual viewing when i didn't want to fire up the bedroom system.

I did some research and happened across this beautiful, capable and just as importantly On Sale monitor the LG 32UL500-W.





KEY FEATURES:

32” UHD (3840 x 2160) VA LED Display
DCI-P3 95% Color Gamut
(1) DP 1.2, (2)HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, one cable of each type included
Built in MAXXAUDIO Speakers
(1) Headphone/External Audio Out
HDR10AMD
FreeSync™
OnScreen Control
Wall Mountable

I set this up yesterday, connected it to my Dell via DP 1.4 port on the Dell and let me tell you, coming from a 1080p Dynex HDTV to this is the true definition of "Day and Night!"

I was concerned about controlling it because there is no remote and the selector/power switch is a tiny circular switch with a joystick type button that can move in a 360 fashion on the bottom, underside of the monitor frame.

it took some getting used to, but, I adapted quickly and now it's almost second nature using it without too much thinking.

the monitor is very customizable for viewing purposes and has a wide variety of settings for every event.

i watched many 4K video (both filmed at 8K) demos from YouTube, here are a couple that stood out for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX2vsvdq8nw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1La4QzGeaaQ

I mean, both of those videos were absolutely beautiful and amazing on this monitor; simply stunning!

I sit just a little over 2' from the monitor and it's crystal clear. no eye strain, so far, i've had about 10hrs of viewing time.

so far, no DSE, not issues of any kind with the monitor. I will also mention, as most of you know, most "monitors" do not include speakers, so, this was a nice bonus for me and the speakers included are plenty good to my ears. if I feel I need better quality sound at louder volumes with more bass, I will go to a 2.1 setup for that. for the time being, i'm happy with the speakers included. hey, I lived with the speakers on that Dynex HDTV for a long time at my workstation!

this particular video, really showed me the true contrast and beauty that fades into and out of full black to color, back to full black could produce.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y9nX0QHqzA

overall, I am very, very happy with the monitor. I will say, if you want to take full advantage of 4K/HDR from your pc using Win 10, you need to "enable HDR" in windows and you really need a powerful graphics card. i'm not sure why, but, text and some other things do not look good to my eyes with HDR enabled in Win 10 and I can't determine if this is a Win 10 or a graphics card issue. I do know that for me, enabling HDR makes my desktop look a bit cloudy.

my graphics card is buss powered only and is fanless to keep the noise down to almost nothing from the workstation. so, i don't have HDR enabled for streaming when using Win 10. having said that, the video's being sent to the monitor (as well as everything else from the workstation) i usually set it to HDR/CINEMA and it looks amazing.

when i connect my Roku Ultra to the monitor via HDMI 2.0, i will be sending true native 4K/HDR10 with the Roku doing all the heavy lifting with no problem. i am expecting to be able to set that up either later today or tomorrow. i'm waiting on a 25' ethernet cable so i can connect it to a gigabit switch in the room. i am not a fan of wi-fi.

i will update with a new post once i have connected the Roku Ultra box to the monitor.

so far, without any first hand knowledge of it's abilities for a gaming pc or console monitor, i can highly recommend this to anyone for a really good PC monitor. I'm easy to please and probably not as demanding as some as far as 4K monitors go. I don't have charts and graphs with curves, etc., just my old ass eyes saying they like what they see!

i'm pretty sure it will do a good job as a gaming pc/gaming console monitor too, but, that last statement is based on reading reviews and my guesses. i'm sure you could do worse!

[solarrdadd]

just an update, i have connected my Roku Ultra 4640X to the HDMI 2.0 port and the monitor was automatically recognized by the Roku and switched its output to 3840 x 2160p.

the monitor also switched the HDMI port to HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color/ON.
all of my Apps that are either DV or HDR10 show beautifully in HDR10. the color and clarity is amazing. i mean, i'm sitting about 2' from a 32" UHD display with HDR10 so, i can see ever hair!

absolutely no problems from any app or anything to do with the Roku Ultra Box so far.

i am amazingly happy with the purchase of this monitor. also, the stereo sound/effect, audio panning and phantom center are very good from these tiny speakers. although, i'm sure at some point, i'm going to move to 2.1 then i'll have some serious audio effects for things while seated at the workstation.

i'll keep you guys posted.

[solarrdadd]

so, i've had this monitor for a little over 2 months, using it everyday with my PC Workstation and/or with my Roku Ultra 4K/HDR Streaming Box and it has worked, flawlessly! the picture is razor sharp and the colors are incredibly vibrant and don't get me started with 4K/HDR streaming!

despite that the built in speakers sound really good, i want some low end when watching movies and shows that call for it. i am in the very near future get going to get an external speaker system. i'm going to go with the Logitech - Z623 2.1 Speaker System. it's a great little system, nice satellites and a good sub. perfect for what i want, won't take up a ton of desktop real-estate either.



the monitor has a headphone out 3.5mm jack which is included with the speakers. that will make this monitor complete in what it can put out with an addition of a 2.1 external audio system and a 4K/HDR streaming box.

i've owned logitech before and they are great speakers.

i'll keep you guys posted when i get the 2.1 speakers and how things are going which i'm sure will be

[solarrdadd]

well, as it turns out, there is one listed at my local BB, and i had a $25 rewards certificate sitting around doing nothing (for giving reviews on my purchases ) so i bought the speaker set and with savings and tax got it for $100 i'll pick it up either tomorrow or Wednesday!

will keep you guys posted!

[solarrdadd]

picked up the 2.1 speaker set this afternoon. i'll probably set it up this weekend and post back.

[solarrdadd]

hooked up the speakers and they sound amazing. got them situated how i want them on the sides of the monitor and kinda got the sub where it gives the best nondirectional low end too.

i'm getting the full effect with the monitors beautiful 4K/HDR picture with good 2.1 audio to go with it. i mean, the phantom center is amazing and some of the pans from left to right and right to left are amazing!

i highly recommend the speakers to go with this (or any other ) monitor for very little money!

i have the volume at less than 1/4 of the way with source audio dialed down and it's still plenty loud and crystal clear!

oh and the Roku Ultra 4K/HDR, everything always looked amazing on the monitor now, it's got the audio with real world impact to go with it. it's putting me in the moment when watching show, movies on the Roku for sure!

[LexInHD]

HDR in Windows is still a beta-level feature. It just don't work all the time, though Microsoft is porting their Auto HDR feature from the Xbox to PCs in a future Windows update. I'm using an HDR10-capable FALD TV as a PC monitor and I've tested HDR on it, so I know it works, but it's very glitchy and often doesn't work.