BenQ SW321C review - Photography, editing, grading and VFX monitor |

[@Xirpzy]

Bought an LG gaming monitor. Just regular 3D stuff in Maya at work so I didnt spend more than for full srgb and 1440p. Screen space was the main reason I felt the need for a second monitor. Completely blown away by the colours and brightness. Even down at 35% its brighter and colours suddenly look super washed out on my old monitor. And my old was almost double the cost! It shows how far monitors and panels have come in just a few years. Cant wait for what the future brings.

[@BudBetz]

Great review. I’m looking to up my work to pro status. This monitor is certainly on my radar. The more I hear about it, the more I lean to purchase. I appreciate your work, and thank you for this review!

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much for watching. I love it, still using it to this day! It’s a great monitor for the creative industry

[@joeymorelli2511]

Love this review Hugo. I am a Colorist looking for an affordable monitor and I am taking your advice and waiting for BenQ's next higher-end series. Thank you!!

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much for watching. Yes I can’t wait for the new PV series! I will review it here don’t worry!

[@joeymorelli2511]

@@HugosDesk I am a subscriber...hope to get a notification when you do that review!

[@NamLe-to2db]

I always love your review the monitor. Great review!

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much. Planning to review all my equipment now! So other reviews coming soon.

[@BernardoAmorim]

just bought the 27c cant wait to set it up

[@HugosDesk]

Congratulations 🎉

[@BernardoAmorim]

@@HugosDesk unfortunately the seller had to cancel the order as there no monitors like this in hing Kong or macau. So no luck for me.

[@NeilSnapePhotography]

Perfect. I was going to do a detail video explaining assumptions as you did. Well done!

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much for watching

[@HugosDesk]

Hope to see your video too!

[@carlb401]

BenQ offer a Shading hood bridge, it allows you to connect 2 or more hoods together. The Flash centre in the UK sell them, no doubt other BenQ stockists can get them too.

[@HugosDesk]

At the time of the making this video it was not available. They only made the bridge some time after my review. Thanks so much for watching

[@RaviKajari]

Thank you ! Nice review

[@archer13]

Then this video came right after I got my SW321C a few weeks ago. A future proof investment for me. :)

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks for wathcing. I don't think you will be disappointed. I love the monitor!

[@archer13]

@@HugosDesk I also love the monitor right out of the box. I initially thought of buying the samsung g9 49" but this 32" is already an overwhelming size for me.

[@fparkes6]

Great info mate!! Thanks for your hard work

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks for watching

[@minimalfun]

Great video, as always. I just wanted to say a few words about Apple Pro XDR. Yes you need an Apple computer, be it an M1 or MacPro or... but it does have a few advantages. A 1000 nits (sustained) and it peaks to 1600. It is a true 10bit monitor and for people who don't wanna spend 35K on a Sony or 42.7K on a Flanders Scientific (700$ just for shipping and handling), its a very good option. Yes, it may not be the EXACT same Sony monitor but 30.000$ more for that much difference? If you are Company 3 or Technicolor or The Mill ;) sure, but for a small studio or an Indie color timer, 30.000$ is a hell of a lot. XDR is a pretty great and as you mentioned the only downside is, you gotta use a Mac. And last but not least, BenQ monitors are really great, the bang for the buck is next to none.

[@HugosDesk]

I completely agree with you. The XDR It’s an amazing display and in fact with the BM Teranex Mini 8K HDR converter you don’t need the Mac! And you can calibrate the video signal without Calman! Anyway the XDR is 4 times more expensive than the SW321C so it’s not the same league! It’s not even the same sport! Thanks for watching

[@wilmerkrusen7501]

Found this and great video! Can you suggest any episodes that explain to a beginner level how to set up and use color profiles on the sw321c? I'm using a windows laptop for photography and have spyderx and xrite color calibrator hardware including their software and Benq palette master. But lost in which to use or or how to activate including between screens and photo editing software programs.

[@HugosDesk]

That is a great idea. I will try to do that video soon. Thanks

[@sajeelshukla]

To BenQ for modular hoods look into modern packaging using magnets a lot of new gadgets charger boxes come with these magnetic snap-on components. PS Hugo thank you for this video very informative as usual :)

[@HugosDesk]

Good tip!

[@krishartsphotography5643]

Nice & Thanks :)

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks for watching

[@mikedavis1110]

Hugo, I just found your channel and I appreciate the wide spectrum of editing you include in your review of the SW32C and how it meet your needs. Since the SW lineup doesn’t have the Eye Care included, how has this effected you since you have used it for a year now? I am in my 60’s and eye issues (floaters-Retina) are a concern for me in my photography work. Also thoughts on 27”vs 32” for a stand up desk? Is more about the distance from the monitor or is larger view better?

[@NialJoker]

Big Thanks for the value content Hugo! You mention the upcoming pv series from Benq, how do you know its coming? I can't find anything related and I'm patiently waiting for it since almost two years now..I was now considering the SW321C just beacuse I am about to loose hope that something like the Pv series will ever happen again (specs/price). ;(

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much, no new information yet. It won’t be until 2022, not sure yet but I will check with them again. Thanks again

[@stophersecher8129]

Thanks Hugo. Great review. Just bought the SW321C, and I'm very happy about it. Working in Davinci Resolve, I also bought the Intensity Pro 4K, to get direct video out. BUT when changing monitor input from 'normal' (GUI) to Intensity Pro on my SW321C, no image is shown? I don't get the direct video out signal? The 'monitor device' in Resolve is set to Intensity Pro 4K. Do you have an idea of what I'm missing? Has it anything to do with screen resolution/settings? I hope you can help. Thank you in advance. Kind regards Stopher

[@HugosDesk]

Glad you bought it, it’s great and my main monitor. Are you using HDMI 2.0 cables? Is it 4K? Are you doing 444? Maybe check this list for supported signals in video on pag 3: esupportdownload.benq.com/esupport/LCD%20MONITOR/UserManual/SW271C/RF_EN_201116092638.pdf?__hstc=37921852.1d424bd15edcc62e50f923ab40cfa16e.1610100327191.1637469762284.1638287983979.4&__hssc=37921852.5.1638287983979&__hsfp=2597735959

[@stophersecher7563]

@@HugosDesk Will check. Thanks.

[@johnnywilkinson9736]

Your illuminated keyboard looks funky. What make is it, please?

[@HugosDesk]

That’s from Editor’s Keys. You can check this affiliate link if you want: www.editorskeys.com/HUGOCGUERRA

[@johnnywilkinson9736]

Based on your detailed and interesting review I have ordered two of these monitors to use on my Dell 5860 for Photoshop. What would be a suitable graphics card to use?

[@davidligon6088]

Excellent review. This is a lot of the information I was looking for, and simply have not found elsewhere. It seems like a great monitor for my use. I primarily do Photography with a bit of web work, and some print. I like the 32" size. It was not clear to me what you used to measure the monitor uniformity or to verify the factory monitor calibration. Can you clarify that? Secondly, I do like a little bit of light in my room (of course, not full sunlight, but a north facing window with a translucent shade). Do you think 250 nit will be sufficient? I guess I can always adjust the amount of light in the room, but I don't like to feel like I am working in a dungeon, and nobody I know uses their laptop/phone in a dark room anyway. Finally. After you've had the monitor for 3 years, I would be really interested in a follow-up test for degradation. That kind of information is golden.

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks for watching and for your kind words. I use a colour meter X-Rite i1Display Pro Plus to measure using software called Calman Studio. It has all the tools to make this types of checks.

[@HugosDesk]

Regarding the lights, I struggle when the monitor is at full HDR, to be honest! In a dark room, it’s a problem. And during the day it looks great even with windows open. Regarding a follow-up! Am planning to do that, I’ve been using it for almost 2 years now so almost! Again, Thanks for watching

[@pedalandypedal]

You said the palette master gives you a complete bypass of the os color profiles, is the same as using a video card? Meaning you won't need one with this monitor?

[@kartik7202]

Sir you are a rOckstar. After spending more than 2 days worth of research I hardly got much of details, and i found your content. I would i say its years of your work would be rather called as expertise than content and review. Thankyou for all the time and effort you put into this. Kudos to your your. 2 Questions- 1. I need to buy a monitor for color grading on Davinci Resolve. I have a retina macbook pro which I will use for grades between Benq S and P series which would be better cheap option? 2. Which would you consider for color grading between ASUS ProArt vs Benq Series? would you review or test it in future? Thankyou

[@HugosDesk]

Sorry I don’t have a ProArt display to test but I hear they are amazing. Maybe ask Diogo, he is a ProArt ambassador: instagram.com/strongsidestudio/

[@kartik7202]

@@HugosDesk Thankyou so much for the quick reply. I am a photographer and recently have started working on films to color grade. Which series should I consider between SW and PD as i need a rec709 color space?

[@HugosDesk]

SW all the way! The PD is good but no hardware calibration!

[@kartik7202]

@@HugosDesk Thankyou so much.❤️

[@aziznasuti2690]

Hugo, I am in fence between this and ProArt PA329C could you please help with that? Considering the Artpro is cheaper almost by 2/3 here in Norway. Thanks in advance

[@joelarvidsson]

Will check her cooking channel. I could need some new dishes!

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much Joel, hope you enjoy the recipes.

[@jurig5579]

So after all how easy is this monitor for your eyes compared to other monitors with eye care functions? Did you do some custom mode with warm temp and less brightness / or do you use some f.lux like app to fix too much blue light issue ?

[@electronicbagatelle]

What about the BenQ SW270C it's not 4K but would you recommend it? I am CG artist and finally enjoyworking from home due to the lockdown and in desperate need of a better colour monitor but i can't afford the 4K one yet.

[@electronicbagatelle]

not to mistake it with the SW271C that's 4K.

[@HugosDesk]

Yes the SW270 is pretty much the same except the HDR 10 HLG, 4K, the anti reflection, and the paper synch so you should have the same performance than the SW321C minus that! Maybe have a look here: www.benq.eu/en-eu/monitor/photographer/compare.html?comparable_products=sw321c,sw270c,sw271&differentSeries=false

[@electronicbagatelle]

@@HugosDesk I was looking there yes, I am only doing light comping and rendering in Maya so I don't think I need the HLG. All the other specs are identical. Aside from money, is it really important as a cg artist to get a 4K one? I feel like expect some render stills (For print) i have never rendered higher than HD.

[@FLORAMORAITINI]

Joe thanks for all very useful information. Please I need a clarification on the 10 Bit point. Is the 32" and the 27 equivalent a TRUE 10 Bit? because I have read that their 10 Bit is done through and 8 Bit+FRC which makes them a NON TRUE 10 BIT monitors. Can you please explain what will be the difference in performance? Thank you for your time

[@HugosDesk]

Like I explained in the video the only true BenQ 10bit monitor (as of Nov 2021) is the SW320. All the others are 8bit +FRC. To have a true 10bit monitor (in 2021) you need to pay at least £5K. Regarding the performance, they reproduce billions of colours very well and are fully compatible with 10bit workflows. It’s very difficult to notice the difference. If you can afford a £5K display then go 10bit if you can’t then get an SW321C since buying the older SW320 is not worth it anymore since it’s old technology and you can’t buy them new anymore so it would be used!

[@jaykadlec]

Question for you. I know you also use the PD3200u, how do you color correct it with the x-rite i1display for it's multiple picture profiles? Since the PD series is software based calibration I'm not sure how to make a different profile for each picture.

[@HugosDesk]

I don’t have multiple ones. I use that monitor on a calibration of SRGB and use it for general work and web

[@jaykadlec]

@@HugosDesk Gotcha, so that one has a dedicated profile and you use other monitors to fill in the color spaces you need? Do you know if there’s the ability to create multiple profiles that are linked to the monitor profiles of the pd3200u? This is my only monitor and I switch between the profiles. I assume over time they will become less and less accurate without calibration. Thank you for answering btw!

[@HugosDesk]

Because it’s not hardware calibrated you can’t have multiple profiles since you only have access to one custom profile. You can swap the ICCs but the monitor will not swap internally.

[@jaykadlec]

@@HugosDesk I thought that may be the case but I'm still surprised because doesn't that completely take away the value of the hot puck? I mean you can still link it to brightness adjustment and volume I suppose but that feels way less valuable than quick switch of profiles. Also doesn't it also make the whole side by side picture profile feature worthless? I guess I should have put more thought into what it meant for a monitor to be hardware calibrated.

[@HugosDesk]

Well that monitor is build for you to use the factory profiles. They are ok and probably enough for designers, the target audience of the monitor. I also think the puck is still better then menu buttons on the display.

[@dragondarkguy2008]

Whoah, nice keyboard at 3:56, what model is it?

[@HugosDesk]

It's this one: www.editorskeys.com/collections/apple-final-cut-pro-x-keyboards/products/final-cut-pro-x-keyboard-backlit-mac

[@dragondarkguy2008]

@@HugosDesk amazing, thanks for your response! That keyboard looks awesome, does it feel the same way as the standard Mac keyboard? (i.e. same key height & scissor system)

[@HugosDesk]

@@dragondarkguy2008 It's ok! It's no Mac Keyboard! haha but I like the dark so the LED is so good to see my keyboard

[@baz_rayaz]

Great products, however BenQ UK lack customer service, I'm a professional and use monitors on a daily basis for work, and can't be without one for to long. Recently had a RMA on a monitor, the repair center has no parts, phoned cusotmer services, they mentioned a replacement monitor, no stock idea of stock, said they will email me, still waiting.

[@HugosDesk]

I am sorry you are having problems. Please note that my video is just a review and it’s a global video,it’s not only available in the UK. Also, I don’t work for BenQ. I have always been in contact with BenQ Europe and they are very fast. This could be a problem because of Brexit. It could be slower to get parts.

[@baz_rayaz]

@@HugosDesk You are a Ambassador after all, service is part of a brand, when things go wrong, how they work things out. in my particular situation very poor.

[@HugosDesk]

@@baz_rayaz ​ Well being an Ambassador does not mean I work for the support of BenQ. Btw, I was not paid to make this video at all! It was my honest opinion after using the display for 1 year. As I said, I only work with BenQ Europe and not BenQ UK but I will contact them about this for sure. They should improve their service. Thanks for letting me know.

[@baz_rayaz]

@@HugosDesk Hey, please don't take this personally, I understand your position. I'm just mentioning my experience.

[@HugosDesk]

@@baz_rayaz Oh, not taking it personally at all! Very difficult to transmit emotion by message. I will contact BenQ UK and let them know this. They should always improve. Again thanks so much for letting me know.

[@harfunmoula]

big lk 79 keep connected full support

[@skofjanbejta4103]

Hi, would really appreciate it if you or anyone else answered my question, does reduced chroma subsampling occur when outputting UHD 25fps through a decklink card with this monitor as the HDMI is 2.0 and does it affect the fidelity of color representation of the image when you do color grading? again it would really be helpful if anyone replies

[@HugosDesk]

The chroma sub sampling only occurs on 50 or 60fps. Does not happen at 24 or 30. Cheers

[@skofjanbejta4103]

@@HugosDesk thanks a lot!!!

[@rc116987]

Your work area like cockpit area in flight ✈️

[@HugosDesk]

I have many hats 🎩!

[@rc116987]

Take mine too 😃

[@nicolaskrinis7614]

MacOS tricky? Noooooo! ;)

[@MacxzYL]

Watch out for backlight bleeding in this monitor. Benq send me third one (guarantee) and there is still problem with that. Consider returning it and ask for a refund...

[@sergiomarchelli]

I eat meat, but I identify as a vegan, so def will check your wife's cooking videos!

[@HugosDesk]

Thanks so much for watching and checking the videos

[@jgredford]

U

[@uberjava]

Lockdown hair personafied ...

[@HugosDesk]

😆 well I have this hair style since 1999! But yes it is a bit too much now!

[@uberjava]

@@HugosDesk Absolutley not! It can go so much further!

[@HugosDesk]

Not according to my wife! She prefer it shorter!

[@uberjava]

@@HugosDesk She will miss it once it all starts to fall out. "Well dear, you did say you wanted it shorter."

[@Check-it-out]

Dude… You look rather… eh… purple !

[@HugosDesk]

I love purple!