BenQ SW321C Review. Photovue 32" 4k wide gamut monitor - features, setup and profiling

[@genghisbunny]

Nice monitor, and very good summary of setup and use in a photography environment. Thanks!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - just published the written review at www.northlight-images.co.uk/benq-sw321c-monitor-review/

[@bobsheridan6692]

I hear good things about this monitor as well as its little brother, the SW271C. I am currently using an iMac 5K 27" for my photo editing, but when it's time to upgrade I'll get another MacBook Pro with one of these monitors. Thanks for the quick review on setting it up.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I'll have the written SW321C review finished in a day or so, but here's my one for the SW271 (it pre-dates my making videos) www.northlight-images.co.uk/benq-sw271-monitor-review/ The 321 is definitely a step forward from the 320 - better uniformity, darker screen (less reflective) and more input options.

[@stefansipl6736]

Thank you Keith for this video. I‘m also interested in this BenQ SW321C monitor. What bothers me a bit is the low contrast. Would you say it affects your work with it? And: I got an offer for a NEC PA311d (used) for the same price. Would you rather tend to the NEC in such a case (if you happen to know it). Thanks a lot for your continuing outstanding work and support of the community!

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, the contrast is not 'low' at all for the work I do... This very much depends on what you use the monitor for and how you choose to calibrate it I don't know that NEC model - it'd been a while since I reviewed one of their monitors. I don't tend to do much monitor testing since the differences are very difficult to spot and even more so to measure without very advanced ($$$) equipment

[@gaperklake]

Thank you, very much.

[@KeithCooper]

You are welcome!

[@GerardB2023]

so so good.. loved every second. defo sub-ing now.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@gandalf253]

Hello Keith, Very nice review. I was wondering what you think about a dual monitor setup ( for example 2 x 24": high quality and a second les expensive 24" monitor) compared to one 32" like the BenQ your reviewed.

[@KeithCooper]

Well, I've use multiple monitor systems for about 30 years now (on Macs) and have always preferred as large a main monitor as possible, potentially augmented by a second smaller (lower spec) one. Years ago this was 21" and 13" but now it would be 32" and 21"/24"/27". I just like using large monitors and lots of windows all over the place, with the option of working on a huge image if I want. My second monitor tends to have email and maybe a few browser windows, but it is positioned off to the side, so the main monitor is right in front of me when sitting at the desk. Perhaps not a typical setup since I've no significant experience of using a Windows PC for 20+ years and virtually never expand applications or windows to full screen mode - I'm just used to having lots over overlapping windows strewn around - much like my office and desk. I know others may find this intensely irritating, but it's my office ;-)

[@kristyzheng4789]

Hi Keith , if you are interested in doing a review of the Falcon Eyes F7 II led rgb light ?

[@KeithCooper]

That would be interesting - see our review policy (and email contact info) at www.northlight-images.co.uk/about/review-and-advertising-policies/

[@alanweston6425]

Hi Keith, is the monitor calibrator connected to the USB port of the display or the computer with the Palette Master running from the computer?

[@KeithCooper]

It's the monitor USB port [iirc], which is an extension of the computer USB. The software is running on the computer - as long as it can 'see' the device. it works any way.

[@j8rtUfh3evz]

What printers are compatible with Paper Sync? I reckon my old Epson R3000 won't be on the list so wondering what I'd need to switch to

[@KeithCooper]

Personally I'd avoid it - it is a partial solution at best, supports few printers and papers. Check the BenQ.com site for the latest info. Far better to understand a bit more about colour management and printing with profiles Just my personal view. It's a nice idea, but is a closed system...

[@memcrew1]

Hello Keith, what is the name of that roller(for removing finger prints)and where can it be purchased?

[@KeithCooper]

It came with the monitor - I've not seen them elsewhere I'm afraid.

[@memcrew1]

@ Oh, ok. what a bummer.

[@KeithCooper]

Do a search for 'rubber cleaning roller' quite a few things came up...

[@orkneyed6528]

Great video. Do you have your screen set to RGB for photography?. I’ve learnt a lot from your videos and have subscribed to you channel. Now I have to find the time to go through them.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks. The screen is calibrated and profiled to its native colour space. In this case it's pretty close to Adobe98. See the written review for more technical details - the videos are usually meant just to supplement the main (written) articles/reviews - I've also been writing articles for ~18 years, but doing videos for less than a year ;-)

[@claudioabado3317]

@@KeithCooper What happens when you're "done" calibrating, say, the monitor native color space : does the software then automatically generate the corresponding ICC profile and sets in up in Windows or Mac to the new "default" monitor profile? So that Photoshop can act on it?

[@KeithCooper]

@@claudioabado3317 Yes, the profile is created by the software and installed where required. It describes the characteristics of the monitor. For a hardware calibrated monitor, the calibration data is stored inside the monitor, for 'normal' monitors the profile may contain additional information used by the system to set up the graphics card output.

[@claudioabado3317]

@@KeithCooper What I want to know is, what happens when the profile is generated : is the BenQ software automatically "installs" and "activates" as the new "Default monitor profile"? So that the next time Photoshop is launched, the monitor profile is the new one just created? OR, do you have to manually select the newly created monitor profile and designate as the new "system" profile? What I want to know is, is this process done automatically or manually? Thanks for your kind reply :-)

[@KeithCooper]

@@claudioabado3317 Let's say I decide to set up the 'Calibration 1' setting as my normal monitor setting. I run the software, it sets the display hardware and creates a profile that is automatically set as my default system monitor profile. Everything uses the system profile. This is the same as when I use i1Profiler or Datacolor's Spyder software - there is nothing for me to set in the system. The user need know nothing about monitor profiles and setting them. Where things can differ with the BenQ monitor is if I then set 'Calibration 2' - it is then set as the system profile. If I want to switch the monitor to 'calibration 1' with the OSD menu or control puck. it will internally switch BUT I then need to go to the system controls to set the correct profile for the system. This is because (on my Mac at least) there is no way for the monitor to tell the system which profile to use when I just change settings on the monitor. The only time I change setting (on my Mac Pro) is to set a monitor to REC709 for video editing with Resolve, where I don't need to change the system profile

[@andrewbeckett]

Hi Keith, thanks for an excellent review. I've just set up my 321C and used Palette Master and a Spyder 5 to calibrate and selected a brightness of 120. The option below that was 48 (I assume too low). My office is dimly lit and I wanted to target around 100 so that my prints don't come out too dark. Are you just using the brightness selector on the screen to reduce the brightness further after calibrating?

[@KeithCooper]

I believe the number can be set in the advanced custom settings? I have just moved Karen's SW271C downstairs (she now has an iMac) which means I'll be doing a video review of it to go with my written review of a few years ago - I'll check the calibration options as part of that. See also my 'real' review at www.northlight-images.co.uk/benq-sw321c-monitor-review/

[@andrewbeckett6120]

@@KeithCooper brilliant, thanks Keith. I’ll take a look there.

[@tombic6373]

Keith, I have a minor but what might be an important question: In the event that you lose or misplace your Benq screen cleaner device, what do you clean that fragile monitor screen with?

[@KeithCooper]

I have a soft cloth that I got with a pair of glasses which is pretty good on other good monitors, but I've not tested it on the 321c ;-) The roller lives in a drawer about two feet from the screen ;-)

[@tombic6373]

@@KeithCooper Thank you for your helpful and timely reply. I asked the question because I am thinking about getting the SW321C and I just want a Plan B alternative to the Benq cleaner device in case 4-5 years from now that cleaning device becomes unavailable. I am capable of losing anything. Thanks for the excellent overall review of the SW321C.

[@gianlucamaggiora9504]

Thanks for the video, do you know if it is compatible with canon pixma pro 200 or where can I find the updated list of compatible printers? thank you

[@KeithCooper]

Do you mean the Paper Color Sync software? I just checked the latest Mac version and it only covers Canon PRO-10/100 and Epson P600/800 I looked inside the code to see the printers, which are the same ones as when I reviewed the software. I've not tested it any more, since it dislikes having two (BenQ!) monitors attached. It is not a 'feature' that would figure in my buying decision for the monitors ;-) It shows promise, but is too limited for any more advanced use.

[@gianlucamaggiora9504]

@@KeithCooper thanks for the reply, i think i will buy it

[@henri.witteveen]

I see you are using a X-Rite I1Display Pro. I am interested in getting one too. I want to use with my late 2020 iMac but read somewhere in an X-Rite review that the X-Rite software doesn't really work that well with the latest incarnations of MacOS. According to that review X-Rite hasn't updated their software to be compatible with the new versions of MacOS. Any ideas on that?

[@KeithCooper]

Now that I don't know - that's a 2010 MacBook Pro I'm using there. I've nothing running beyond 10.14 at the moment The latest from X-Rite is www.xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?ID=1454&Action=Support&SupportID=5938 They say Q1 2021 for M1 support

[@mwscuba]

Would using some 5600k lights in your room be a better idea than using tungsten? Or putting some 1/2 blue CTB over the lights ?

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, I (currently) shoot these videos in the kitchen, so there's always a mix of daylight/screen/ceiling ;-) It is not somewhere I'd want to edit images... Meanwhile back in my (seriously over- filled with stuff) office/studio I have LED lighting (warm white) for general use and relatively low wattage for when I'm editing. The fact the screen is the brightest thing in my visual field means that D65 is fine for editing. Print evaluation is either with a D50 light cabinet, or if a print is for domestic use, somewhere else in the house. I have a good old 500W halogen uplighter for when I've dropped something small on the floor (or the office is cold) - I have been persuaded to mostly ditch tungsten lighting around the house. I know some people pay a lot of attention to lighting, but I don't have the space (or budget) to go for specialist light sources - care over relative light levels and having a light cabinet gives an acceptable consistency. Incidentally, I shot another short video on colour management this afternoon and had this monitor set to the 'paper color' mode (this is ~4300K) It looks quite reasonable on the video. I need to have a closer look at this functionality.

[@mwscuba]

@@KeithCooper what about some CFL to match to the daylight www.kinoflo.com/Products%20Button/Lamps/True_Match/True_Match.html

[@mwscuba]

@@KeithCooper in the room where you edit your photos.

[@KeithCooper]

Actually I probably wouldn't want daylight lighting in the room - I prefer a warmer (and darker) interior lighting environment. This however is the sort of thing that really depends on how you want to use the space. Now, were I setting up a print studio, I'd go for brighter and higher colour temperature lighting options. The key is having lighting that complements your work tasks and adapts to the limitations of the space (and budget!)

[@claudioabado3317]

Pay attention to the fact that "All 5000K lights" don't necessarily have a good corresponding CRI, even though there are "better" indicators today. Cas in point, I was curious about a $50 Ott-Lamp desktop fluorescent "true color" which measured 5260K, plenty about 5000K but who only could reach a CRI of 82 (should be above 90).

[@burtcureton9830]

Best!!!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@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 have no parts, phoned cusotmer services, they mentioned a replacement monitor, no idea of stock, said they will email me, still waiting.

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, I too use mine for earning a living, but have not had the misfortune to need service. I have a dual monitor setup, so if one failed, it would be inconvenient but not work threatening. I've tried to eliminate as many single points of failure in the Northlight Images computer systems - at a push I could move to another computer and smaller screen.

[@baz_rayaz]

@@KeithCooper , it's only when things go wrong you find out how a conpany will handle the situation. I do have a few other monitors so doesn't stop work, Just inconvenience and lack of communication that doesn't help. Dell on the other hand, sent me a replacement under warranty within a few days and collected the faulty unit day after delivery. When paying 1k plus on Sw range you do expect good service.

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Damn. Now I've got to buy a BenQ SW321C monitor... :)

[@KeithCooper]

it is a rather nice one to use. I'm just finishing up the written review with more detail, but even my basic tests are showing it working well. I don't test a lot of monitor, so can't really compare it to others in this price bracket though.