NEC's MultiSync PA311D, a 10-bit IPS 4K Professional Monitor
by Anton Shilov on November 20, 2019 10:00 AM EST
NEC this week introduced a new professional display for color critical applications. The NEC MultiSync PA311D LCD features a 4K resolution, covers 100% of the AdobeRGB color space and is aimed at people working with computer graphics, video, and photography. The monitor supports sophisticated connectivity, including a USB-C input that supports 65 W power delivery.
The NEC MultiSync PA311D LCD display is based on a 31.1-inch 10-bit IPS panel with a true 4K resolution of 4096×2160. Combined with its wide gamut W-LED backlighting, that can reproduce 1.07 billion colors across 99.9% of the sRGB, 97.4% of the NTSC, and 100% of the AdobeRGB color gamuts. The monitor features a peak luminance of 350 nits, a 1400:1 contrast ratio, an 8 ms typical response time, and unusual for a pro grade monitor, a top refresh rate of 75Hz.
Being aimed at professionals, the monitor uses NEC’s custom color processor and comes with a 14-bit 3D LUT (look-up table) for color gradations. NEC has also implemented an always-on backlight sensor here, in order to offer steady colors and brightness levels. And of course, monitor calibration is supported through the company’s SpectraView II calibration software (with a color sensor sold separately or as a part of an appropriate bundle).
One unexpected capability of the monitor is that it is touch capable, and it comes with an appropriate stand that can adjust height, tilt, swivel, or change the LCD’s orientation.
The pro monitor also offers a few different input options. The monitor has two DisplayPorts, two HDMI ports, and a USB Type-C connector, the latter of which is still relatively new to professional LCDs. The USB-C port can deliver up to 65 W of power to its host PC, which is enough for most 13 and 15-inch class laptops. In addition, the display has a GbE jack, a 3.5-mm jack for headphones, and a triple-port USB 3.0 hub with two USB Type-B upstream ports.
| Specifications of the NEC MultiSync PA311D Display | |
| PA311D | |
| Panel | 31.1" IPS |
| Native Resolution | 4096 × 2160 |
| Maximum Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Response Time | 8 ms |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² (typical) |
| Contrast | 1400:1 |
| Viewing Angles | 178°/178° horizontal/vertical |
| 3D LUT | 14-bit LUT |
| Dynamic Refresh Rate | none |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.170 mm² |
| Pixel Density | 149 ppi |
| Display Colors | 1.07 billion |
| Color Gamut Support | DCI-P3: ?% Adobe RGB: 100% sRGB: 99.9% NTSC: 97.4% |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.9:1 |
| Stand | Can adjust tilt, swivel, height, and change orientation |
| Inputs | 2 × DisplayPort 2 × HDMI 2.0a/2.0b 1 × USB-C with 65 W PD |
| USB Hub | 3-port USB 3.0 hub |
| GbE | 1 × GbE |
| Launch Date | November 2019 |
NEC’s PA311D professional monitor will be available later this month directly from the company for $2,999 or $3,249 for SpectraView bundle. Besides calibration bundle, users can also get a special lighting hood for the monitor to ensure consistent color reproduction at all times and in all environments. The display is backed by a four-year warranty.
Related Reading:
- NEC Launches V554Q: A 55-Inch 4K Monitor for Professional & Signage Applications
- NEC Goes for a Curved Display, Launches 3440×1440 MultiSync EX341R Monitors
- NEC Launches Narrow Bezel MultiSync EA271U Display: 4K & USB-C Charging
- EIZO Announces ColorEdge Prominence CG3145: 4096x2160, 98% P3 and HDR10
Source: NEC
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imaheadcase - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
Considering it IS a pro monitor, HDR is not needed. HDR is not like a must have for any monitor..its not even something most people even consider.melgross - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
For a pro graphics/video monitor HDR is very important. It’s required.Pro-competition - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
If you really need HDR, then you should only consider per-pixel dimming (not even the new Apple Pro Display XDR qualifies).ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG3145:
https://www.eizo.com/products/coloredge/cg3145/
https://www.anandtech.com/show/11286/eizo-announce...
"The key feature of the ColorEdge Prominence CG3145 display is its ability to properly reproduce both very bright and very dark areas on the scene without artefacts caused by local dimming (used on many IPS-based televisions and on some monitors) or an auto brightness limiter. EIZO does not reveal many details about the IPS panel it uses for the CG3145, but it claims that it has control of backlight intensity in every pixel. The latter means that the company either uses Panasonic’s IPS panels with a special layer of light-modulating cells that enable pixel-by-pixel control of backlight intensity, or a similar technology it has developed in-house." (Quoted from Anandtech)
melgross - Thursday, November 21, 2019 - link
I’ve seen that monitor in a recent presentation. It’s good, but still not up to the Apple standards, much less that of those even more expensive.Canam Aldrin - Saturday, November 23, 2019 - link
There isn't really a more-expensive or better technology than the dual-layer LCD used in the Prominence. It is per-pixel, it costs about $30K, the Apple Pro Display XDR is inferior in all regards except resolution, although the Apple display is a proprietary 6K resolution that nobody uses in the same size panel where you can't see that much detail anyway. So if you're expecting the XDR, with it's 576 zones, to compete with something like the Prominence per-pixel backlight, you're going to be very disappointed. 576 zones is not very much for professional use, and I'm very skeptical that I could live with it (I'm a colorist).crimsonson - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
Because HDR increases the cost significantly and if you are pitching yourself as a product for the professional content creator (print, video, etc.) you will not be implementing HDR VESA 400 or something low end, esecially at that price. You would need to achieve at least 600 if not 1000. Which makes it more expensive and requires more complex processing to achieve more accurate colors than your standard consumer monitor.And anyway, HDR is not needed for every monitor. Not every monitor is for HDR.
Yes it does limit the market for this monitor, but that is no different that deciding that a monitor be widescreen or not. Not everyone needs or wants a widescreen monitor.
melgross - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
This is a $3200 monitor. It is expensive. Considering that much less expensive ones do offer full DCI-P3 and over 500 nits, there is no excuse for this one not using it.Pro-competition - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
The only properly implemented HDR monitor I am aware of is the ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG3145 (see my post above). That costs about $30,000. It's unrealistic to expect proper HDR on a $3200 monitor.melgross - Thursday, November 21, 2019 - link
350 nits is barely acceptable in a nonHDR monitor. Many monitors can output 600 nits and even higher.Canam Aldrin - Saturday, November 23, 2019 - link
The competition for this is Eizo CG3145 at about $5600. This NEC is very nicely priced for its market. Anything less than 1000 nits is useless for professional HDR mastering and only good for consumer playback.