Gone in 0.5 ms: BenQ Unveils Zowie XL2746S 240 Hz Monitor w/ 0.5 ms Response Time
by Anton Shilov on March 27, 2020 3:00 PM EST
IPS technology has recently evolved to the point where 240 Hz refresh rates have started enter the territory of displays for hardcore gamers that were previously dominated by TN panels. However, TN technology still has a trick up its sleeve, and that is a very low grey-to-grey response times. Taking advantage of this last technical superiority, BenQ this week introduced its latest gaming display for e-sports professionals, the Zowie XL2746S. As expected from a Zowie monitor, it has a host of features aimed at gamers, going beyond just capabilities of its panel.
BenQ’s Zowie XL2746S LCD uses a 27-inch Full-HD TN panel featuring up to 320 nits brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a 240 Hz maximum refresh rate, and a 0.5 ms GtG response time. Otherwise the TN-type gaming-focused monitor is nothing to write home about with respect to viewing angles, and the backlighting only provides a wide enough gamut to cover the sRGB color space.
The Zowie XL2746S monitor supports VESA’s Adaptive-Sync technology and carries AMD’s FreeSync badge. In addition, the display supports DyAc+ technology that makes fast-paced action scenes look less blurry (keep in mind that this cannot co-exist with FreeSync/Adaptive-Sync), Black eQualizer to enhance dark scenes, and Color Vibrance to adjust color tones to make scenes more defined.
Designed specifically for hardcore gamers and e-sports athletes, BenQ’s Zowie monitors feature a special hood to reduce distractions and possible light glare, and also provide some protection against prying eyes during tournaments. They also come with a stand that can be adjusted in height, swivel, and tilt; and they are equipped with a hockey puck-shaped controller pad that can activate an appropriate profile quickly.
As for connectivity, the Zowie XL2746S has a DisplayPort 1.2a, a DVI-D DL, and two HDMI (2.0 and 1.4) inputs. In addition, the LCD also has audio connectors, as well as a dual-port USB 3.0 hub.
| BenQ's Display w/ a 240 Hz Refresh & 0.5 ms Response Time | ||
| The Zowie XL2746S | ||
| Panel | 27-inch class TN | |
| Native Resolution | 1920 × 1080 | |
| Maximum Refresh Rate | 240 Hz | |
| Dynamic Refresh | Tech | AdaptiveSync FreeSync |
| Range | ? Hz | |
| Brightness | 320 cd/m² | |
| Contrast | 1000:1 | |
| Viewing Angles | 170°/160° horizontal/vertical | |
| Response Time | 0.5 ms GtG | |
| Pixel Pitch | ~0.3113 mm² | |
| Pixel Density | ~81 PPI | |
| Color Gamut Support | sRGB (?) | |
| Inputs | 1×DP 1.2a 1×DVI-D DL 1×HDMI 1.4 1×HDMI 2.0 |
|
| Audio | audio connectors | |
| VESA Mounts | - | |
| Warranty | ? years | |
| Additional Information | ? | |
| Retail Price | €629 | |
BenQ’s Zowie XL2746S monitor is now available in Europe directly from the manufacturer for €629.
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R0H1T - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
You have to give it to AT, some of the most "creative" headlines in the field. Part of the reason why I always keep coming back multiple times in a day to check for new tech "scoops" :toast:boozed - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
You obviously don't read The Register!inighthawki - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
Aww, I saw 27" and I got excited for a moment but then saw it was a 1080p panel. Really looking forward to seeing more 1440p 240hz panels available.PeachNCream - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
Zowie? That seems like an odd product name.Cellar Door - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
Try to google something you have no idea about before posting.imaheadcase - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
Try to learn about someone just mentioning a thought than actually needing to google something.PeachNCream - Saturday, March 28, 2020 - link
Your leap to an ill-informed conclusion is not something that a Google search can fix.boozed - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
Zounds!Oxford Guy - Friday, March 27, 2020 - link
"Since we are dealing with a TN panel, its viewing angles and color quality are expected to be poor, so we are only talking about support for sRGB color gamut, without wider color ranges like DCI-P3."My understanding is that it's the quality of a monitor's backlight, not the pixel type, that determines the monitor's gamut. TN panels typically never go beyond sRGB (if they even manage to reach that pathetically archaic standard) simply because the color shift issue gives them the excuse not to go beyond.
IndianaKrom - Saturday, March 28, 2020 - link
Pretty much, the indicator of what kind of color gamut a panel can handle with proper back lighting is the static contrast ratio (a wider range of colors requires a higher contrast ratio). If it does actually hit 1000:1 static contrast advertised then it could handle a wider gamut but would need something better than a standard/cheap W-LED back light to do it. If the contrast is good, then the only weakness a TN has is viewing angles, otherwise they are actually really solid on accuracy, gamut and of course response time.