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
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
52 Comments
View All Comments
crimsonson - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
Trolling dude.imaheadcase - Thursday, November 21, 2019 - link
I'm not trolling, no one thinks "Oh man lets get that fad HRD tech and play with it". No one notices a difference with it. People lap up bullshit tech like its new again. lollilkwarrior - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
HDR is certainly a popular option pros are looking for; the most sold tech devices sold last Black Friday alone wa 4K HDR devices.Even the iPhone has supported Dolby Vision HDR for some time; also even the Apple TV & Chromecast supports various HDR content.
Sport streaming supports HLG HDR
How else pros can master content for consumers if they don’t have a HDR pro monitor? These monitors are DOA to most pros these days
imaheadcase - Thursday, November 21, 2019 - link
You are %100 wrong on most devices sold last Black Friday. The most sold TV in the USA was a $199 TCL 1080p TV. No HDR.The most sold phone last year Black Friday was a $85 prepaid phone (fun fact it outsold Iphone devices by over TWO YEARS of sells)
HDR isn't even advertised as a selling point on TVs. Its a footnote like "supports HDR".
Canam Aldrin - Saturday, November 23, 2019 - link
Consumer display of HDR is one thing, as you can just approximate it and get an HDR effect. Mastering HDR requires constant high brightness without drift or burn-in, usually >1000 nits. Those devices cost >$30K right now. Apple marketing is saying Pro Display XDR will be able to compete with these for a fraction of the price, but they'll have to prove it. Apple has a history of over-stating their capabilities and glossing over the finer points.Duncan Macdonald - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
Why have touch support in such a monitor? Fingerprints will rapidly reduce the 10 bit color resolution to 8 bits or less and cause non-uniformity across the screen.melgross - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
Not as badly as you say. Fingerprints don’t prove to be a real problem on phones and tablets. You don’t notice them until you turn it off. If you have really greasy or dirty hands, you should clean them first, or your keyboard/mouse/trackpad or trackball will get filthy fast. Not very professional.dontlistentome - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
So ... how many small cars does this cost?melgross - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
The only thing I find impressive is the 14 bit luts. The rest is pretty much middle range. Where is the definite support for DCI-P3? Without that, forget pro grade video. 4k’s color standard is DCI-P3. So is cinema. So without stated support, this monitor isn’t useful in those categories,350 nits? Seriously, in a new graphics/video pro monitor? What are they thinking. Sure, this isn’t an Apple Pro display for double the price (at 6k), that can do 1200 nits. But to hope to get to HDR you need at least 650 nits to even come close.
This seems to be the perfect monitor for the last generation of users.
melgross - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - link
That is, 6k price for 6k resolution.