Avid gamers are falling in love with ultra-widescreen screens however the cash-sized barrier to entry has been enormous. Aorus hopes to buck the pattern with its 49-inch CD49DQ QD-OLED gaming monitor by specializing in efficiency whereas eschewing ‘pointless’ glitzy RGB-like paraphernalia. So, has it succeeded?
Set-up is easy due to the clip-on stem and single-finger-screw stand system that ought to be obligatory on all screens. Connecting the three components within the field makes it comparatively easy to extricate the mechanical albatross-like show, however have a superb have a look at the downward-facing ports earlier than you place it in your desk as you will battle to see (or entry) them once more. If you’ll want to plan your set-up earlier than buying, know that the kettle-lead energy connector (there’s no energy brick) attaches to the proper of the display screen (as you face it) whereas all of the A/V cables connect on the left.
As soon as set-up, you are left trying a 49-inch, QD-OLED panel with a delicate, 1,800R curve, an ultra-wide 32:9 side ratio, a 5,120 x 1,440 picture and a 144 Hz refresh fee. It is a 2nd-Technology Samsung QD-OLED panel that appears an identical to the one Asus utilized in its ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD. It is also just like the first-gen panel within the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, though the specs say the CD49DQ has a 1.5M:1 distinction ratio (somewhat than 1M:1) and the Samsung has a quicker 240Hz refresh fee.
The anti-glare, semi-gloss coating means there are impressively few distracting reflections in darkish scenes. Additionally, it goes some technique to preserve small textual content trying neat and never spidery—though some fonts carry out higher than others on this space. We actually had no points working and writing utilizing it and having a number of home windows open without delay significantly helped with productiveness. Spreadsheets can even work properly on this display screen and music and video editors will like the power to have a probably life-sized, digital mixing desk displayed suddenly. Regardless of being a game-designated show, we discovered it straightforward to stay with for day-to-day work, too.
Aorus CO49DQ specs
Display measurement: 49-inchResolution: 5,120 x 1,440Brightness: 250 nits full display screen SDRColor protection: 99% DCI-P3Response time: 0.03msRefresh fee: 144HzContrast ratio: 1.5M:1 Options: QD-OLED panel, adaptive sync, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1 x USB-C, USB hub, 1800R curve Worth: $999 | £1,400 | AU$1,799
The practicality of getting such a large, single-screen for gaming is preferable to utilizing two or three screens linked collectively—anybody who has needed to repeatedly re-sync such monitor layouts will know why.
The huge display screen real-estate advantages totally different genres in several methods. Flight simmers obtain a more-lifelike world view, FPS gamers get real-world-like peripheral imaginative and prescient and RTS gamers obtain extra on-ground intel than many opponents. For sim racers the CD49DQ is an identical measurement to some actual racing vehicles’ cockpits, that means laps round well-known tracks really feel that rather more immersive. You can too more-easily hit apexes by turning your head and see rival vehicles in your peripheral imaginative and prescient. Extra video games additionally now robotically configure a 32:9 discipline of view and use compatible-sized menus with out ugly letter-box bars on the facet.
Caveats embody having HUD readouts situated in your visible periphery that means it’s important to flip your head to learn them. Moreover, the slight curve would not assist eyeball-refocus-based straining an excessive amount of—that was an early, acknowledged good thing about curved shows.
By way of efficiency, we have been very impressed. Colours are vibrant and the show is uniformly vivid. It is rated at 250 nits (typical) however we felt extra comfy turning it right down to 85 per cent in day-to-day actions when utilizing (predominantly) white-backed browser home windows. It ought to be famous that Aorus provides some automated APL (Common Image Stage) settings that intention to equalize display screen brightness if a window will get too vivid (to assist stop extended publicity of the QD-OLED panel to vivid spots which may blight the show), nevertheless it did this with minimal influence, whether or not set to Low, Medium or Excessive.
It is a 10-bit panel that works very properly with Home windows HDR settings to the purpose the place we ceaselessly left it turned on as a result of it did not obliterate the Home windows Desktop as many screens are wont to do. Spectacular quantities of particulars are concurrently revealed in each highlights and shadows, vivid lights nearly shine out of the display screen in darkish scenes and transitions and gradients are rendered easily with no stepping.
Some have famous on related panels that blacks may be washed out in comparison with different OLED screens. We did detect this however discovered it barely distracting. The one time it reared its head was when letterbox bars have been up in opposition to the not-thin, jet-black outskirts surrounding the display screen—the distinction is minor however purists would possibly object. You’ll be able to see the problem when the sunshine hits the darkish display screen.
The anti-glare, semi-gloss coating implies that there are impressively few distracting reflections in darkish scenes.
The display screen has a 144 Hz refresh fee and a acknowledged, 0.03ms, GTG pixel response time that is ok to maintain most video games trying silky-smooth. Nonetheless, ultra-competitive FPS varieties could lament the absence of further pace afforded by quicker screens however they’re going to normally be utilizing a lot smaller screens anyway. Nonetheless, for pure immersion and a aggressive increase, it is exhausting to beat.
By way of certifications and image-augmenting acronyms, the Aorus CO49DQ helps FreeSync Premium Professional plus Vesa’s ClearMR 8000 (movement blur) and DisplayHDR True Black 400.
Console avid gamers will respect ALLM and VRR compatibility to maintain pictures {smooth}, clear and lag-free.
Loads of commonplace image-adjustment options and pre-sets are included. Key ‘GameAssist’ gaming instruments embody on-screen crosshairs (that are nice for video games like Hardcore CoD) and a ‘Black Equalizer’ for distinction flattening (to cease enemies leaping out of highlights and shadows). There’s each Image-in-Image and Image-by-Image performance. Designers will like that it helps 99 per cent of the tough DCI-P3 color gamut and we discovered the corresponding setting greatest for normal utilization. We have seen extra elaborate changes settings on different screens, however many may also respect the shortage of overcomplexity on show right here.
There are additionally loads of ‘OLED Care’ settings to stop picture burn-in and so they’re primarily based round two headings on the Aorus OSD. ‘Customary’ is absolutely automated and makes use of Aorus’ Ai applied sciences to robotically shield you with minimal interference. ‘Care+’ offers you choices for monitoring utilization time, pixel cleansing, static management, pixel shift, emblem dimming and APL stabilization adjustment.
Caveats embody having HUD readouts situated in your visible periphery that means it’s important to flip your head to learn them.
As for connectivity, the Aorus CO49DQ has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.4 port and a 3.5mm audio jack. There’s additionally a USB-C port which helps DP-Alt with 18-Watt PD. Plus, there are two USB-A 3.0 pass-through ports which work at the side of a USB-B port for KVM performance. The latter additionally works when sharing the three.5mm headphone jack.
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There are additionally two, 5 Watt audio system. Whereas audiophiles will not respect the shortage of bass or low-end constancy, they’re helpful to have when sudden movies and music clips seem on display screen.
Purchase if…
✅ You need the perfect view in gaming: Having the ability to see extra in a recreation is at all times extra immersive and (nearly) at all times boosts your efficiency. The colourful colours and spectacular distinction solely improve issues additional.
Do not buy if…
❌ That you must get monetary savings: The variety of excellent, massive, 32-inch gaming screens is rising quickly and it can save you some huge cash on a pretty monitor that gives even higher picture high quality and pace.
By way of ergonomics it has a beneficiant quantity of motion together with +20° -5° tilt, +15° -15° swivel and a peak adjustment vary of 130mm. The stand could be very steady and would not characteristic a lot ornament or RGB thrives. We do not thoughts this because the display screen itself captured our consideration all the time and the comparatively basic-design helps preserve the prices down.
As for pricing, we have seen rival 49-inchers costing masses however Aorus has efficiently stored the worth down (comparatively) with the CO49DQ. Within the US it is obtainable for $999. Within the UK its RRP is £1,200 however we have seen it on sale for £1000. In Australia it is dropped from $2,095 to $1,799. For those who evaluate that to the rival Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC it is typically less expensive. That stated, it is price buying round we discovered each fashions with reductions in several shops in several locales.
In the end, whereas it doesn’t have luxurious objects like RGB, thin-bezels, high-concept design components and G-Sync, it is a whole bunch of {dollars} cheaper than many rivals but it nonetheless excels at all the things.
