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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.
Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
The PG34WCDN and its RGB Stripe tech deliver just a bit more brightness than the competition in SDR mode. This number, and that of the top four screens, comes from a 25% window pattern with Uniform Brightness turned off. The Alienware and AOC screens don’t have variable brightness, so they measure the same whether it’s a full field or a window. Black levels and contrast cannot be measured.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration doesn’t affect black levels or contrast; they cannot be measured in either static or intra-image scenarios. To set the peak level at 200 nits, I used a 25% window with Uniform Brightness off and a full field with it turned on. This equalized the brightness between the two settings. The PG34WCDN retains both settings, so you don’t have to revisit the slider each time you switch. Asus is unique in this regard and it’s a nice usability touch. Uniform Brightness is helpful for productivity, while variable increases visual impact for gaming and video.
Test Takeaway: The PG34WCDN has black levels and contrast that are typical of OLED displays. But it has a bit more brightness and it has a Uniform Brightness option, which sets it apart from others like Alienware and AOC.
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