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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.
The PG34WCDN switches automatically to HDR mode when an HDR10 signal is detected. It offers four specific picture modes and an option for adjustable brightness.
HDR Brightness and Contrast
One of the goals of RGB Stripe tech is higher brightness and the PG34WCDN delivers that. Only bested by the X34 OLED; it firmly beats the other monitors with over 504 nits peak and that’s a difference you can see. The AOC sticks with uniform brightness in HDR mode, so it has a bit less impact than the others. But Alienware turns the variable fun on for more punch. The PG34WCDN is one of the brighter HDR OLEDs I’ve reviewed. As usual, black levels and contrast cannot be measured.
Grayscale, EOTF and Color
The PG34WCDN doesn’t offer RGB controls for HDR content, but that’s obviously not a problem because I measured visually perfect grayscale with only 70% getting close to 3dE. The EOTF tracked closely to the reference, showing only a slight darkness below the 40% step. This was in the Gaming HDR mode with Adjustable HDR turned off. Turning it on lets you have Uniform Brightness plus the brightness and contrast sliders. You can dial back the intensity a bit if you want, but that will skew the EOFT chart. It’s a user preference. In normal room lighting, the default settings look best.
In the HDR color tests, the PG34WCDN oversaturates similarly to SDR, with just a little extra punch but a linear progression of points. This is like other HDR monitors, but Asus is a little closer to the mark than most. In the BT.2020 test, it runs out of color at 90% red, 75% green and 95% blue.
Test Takeaway: The PG34WCDN offers accurate color and plenty of brightness for HDR content. Its white level peak is higher than most, which gives it more impact. Color is spot on, so you’ll always see the creator’s intent when playing games or watching video content. And the addition of an adjustable option is nice. Very few HDR displays have that. The PG34WCDN is one of the better HDR OLEDs I’ve reviewed.
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