LG 43UD79-B Launched: 42.5-inch 4K IPS with FreeSync
by Patrick MacMillan on May 1, 2017 2:01 PM EST
LG is about to launch a new monitor that is one of the most feature-filled monitors on the market once it arrives. Referred to as the 43UD79-B, this 42.5-inch display has a native UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 with a conventional refresh rate of 60Hz. It features an IPS panel with a non-glare coating, a peak brightness of 350 cd/m2, a contrast ratio of up to 1000:1, and an 8ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time. The viewing angles are wide at 178°/178°, which is typical for an IPS display. Although support for 1.07 billion colors is claimed, the lack of an explicit mention of a 10-bit panel leads us to believe that this is an 8-bit panel using A-FRC to achieve a 10-bit color depth. On the plus side, this model will ship color calibrated from the factory.
| Specifications | |||
| LG 43UD79-B | |||
| Panel | 42.5" IPS | ||
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 | ||
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | ||
| Variable Refresh Rate | FreeSync | ||
| Response Time | 8 ms (GTG) | ||
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² | ||
| Contrast | Up to 5000000:1 1000:1 Typical |
||
| Viewing Angles | 178°/178° horizontal/vertical | ||
| PPI | 104 pixels per inch 0.245 mm2 pixel pitch |
||
| Colors | 1.07 billion | ||
| Inputs | 1 × DisplayPort 1.2a 2 × HDMI 2.0 2 × HDMI 1.4 1 × USB Type-C with DP Alt Mode 1 × RS-232C |
||
| USB Hub | 2-port USB 3.0 hub with KVM Functionality | ||
| Audio | 2 × 10W harmon/kardon speakers Headphone Output |
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| Launch Date | May 19th, 2017 (Japan) | ||
| Launch Price | ¥83000 (Japanese Yen) ~$745 USD |
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Assuming that the press release is indeed accurate, this model not only supports FreeSync variable refresh technology, but also a host of other gaming-oriented features like Game Mode, Black Stabilizer, and Dynamic Action Sync (DAS) Mode. The native 60Hz refresh rate will likely preclude this model from ever becoming a gamer favorite, but we are still glad to see that LG made an effort in catering to the gaming crowd. The peak refresh rate is likely 60 Hz for the Freesync, however LG does not specify the lower bound. Technically the specification sheet says 56-61Hz, although that is rather small for a FreeSync range.
The connectivity front is where this monitor really shines. There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs (4K @ 60Hz), two HDMI 1.4 inputs (4K @ 30Hz), one USB 3.1 Type-C port that can operate in DP Alt Mode and thus carry a DisplayPort signal, and one DisplayPort 1.2a input (4K @ 60Hz) that supports the aforementioned FreeSync feature. The reason for all these inputs is that this monitor can display images from up to 4 devices at once. You can either split the screen into four 21.5-inch 1080P sections, two horizontal or vertical sections, or even three sections of varying sizes. There is also support for basic Picture-in-Picture (PIP) if you don't wish to subdivide the screen real estate.
Different monitor arrangements with multiple inputs
Also present is LG's Dual Controller feature, which essentially turns the monitor into a KVM switch. Users can plug a mouse and keyboard into the two downstream USB 3.0, install the Dual Controller software on two systems, and control both of them from that single mouse/keyboard combo. Rounding out the basic specifications are built-in 2x10W Harman Kardon stereo speakers, a headphone jack, an RS-232C connector, and a small remote control. The included stand is fairly basic in that it only allows tilt adjustments.
While the press release indicates a countrywide Japanese launch on May 19th at a price of around 83,000 yen, US-based retailers are already offering preorders for $697 with an expected availability of May 9th. If that holds true, that is a very attractive price for a roughly 43-inch 4K monitor with that many built-in features and a three-year warranty.
Source: LG
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Diji1 - Monday, May 1, 2017 - link
I have a friends with a 40" - you want to worry about having to look up and down and down as well, trust me.Smoken - Monday, May 1, 2017 - link
I use a 39" 4k Seiki as a monitor and love it. Takes a bit getting used to at first since the edges seem like they're facing away from you but you'll get used to it.mmrezaie - Monday, May 1, 2017 - link
Well I have 2 * 27 monitors and I feel they are too wide. Don't mind having a one 40 with Xmonad.GerardFreeman - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I have a Philips 40 inch 4k monitor for almost 2 years now, and it works like a champ. Never had one problem with it. :-)eek2121 - Monday, May 1, 2017 - link
WAAAY too big for a PC monitor. I have a 43" TV in my den...no way I'd ever use that as a monitor.vanilla_gorilla - Monday, May 1, 2017 - link
As someone who uses 3x24in monitors, I find this very interesting.FMinus - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I'm using 4 monitors, one of them being the 27" 1440p Cintiq I work on most of the time, the rest are satellites, one 27" 1440p for color reference of the final image I'm working on, while I got 24" for browsing, and multitasking music/video/bla bla bla, and it works pretty great, because I'm usually looking at one monitor at a time.I had the Eizo ColorEdge CG318-4K 31.1" on test at home, and it was a hell working on that thing, and secondly because for everything else I was sitting too close, and my desk was to narrow to place it at a proper distance. I'd say my limit for right now is 27", everything above that just seem to distract my eyes with the edges. I also don't see pushing the monitor deeper 'cause you lose a lot of those 4K benefits doing that.
I'm also gaming in spare time, and frankly I don't know how far I would have to sit from a 40" monitor to get the whole picture in my sight. So for gaming I'm even struggling on my 27" and prefer the 24".
But different people different preferences, I guess.
mr_tawan - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
If the main usage of using multi-monitor is to combine the display area then it's probably better to go with one larger screen (with higher resolution). It would be great for live monitoring. However, for usage like main/sub display, I think having multiple screens would be better.I use 2 23" monitors at home (with one 23.8" lying around), mainly uses for some light development. IDE runs on the main monitor, while the output runs on the sub monitor (with some reference document also on the sub monitor). While gaming I have the sub monitor displaying some random image :P.
At works I have two 19", configuring almost the same way except that they have combined screen space to accommodate Citrix.
Meteor2 - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
This thing seems purpose-designed as a system monitoring monitor for ops bridges, for trading rooms, that sort of thing. As someone pointed out it's effectively four 24" monitors in one case. I've not seen a ops room where there's not a hodge-podge of PCs (all with different ports) plugged into monitor arrays, with or without KVMs. This allows cleaning that up a bit.FreeSync seems a bit of an oddity; I guess it's there to broaden the monitor's appeal to gamers.
v1001 - Monday, May 1, 2017 - link
I've used a 42" TV for my monitor for the last 6 years. I could never go smaller again. It's absolutely awesome. I'll go even larger and 4k next time I need to replace this one.