ViewSonic VP3481

amazon ViewSonic VP3481 reviews

As a professional monitor for photographers, video editors, and graphic designers, the ViewSonic VP3481 offers an ultra-spacious display with very good color accuracy that is well-received. Pre-correction for some color spaces. The 34-inch curved monitor renders images and video nicely in our testing, and the inclusion of AMD FreeSync and a 100Hz refresh rate should appeal to game developers (as well as gamers).

Ultra-Wide Immersive Viewing

VP3481 has a simple design, easy to understand. The base has a large size of 39 x 27 cm; from it emerges a split shaft (through which you can thread cables) to which the cabinet is attached. The base and shaft are mostly plastic, but they seem stable enough. With the stand fully extended (its height can be raised to 13 cm), the monitor measures 61 x 81 x 30 cm (HWD). It also supports swivel and tilt adjustments adding height. The top and bottom edges are almost invisible, maximizing screen real estate and serving well in a multi-monitor array.

The heart of the VP3481 is the 34-inch MVA panel. MVA stands for “multidomain vertical alignment,” a variation on the more common VA commonly used in higher-end monitors. MVA monitors are known for their high contrast ratio (VP3481 rated at 3,000:1) and deep blacks. The native resolution here is WQHD (3,440 x 1,440 pixels) for a 21:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 110 pixels per inch (PPI).

The Asus ProArt PA34VC professional curved monitor has the same screen size, resolution, and pixel density as the ViewSonic. In contrast, the BenQ PD3220U DesignVue Designer Monitor, another professional panel, has a 32-inch display and UHD or 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) in the more typical 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. BenQ has a higher pixel density (140ppi), all equally, which translates to sharper images.

Curved monitors have become commonplace on large, ultra-wide monitors, whether for gaming, graphic design, or casual business purposes, and the VP3481 is no exception. The screen has a fairly pronounced 1800R curvature, which means that if enough VP3481 monitors were placed side by side to form a full circle, the circle’s radius would be 1,800 mm (1.8 meters). The BenQ EX3501R and Asus ROG Strix XG32VQ also have 1800R curvature, while the Asus ProArt PA34VC has a slightly softer 1900R curvature.

Ports & Controls

The VP3481 has a wide selection of ports. This combination includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort input, and one USB Type-C upstream port that can handle video, audio, and data while delivering up to 60 watts to charge your laptop. Additionally, there is one USB Type-C downstream port (it provides up to 15 watts for charging a smartphone or other device), one upstream and two USB 3.1 Type-A upstream ports, and an audio jack. 3.5mm out bar, last for connecting to headphones or external speakers. You also have the option to use only the monitor’s built-in speakers. (Audio from the built-in 5-watt speakers is usable, with volume and quality quite adequate for casual use.)

All ports are rear-facing, but thanks to the VP3481’s extensive tilt and height adjustment, it’s not difficult to plug in cables from below. Less user-friendly, however, is the control scheme. On-screen display (OSD) controls are located at the bottom of the panel, near the right edge. While it doesn’t take too long to master them, the buttons are harder to use than the mini-joystick controllers found on the Asus PA34VC and BenQ PD3220U (not to mention the HotKey Puck G2 controller), extremely convenient for BenQ). They are easier to use than the buttons of the ViewSonic VP3881, which are located on the back, must be operated when not in sight.

With the VP3481, you can control a wide range of common functions, such as brightness, contrast, color, picture mode, sound, and system settings. There is a setting for HDR (HDR10), but you must also enable HDR from the Windows 10 settings after enabling it. (In macOS, starting with High Sierra, HDR videos will automatically display correctly.)

where can you get a ViewSonic VP3481 online

ViewSonic VP3481 34″ UWQHD 100Hz Curved Monitor with USB Type C 100% sRGB HDR10 14-bit 3D LUT and Color Calibration for Video and Graphics: Buy it now

Accurate color, moderate brightness

I performed the brightness, color, and contrast test using the Klein K10-A colorimeter, the Murideo SIX-G signal generator, and the Portrait Displays CalMAN 5 software. ViewSonic evaluates the maximum brightness of VP3481 as 400 nits (candelas per square meter); in our testing, it dropped a bit, maxing out at 327 nits with HDR enabled. In standard definition sRGB mode, it recorded 230 nits.

I calculated its contrast ratio to be 1,916:1, far below its 3,000:1 rating. However, its brightness is typical of the professional monitors we’ve reviewed (it matches the HDR brightness of the Asus PA34VC and BenQ PD3220U, both of which are rated at a lower level 300 nits). Its contrast ratio is almost twice that of typical IPS monitors, most of which are rated at 1,000:1, although we tested the PA34VC at 3,162:1.

ViewSonic showcases the VP3481’s color accuracy, and the display is pre-calibrated for various color spaces (sRGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, Rec. 709, and DICOM-SIM). The 14-bit 3D lookup table (LUT) generates a rich palette of potential colors. Hardware calibration is also available with the optional ViewSonic Color Calibration Kit ($301), allowing you to quickly and easily calibrate your monitor for photography, graphic design, and other professional applications.

The company reviews the VP3481 covering up to 99% of the sRGB color space. In testing, it consisted of 100% sRGB and then some (see chart above). Our test points — the circles — are neatly placed outside the triangle representing the sRGB color space.

I viewed photos, videos, web pages, and other content using the VP3481, and the colors looked reasonably realistic and vivid. HDR video looks slightly brighter than when the panel is in standard definition.

Good for game designers

ViewSonic’s target audience for VP3481 includes game developers; as mentioned, two of its game-friendly features are the 100Hz refresh rate and support for AMD’s FreeSync adaptive sync technology.

Non-gaming monitors typically have a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. Adaptive sync, meanwhile, adjusts the monitor’s refresh rate to match the graphics card’s frame rate, which can eliminate screen tearing, judder, and other phenomena. One note: To access the 100Hz refresh setting, whether your computer uses an AMD Radeon or an Nvidia GeForce GPU, you need to enable FreeSync from your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD). I ran some in-game benchmarks for several games, including Final Fantasy XV, and the boxed scenes looked smooth and free of artifacts.

Versatile ultra-wide professional monitor

You can think of the VP3481 as essentially a scaled-down version of the 38-inch ViewSonic VP3881, with smaller screen size and lower native resolution, but it adds a few things not found on its big brother than its. The 100Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology make the VP3481 a better choice for game designers, as well as anyone looking to play a few rounds when they’re idle. While both have an upstream USB Type-C port for transferring data and video (and can also charge a laptop), the VP3481 has a second USB-C port just for charging mobile devices. Each monitor has a recessed display for an immersive viewing experience, but the VP3481 is more curved.

Indeed, the VP3481 has very similar specs to the Asus ProArt PA34VC. Both offer 34-inch ultra-wide displays with the same resolution and aspect ratio; both support height, tilt and swivel adjustment, and have usable audio systems and additional analog ports. Each game features adaptive sync technology and refresh rates to appeal to both game designers and casual players.

Their tested brightness is similar, with the PA34VC producing a higher contrast ratio. ProArt’s menu system is easier to navigate thanks to its mini-joystick controller. Overall, the PA34VC delivers a bit more, but the ViewSonic VP3481 offers a very capable and slightly more cost-effective alternative.