Players are falling in love with ultra-widescreen displays however the cash-sized barrier to entry has been large. 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 straightforward because of the clip-on stem and single-finger-screw stand system that needs to be necessary on all displays. Connecting the three elements within the field makes it comparatively easy to extricate the mechanical albatross-like show, however have a great take a look at the downward-facing ports earlier than you place it in your desk as you may wrestle to see (or entry) them once more. If it is advisable plan your set-up earlier than buying, know that the kettle-lead energy connector (there’s no energy brick) attaches to the precise 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 mild, 1,800R curve, an ultra-wide 32:9 facet ratio, a 5,120 x 1,440 picture and a 144 Hz refresh price. 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 (quite than 1M:1) and the Samsung has a sooner 240Hz refresh price.
The anti-glare, semi-gloss coating means there are impressively few distracting reflections in darkish scenes. Additionally, it goes some option to hold small textual content trying neat and never spidery—though some fonts carry out higher than others on this space. We definitely had no points working and writing utilizing it and having a number of home windows open without delay critically helped with productiveness. Spreadsheets may also work nicely on this display screen and music and video editors will like the power to have a probably life-sized, digital mixing desk displayed all of sudden. Regardless of being a game-designated show, we discovered it simple to reside with for day-to-day work, too.
Aorus CO49DQ specs
Display measurement: 49-inch
Decision: 5,120 x 1,440
Brightness: 250 nits full display screen SDR
Shade protection: 99% DCI-P3
Response time: 0.03ms
Refresh price: 144Hz
Distinction 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 usually re-sync such monitor layouts will know why.
The large display screen real-estate advantages totally different genres in numerous 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 too can 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 subject of view and use compatible-sized menus with out ugly letter-box bars on the aspect.
Caveats embrace having HUD readouts positioned in your visible periphery that means it’s important to flip your head to learn them. Moreover, the slight curve does not assist eyeball-refocus-based straining an excessive amount of—that was an early, said advantage of curved shows.
When it comes to efficiency, we had been very impressed. Colours are vibrant and the show is uniformly shiny. It is rated at 250 nits (typical) however we felt extra comfy turning it all the way down to 85 per cent in day-to-day actions when utilizing (predominantly) white-backed browser home windows. It needs to be famous that Aorus provides some automated APL (Common Image Degree) settings that purpose to equalize display screen brightness if a window will get too shiny (to assist stop extended publicity of the QD-OLED panel to shiny spots which may blight the show), nevertheless it did this with minimal affect, whether or not set to Low, Medium or Excessive.
It is a 10-bit panel that works very nicely with Home windows HDR settings to the purpose the place we often 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, shiny lights virtually 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 might 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 had been up towards the not-thin, jet-black outskirts surrounding the display screen—the distinction is minor however purists would possibly object. You may 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 price and a said, 0.03ms, GTG pixel response time that is adequate to maintain most video games trying silky-smooth. Nonetheless, ultra-competitive FPS sorts could lament the absence of extra pace afforded by sooner screens however they’re going to normally be utilizing a lot smaller displays anyway. Nonetheless, for pure immersion and a aggressive increase, it is onerous to beat.
When it comes to 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 players will recognize ALLM and VRR compatibility to maintain pictures {smooth}, clear and lag-free.
Loads of normal image-adjustment options and pre-sets are included. Key ‘GameAssist’ gaming instruments embrace 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 finest for normal utilization. We have seen extra elaborate changes settings on different displays, however many will even recognize the dearth of overcomplexity on show right here.
There are additionally loads of ‘OLED Care’ settings to forestall picture burn-in they usually’re based mostly round two headings on the Aorus OSD. ‘Normal’ is absolutely automated and makes use of Aorus’ Ai applied sciences to robotically shield you with minimal interference. ‘Care+’ provides you choices for monitoring utilization time, pixel cleansing, static management, pixel shift, emblem dimming and APL stabilization adjustment.
Caveats embrace having HUD readouts positioned 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 together with a USB-B port for KVM performance. The latter additionally works when sharing the three.5mm headphone jack.
Picture 1 of 5
There are additionally two, 5 Watt audio system. Whereas audiophiles will not recognize the dearth 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 very best view in gaming: With the ability to see extra in a sport is at all times extra immersive and (virtually) at all times boosts your efficiency. The colourful colours and spectacular distinction solely improve issues additional.
Do not buy if…
❌ You should get monetary savings: The variety of excellent, massive, 32-inch gaming displays is growing quickly and it can save you some huge cash on a beautiful monitor that provides even higher picture high quality and pace.
When it comes to 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 may be very steady and does not characteristic a lot ornament or RGB prospers. We do not thoughts this because the display screen itself captured our consideration the entire time and the comparatively basic-design helps hold the prices down.
As for pricing, we have seen rival 49-inchers costing hundreds 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. When you examine that to the rival Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC it is usually less expensive. That stated, it is price procuring round we discovered each fashions with reductions in numerous shops in numerous locales.
Finally, whereas it doesn’t have luxurious objects like RGB, thin-bezels, high-concept design parts and G-Sync, it is lots of of {dollars} cheaper than many rivals but it nonetheless excels at all the things.