Experimenting with the strange 21 to 9 format seems to be the new hobby for the monitor makers these days and Philips joins the pack with the launch of two such displays featuring a rather large 29” diagonal size.
Some say that the 21 to 9 format is good for gaming or movies. We would beg to differ on this, but if it’s to their liking, then Philips has just the thing for them.
Wikipedia on the other hand presents the UW-UXGA format as a strange and unpopular choice and comments on the subject as follows:
“There are two wider formats called UWXGA 1600 by 768 (25 to 12) and UW-UXGA that has 2560 by 1080 pixels, a 2.37 to 1 or 21 ⅓ to 9, or 64 to 27 aspect ratio, sometimes erroneously labeled 21:9.”
Even so, we caution our readers that these monitors greatly distort the image making it hard to work in CAD programs and feature a smaller display area than standard 27” monitors with the popular 16 to 9 format, if the height of the device is left the same.
Philips 21 to 9 format
Philips GIOCO
Even so, we caution our readers that these monitors greatly distort the image making it hard to work in CAD programs and feature a smaller display area than standard 27” monitors with the popular 16 to 9 format, if the height of the device is left the same.
The reality is that manufacturers are only doing this for the money as the LCD panel is actually just as cheap to make as a 27” 16 to 9 panel, while the company charges the customer more money calling it a 29” display.
Compared with a 16 to 9 27” monitor, the width of the 29 to 1 devices rises by 31% while the height remains absolutely the same.
The width of the resolution rises from 1920 pixels to 2560 and that’s about 33%, so at least the resolution keeps the pace.
Philips touts the possibility of having two different computers connected to the same monitor using the dual inputs on the back or the option to display two images that are 1280 by 1080 each and that’s a strange format as well.
For the ones working with text, they might be able to benefit from the dual-image display mode.
There are two models being launched, the 298P4QJEB and 298X4QJAB and while there’s no pricing info available yet, we know that they both also feature a USB 3.0 hub and an incredibly tiny bezel.
