ASUS used IBC2024 to launch four new HDR monitors from its ProArt range aimed at creative industry professionals and enthusiasts. We spoke to their team and spent some time on the stand to get a good look at the new ProArt monitors for 2024 and 2025.
Top of the list is easily the ProArt PA32UCDM, which was announced earlier this year and looks incredible in the flesh (so much so that we gave it a Best in Show Award, above). QD-OLED panels have caught the attention of anyone who values the combination of wide color gamut coverage and high color volume, and the ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM, to give it its full name, definitely serves up a professional-grade experience with a high-end set of features tailored to the needs of creators.
It’s a 31.5-inch monitor with a detailed 4K resolution, true 10-bit color depth and 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It achieves an average ΔE value of less than one 1 for impressive color accuracy, and ASUS ProArt Hardware Calibration tech provides color-accuracy optimization and color profile write-back. Additionally, it's been designed to work seamlessly with Calman and Light Illusion ColourSpace CMS professional hardware calibration software.
It features 1000 nits of break brightness, supports multiple HDR metadata formats, including HLG and HDR10. It also has an incredible 240hz refresh rate which makes it especially useful for anyone that works with game/ virtual environment software like Unreal Engine or Unity. This provides what ASUS refers to as “buttery-smooth animation” during rendering work. An impressive spec is rounded out with a Thunderbolt 4 port ready to offer up to 96W Power Delivery, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a built-in USB Hub. This is an astonishing spec for the price which is €1799.
We were also impressed with the PA32UCE (€1199) and the PA27UCGE (€839). Apart from the size (32” vs 27”) the only key feature that separates these models is the refresh rate, the smaller PA27UCGE having an increased 160hz refresh rate. They are both 4K HDR displays with 600 nit peak brightness. They have HDR10,HLG color space and the very very useful ASUS ProArt built in colorimeter that allows you to auto calibrate the monitor to the color space you want in a matter of seconds, The display also has their LuxPixel technology to reduce reflections (this really does work) and an extra wide viewing angle.
ASUS used its on-set production area to demonstrate the new 16” ProArt PA16USV (€999) for the first time. It was set up on a DIT cart connected to a RED cinema camera using its main feature, the 12G SDI connection. There is a reason it had this set up; it is exactly how it is intended to be used. ASUS already has a larger 24” model, the PA24US (also used on the DIT cart) but the 16” version is a 4K HDR model with 282 PPI (pixels per inch). The 100% sRGB Calman Verified display is VESA mountable (essential for in set work) and has other features DITs and producers will love like QuickFir Plus, applying centre markers, rulers, and safety area info on set up.
Attracting a lot of attention was a monitor that we did see at NAB, but for the first time in Europe visitors were able to test the new ProArt PA32KCX 8K Mini LED professional monitor. The spec is big so get ready for this… 1200 nit peak brightness with 1000 nit sustained, true 10-bit color depth, 97% DCI-P3, a built in motorized colorimeter, LightSync technology, monitor hood, LuxPixel technology and dual Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort connectivity. There was 8K footage available to be viewed and even on a 32” display the difference between 8K and 4K really was visible to the naked eye (even an untrained one like mine). This is a serious monitor with a serious price €8999, however that is a *lot* lower than other 8K reference monitors on the market now.
I should also add that it was interesting to see many of the ProArt senior leadership team visiting from the Taipei head office. The ASUS team seems eager to get feedback from end users and buyers ready to innovate and develop new products at a pace that seems incredibly fast when we look at what was available a year ago at IBC2023 or even just back at NAB 2024. These are monitors at a price point that works for individuals / freelancers that want an affordable professional set up at home, higher education / Universities that need equipment that matches industry standards, and the top end post houses looking to refresh their hardware for new software and production standards. It’s a wide set of targets, but the company seems to be hitting each one with commendable accuracy.