ABOVE: Watch the unboxing!
One of the perks of writing for Digital Camera World is that the very best photo and video gear is constantly arriving in the office – and a lot of it lands on my desk.
The best part is that, like Forrest Gump, I never know what I'm going to get when the doorbell rings. So, one of the most fun parts of my day is opening my "boxes of chocolates" and seeing what I've got to play with.
Today was one of those days – and you always know it's going to be something special when the box is this big!
Of course, some people would say that size isn't everything. But when what's inside the box is a monitor, those people would be wrong!
This is the AOC U32U3CV – a professional-grade 4K monitor that’s less a screen and more a tool for creative expression. And while AOC has always been known as a brand that offers great value for money, this monitor is aggressively good value.
The AOC U32U3CV is part of the U3 Graphic Pro range, designed specifically for creators and those working in creative fields. You don’t have to worry about superfluous features designed for gamers; this 32-inch, 4K IPS monitor has been tailor-made for photo and video editing – and it’s an absolute joy to use. And a joy to look at!
Boasting incredible color accuracy straight out of the box, the U3 Graphic Pro range delivers 98% coverage of DCI-P3, 100% of sRGB and 100% of Rec709 color spaces. On top of that, it's calibrated for a Delta E value of <2, offering accurate color rendering that AOC says "exceeds human eye perception", and is compatible with Calman Ready for easy, effective and fast fine-tuning.
If you’re wondering why things like Delta E and DCI-P3 are important, let me ask you: have you ever spent hours perfectly editing an image or video on your screen, only to look at it on a tablet, phone or someone else’s computer and find that the colors are completely different? That’s why it’s so important to work with a properly calibrated monitor that’s capable of the widest possible color gamuts.
And that’s the most amazing thing about this monitor: it's absolutely ready to roll, right out of the packaging. You can dive into Calman Ready calibration if you want to, but the color accuracy is absolutely first-class across any of your favorite color spaces without having to do any setup whatsoever.
It’s also HDR 400-certified for real-life image quality with high contrast, brightness and colors, giving you an immersive and realistic experience with great blacks and the ability to view fantastic high dynamic range images.
I mentioned that this is a joy to look at, and I’m not alone; the U3 Graphic Pro series took home a prestigious Red Dot Award for outstanding product design – and I think it’s clear to see why.
Not only is the monitor itself very attractive-looking, with a slim-bezel design that helps you focus on your content, it also features a beautifully designed stand that makes any workspace look stunning.
Function is just as important as form, though, as the stand is comprehensively adjustable; not only can the height be adjusted, it can also swivel, tilt and be pivoted 90° from landscape to portrait orientation.
There are a host of ports available along the bottom and side of the monitor, making connection a breeze whether your screen is horizontal or vertical.
There’s a full USB-C hub, boasting 96W power delivery to your laptop, along with DPoint 1.4 Alt Mode. This facilitates superfast data transfer and the ability to charge your laptop at the same time.
You also get twin HDMI 2.0 ports, 4 USB-A ports, DisplayPort and an ethernet connection. There are also 2 more USB-C ports, including one with 15W power delivery to charge your smartphone as well – enabling you to ditch all those extra chargers.
The U3 Graphic Pro range supports KVM, enabling you to connect two devices to one screen, as well as Daisy Chain MST for displaying multiple video signals from a single source. This is a supremely versatile setup whether you’re a solo creator, or you share your desk or workstation with colleagues or family members.
If you’re a photographer or videographer who wants to ensure that your files can be experienced, enjoyed and edited in the highest possible quality, the AOC U32U3CV is for you.
Don’t waste money on features designed for gaming – for the ultimate professional monitor for creatives at a truly unbelievable price point, AOCing is believing.
