Dell U4919DW review: ultra-wide 49-inch curved screen monitor
Appearance and Ergonomics
If you thought that you had already seen large monitors, then with this gadget you will have to revise your standards. The device comes in a huge box, which includes not only the longest (or widest) monitor, but also a set of accessories. Among them are HDMI, DisplayPort and USB Type-C cables for connecting to image sources, as well as a USB 3.0 data cable for connecting peripherals through a monitor.
Assembling the monitor does not cause difficulties, unless you need a “friend’s help”: it’s better not to take risks when it comes to installing the wide case on the stand. In our case, it took a couple of minutes for the miracle screen to occupy the entire table and get ready for work. One can also do this, just less conveniently, and therefore, just in case, it is better not to rush – accuracy will not be superfluous.
If we talk about the design of the monitor, then it is both modern and a bit strict. There is nothing superfluous, nothing catches your eye and does not distract attention. The frames around the screen are very thin, all elements logically flow into each other and harmonize in black and gray tones. A curved screen with a radius of curvature of 3800R looks appropriate in combination with a double elongated proportion.
Well, you will not surprise anyone with beautiful things, but it is worth mentioning the high build quality. Solid plastic does not creak anywhere, all the parts are neatly fitted – there’s nothing to complain about. Unless we noticed that the monitor can slightly tremble on the center stand due to the specific size and weight distribution. Heartless physics, nothing more.
Interfaces
Connecting a Dell U4919DW monitor is best done through the DisplayPort interface, which quietly transfers an impressive native resolution of 5120 × 1440 at 60 Hz via a single cable. But HDMI is a bit more complicated: if your computer or laptop is equipped with an HDMI 1.4 port, then the maximum resolution will be limited to 3840 × 1080. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to devices with HDMI 2.0 – they will give out the native resolution “point to point”. Well, do not forget to consider the capabilities of graphic adapters of connected PCs.
The modern method of connecting via USB Type-C is suitable for owners of fresh laptops: at the same time, charging, data transfer and image transfer are in progress. By the way, the built-in charging power is 90 W – enough for several USB devices at once.
The monitor can work simultaneously with two image sources: they are displayed on the left and right of the screen without any frames or overlays. Here it is, an advantage of 32: 9! “Picture-in-picture” turns into an outdated term, here it is “picture by picture” (Picture by picture, PBP).
Test results
The specification of the Dell U4919DW monitor modestly hints that it is factory calibrated and reaches 99% of the sRGB color gamut – that is, it is suitable for semi-professional design work. Armed with devices and software, we checked how things are in practice.
We didn’t have to worry for long: the “Standard” preset, which is on the monitor by default, turned out to be the most universal. You just have to set the comfortable brightness of the backlight, and nothing else to twist. Bored? But effective!
Gamma
The tonal curve is close to 2.2, but repeats a slight decline in shadows and a rise in bright colors, as prescribed by the sRGB formula. All halftones are easily readable on real images, and you don’t have to look at anything, trying to catch the extremely light and dark transitions.
SRGB coverage
Colour temperature
Our copy of the monitor showed slightly cold tones: the color temperature on the gray scale is kept at 7300K, while the reference value is 6500K. The color balance is stable, although it is not set at the factory too precisely: the blue component prevails, and the red one slightly sags. The average color deviation of dE2000 on the gray scale is 3.67, and the maximum is 6.26. Not bad, but nothing more: the chilly character of the image is visible to the naked eye.
Color gamut
The color gamut, as promised, meets the sRGB standard. The white point offset at 7300K slightly dragged away the rest of the colors. Nevertheless, on the standard ColorChecker 24 dies set, the average color deviation dE2000 remained at 2.69, which indicates normal color accuracy.
The uniformity of the curved screen with such a wide proportion could be a real pain, but in fact it is in full order! Having measured as many as 32 points over the entire screen area, we did not see a significant spread in either brightness or color tone. The differences between any parts of the display fit into 10%.
The only thing you can complain about is a smooth decrease in brightness between the lower and upper edges of the screen. Apparently, it is connected only with the fact that the LED backlight unit is located at the bottom of the matrix.
ColorChecker 24
Static contrast ratio 1200: 1 is a typical indicator of a good IPS-matrix, which is even higher than the passport value. You can see the backlight only on the black margins of the screen and in low light conditions. The maximum brightness of 353 cd / m2 will allow you to work comfortably in sunny weather. In addition, the semi-matte screen coating dampens glare well.
According to the results of our measurements, it is clear that the monitor got a factory calibration of medium accuracy. The monitor is somewhat “lying” only in that it displays the image in colder tones than it should. If we talk about the maximum reliability for processing photo / video or design – without individual calibration and profiling, he still can not do.
Image quality
On live test materials, the Dell U4919DW did not disappoint us. All the good words that were said about IPS matrices apply to it: for example, the monitor has really wide viewing angles. Distortions appear only at a large angle or when looking diagonally, which is vital for such a large monitor. You can sit closer or farther, deviate from the best spot in the center – and still be satisfied with the image.
Resolution 5120 × 1440 pleases with clarity of image even with a diagonal of 49 inches. Still, the resolution of Quad HD gives the optimal balance between the pixel density and the load on the iron, and here, consider that you have a dual QHD monitor that pleasantly envelops the field of view. Perhaps this is the first model with a curved screen, which really was able to impress with the effect: the sensations on the huge 32: 9 canvas are completely different than on ordinary 16: 9 screens.
Dell U4919DW Monitor and Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
The matrix works in full 10-bit mode and smoothly conveys subtle gradients: after budget decisions of 6 bits + FRC, this will be a revelation. If you see flaws in the photo, you can be sure that these are traces of compression, and not flaws of the monitor. The total GtG response time reaches 15 ms, and the average is at the level of 8 ms. Extraneous artifacts do not appear on the dynamic image, except for a gradual and smooth blur.
If you want to dilute office work with games, the monitor will not cause discomfort. And it’s not just the response characteristics. The backlight works without PWM and any flicker: looking at the huge screen, the eyes naturally rest. After all, peripheral vision is just sensitive to fluctuations, but here they are absent as a class.
Of all the image presets, only two are enough for you: these are the aforementioned “Standard” and “Game”. In the latter case, you get the same balanced picture, but with more intense colors. But attempts to carefully calibrate the monitor with the built-in tools were unsuccessful: the sliders work roughly, and when you achieve improvements in one color area, you knock something down in the neighborhood. That is, for serious work with color, you need to profile the monitor with special software. In other cases, you will easily manage to adjust the brightness, and the device will be ready to work.
Summary
Monitor Dell U4919DW – An outstanding model in many aspects. Even if you are accustomed to large diagonals, an ultra-wide 49-inch monitor will be remembered for a long time. No frames and seams: only a solid image that has no end or edge – at least, it seems so when you sit a meter away from it. The quality of the picture also did not disappoint, apart from the small flaws of the declared factory calibration.
The verdict is simple: if your scenario for using a monitor requires maximum workspace and convenient work with two sources, then it is difficult to come up with something more suitable than the Dell U4919DW. This is the case when chasing two hares, you calmly bring home a double catch.
