Acer Launches Curved XR382CQK Display: 37.5-inch, 3840×1600, FreeSync, & USB-C
by Anton Shilov on February 4, 2017 8:00 AM EST
Acer has announced its new ultra-wide curved display for gaming and multimedia applications. The monitor boasts with a rare combination of features, such as a curved panel, 2.4:1 aspect ratio, a USB-C input, as well as multiple features for gamers, including a 75 Hz refresh rate, variable refresh via AMD’s FreeSync, and ambient lighting. The new display is about to hit the market, but with a rather high price tag due to its distinctive mixture of capabilities.
The Acer XR382CQK is based on a 37.5” IPS panel with a 3840×1600 resolution, a 24:10 aspect ratio and 2300R curvature (see the table below for other specs). The distinctive specifications may indicate that the supplier of the panel is LG Display, and we already know two monitors which feature the same screen (1, 2). As reported, the resolution and the aspect ratio of the display are well suited for displaying HD and UHD content filmed in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 or 2.40:1 (a lot of movies are shot in such aspect ratios) as well as for games. Meanwhile the 8-bit + FRC panel allows the reproduction of 1.07 billion colors, and covers 100% of the sRGB color space.
Given the positioning of the monitor, Acer added several features to its XR382CQK that are not available from competitors, including a 75 Hz refresh rate (I suspect the panel is probably overclocked, but not significantly and Acer guarantees that it is going to work fine) as well as RGB ambient lighting that can be adjusted from the OSD (lighting effects include pulse, flash and ripple). In addition, the monitor is equipped with two 7 W speakers with DTS Sound software enhancement.
As for connectivity, the Acer XR382CQK has HDMI, DP, mDP and MHL inputs, a rare combination not found on many other devices. Moreover, the new display is also the first gaming monitor that comes with a USB Type-C input and therefore is compatible with various notebooks that have this interface and can use it to connect to external screens. Technically, DisplayPort alt mode on USB-C supports Adaptive-Sync (and hence FreeSync) and therefore the XR382CQK is the industry’s first monitor that may supports FreeSync over USB-C. However, we are not sure there are notebooks with AMD APUs or GPUs that have USB-C as their only display output (and there are no graphics cards with USB-C outputs). In any case, the USB-C input support is a nice feature for the future. In addition, the monitor has a headphone output, which is especially useful for gamers.
Update 2/14: As of now, Acer does not activate Adaptive-Sync/FreeSync through the Type-C port because at the moment it is impossible to verify that everything works correctly. Acer says that in the future, if AMD can support Adaptive-Sync/FreeSync through the USB Type-C port, it can use firmware to activate it on its existing models.
| Acer XR382CQK | |
| Panel | 37.5" IPS |
| Resolution | 3840 × 1600 |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate | FreeSync |
| Response Time | 5 ms gray-to-gray 14 ms standard |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m² |
| Contrast | 1000:1 |
| Viewing Angles | 178°/178° horizontal/vertical |
| Color Saturation | 100% sRGB |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.23 mm |
| Pixel Density | 110 ppi |
| Anti-Glare Coating | Yes |
| Inputs | 1 × DisplayPort 1.2 1 × Mini DisplayPort 1.2 1 × HDMI 2.0 1 × MHL 1.2 1 × USB 3.0 Type-C |
| USB Hub | 4 port USB 3.0 hub: four USB-A |
| Audio | 7 W × 2 |
| Launch Price | $1299.99 |
The Acer XR382CQK is about to hit the shelves of U.S. retailers with a price tag of $1,299.99. Amazon.com already lists the monitor and is even taking pre-orders, but the product is not in stock just yet.
Related Reading:
- ASUS Announces Designo Curve MX38VQ: 37.5 Inch Curved Display with Qi Charging
- LG 38UC99 Announced: 37.5-Inch Curved 21:9 Display with 3840×1600 Resolution
- AOC Announces the AGON AG352UCG 21:9 Curved Display: 35", 3440×1440, 100Hz with G-Sync
- Acer Introduces A Pair Of Predator Gaming Displays
- Acer Announces The Acer Predator 21 X: 21-Inch Curved Screen Gaming Notebook
Source: Acer
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rarson - Saturday, February 11, 2017 - link
You'll probably be waiting a while. Not too many manufacturers want to make G-Sync anything, let alone 21:10 monitors.Meteor2 - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
Expensive, but I would suggest it's good value.I want one.
WhiteSkyMage - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
OK guys, this is what is best to do, if you like this monitor, but you are not sure if you should buy it or not:1) Make sure that you have ENOUGH space on your desk! We are really talking about a massive monitor here...
2) You are going to have to make a difficult decition about your GPU as well! Remember that nVidia doesn't support FreeSync, even though it is and open technology. Because of this you might NOT get the 75Hz with an nVidia GPU, or at least that was it on the LG 38UC99 monitor. I don't know about this one. However take into account that such monitor with G-Sync does not exist! Neither does the Samsung CF791. If you are going for this monitor, I recommend either wait Vega 10 or put in 2 RX 480s in CrossFire.
3) Check if your games support this resolution. It is true that more games are starting to support ultrawide resolutions, but have in mind that is monitor's aspect ratio is not the standard 21:9. I, myself am buying this monitor with an aim of one game - Star Citizen. I highly suggest you contact developers/publishers of games, and demand support for this resolution. Everybody hates black bars, but developers need to know what we use and support it. Nothing can be done for older games, but the new ones have the potential.
Murloc - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
it's funny because in overwatch they don't support it on purpose, because it gives you competitive advantage.PGFan - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
This monitor would be great if it also came with a remote that had the following functions (at a minimum): Power on/off, volume up/down (without having to toggle through a menu), and input select. With many inputs available and given the large size, this monitor could easily be multi-purpose: serve as a computer monitor and connect to video sources such as TiVo or DirecTV boxes for non-streaming viewing (like in a bedroom). Even a smaller version with these features would be great. I might consider such a monitor for my next one given my ASUS PB278 is starting to fee a bit small and I have enough distance and space on my desk for this beast.Hxx - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
Acer going for a productivity monitor as opposed to gaming but still targeting both markets. As an owner of an Acer X34, I would have liked to see the same 1440p but at a higher refresh rate, curvature, and higher size. The fact that they cut down the refresh in favor of higher dpi means they're not necessarily targeting gamers.stangflyer - Monday, February 6, 2017 - link
I am hoping in the next year they will have 3840x1600, 100 hz minimum. GSync/FreeSync, HDR/Dolby Vision. Give me that monitor for $1500 and I will let go of my 7680x1440 surround setup.5040x1600 and I will give you $2k.
WhiteSkyMage - Saturday, April 8, 2017 - link
It is funny how Acer has such big restocking issues with this monitor - It is not even on Amazon anymore, NCIX has none in stock (even though it's listed), Amazon UK has some, but at skyrocket price.When is this monitor coming to Europe? Like seriously? I wonder is it WHEN if IF now? It has been 2 months since launch and distributor stocks are empty?! ACER WAKE UUUUP!