Acer Announces Two Frameless Monitors: the UHD 27" S277HK and WQHD 25" H257HU
by Brett Howse on September 10, 2014 8:00 AM ESTOn Tuesday in Taiwan, Acer announced two monitors that might be worth a look for anyone looking to put a couple of multi-monitor setups together, or interested in an attractive design combined with high resolution. The first is the S277HK, which is a 27” UHD/4K model, and the second is the H257HU which is a 25" WQHD model.
The S277HK is the first 4K monitor with a frameless design according to Acer. In addition to the 3840x2160 resolution for the IPS panel, the 27” model also has DTS surround sound though Acer does not go into specifics on how the audio is achieved. With an asymmetric stand and aluminum bezel, the S277HK certainly looks as premium as the specs would indicate. Connectivity is DVI, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2.
S277HK (left) and H257HU (right),
images courtesy of TechPowerUp
The second monitor announced is the H257HU, which also features the frameless design, but the IPS panel is slightly lower resolution at 2560x1440 (WQHD). This monitor also features DTS sound, and a round rim base and DVI, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2 inputs.
'Frameless' is a little bit of a misnomer, as typically all monitors will have some sort of edge bezel. In the smallest bezel monitors on sale, sub-6mm is quite common although specialist models exist that might go smaller. The H257HU, from the sole small image we have found access to, looks like it has a larger screen-distance, despite the 'frameless' moniker keeping the edge distance small.
The IPS panels on these devices also include features to assist with eye strain including a Flicker-less technology to reduce screen flicker, a blue light filter which Acer claims helps with long term eye damage, and a Low Dimming technology to allow the backlight to be set as low as 15% for low light environments. Both monitors also include “ComfyView” to assist with screen reflections.
Both models will be available starting in Q4 2014, with global availability. Neither refresh rates, color accuracy nor prices have not been announced at this time.
Source: Acer
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piroroadkill - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
Wait, what? How can a monitor feature DTS sound? What kind of marketing gimmick is that?Even the original, basic DTS Coherent Acoustics codec is 1.5Mbps 5.1 channel.
How on earth can a slim monitor have DTS anything?
Also, frameless is only true if the outside edges of the monitor are quite literally the casing the panel comes in.
DanNeely - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
The same way that single soundbars fake 5.1 sounds.....Hrel - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
I'm all for 22-32" 1080p monitors with the smallest bezel possible. 120hz would also be really nice, especially on an IPS display. I'd buy 3 of them in 24" if I could find them for a decent price.jenesuispasbavard - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
If those are frameless so are my Dell S2340M's...JDG1980 - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
I don't really care about the size of the frame, but I am looking forward to getting a 4K IPS monitor once single-stream versions are available. Currently you can either pay $2500+ for a 4K IPS monitor with MST (unreliable), or pay $600-$800 for a 4K TN monitor (low color quality). Then there's the 39" Seiki 4K TV, which is cheap, but only supports 30 Hz refresh (not nearly enough even for normal everyday use, much less media and gaming). Dammit, I want it all!GuniGuGu - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
This!!! 4k IPS is win!!!GuniGuGu - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Sorry didn't finish last message, was walking and on phone... So this looks kinda innovative compared to other 4k monitors, but what do you mean single steam?SanX - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
Why all this monitor mafia like by mutual agreement avoids making larger size 30-40" 4K monitors where 4K will really shine ?AnnonymousCoward - Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - link
4K at 43.8" matches the pixel density of 30"ers. It doesn't make sense that nobody makes a 4K 40" monitor. Maybe once one company makes one, the rest will come to their senses and make their own, just like what happened with 30"ers. <$2000 should be easily achievable, given that you can buy 65" TVs for $1300.adamfilipo - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
its not frameless unless I can take two of these monitors and butt them up side by side and not see a gap