ASUS MX38VC was presented to the general public in the summer of 2017, but the model appeared on the shelves only after a very long time. Its analogues in terms of main characteristics, monitors LG 38UC99-W, Acer XR382CQK, ViewSonic VP3881, HP Z38c and Dell U3818DW (we cannot vouch for the completeness of the list) went on sale in the same 2017.
This testing will allow us to see if the delay in launching the model affected its technical parameters - we have already tested the LG analogue, so we have something to compare with. However, we can immediately note another tangible plus: if the price for ASUS MX38VC was originally announced at about 1 euros, now it is three hundred more modest (even lower prices are mentioned in a number of sources).
Technical specifications
| ASUS Designo Curve MX38VC | |
| Screen | |
| Diagonal, inches | 37,5 |
| Aspect Ratio | 24:10 |
| Matrix coating | Semi-matte |
| Standard resolution, pix. | 3840×1600 |
| PPI | 111 |
| Matrix type | AH-IPS Curved (Curvature Radius 2300R) |
| Backlight type | White LEDs |
| Max. brightness, cd/m2 | 300 |
| Contrast static | 1000:1 |
| Number of displayed colors | 1,07 billion (8 bit + FRC) |
| Vertical frequency, Hz | 52-75 (Adaptive-Sync/AMD FreeSync) |
| Response time BtW, ms | 14 |
| GtG response time, ms | 5 |
| Maximum viewing angles, horizontal/vertical, ° | 178/178 |
| Connectors | |
| Video inputs | 2 x HDMI 2.0; 1 x Display Port 1.2; 1 × USB Type-C 3.1 (supports up to 65W charging) |
| Additional ports | 2 × USB 3.0 (support Superspeed USB Charging); 2 × 3,5mm (audio output and audio input) |
| Built-in speakers: number × power, W | 2×10 (Harman Kardon Bluetooth enabled) |
| Additionally | Qi wireless charging (up to 15W) |
| Physical parameters | |
| Screen Position Adjustment | Tilt angle (-5 to +15°) |
| VESA mount: dimensions (mm) | No |
| Mount for Kensington lock | Yes |
| Power supply unit | External |
| Power Consumption Maximum / Typical / Standby (W) | 230 (PSU power) / 55 / 0,5 |
| Overall dimensions (with stand), mm | 896,6 × × 490,3 239,7 |
| Net weight (with stand), kg | 9,9 |
| Estimated price | € 1 299 |
Obviously, the monitor uses the same matrix LG LM375QW1-SSA1 as in previously released counterparts - the variety of screens of such a diagonal, radius of curvature and resolution is somehow not observed.
The ASUS model differs from its matrix counterparts in additional functions: the presence of Qi wireless charging at the base of the monitor stand, as well as support for audio playback via Bluetooth (of the similar models we mentioned, only the LG monitor supports the latter function). The downside is the minimum functionality of the stand - only tilt adjustment, and even without the possibility of installing the panel on a VESA-compatible mount. For a model of this price level, this is almost indecent. However, the monitor belongs to the line with the telling name Designo Curve, in which ergonomics are traditionally sacrificed for design.
The monitor supports adaptive frame rate synchronization technology (first generation AMD FreeSync) in a fairly narrow range - from 52 to 75 Hz - both when connected via DP and when using HDMI.
Finally, we note minor inconsistencies in the technical parameters between the electronic version of the instruction manual and the model page on the manufacturer's website. The manual mentions speaker power of 13W and Qi charging power of 5W, while the model page says 10W and 15W respectively. The table contains values from the product page (we believe that the information repeatedly mentioned on the official website is more relevant).
Packaging, scope of delivery, appearance
The monitor comes in a large cardboard box, significantly larger than the size of the display itself. It has cutouts on the top for easy portability.
On the front of the box at the bottom, the main features of the monitor that distinguish it from others are listed, above there is a photo and the name of the monitor, the ASUS logo with the corporate motto, as well as badges of design awards received by the model.
On the other side, everything is the same - only the angle of the monitor photo and the location of the signatures differ.
The ASUS MX38VC package includes:
- power cable;
- external power supply;
- USB Type-A → Type-C cable;
- USB Type-C → Type-C cable;
- audio cable 3,5 mm → 3,5 mm;
- DisplayPort cable;
- HDMI cable;
- quick user guide for connection;
- prospectus ASUS VIP Member;
- safety information sheet.
In general, the package can be called exhaustive - even theoretically, you can add only a second HDMI cable.
The external power supply manufactured by Delta Electronics delivers 19,5V at up to 11,8A for a maximum output of 230W. Since a standard "laptop" power connector is used, it will not be difficult to find a replacement PSU if necessary.
The monitor is placed in a box already fully assembled, which is not surprising given its non-separable design at home. To bring it into working condition, it is enough to connect an external power supply and interface cables.
ASUS Designo Curve MX38VC looks nice: graceful lines of the base with an unusual glass design (as well as backlighting with active wireless charging of devices), a narrow bottom frame and no frames on the sides and top.
However, frameless design can be called rather conditionally: wide areas along the edges - about a centimeter wide on the sides and even more along the upper edge of the case - are not the active area of the screen matrix. On the other hand, there are hardly many who want to build multi-monitor configurations from expensive 38-inch screens, and in other cases this feature is not a significant drawback.
The stand has minimal functionality, providing only adjustment of the screen tilt in the range from -5 to +15°.
It is also not possible to install the screen panel on a VESA-compatible mount. However, if the stand was removed, the unique advantage of the model in the form of Qi charging located at the base would be lost.
The glass surface of the base with built-in Qi charging is initially protected from scratches with a transparent sticker.
On the surface, the monitor is held up by three large rubber mounts, which are quite effective at dealing with accidental slips, but do not interfere too much with attempts to slightly rotate the monitor.
For control and adjustment, a five-way mini-joystick and two buttons on either side of it are used. The appointment of one of them can be set at your choice.
There is also an alarm LED that can be disabled via the menu.
In the cutouts below, you can see the speakers bearing the big name of Harman Kardon. Despite the high declared power, the size of the loudspeakers is very modest. The sound by the standards of the built-in acoustics is quite decent - quite loud and detailed, without distortion at high volumes. In this case, you can hear not only the upper and middle, but also the lower frequencies. However, since the radiators are located close to the table surface and are directed at it, one cannot count on the overall naturalness of the sound.
Connectors are traditionally placed on the back of the monitor. On the left side of the supporting "leg" are the power socket, two HDMI video inputs and a DisplayPort connector. On the right is a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.0 ports with support for fast charging, a line-in audio input and a headphone output.
The location of the USB ports clearly hints that you can forget about their operational use - for example, to connect external drives. Yes, and for wired charging of gadgets, you will have to keep connecting cables constantly connected to the monitor.
All connectors are clearly labeled at the top.
You can tell from the spec sheet that our copy of the monitor was manufactured in December 2018.
Behind the monitor does not look so catchy, but quite neat. The middle part of the “back” is covered with a matte plastic panel with the ASUS logo in the upper part, and textured plastic with a square notch is used on the sides of this insert.
The possibilities for cable management are minimal and limited only by a decorative strip covering the panel with connectors.
The matrix has a semi-matt finish, which quite successfully fights glare, without pronounced manifestations of the crystalline effect.
The quality of materials and assembly does not raise questions - however, it would be surprising if such an expensive device was saved on such trifles. The plastic is pleasant to the touch, the gaps are minimal, there are no backlashes, when you try to twist the monitor case only slightly crunches, and simply ignores weaker impacts.
Menu and control
When you press the mini-joystick, a menu appears with a choice of a pair of quick actions (the default is power on / off or input selection), activated using additional control buttons. Pressing again brings up the main menu.
The disadvantage is the need to make two consecutive presses to access the main menu. Of course, when the monitor is configured in accordance with the user's preferences, this shortcoming will no longer be important, but with frequent work with the menu, this is frankly annoying.
On the first tab of the main menu, you can select one of the Splendid image modes, which differ in the initial presets and the parameters available for adjustment. There are eight in total, including sRGB.
The second section is reserved for setting the blue filter level.
The third menu tab is responsible for color settings: brightness, contrast, luminosity, color temperature and skin tone. Not all settings are available for every mode - for example, when choosing the sRGB mode, it is generally impossible to change any of these parameters, even brightness.
Note that there is no gamma in the list of settings (although, as our measurements showed, its settings differ in different modes).
The next section includes a few more image adjustments: clarity, response time (Trace Free), aspect ratio, VividPixel image enhancer, dynamic contrast, and adaptive sync.
In the sound settings section, you can select the volume level, mute the sound, select the sound source (including playback via Bluetooth interface) and the sound mode.
The next section of the menu is devoted to the settings of the PIP / PBP functions.
The penultimate section of the menu allows you to select the active video input.
The eighth and last section of the menu is the most intense - it includes system settings. On the first page of the section, you can enable the Splendid demo mode, configure game functions, enable eco mode, configure the operation of USB ports and device charging (both wired and wireless), change the assignment of the right additional button, and configure the OSD menu options.
Game features include the ability to display the crosshair in the center of the screen, a countdown timer and a frame counter.
On the second page of the section, you can select the OSD interface language, lock the buttons on the monitor, view information about the current operating mode, configure the power indicator (including turning it off), lock the power button and reset the settings to factory settings.
Although Russian is also in the list of available languages, the quality of translation (you involuntarily want to add "machine") leaves much to be desired, so in order to avoid culture shock, we recommend using the English interface.
On the whole, except for unsuccessful localization and the need to double-click to enter the main menu, the monitor control system is quite logical and convenient.
Source: 3dnews.ru