BenQ Gaming Monitors Interview
Written by Charles Husemann on 4/21/2011 for
PC
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BenQ is getting into the gaming monitor world in a bit way with their new line of 120Hz monitors that are build specifically for gamers. Intrigued by the idea of gaming specific monitors we send over some questions and got the following response from JY Hu the VP, Business Line Management in North America for BenQ
Could you talk about why BenQ is getting into the gaming monitor business? What was the tipping point for making the jump into the business?
Developing a new consumer segment and a focus on product differentiation. There is a trend that more brands support 120Hz refresh rate of LCD monitors, and the BenQ XL2410T is one of the products that supports 3D display technology in the market. Therefore, based on the 120Hz characteristic, coupled with 3D display technology, BenQ decided to get into the gaming market as our initial market approach. We invited professional gamers to be involved in our new product development, so the XL2410T is designed based on what gamers are looking for, and it has become the world's first display unit that professional gamers got involved with during the R&D process.
What are the key characteristics that differentiate gaming monitors from standard monitors? What things should gamers be looking for in a monitor?
This is the first time professional gamers have been directly involved in the development of a flat-panel monitor for competitive gaming. BenQ recognizes that professional gamers possess indispensable experience and knowledge about display devices. The performance of monitors used is so critical to a gamer, that even the slightest flaw or performance boost affects the outcome of their play. Also by working together with ZOWIE GEAR, a professional gaming gear company, BenQ utilized its expertise in the display product field to develop a product with the aspects of competitive gaming in mind.
XL2410T has two hotkeys available; the first changes the display mode: Full; Aspect; Overscan; 1:1; 17”; 19”; 19” Widescreen and 22” Widescreen. Whereas the second hotkey is Smart Scaling, which lets the user adjust picture size in original input to the screen’s limit. Together with Display Mode function, users can play in the resolution size they are used to with their previous monitor, or adjust their screen size to match what their teammates are using for easier communication and reference. From BenQ’s Gaming Display Mode options, users can choose to use FPS Mode, which was made possible by working alongside the legendary Counter-Strike players, Emil “HeatoN” Christensen and Abdisamad “SpawN” Mohamed, as the best setting for personal shooting games, or from the two User Game modes for more dedicated and personalized settings.
What do you think differentiates your gaming monitor from the competition such as ASUS and Samsung who both offer 120Hz monitors that are 3D capable?
BenQ has been actively involved in the gaming community by collaborating with various parties in the gaming industry. We strongly believe that only through the continuous exchange of ideas with professional gamers that designs and specifications of a truly optimized gaming monitor can be achieved. BenQ aims to be the very best in the gaming fields, and truly stands by the message “Enjoyment Matters.” The insights we’ve gained in FPS (First Person Shooting) games through our collaboration with “HeatoN” and “SpawN” have proven invaluable in the development of BenQ’s professional gaming monitor. The successful launch of the XL2410T was received with popular acclaim in the gaming community.
Are you using HDMI 1.4 to allow for 3D through HDMI? If not, why did you choose to go with a previous HDMI version?
No, because the XL2410T allows for 3D through DVI cable.
How did you research what gamers needed? Outside of the two Counter Strike players you brought in what kind of research did you do?
BenQ developed the XL2014T to fit the needs of gamers. In order to do so, we have co-worked with Zowie, a professional gaming gear company. Therefore, the product development and testing stages are all done with gamers at Zowie and their gaming team. With their assistance, the XL2410T can truly be considered a professional LED gaming monitor – again, with “Game Mode” developed with the help of Counter-Strike players – Emil “HeatoN” Christensen and Abdisamad “SpawN” Mohamed. BenQ is also a sponsor of STARTALE, a top Korea-based professional StarCraft II team. We look forward to our partnership with STARTALE as we venture into the field of RTS (Real-Time Strategy) games.
What is Vertical Alignment Technology and why is it important?
Among the various display panel types, VA panel usually targets the high-end market segment that provides end users with wider viewing angles and better color reproduction, which is achieved with higher contrast ratio and the true black color performance, making it an increasingly welcomed option in the display industry. With the solid panel backup from AU Optronics, BenQ is the 1st company to extend the usage of VA panel to LED monitor, enabling the value-added features and compelling user experience to monitors. The major benefits of VA technology include:
178°/178° True-to-Life Wide-Angle Viewing
VA panels come with an ultra-wide viewing angle of 178°/178° from left, right, above and below with sharper details, higher contrast and truly authentic colors.
True 8-bit Panel
8-bit VA panels give you brighter and more saturated images with faithfully recreated subtle, natural details –16.7M color shades with interpolated 24-bit true color.
Ultra High Contrast for Depth and Dimension
VA panels have a higher contrast ratio that makes blacks and whites stand out more than ever with greater subtlety and clarity. This is especially true when it comes to darkened and complex images. The deepest blacks further define these images by adding depth and dimension, fortifying your peripheral vision when viewing.
Reduced Bright Spots, Deep Blacks and Minimized Light Leakage
Enjoy the flawless layering and precisely contrasted details in even the darkest images. Free of bright spots with reduced light leakage, VA panels are designed to deliver naturally deeper blacks with better contrast performance by keeping the light from passing through.
How important is it for monitors to support 3D? Do you think 3D gaming is a fad or the future?
3D gaming is a trend. It provides a more real “scene” for playing.
The XL2410T features a “FPS mode”, what changes does that make to the monitor? How did you come up with those settings? Are there any other modes available?
As previously mentioned, BenQ's team worked closely with “HeatoN” and “SpawN” to develop a display mode attuned to the needs of shooter game aficionados. The aim was to create a display mode that provides gamers with a totally accurate representation of each scene in a virtual world so they're never put at a disadvantage in a key encounter with the enemy because of hardware shortcomings. There are also two user-configurable modes that let gamers set and save the exact brightness, contrast, sharpness and Red/Green/Blue color tint that they prefer in order to let them be at their best in a battle with a crafty enemy.
t looks like the focus is on PC gaming, are there any benefits to hooking up a console to the monitor?
XL2410T also includes an ‘instant mode’ which bypasses some of the internal processing done by the XL2410T and hence reduces input lag. Needless to say, the XL2410T is a brilliantly responsive monitor with imperceptible levels of input lag. The instant mode is available in all of the different color presets on XL2410T.
Are you looking at developing gaming monitors that are smaller for those that can’t afford XL2410T but would love to have the ability to get 120Hz refresh rate and to run in 3D?
We do not have plans to do a unit smaller than 24” so far. From our work with gamers, in general, they are usually looking for a larger screen to play on in order to get more information and detail.
We'd like to thank JY Hu for taking the time to answer our questions as well as Valerie for coordinating the interview.
Could you talk about why BenQ is getting into the gaming monitor business? What was the tipping point for making the jump into the business?
Developing a new consumer segment and a focus on product differentiation. There is a trend that more brands support 120Hz refresh rate of LCD monitors, and the BenQ XL2410T is one of the products that supports 3D display technology in the market. Therefore, based on the 120Hz characteristic, coupled with 3D display technology, BenQ decided to get into the gaming market as our initial market approach. We invited professional gamers to be involved in our new product development, so the XL2410T is designed based on what gamers are looking for, and it has become the world's first display unit that professional gamers got involved with during the R&D process.
What are the key characteristics that differentiate gaming monitors from standard monitors? What things should gamers be looking for in a monitor?
This is the first time professional gamers have been directly involved in the development of a flat-panel monitor for competitive gaming. BenQ recognizes that professional gamers possess indispensable experience and knowledge about display devices. The performance of monitors used is so critical to a gamer, that even the slightest flaw or performance boost affects the outcome of their play. Also by working together with ZOWIE GEAR, a professional gaming gear company, BenQ utilized its expertise in the display product field to develop a product with the aspects of competitive gaming in mind.
XL2410T has two hotkeys available; the first changes the display mode: Full; Aspect; Overscan; 1:1; 17”; 19”; 19” Widescreen and 22” Widescreen. Whereas the second hotkey is Smart Scaling, which lets the user adjust picture size in original input to the screen’s limit. Together with Display Mode function, users can play in the resolution size they are used to with their previous monitor, or adjust their screen size to match what their teammates are using for easier communication and reference. From BenQ’s Gaming Display Mode options, users can choose to use FPS Mode, which was made possible by working alongside the legendary Counter-Strike players, Emil “HeatoN” Christensen and Abdisamad “SpawN” Mohamed, as the best setting for personal shooting games, or from the two User Game modes for more dedicated and personalized settings.
What do you think differentiates your gaming monitor from the competition such as ASUS and Samsung who both offer 120Hz monitors that are 3D capable?
BenQ has been actively involved in the gaming community by collaborating with various parties in the gaming industry. We strongly believe that only through the continuous exchange of ideas with professional gamers that designs and specifications of a truly optimized gaming monitor can be achieved. BenQ aims to be the very best in the gaming fields, and truly stands by the message “Enjoyment Matters.” The insights we’ve gained in FPS (First Person Shooting) games through our collaboration with “HeatoN” and “SpawN” have proven invaluable in the development of BenQ’s professional gaming monitor. The successful launch of the XL2410T was received with popular acclaim in the gaming community.
Are you using HDMI 1.4 to allow for 3D through HDMI? If not, why did you choose to go with a previous HDMI version?
No, because the XL2410T allows for 3D through DVI cable.
How did you research what gamers needed? Outside of the two Counter Strike players you brought in what kind of research did you do?
BenQ developed the XL2014T to fit the needs of gamers. In order to do so, we have co-worked with Zowie, a professional gaming gear company. Therefore, the product development and testing stages are all done with gamers at Zowie and their gaming team. With their assistance, the XL2410T can truly be considered a professional LED gaming monitor – again, with “Game Mode” developed with the help of Counter-Strike players – Emil “HeatoN” Christensen and Abdisamad “SpawN” Mohamed. BenQ is also a sponsor of STARTALE, a top Korea-based professional StarCraft II team. We look forward to our partnership with STARTALE as we venture into the field of RTS (Real-Time Strategy) games.
What is Vertical Alignment Technology and why is it important?
Among the various display panel types, VA panel usually targets the high-end market segment that provides end users with wider viewing angles and better color reproduction, which is achieved with higher contrast ratio and the true black color performance, making it an increasingly welcomed option in the display industry. With the solid panel backup from AU Optronics, BenQ is the 1st company to extend the usage of VA panel to LED monitor, enabling the value-added features and compelling user experience to monitors. The major benefits of VA technology include:
178°/178° True-to-Life Wide-Angle Viewing
VA panels come with an ultra-wide viewing angle of 178°/178° from left, right, above and below with sharper details, higher contrast and truly authentic colors.
True 8-bit Panel
8-bit VA panels give you brighter and more saturated images with faithfully recreated subtle, natural details –16.7M color shades with interpolated 24-bit true color.
Ultra High Contrast for Depth and Dimension
VA panels have a higher contrast ratio that makes blacks and whites stand out more than ever with greater subtlety and clarity. This is especially true when it comes to darkened and complex images. The deepest blacks further define these images by adding depth and dimension, fortifying your peripheral vision when viewing.
Reduced Bright Spots, Deep Blacks and Minimized Light Leakage
Enjoy the flawless layering and precisely contrasted details in even the darkest images. Free of bright spots with reduced light leakage, VA panels are designed to deliver naturally deeper blacks with better contrast performance by keeping the light from passing through.
How important is it for monitors to support 3D? Do you think 3D gaming is a fad or the future?
3D gaming is a trend. It provides a more real “scene” for playing.
The XL2410T features a “FPS mode”, what changes does that make to the monitor? How did you come up with those settings? Are there any other modes available?
As previously mentioned, BenQ's team worked closely with “HeatoN” and “SpawN” to develop a display mode attuned to the needs of shooter game aficionados. The aim was to create a display mode that provides gamers with a totally accurate representation of each scene in a virtual world so they're never put at a disadvantage in a key encounter with the enemy because of hardware shortcomings. There are also two user-configurable modes that let gamers set and save the exact brightness, contrast, sharpness and Red/Green/Blue color tint that they prefer in order to let them be at their best in a battle with a crafty enemy.
t looks like the focus is on PC gaming, are there any benefits to hooking up a console to the monitor?
XL2410T also includes an ‘instant mode’ which bypasses some of the internal processing done by the XL2410T and hence reduces input lag. Needless to say, the XL2410T is a brilliantly responsive monitor with imperceptible levels of input lag. The instant mode is available in all of the different color presets on XL2410T.
Are you looking at developing gaming monitors that are smaller for those that can’t afford XL2410T but would love to have the ability to get 120Hz refresh rate and to run in 3D?
We do not have plans to do a unit smaller than 24” so far. From our work with gamers, in general, they are usually looking for a larger screen to play on in order to get more information and detail.
We'd like to thank JY Hu for taking the time to answer our questions as well as Valerie for coordinating the interview.
About Author
Hi, my name is Charles Husemann and I've been gaming for longer than I care to admit. For me it's always been about competing and a burning off stress. It started off simply enough with Choplifter and Lode Runner on the Apple //e, then it was the curse of Tank and Yars Revenge on the 2600. The addiction subsided somewhat until I went to college where dramatic decreases in my GPA could be traced to the release of X:Com and Doom. I was a Microsoft Xbox MVP from 2009 to 2014. I currently own stock in Microsoft, AMD, and nVidia.
