LG Electronics 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27" Review

With the 27UD88-W presented LG a new 4K - monitor with 27- inch screen diagonal, 16: 9 widescreen format. Which is illuminated AH - IPS - display by a white-LED backlight. A special feature of the LG 27UD88-W is, among other things, that the monitor allows a hardware calibration. In addition, FreeSync is supported and offers a variety of image optimization options as well as a multi-stage Overdrive function specifically for gamers.

Another highlight of the LG 27UD88-W is its connection diversity. In addition to DisplayPort, HDMI and USB 3.0, the monitor also has a USB -C port. Screen split is just as on board as picture-by-picture.

The LG 27UD88-W offers a height adjustment, tilt function and even the rotation of the display on the upright ( pivot function) to make the screen ergonomically perfect . The functions and possibilities of the LG 27UD88-W are almost limitless. Whether the 27UD88can convince in practice as well as its data sheet, we want to find in our test.

Connected and tested, we have connected the LG 27UD88 to the DisplayPort output of a Sapphire R9 390 and the monitor via a DisplayPort cable connected to the PC. The colorimetric measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer (X-Rite i1 Pro) in conjunction with the Color software from Quato. A colorimeter (X-Rite i1 Display Pro) was used to determine the minimum black level. The Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray player, connected via an HDMI cable, was used as an external source of playback.

delivery

The LG 27UD88 is delivered in a handy carton with the dimensions 82.5 x 47 x 6.5 cm (L x H x D). The package is only barely 10 kilograms heavily, and lateral recesses ensure that the monitor can be transported well by hand.

Inside the box there are two styropore inserts, which securely fix and separate the monitor, stand and accessories. In order to protect the display and the stand still further from damage they are in soft foam bags. In addition, all high-gloss surfaces of the stand and display are covered with protective film.

The LG 27UD88 includes a DisplayPort, HDMI , USB -C and USB -C-to- USB 3.0 cable as well as an external power supply with cabling. In addition, there is a software CD, a short manual, a calibration report and a warranty card.

Optics and mechanics

The current design from LG combines white high-gloss elements with a silver metallic look. A visually appealing combination with a revival value. The back of the LG 27UD88 is coated with white piano lacquer. On the stand, on the other hand, white and silver surfaces are found.

The frameless design is adapted to the current trend. On the side, a silver frame stretches around the case, which is only 1.5 centimeters wide at the outer edge. Only on the lower display edge is a 1.7-centimeter-wide black border with a centrally printed manufacturer logo and brand name.

Ergonomically, the LG 27UD88 offers a height adjustment as well as a tilt and pivot function. The display can be adjusted continuously from 7.5 to 18.5 centimeters in height. The mechanism works precisely and is easy.

LG calls the data sheet of the 27UD88 a tilt angle of 5 degrees forward and 35 degrees backwards. In fact, it is already at 2.4 degrees, and also the specified angle to the rear can not be reached with a maximum of 17.7 degrees.

In addition, the LG 27UD88 is able to rotate the screen on the upright ( pivot ) function. The display must be slightly tilted backwards so that the lower edge of the housing does not touch the desk. If the screen is completely rotated, the height can still be changed between 2.1 and 5.3 centimeters.

Below the holder for the original stand of the LG 27UD88 are the VESA- drillings with a hole spacing of 100 millimeters. The required mounting screws are already in the holes.

On the LG 27UD88, the second-part stand is not yet mounted. The assembly is possible without tools and quickly done. Use two thumb screws to screw the stand to the connector from below. After that, the base on the rear of the LG 27UD88 must only be snapped into the provided support. The base also has a minimalist cable support at the bottom of the back.

Although the LG 27UD88 is supplied with power via an external power supply, ventilation openings are located on the back of the housing and also on the bottom.

technology

Operating noise

The external power supply of the LG 27UD88 works silently. Even the monitor does not let you hear any operating noise - regardless of the brightness. However, the noise can be subject to a large series dispersion, which is why this assessment does not have to apply equally to all devices of a series.

Power consumption

	Manufacturer	Measured	efficiency
Operation maximum	39 W	40.3 W
Factory setting (70%)	kA	35.1 W
Standby / sleep mode	0.5 W	0.3 W
Soft-off	0.5 W	0.1 W
50%	kA	31.3 W
140 cd / m2 (37%)	kA	25.1 W	1.10 cd / W
0%	kA	20.6 W
Only the power supply	kA	0.1W

The data in the power consumption data sheet of the LG 27UD88 are fairly consistent with the measured values. In the user mode at maximum brightness, we measure only 1.3 watts more than indicated in the data sheet. The consumption values ​​in the rest mode as well as soft-off are slightly below the manufacturer data.

Interesting is the power consumption when the USB connection is active to the PC. If an active USB connection exists when the computer is shut down, the meter will display a power consumption of 0.7 to 0.8 watts. If the USB connection is solved, the LG 27UD88 continues to consume the same amount of power. Only when the best 4k gaming monitor is switched on and shortly thereafter again stand-alone in the stand-by, the consumption drops to the mentioned 0.2 to 0.3 watts.

The LG 27UD88 offers a Smart Energy Saving function in the OSD. On the factory side, this is set to Low and can be changed to High or Off. We measured with a white and black test image how these settings affect the power consumption, but under these test conditions the current meter always showed the same consumption. Also we would not notice that the background lighting changes. Obviously, there must be other conditions under which electricity consumption may be reduced.