A Sony pc monitor? Now that’s one thing many lovers aren’t sufficiently old to recollect. Within the Nineties, Sony marketed a line of Trinitron CRT screens. Their fundamental draw was that they solely curved on the vertical axis, which meant they had been the closest factor to a flat-screen you could possibly purchase on the time. NEC used the identical image tube in its Multisync line, of which I owned a 16-inch model. It was the most effective CRT monitor I ever owned.
Thirty years later, Sony is well-known for its televisions and for the PlayStation 5 (PS5) gaming console. It was inevitable that it will soar into the gaming monitor get together with one thing optimized for that product. The Inzone U27M90 is a 27-inch IPS panel with 4K decision, 144 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR, prolonged coloration AND (drum roll, please), a full-array backlight with 96 dimming zones. Priced at underneath $1,000, the Sony Inzone U27M90 is making a powerful case for inclusion on our finest 4K gaming monitor record!
Sony Inzone U27M90 Specs
| Panel Kind / Backlight | IPS / W-LED |
| Full-array w/96 dimming zones | |
| Display screen Dimension / Facet Ratio | 27 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision & Refresh Price | 3840×2160 @ 144 Hz |
| G-Sync: 1-144 Hz | |
| FreeSync: 48-144 Hz | |
| Native Colour Depth & Gamut | 10-bit / DCI-P3 |
| HDR10, DisplayHDR 600 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
| Brightness | 400 nits SDR |
| 600 nits HDR | |
| Distinction | 1,000:1 |
| Audio system | 2x 2w |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| 2x HDMI 2.1 | |
| 1x USB-C | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | 1x up, 3x down or None |
| Energy Consumption | 32.7w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 24.2 x 16.1-18.9 x 7.2 inches (615 x 410-480 x 240mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 2.8 inches (70mm) |
| Bezel Width | High/sides: 0.3 inch (8mm) |
| Backside: 0.6 inch (15mm) | |
| Weight | 14.5 kilos (6.6kg) |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
There is no such thing as a scarcity of 4K/144 Hz screens vying for gaming lovers’ consideration. With many fashions underneath $1,000, and available in 27, 28 and 32-inch sizes, you don’t should look far for one thing that may praise a PlayStation, Xbox or PC gaming system. Nevertheless, Sony isn’t simply providing a me-too product. The U27M90 is without doubt one of the least costly 4K screens to incorporate a full-array local-dimming (FALD) LED backlight. With 96 zones, it delivers some killer HDR distinction. I measured over 22,000:1 in my checks and you may get related efficiency for SDR content material as a result of the zone-dimming function is on the market in all sign modes. Peak HDR output is rated at 600 nits, however I measured over 850 in testing.
Based on my measurements, the colour gamut covers slightly below 90% of DCI-P3, with wonderful accuracy in two of the image modes. I used to be additionally in a position to calibrate one of many Recreation modes to a excessive normal. The IPS panel’s native distinction is round 1,000:1, which is typical of the style. However utilizing the native dimming function for SDR content material pushed that to over 6,000:1 with none penalties like crushed element or blown-out whites. Sony has tuned the U27M90 very nicely.
Video processing is given equally shut consideration. 144 Hz is supported over the DisplayPort 1.4 enter, whereas two HDMI 2.1 ports settle for as much as 120 Hz (see HDMI vs DisplayPort to resolve which is finest). FreeSync Premium Professional and G-Sync compatibility had been confirmed in my checks in each SDR and HDR modes. Nvidia doesn’t but have this monitor on its licensed record, however since there’s a G-Sync emblem on the entrance bezel, I believe it’s solely a matter of time. I additionally discovered an efficient overdrive that reduces movement blur. The one omission here’s a backlight strobe function. Although I don’t think about {that a} massive deal, some customers choose it over Adaptive-Sync. At 144 Hz, I discover Adaptive-Sync to be extra helpful in protecting movement decision excessive.
Gaming options embody a set of aiming crosshairs, timers, a body charge counter and an auto image mode setting that detects the presence of a PS5 and units the Recreation mode mechanically. It’s claimed to have decrease enter lag than the opposite modes. There’s a KVM function with USB-C and conventional USB ports to help a number of techniques like a PC and a PS5, which is sufficient to accommodate varied peripherals like controllers, mice and keyboards. And if you wish to management the U27M90 from the Home windows desktop, Sony makes its Inzone Hub app out there.
Meeting and Equipment for Sony Inzone U27M90
The U27M90 arrived in an unassuming brown carton that would have held any variety of enterprise screens fairly than a high-end gaming show. Retrieving the contents from the crumbly foam inserts, I instantly observed the PS5 styling cues. This monitor has a novel appear and feel. I needed to root round within the field to search out the 2 tiny screws that secured the bottom to the upright. I might have preferred to see them captive of their holes fairly than in a minuscule ziplock bag that may simply be misplaced. The facility provide is a big brick. As I acquired an early pattern, it didn’t have another cables included.
Product 360: Sony Inzone U27M90
PS5 homeowners will love how nicely the U27M90 integrates with the futuristic look of their console. The identical flowing white surfaces accented by recessed black transitions are discovered on the monitor. The again of the panel is fully white with a big enter panel on the backside, inset in black with clear labels for the connections. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, a USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack and three USB ports, one upstream and two down. USB-C can be utilized for video and accepts 4K indicators as much as 144 Hz with Adaptive-Sync and HDR.
Additionally in again is the U27M90’s lighting function. It’s a protracted strip that glows softly in any considered one of 14 colours. It’s also possible to activate an influence LED, however it’s hidden across the decrease proper aspect, invisible from the entrance. For those who attain round that nook, you’ll discover a energy toggle button and the OSD joystick. Beneath the panel-to-upright interface is a 100mm VESA mount with 4 bolts included to make use of with aftermarket options.
The stand is exclusive in my expertise. The upright sits at an angle supported by two steel legs whereas the panel’s peak adjustment of 70mm rides up and down as if on a ramp. It’s fascinating as a result of as you progress the panel up, it will get farther away from you, not by a lot, however you may need to tug it ahead to compensate. At most peak, the panel is somewhat too low for vertical placement. I needed to angle it upwards a bit to my eyepoint. The again tilt maxes out at 25 levels and there’s no swivel or portrait mode.
OSD Options: Sony Inzone U27M90
The U27M90’s OSD may be navigated with a helpful joystick or by utilizing Sony’s Inzone Hub app. The app covers the monitor’s menu system and may save configurations for particular person video games that embody settings for the headphone audio.
There are 5 SDR image modes, of which Cinema is the default. It is rather coloration correct however has a barely darkened gamma which some customers might choose. Commonplace seems to be a bit lighter in tone and can be coloration correct. To calibrate, choose one of many Recreation modes. They unlock a set of gamma presets, coloration temps and saturation/hue controls. For those who flip Auto Image mode on, the U27M90 will swap to Recreation 1 when a PS5 is related.
Gaming Help contains purple and inexperienced aiming factors, a countdown timer, body charge indicator, Adaptive-Sync toggle, three-level overdrive and Black Equalizer for exposing hard-to-see shadow element. The overdrive is finest left on its lowest setting. Larger choices trigger seen ghosting trails behind transferring objects.
You may alter many image parameters within the two Recreation modes. Native Dimming has two settings which can be kind of aggressive of their operation. I used Excessive to good impact in each SDR and HDR modes. Although there are solely 96 dimming zones, the FALD backlight is way more practical in controlling distinction than the sting dimming or backlight modulation present in another HDR screens. At this worth level, you received’t discover a higher dynamic vary in a 4K show.
The enter selector features a USB-C choice, and you may go away auto choose on to keep away from a visit to the OSD to change sources. USB-C contains all of the options and capabilities of DisplayPort.
The KVM menu assigns the peripherals to one of many 4 video inputs. This permits the consumer to make use of a single keyboard and mouse for a number of techniques. It’s also possible to set the USB ports to stay lively for charging when the monitor is turned off.
The rear LED bar emits a tender glow in considered one of 14 colours. The one impact is static; you possibly can flip off the sunshine if desired.
Sony Inzone U27M90 Calibration Settings
The U27M90 may be loved with out calibration in both Cinema, the default, or Commonplace modes. Regardless of your selection, the total DCI-P3 coloration gamut is employed. I didn’t discover an sRGB choice. Cinema has a darker gamma of round 2.3, which helps coloration look a bit extra saturated. Commonplace sticks to the two.2 normal and subsequently seems a tad lighter. If you wish to calibrate, choose Recreation 1 or 2 to unlock gamma, coloration temp and hue/saturation controls. There’s no use for this, however a tiny enchancment may be made if you wish to fulfill your interior tweaker. My check settings are beneath. HDR indicators lock out all image controls, however I discovered it measured very precisely as nicely.
| Image Mode | Recreation 1 |
| Brightness 200 nits | 46 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 28 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 23 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 18 |
| Brightness 50 nits | 11 (min. 8 nits) |
| Distinction | 75 |
| Gamma | 2.2 |
| Colour Temp Consumer | Purple 100, Inexperienced 96, Blue 91 |
Gaming & Fingers-on with Sony Inzone U27M90
The U27M90 is Sony’s first desktop pc monitor shortly, however you’d by no means know that when utilizing it. It’s a totally realized product with a lot to supply, after which some, as a show from one of many prime show firms like Asus or Acer. In day by day use, it renders the Home windows desktop with razor-sharp readability and fantastically saturated coloration. Although SDR is technically imagined to be matched with the sRGB normal, in the present day’s large gamut screens have largely erased that choice. The U27M90 doesn’t have an sRGB mode, however that wasn’t an issue for my day by day duties of doc enhancing, spreadsheets or Photoshop work. I left the Native Dimming on excessive for all SDR content material and was rewarded with distinction that rivaled the most effective VA screens I’ve reviewed.
I settled on my calibrated Recreation 1 mode for all SDR materials. It gave me the most effective coloration steadiness for video and gaming in addition to ideally suited luminance and distinction for all makes use of. I attempted Cinema and located it good for vivid video content material however somewhat murky for darker scenes. Its increased gamma worth is the wrongdoer there. It was straightforward to pick a darker gamma choice in Recreation 1 mode because the gamma management is on the market. In Cinema and Commonplace, it’s not.
Gaming is why we’re right here, and I used to be mightily impressed with the efficiency. Doom Everlasting seemed extremely sharp and tactile in HDR mode. I didn’t have to regulate the in-game sliders to make all element pop from the brightest highlights to the deepest shadows. The picture was vibrant and vivacious, coupled with wealthy coloration. Sadly, I didn’t have a PS5 available, however my PC check system and its GeForce RTX 3090 video card delivered some severely enjoyable gameplay.
Sony made no missteps within the video processing division. The U27M90’s Adaptive-Sync labored completely on each FreeSync and G-Sync platforms. I used to be in a position to run G-Sync over HDMI at 120 Hz and DisplayPort at 144 Hz, with HDR in each instances. Body charges had been 120fps and better, which gave me clean and responsive movement with no seen artifacts. The overdrive labored completely on its lowest setting and confirmed no distracting blur.
Evaluating the SDR and HDR variations of Name of Obligation WWII, I discovered the SDR model seemed fairly good and simply matched what I’d seen on the most effective VA screens. The U27M90’s Native Dimming labored flawlessly to deepen black ranges and develop distinction to create larger affect. HDR had even broader distinction, after all, with extra coloration saturation. After I fired up an Acer X27 for comparability, it was arduous to see a distinction between the 2 photos. The Sony offers up about 300 nits peak brightness in HDR mode, however I couldn’t inform in most content material. Solely the tiniest highlights had been barely brighter on the Acer.
There is no such thing as a query that Sony has hit a homerun right here. The U27M90 simply competes with dearer FALD-backlight screens and handily outdistances its equally priced competitors in HDR high quality.
