Eizo, the brand for high-level graphic displays, launched a new display: The Color Graphic 275 Wide - CG275W.
The display isn’t a common display; it’s a graphic 27” wide display. When you are in front of the display, you’ll see 68cm of display! The moment you take a look at the specifications, you’ll see that this screen isn’t a display made for just Internet, spreadsheet or gaming. This display is made for professional (or serious amateur) photographers / graphic employees!
© Eizo
Installation
I connected the display to test on my Mac Pro with OS X 10.7 (Lion) with a new mini-display port cable. The results were amazing: the screen was detected correctly within 2 minutes. How the installation process is on a Windows computer is a question that I can’t answer. I only use Mac, but I suppose it will work as well. Unboxing all parts took me a bit longer, especially to fix the sun hood, but with the manual everything was really clear!
Calibration
The Eizo CG275W display is calibrated in the factory, but you need to modify that calibration in function of the light conditions in your office. It doesn’t make sense to buy an expensive display, if you don’t calibrate it on your light conditions. You can buy an external calibrator, but this display has an internal calibrator! The great thing about this calibrator is that you can schedule an automatic calibration. Without any interaction of the user, the display can be calibrated – for example – every Friday at 12 hours.
© Eizo
Before calibrating the display, you need to download the latest software. The ColorNavigator Calibration Software 6.0.0 (116MB) is compatible for many calibrators (you can find the whole list on the website of Eizo) and also for the integrated calibrator of this screen! When you open the calibration software “Colornavigator”, you only need to select the calibrator in the drop-down list and the calibrator will appear.
In the next screens, you’ll be able to change all settings to your own profile with a useful wizard. If you would like to have more information about this calibration process, you can read the review of the Eizo CG243W (click HERE)
Connections
The Eizo has one DVI connection, a display port connection and a mini-display port connection. This could be useful when you want to connect two computers to display at the same time.
The display also has a USB hub with 2 ports, but they are at the backside below which makes it quite uneasy to use them. On the Eizo CG243W, they are at de left-hand side and more easily to reach.
When you use the display, there are always 3 cables leaving your display: a power cable, a dvi / display port cable / mini-display port cable. All cables can be hidden at the back of the display.
IPS Panel
The CG275W display uses an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel. Generally those panels deliver extreme viewing angles and superior quality – a major factor for professional users working with colors like photographers. The disadvantage is the price and reaction time. These displays aren’t made for video editing or gaming! The same panel is used in CG221 (100% Adobe RGB). It is 6” smaller and costs 50% more!
Positioning the display
The ergonomic rules are really important with these large wide displays. It is important to keep the distance to your eyes higher than 70cm. The first time it will feel a little strange, but you’ll get used to it and your eyes will appreciate it as well. To determine the ideal height of the display is a little less easy. When you follow the official ergonomic rules, you need to be on a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the ground and your knees in an angle of 90°. You need to have a supported straight back (by the chair) and look straightforward. The line of your eyes and the top of the display needs to be equal. Now you will work correctly. Everything seems overacting but when you work 8 hours (or more) in the same position, you need to sit correctly. You can slide the display easily above. You need to justify that the maximum height of the screen is high enough for the length of your body. Tall people will need to search for a solution to place the display higher.
As I am quite tall - 193cm – the CG243W could not get high enough for me and I had to use a small box to work nicely. The CG275W is much larger and can be much higher. With this screen, I don’t need this box anymore.
The monitor can be switched in portrait stand (90°). This could be useful when you need to correct a large amount of portrait pictures and want to use as much as possible of your display. Still, I don’t think you’ll use this function a lot because there isn’t a sensor that detects that the display is switched to portrait. You still need to do it manually in the system preferences.
It’s really a pleasure that the display is so flexible and easy to position.
Monitor hood
The CG275W comes standard with a special monitor hood to reduce light from both sides and the top to reach the display. The difference with or without the hood is huge. I really need the monitor hood as I’m using the CG243W daily! At the top of the hood, you’ll find a part that’s able to slide to one of the sides. This is made to calibrate the display in case you wouldn't use the integrated calibration system.
© Eizo
Color range
One of the major advantages of the Eizo CG275W is the wide color range. The display can show up to 97% of the Adobe RGB range. Like many other professional displays, this one can show 100% of the sRGB color range. You’ll find the differences right away by reviewing older pictures. In the past you couldn’t see that much differences in the same color, now you can!
Resolution & format
Like many other displays of this size, the Eizo CG275W has a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels. As this display is a wide screen, it’s a pleasure to use it with Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. At both sides you have plenty of space to put your different palettes.
Light sensors
As mentioned above, this display has a light sensor (small transparent circle in front of the display) that can measure the light in the room and adapts the brightness of the screen. This function will give you a brighter screen at daytime and less brightness in the evening.
Response time
We can be short about the reaction time: with a response time of 6ms (grey to grey) it’s fast enough to correct photos, but too slow for video editing or gaming.
Conclusion
The Eizo CG 275W is an awesome display! The price is high, 2498 euro (Taxes included). This advice-price is just an indication. If you are interested to buy one, ask your local reseller to give you the actual price.
Best regards,
Sven Michiels
