The evolution of display technology is the epitome of the digital visual revolution. From bulky CRTs to today's slim and large-format panels, display ratios have evolved from 4:3 to 16:9 to the breathtaking 32:9 ultra-wide curve. At the same time, panel technology continues to push the boundaries of what happens, from CRT to LCD to LED backlight and OLED, each revolution is redefining our visual experience.
In this continuous technological evolution, Chinese display manufacturers are playing an increasingly important role. As a brand of Huike Group, HKC stands out in the highly competitive display market by virtue of its strong industrial chain advantages. HKC has not only launched a full range of products covering gaming, ultra-widescreen, high-resolution to curved displays, but also actively deployed cutting-edge technologies such as 8K, Mini LED, and high refresh rate, demonstrating remarkable innovation strength.
Today, we're going to take a deep dive into the flagship of HKC's Apocalypse series, the GS49UK display. This 32:9 ultra-wide ratio, 49-inch QD-OLED curved monitor is the culmination of modern display technology. It cleverly combines ultra-wide field of view, immersive curved surface design, and the stunning display performance of OLED, so let's take a look at what kind of visual experience such a desktop "movie screen" can bring.
HKC GS49UK 外观丨灯光丨接口
First of all, the size specs of the GS49UK are impressive. The monitor features a 49-inch ultra-wide panel with a 32:9 aspect ratio, a width of 1197mm, and a height of just 370mm. This extreme aspect ratio not only provides a strong visual impact, but also provides a great platform for multitasking and immersive experiences.
In terms of design, the GS49UK is the representative of the flagship "Apocalypse" series, using a minimalist black and white color scheme, integrating elements such as space, galaxy, light and shadow, showing a strong futuristic atmosphere.
Thanks to the ultra-thin nature of the OLED panel, the display backplate presents a layered three-dimensional design, further enhancing its sense of technology and aesthetic value. The bold "49" lettering on the left side of the back panel is not only a dimensional identification, but also a visual emphasis on the product's characteristics.
The front design of the display adheres to the minimalist aesthetic, influenced by the characteristics of the OLED panel, and the bezel design adopts a relatively conservative control, when the user focuses on the central area, thanks to the wide 32:9 ultra-wide ratio, it instead creates an immersive "borderless" visual experience.
In terms of ergonomics, the GS49UK is equipped with a fully adjustable multi-function stand that demonstrates excellent engineering quality. The stand offers a height adjustment range of 110mm (±5mm) to meet the needs of users of different heights. Tilt angle adjustment from -5° to 20° (±2°) ensures a comfortable viewing experience, while vertical rotation from -5° to 5° (±3°) provides flexibility for special use cases. While it doesn't support left and right rotation, the monitor supports VESA standard wall mounting, giving users more mounting options. The bracket adjustment mechanism adopts precision damping design, which is smooth and free to operate, and feels silky smooth.
The design of the base incorporates the styling elements of a spaceship, and the streamlined appearance not only echoes the overall futuristic style, but its wide contact area also ensures the stability of the display and effectively prevents the shaking problems that can be caused by large panels.
Lighting-wise, the monitor is equipped with a light matrix zone in the upper mid-back area. This matrix uses micro-LED beads in the shape of OLED sub-pixels, which are cleverly formed into a rectangular light strip. This design not only supports a wide range of lighting effects, but also creates a pleasing decorative effect at different times of day and night.
The light matrix blends perfectly with the futuristic back design of the display itself. This ingenious combination not only enhances the overall visual aesthetic of the display, but also adds a high-end quality atmosphere.
As one of HKC's flagship products, the monitor offers a rich and comprehensive range of connectivity options: 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 1 DisplayPort 1.4, 2 USB 3.1 ports, 1 Type-C port with 90W power output, and 1 audio port.
What's more, the built-in KVM technology allows users to easily switch between multiple devices, greatly improving productivity. The 90W power connector also allows the display to meet the needs of fast charging of mobile phones and some laptops.
Dual-screen PIP/PBP function
HKC GS49UK 面板介绍丨显示性能
The HKC GS49UK features a second-generation QD-OLED panel from Samsung with a resolution of 5120×1440, a 49-inch size, a native 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, and HDR True Black 400 support. This panel was released in 2023, and the first product to feature this panel is the Samsung G9 flagship G93SC monitor, which costs up to 10,000 yuan.
The second-generation QD-OLED panel has a significant improvement over the first-generation in terms of pixel layout, display accuracy, and font display. In terms of color accuracy and color gamut, it has also reached the top level of civilian displays. Next, we will conduct a practical test of the HKC GS49UK using the Red Spider X2 Pro calibrator.
In a dimly lit indoor environment, we conducted a comprehensive display performance test on the HKC GS49UK display. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test, the monitor was warmed up one hour in advance and measured using the Red Spider X2 Pro calibrator. The monitor is connected to the console via a DP1.4 cable and restored to factory default settings with standard mode selected. In the settings of the NVIDIA graphics card, we turned on 5120×1440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and 10bpc color depth output.
The color gamut is one of the key indicators to measure the performance of a display, which determines the range of colors that the display is capable of rendering. The wider the color gamut, the richer the colors that the display can display, and the more expressive the colors will be. HKC GS49UK's color gamut test results are 100% sRGB, 97% Adobe RGB, and 99% DCI-P3. This shows that the HKC GS49UK is able to reproduce a wide range of colour standards in the fields of web design, graphic design and film and television post-production, whether on Windows or Mac, meeting the color accuracy and consistency requirements of professional users.
The HKC GS49UK also shows the advantages of QD-OLED panels in terms of brightness and color uniformity. The test results show that the maximum color difference (Delta E) of the HKC GS49UK is 2.2 at 100% brightness. This is a very impressive number, and usually when the Delta E value is below 2.0, the difference in color is already imperceptible to the human eye. The GS49UK, on the other hand, has a color difference of less than 2.0 in all regions, indicating that it is able to provide extremely consistent color performance, with negligible color differences between regions.
In addition to color consistency, the HKC GS49UK also excels in brightness uniformity. The results show that the brightness difference between the display and the brightness in different areas is only 3%, which is a very desirable value. Brightness uniformity directly affects the consistency and purity of the picture, and the smaller the brightness difference, the more uniform and natural the picture will be.
In terms of brightness performance, we put the HKC GS49UK through full-screen global testing, and we showed a maximum brightness of 238.2 nits with a contrast ratio of 0:1, which is infinite contrast. For an OLED display, this is an upper-middle grade.
OLED panels use self-illuminating technology, and each pixel can emit light independently, without the need for a backlight module. Although this technology doesn't have the same peak brightness as LCDs, it delivers infinite contrast, pure blacks, and wide viewing angles. In addition, OLED panels enable finer brightness control and transitions for a more realistic and natural picture.
The HKC GS49UK excels in color accuracy. In my testing with the Red Spider X2 Pro, it had an average Delta E of just 0.59 and a maximum of 1.97. This means that the display is manufactured with high color accuracy, precise color reproduction, and minimal deviation from standard colors.
The HKC GS49UK has a response time of just 0.03ms, which is also very good for OLED displays. Fast response times mean that there is no ghosting or ghosting when watching high-speed moving content. Whether you're playing fast-paced games or watching action movies, HKC GS49UK delivers a smooth, crisp visual experience.
UFO testing shows that there is almost no smearing in the fast-moving UFO image on the HKC GS49UK display. The image of the villain is sharp and sharp, and the edge lines remain highly clear and neat, without ghosting or blurring. This shows that the display excels in responsiveness and smearing control, providing players with a smooth, clear gaming experience.
Another significant advantage is the viewing angle of the QD-OLED panel. The HKC GS49UK is able to maintain color and brightness consistency across viewing angles, and the color and brightness of the picture do not change significantly even when viewed from the side. This is especially important for viewing from multiple angles and for scenarios where multiple people are using the monitor at the same time.
HKC GS49UK 日常应用丨游戏丨观影体验
The ultra-wide screen of the HKC GS49UK monitor provides users with an excellent platform for multitasking. Its 49-inch width allows two or three full web pages to be displayed side-by-side at the same time, significantly reducing the need to switch between tabs and improving the efficiency of multi-page browsing.
In research or work scenarios, the layout of this monitor is ideal. Users can open references on one side of the screen while editing documents on the other, making seamless multitasking ideal for jobs that require frequent access to multiple sources of information.
For financial market enthusiasts, HKC GS49UK's widescreen can present multiple stock charts and related data at the same time. This comprehensive visual display makes it easy to compare different stocks or monitor multiple market indicators in real-time, providing a more comprehensive information to support investment decisions.
When it comes to entertainment, this monitor also excels. Its 49-inch 32:9 ratio screen is equivalent to two side-by-side 24-inch 2K resolution displays, providing a wide display area for video content. Users can watch videos while browsing relevant information or performing other tasks on other parts of the screen for a true multimedia experience.
However, it's worth noting that it may take some time for users to get used to this widescreen usage. In addition, some web pages may not yet be fully adapted to this ultra-wide ratio, which may leave empty space on both sides of the screen.
In terms of gaming experience, we also took a deep dive into a number of popular games and found the best ones for a game with a large size and wide proportion like GS49UK.
First of all, the HKC GS49UK display performs well in CS2. The ultra-wide 32:9 ratio provides players with a significantly expanded field of view, allowing players to spot enemies earlier than traditional 16:9 monitors, giving them a distinct tactical advantage. The QD-OLED panel's deep blacks and vivid colors make every gaming scene more realistic and stunning, and the high contrast ratio ensures that details are clearly visible in fast movement and intense combat, greatly enhancing the tension and immersion of the game.
The display's low latency further enhances the smoothness of the picture, giving gamers a smoother gaming experience. This high-quality visual performance and smooth performance make the gaming experience even more immersive.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using this monitor:
Field of view adaptation: An excessively wide field of view may distract the player initially. It will take some time for the player to get used to this expanded field of view and learn to make effective use of the additional visual information.
Edge distortion: Because the sides of the screen are overstretched, the edges may flash too quickly when switching perspectives quickly. This phenomenon may cause some players to experience vertigo, especially after long periods of high-intensity gaming.
For MOBA games like LOL, HKC GS49UK's 32:9 ratio is a real physical plug-in, and the 49-inch 32:9 screen ratio provides you with a new game vision, and you can view the dynamics of almost the entire battlefield. This visual impact allows you to better align yourself and make more precise tactical decisions. The vivid colors and ultra-high contrast of the QD-OLED screen make every skill effect look extremely gorgeous, and the battle scenes are even more shocking. It's a completely different experience.
In Cyberpunk 2077, HKC GS49UK's 49-inch 32:9 screen ratio fully immerses you in the futuristic world of Night City. The exaggerated screen ratio provides an unparalleled visual impact, allowing you to see more details and views of the city.
In Forza Horizon 5, the 49-inch 32:9 ultrawide screen can almost simulate the perspective of a panoramic cockpit, bringing unprecedented visual impact. You can see the entire track and surroundings on the screen, bringing an immersive driving experience.
This ultra-wide screen isn't just visually stunning, it also brings a real gaming advantage. The wide field of view allows you to better control the track and surroundings when driving at high speeds, and anticipate curves and obstacles ahead, greatly improving the safety and smoothness of driving.
GS49UK is HDR True Black 400 certified, and turning on HDR mode can make the lighting effects of sunlight, rain and night look extremely realistic, enhancing the visual enjoyment. The wide field of view not only adds to the immersion of the game, but also gives you more control over your direction when driving at high speeds.
And for space exploration games, such as No Man's Sky, the 49-inch 32:9 aspect ratio brings an unprecedented visual impact, making interstellar travel and planetary exploration even more spectacular. The exaggerated proportions allow you to see more details and landscapes of the environment while piloting the ship and exploring the ground, which enhances the visual enjoyment.
Whether you're piloting a spaceship or walking on the ground, the 32:9 aspect ratio shows more detail and views of your environment. It's easier to spot distant resource spots, cave entrances, or alien creatures, which greatly increases the efficiency and fun of exploring. In HDR mode, the contrast between light and dark in the interstellar environment is more pronounced, and natural phenomena such as sunrises and sunsets, auroras, and storms on the planet's surface are brought to life, further enhancing the immersion of the game.
The large screen and high resolution also reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions, allowing you to enjoy the game for longer. The fast response time and high refresh rate ensure the smoothness of the ship's graphics during ultra-high-speed flight and combat, without the slightest smearing or tearing, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
With HDR mode turned on and HDR sources played, the HKC GS49UK monitor delivers an excellent viewing experience. For example, the night scene recorded in Starry Sky HDR mode can realistically reproduce the night scene, showing details such as the deep night sky, the bright and clean ship dashboard, and the twinkling stars. Each light source is accurately restored by the screen, showing the advantages of QD-OLED technology in terms of brightness control and contrast.
HKC GS49UK OSD介绍丨总结
The OSD menu of the HKC GS49UK continues the latest generation of HKC's design style. The black and red color scheme highlights the gaming atmosphere, and the multi-level progressive menu layout is in line with professional displays. The five-way joystick at the bottom of the center of the screen optimizes the user experience.
Game mode not only offers the usual crosshair and timer features, but also includes adjustable shadow enhancements. By lowering the contrast and adjusting the gamma value, the display improves shadow detail, giving users more confidence when playing dark field horror games.
For the characteristics of QD-OLED displays, the GS49UK is equipped with a number of protection functions, including "pixel shift", "logo brightness adjustment" and "pixel refresh". These built-in anti-burn-in policies are designed to provide users with a safer and more reliable experience.
Bottom line: GS49UK's 49-inch 32:9 ultra-wide curved screen provides users with an immersive experience like never before, whether it's for gaming, film or television, or professional work. The high contrast, accurate color reproduction, and fast response time of 0.03ms brought by QD-OLED panels meet the stringent requirements of high-end users for image quality and performance.
For more consumers, this display is an option that needs to be considered. Its excellent multitasking capabilities can significantly improve productivity, while the 240Hz refresh rate provides an extremely smooth experience for competitive gamers. However, the high price and the ultra-wide screen design that may require a certain adaptation period also make it more suitable for high-end users with specific needs.
At the same time, I also saw HKC's technical strength and innovation ability in the high-end display market on this monitor. GS49UK helps to enhance HKC's brand image and market position, laying the foundation for its long-term growth in the high-end market. At the same time, through the development and production of such advanced products, valuable experience has also been accumulated for future product research and development. However, today's fierce competition in the high-end display market has also put forward higher requirements for HKC, and how to maintain competitiveness in this market segment will be a continuous challenge.