10 Requirements for Watching Movies 

Watching movies lets you have a good time, relax and disconnect from the usual life routine. Movies can elicit different emotions, which may help reduce stress and anxiety, and at the same time, inspire motivation.

You can watch a movie at home or in a theatre. However, that experience can only be fruitful if the movie and its setting are right. A great movie with the wrong equipment is equivalent to frustrations. 

Here the basic requirements for watching movies:

1. Size of the display: the size of the monitor affects the immersion experience. Scenes that produce arousal produce greater effects on large screens than smaller ones. So a 32-inch monitor is a perfect size for normal desktop distance viewing.  
2. Higher the resolution for better picture quality: resolution means the number of pixels in width x height format. 1920 x 1080 (1080p/Full HD / HD) should be the minimum. But for sharper images, QHD and 4K are the best. 
3. Pixel density: It affects the quality of the monitor. 109 pixels per inch (PPI) is a sweet spot for movies.
4. Bigger refresh rates: refresh rates is the number of times the monitor updates per second with new information. Higher refresh rates mean smoother and less choppy images. A 60 Hz refresh rate is excellent for movies. 
5. Panel technology: it affects image quality. Choose from TN (cheaper, fastest, but poor angle image quality), IPS (more rapid and better image), and VA (best contrast)
6. Response times: for movies, response time isn’t a big deal; however, shorter times are better. Longer times result in a blur, especially when watching fast-paced movies. 5ms can be a great option.
7. Curved vs. flat monitor: curved monitors offer an immersive experience, less eyestrain plus a larger field of view. However, they are prone to glare while watching at certain angles. However, an ultra-wide at least 30 inches can work well. 
8. Viewing distance and monitor screen size: common curvatures are 1500R, 1800R, 3000R, and 4000R. These values indicate the radius in mm. smaller radii indicates more curvature. If you are viewing from afar, then you don’t need a large curvature. However, viewing at a computer monitor distance, a larger magnitude of bending results in a better viewing experience. For computers, the 1800R curvature is the “gold standard curvature.”
9. Laptop, phone, or monitor? All these devices allow you to watch movies. While computers/laptops and monitors are standard, smartphones and tablets equally offer a pleasant experience.  
10. Steaming a movie requires robust connectivity – good WI-FI connectivity. A nice storage disk – hard disk or external USB storage can be an excellent option if you use a laptop.

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Pros curved screens

The advantages of using a curved monitor include:

• Less Eye Strain – curved screens, regardless of their sizes, offer greater comfort to the eyes because the eyes do not strain to see everything happening. 1800R matches the natural eye curvature; thus, making it comfortable to watch.
• Perceived more realistic images and a wider field of view, which makes it easier for the viewer to interpret images 
• Increased Immersion leads to a better viewing experience – the curvature makes images feel closer and more real-life images. Remember, you sit at the center of the action, and the monitor’s arc ensures that the eye distance remains the same. Peripheral vision significantly enhances immersion.
• Reduced Distortion –unlike flat screens, there are fewer tendencies for image blurs and distortions. The light projection mechanism on curved screens minimizes the distortions.
• Enhancing Efficiency –reducing eye strain increases the amount of time you spend watching or working.
• Beautiful screens: the style of curved monitors is aesthetically pleasing. It lends a sleek look to any space. Additionally, it gives a professional style.
• Faster pixel response time: a faster response rate enhances visuals, especially for gaming. Monitor curvature doesn’t affect pixel response speed, but these monitors use the latest technology to allow such quick changes.
• Curved monitors create depth without the headaches of 3D.

Cons of curved monitors 

Here are the disadvantages:

• They are expensive – considering they pack the latest technology, these beasts cost a real penny. 
• Not great for wall mounting – while these screens can be mounted, they won’t look nice
• For better viewing, you must sit at the center of the field of view. Otherwise, you’ll experience blurs and distortions.
• Curved monitors work well in isolation, i.e., placing two or three monitors side by side can be hectic.
• To tap the benefits of curved monitors, you must get a large-sized one- beyond 27-inch.

How Is The Experience When Watching Movies On A 34″ Curved Screen?

A 34-inch monitor is an ultra-wide monitor. Such giant-sized curved screens offer a wide field of view, which results in an immersive experience.

While watching movies from a desktop monitor, you’ll probably sit at a distance of about two to four feet from the display for a better view. However, that varies from one person to another.

While most of the curvature of the ultra-wide monitors may vary, most of them have a mild curvature that may not impact your viewing. 1800R monitor is viewable up to eight feet away from the monitor without noticeable distortions. But you must sit at the center of the field of view. 

Also, you should consider the resolution of your screen. While 4K resolution gives sharper images, 1440p performs equally well. Such monitors have a pixel density of 109ppi, which is decent for better viewing. 

Modern-day movies feature an exciting mixture of aspect ratio, the standard being 16:9. However, ultra-wide screens will work better with a ratio between 2.35:1 and 2.40:1. At 16:9, the content will fill the TV without black borders, but on a 21:9 curved monitor, it leaves thick black bars on either side.

Best Monitor For Watching Movies?

Modern monitors feature an array of ports (HDMI and USB) and improved refresh rates, which deliver better picture quality. Ideally, monitors provide a more immersive experience while watching movies or TV series. Besides the vibrant colors, they feature sharp details for a comfortable viewing experience. 

A 4K monitor offers sharper images, and they come at a fraction of the price of the latest 4k TV. These devices have similar features like support for HDR and local dimming that works well for dark room performance. If you can’t afford 4K monitors, 1440p work equally well. 

Taste and preference take a bigger place while buying the best monitor for watching a movie. But consider a resolution (2K or 4k), refresh rate, screen size, pixel type (IPS or VA), variable refresh rate, and the number of ports.

LG 27UK650-W, Acer Predator XB3, and BENQ EW3270U offer one of the best 4K multimedia viewing. On the other hand, the ASUS TUF VG27AQ  and Samsung LC49RG90SSNXZA come at 1440p.

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Still, many 1080p monitors deliver a decent viewing experience – For instance, the ViewSonic ELITE XG240R. This monitor boasts of powerful features that can appeal to those working on a tight budget. For darkroom watching, you might consider the Samsung C27HG70. 

Do Pro Gamers Use Curved Monitors?

There is no denying that curved monitors come with immense benefits, including less eye strain. By contrast, a flat-monitor takes less of your desktop space than curved monitors.

For serious gaming, a curved monitor may turn out a little bit disadvantageous, except for VR gaming. Its advantages may turn to disadvantages in this case. That’s why most pro gamers always stick to the flat panels. 

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To justify that point, let’s look at the aspects below:

Aspect Ratio

Curved monitors come at 21:9 while competitive games are optimized for 16:9. A bigger aspect ratio helps you see more. However, in this case, it leads to black borders, or it artificially limits your field of view. Reason? The game will always scale the pictures to16:9.

Nevertheless, games optimized for 21:9 play well on these monitors.

Graphics Card

A curved monitor requires 30% more processing power from your graphics card. Reason? The screen is wide; thus, a higher pixel number calculation is needed. For pro gamers, that power would rather be converted to higher FPS. 

GUI-Elements

Any game allowing 21:9 stretches the image outwards, leading to some information falling out of the field of view. Thus, you’ll need to move a bit far away from the screen to view that information.

Distortions

Faster 3D gaming always results in distortions at the edges of the curved screens. However, it majorly depends on the curvature of the screen and the perceptive ability of your eyes.

Curved Vs. Flat Monitor 

The curved panels usually wrap around your vision slightly, resulting in an immersive experience. The curved edges replicate a realistic visual experience. 

When a screen wraps around you, it exposes you to more content, which fills your surrounding- an excellent thing for gaming. Additionally, it massively cuts down the distortion by directing light to the eyes rather than the sides of your eyes. 

Unlike a flat panel that may mirror the reflection of a light source, window, or any object, a curved display drastically reduces glare and reflections. However, when you position your flat monitors correctly, there will be fewer reflections.

While the curved monitor is advertised as having immense benefits, it doesn’t outshine the flat panel. Choosing the best among the two, it boils down to personal preference.

Gamers, digital artists, and tech enthusiasts can effectively use both these displays, whether at the office or home.

If you prefer a multi-monitor setup, then flat panels work better for you. However, if you are an artist, you might find a curved monitor to be ideal.

Curve screens are pretty wide; thus, giving an intense viewing experience. Such a feature is what gamers love as it gives them more immersion and a sense of depth without the headache-inducing effects of 3D. By contrast, flat monitors can’t replicate this effect. 

Depending on the type of work, a monitor type makes a significant difference. Curved monitors offer a bigger screen space than flat monitors. You can pull up many documents simultaneously. But you have to sit at the center for better viewing.

Curved vs. Flat Monitor For Programming

Programing is quite intensive, and thus, will require much vertical space on your monitors. The most important thing that a programmer should consider is the resolution of the monitor. Programing doesn’t require a retina display (>150dpi). Instead, you need space for text.

A monitor having a resolution of 2560×1600 (100dpi) is more space. This will let you see as many lines of codes as possible, even with other windows on the left side. A resolution of 1080p lets you see fewer lines. So you’ll need to scroll continually.

If you want multiple windows, a curved monitor can work well. You can align the monitors side by side. However, programming will be productive in a single larger curved monitor – 40 or 43 inches. But for a flat monitor, the smaller, the better. A 30-inch flat monitor is perfect for programming.  

Currently, a curved monitor won’t offer much when it comes to programming. So buying a curved monitor primarily for programming isn’t a good idea. They are just too expensive and won’t provide real utility to a programmer.

A great programing monitor should have: 

• Enough vertical space and aspect ratio
• Uniform color
• Wide visibility angle 
• Large-sized
• Height adjustable 
• Retina display isn’t that important.

Curved Monitor Review

Like their flat counterparts, curved monitors are ideal for web browsing, gaming, and productivity tasks, either at home or at the office.

The fame of these displays stems from the fact that they offer an experience similar to that of VR headsets. That means all images appear more realistic since the display bends around your eyes.

Therefore, a curved monitor deviates from the standard display. And one of its great benefits is the faster response time as well as high refresh rates, which make it ideal for fast-paced gaming.

If you plan to settle on a curved display, know that they come at a higher cost than flat monitors. Again, keep in mind that these monitors in various aspects, including:

Size: curved monitors come in a variety of sizes ranging from 27 inches to 49 inches. That makes them larger and broader than ordinary flat monitors. The largest curved monitor can fit up to 3 apps side by side. Msi Optix MPG27CQ is 27 inches while Acer Predator X34 is 34 inches. Any monitor above 34 inches is considered an ultra-wide monitor. 

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Varying resolution: you can choose from 1080p, 1440p, or 4k resolution. The latter means you are looking for sharper images. The 1440p comes as either 3440 by 1440 for Acer Predator X35 and Asus ProArt PA34VC or 5120 by 1440 for LG 49WL95C-W.

Display lag: this is an essential aspect for gamers. It’s the time between pressing a button and seeing a response on your monitor. The best monitor should give an instant response. You can find such features in monitors like BenQ Zowie XL2540. This is one of the finest monitors that gamers find it suitable for action. However, it comes at a price double that of Asus VG248QE. Ideally, it has a 1ms response rate and a 240 Hz refresh rate performance. 

Refresh rate: the basic minimum should be 60Hz

1500r Curved Monitor

A curved monitor is not created by simply bending the two ends of the display inwards. Instead, each monitor has a specific bending angle. That’s why you can spot different angles of bending. Some monitors have a subtle bend while other has a pronounced bend.

The bending angles can be 1500R, 1800R, 3000R, or 4000R.

The term R stands for the radius. So a 1500R curved monitor has a radius of 1500mm. A smaller value indicates a more pronounced curvature, while higher values show a subtle curve. 

If you own such a monitor, ensure that you are seated no more than 1.5 metres/1500 millimeters away from the monitor to have a perfect viewing experience. Ideally, the curvature of the monitor determines the optimum viewing distance. 

Currently, 1500r is the smallest curvature available. This curvature closely replicates that of the human eye, which is about 1000R. 

The human eye produces a field of view with a forward-facing arc. But some field of view extends outwards, i.e., peripheral vision. This curvature is similar to 1000r. 

Since the 1500r is more in line with the human eye than other curvatures, it offers one of the best immersive experiences while watching movies or gaming.  

Best Curved Monitor

There are a couple of curved monitors that dominate the market for their outstanding features and functions. It’s not about the display’s size, but how the monitor holds up when it comes to gaming, browsings, movies, and office productivity tasks.

For a faster response time, then BenQ Ex3501R is your best bet. This monitor has a 1ms response time of 100 Hz and 3440×1440 pixels resulting in hyper-realistic video quality. Its curvature is awe-inspiring, while the screen size is simply monumental.  

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The monitor combines HDR and BI. + mode to make details clear even in darker environments. Additionally, the ultra-slim bezel-less edge-to-edge design offers endless horizons surrounding your vision with a boundless perspective. 

If you need a more immersive viewing (1500R), then choose the Samsung CF791. You’ll love the curvature’s depth, higher pixel density, and the full of cinematic beauty, which outputs impressive image details. 

One assurance is there are leakages across the entire screen, across the screen, thanks to the 3000:1 contrast ratio that Samsung’s advanced VA panel technology offers. 

For higher refresh rates, the Dell S3220DGF is one of the best-curved monitors. You can overclock the monitors 144Hz refresh rate to 165Hz. However, this monitor’s response time is slower than that of Samsung CHG70 at the maximum refresh rate. But it has a much quicker response at 60Hz resulting in little motion blur.  

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Still, MSI Optix MPG27CQ is another decent option offering one of the best viewing experiences, thanks to its VA display. The remarkable thing about this monitor is its super-narrow bezels. Actually, it has a 36% more screen to body ratio.

The FreeSync ensures smooth gameplay; the anti-flicker technology work well for your eyes while the 1ms response time and 144 Hz refresh rate ensure swift and précising gaming. 

Curved Monitor for Excel

Working with excels means working with lots of sheets on your screen. Spreadsheets can be very long and wide. That means you can work effectively and faster if you have a wider screen. 

Curved monitors are either wide or ultra-wide. As such, they can allow you to see more data at a glance while working on spreadsheets. As a result, this can increase your productivity. 

While curved monitors are great for excel, there are some factors you need to keep in mind. They include:

• Size: while a wide monitor is acceptable, you can get much detail at once when you use ultra-wide monitors. Alternatively, you place two wide monitors side by side. Of course, that depends on the amount of your desktop space. 
• Resolution: a monitor’s resolution has an impact on the sharpness of the image. A wider monitor with decent resolution means you get sharper details. If you opt for a 24-inch monitor, then Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) is excellent. However, any size beyond a 27-inch monitor, WQHD, or 4K resolution gives sharper images.
• Design: curved monitors are generally aesthetically pleasing. But not all of them. Look for a monitor that will define a real upgrade and, at the same time, conveying professionalism.
• Aspect ratio: an aspect ratio of 21:9 is the gold standard for curved monitors. So don’t go for anything less than that. 
• Budget: an ultra-wide monitor with sharper resolution ultimately costs more. Since you are dealing with excel only, it’s wise to strike a balance between various features.

Take a look at the following picks:

1. Samsung LC27F398FWNXZA (27 Inch)
2. VIOTEK GN35DR (35 Inch) – Ultrawide
3. ViewSonic VX3216-SCMH-W (32 Inch)
4. LG 34UC80-B (34 Inch) – Ultrawide
5. VIOTEK NB24CW – 24 Inch – Budget Curved Monitor for Excel

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Conclusion

Apart from being classy, curved monitors have a beautiful display. That means you can watch movies with a theatre-like experience.

Beyond that, you can put these monitors to other uses. Programmers, gamers, and office work fancy the nature of these monitors. However, for each case, pick the right size and specifications.