Where was this all my life - Wow.

[Stephen.R]

I'm not remotely in the market for this, but I was curious if it was an option, given all the 'no DP 1.4 on Macs' stuff they mention.

As expected the 2018 Mini only supports DP 1.2, but what about an eGPU? I checked the OWC page for their bundled eGPU, which includes an RX580, and it says "DisplayPort 1.4: 4096 x 2160 maximum resolution per display". I guess 5K mode requires DSC (compression)? Is that what the comment above about macOS 10.14.2 was about?

 

[mikehalloran]

Even based on that, the Planar is still a true 5K monitor.

No it's not. A good monitor? Probably. The LG Ultrafine and 2014–19 27" iMacs are trur 5k monitors and nothing you write changes that.

The Planar webpage mentions HDMI, and HDMI 2.0 would be able to deliver 5K at 60 Hz,

Not according to the Planar spec sheets and brochure. 5K or, in this case 5K2K is Displayport 1.4 Only. That's the current MBP only if they've solved the 1.4 issue — I've read this happened with Mojave 10.14.2.

Read the literature before telling people they're wrong. I'm only the messenger.

That LG is very good. I've seen one and it's impressive. You need a TB3 Mac running Mojave 10.14.2 or later.

 

[Ledgem]

As expected the 2018 Mini only supports DP 1.2, but what about an eGPU? I checked the OWC page for their bundled eGPU, which includes an RX580, and it says "DisplayPort 1.4: 4096 x 2160 maximum resolution per display". I guess 5K mode requires DSC (compression)? Is that what the comment above about macOS 10.14.2 was about?

Based on hardware teardowns, the Mac mini should have support for Displayport 1.4. Regarding eGPUs and 5K support, there's something a little weird right now in that the Blackmagic eGPU Pro (but not the Blackmagic eGPU, non-pro version) supports 5K output... but it seems to be the only eGPU solution that does, at the moment. It makes me wonder if there's something on the software side at the moment limiting the potential of eGPU solutions, or if there's an additional tweak that needs to be made to hardware.

Edit: I was reading a bit more about this, and it seems that the Blackmagic Pro is special because, in addition to housing the graphics card, it also has its own Thunderbolt controller chip. While I still don't understand enough to say why other eGPUs shouldn't work, it seems like this might be the key difference.

Edit 2: Yes, with a bit more reading it's as I wrote above: macOS and 5K displays, at least at present, seem to require Thunderbolt 3 as the connector to work. The trouble is that most eGPU enclosures only have one Thunderbolt 3 connector, which runs to the computer; the monitor can't be connected to the GPU directly. The Blackmagic Pro is unique in that it harbors a second Thunderbolt controller, and thus has two Thunderbolt 3 slots (one for the computer, and another to connect to the monitor) However, there are some enclosures that offer two PCI slots, such as the Akitio Node Duo. For that enclosure, placing a GPU into one slot and then another Thunderbolt controller into the second slot would allow you to connect the LG Ultrafine 5K and run it from the eGPU. Addition of another Thunderbolt controller adds about another $50-100 onto the cost (a Titan Ridge controller is currently $96 on Amazon; Alpine Ridge, the previous version and the one that the linked review used, is currently listed at $59). All said, while I don't think anyone has proven that this works yet by hooking it up to a 5K monitor, it's still a cheaper solution than the Blackmagic Pro that also offers continued upgradability. Interestingly, this eGPU - with the Thunderbolt 3 controller added in - could be added to a Mac with Thunderbolt 2, using the adapter from Apple. While it would be limited to Thunderbolt 2 speeds, the question becomes whether macOS would see the Thunderbolt 3 controller and provide native eGPU support based on that...

No it's not. A good monitor? Probably. The LG Ultrafine and 2014–19 27" iMacs are trur 5k monitors and nothing you write changes that.

Sorry, I don't understand what you're disagreeing about. The technical definition of 5K is the vertical line resolution. 5K2K refers to a monitor with a horizontal line resolution close to (and exceeding) 5,000 pixels, but with a vertical line resolution closer to 2,000 pixels (whereas standard 5K has a vertical line resolution closer to 3,000 pixels). The Planar's stated resolution of 5120x2880 - the same as the LG Ultrafine, and the 5K iMacs - fits the description of 5K. The article you linked to, which talked about an ultra-wide monitor, had a vertical pixel count of only slightly above 2,000 due to being ultra-wide, which represents a downgrade from the current standard 5K monitors and thus earned the "5K2K" moniker.

Not according to the Planar spec sheets and brochure. 5K or, in this case 5K2K is Displayport 1.4 Only. That's the current MBP only if they've solved the 1.4 issue — I've read this happened with Mojave 10.14.2.

HDMI 2.0, as contained in a number of Macs, is technically capable of delivering 5K (although with some chroma subsampling), but it seems Apple does not yet support delivering 5K over HDMI. HDMI 2.1 (which was officially released almost three years ago) will seemingly offer full support for 5K, but no current Macs support it, as far as I can tell.

Read the literature before telling people they're wrong. I'm only the messenger.

Sorry if you interpreted it that way, friend - I'm not interested in telling people that they're wrong. Aside from not understanding why you're disagreeing with calling the monitor 5K, I'm interested in sharing information to figure out compatibility, both now and in the future. I agree with you that at present this monitor seems like it would be problematic to run on the vast majority of modern Mac systems.

 

[Tucom]

It isn't your monitor, a product that you have never used, but you call it "this awesome product". It's a 5K panel that has serious QC issues. With its price, I'd spend a couple hundred more and find a refurbished LG Ultra Fine 5K, with proper Thunderbolt 3 and built in HD webcam.

The design, the picture, look and build quality of the stand fit right in with someone looking for that Apple design and look to complement their setup, without any real alternatives offering any of that.

I simply shared it because many people share my mindset, but if you wish to dwell in pessimism that's your personal issue.
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You're also oddly gung-ho for a product that, as far as I can tell, you don't own. It's just a monitor that vaguely sort of resembles Apple design. Nothing terribly special about it spec-wise. The reviews on it are mixed at best. The more concerning thing to me is the lack of reviews given the fact it's been out for a year. There only appears to be one person on this forum who claims to have owned one. I don't want to be accused of "cherry picking", so i'll leave it up to anyone who's curious to type the model # into search and see what they thought about it.

It's simply a cool product that I wanted to show people, and one that fills many people's wishes.

- And yes, I've very clearly stated I don't own one in my ORIGINAL POST, my god... you're literally a pro at this cherry-picking thing, yet you can't even seem to grasp the very cherry's that exist. I may never get one, but at least some people now know it's an option.

And honestly, would you really pick up an LG if photo editing wasn't a priority? This looks far better, more elegant and seems to be specced just fine for all other tasks.
[doublepost=1562918330][/doublepost]

No it's not. A good monitor? Probably. The LG Ultrafine and 2014–19 27" iMacs are trur 5k monitors and nothing you write changes that.
Not according to the Planar spec sheets and brochure. 5K or, in this case 5K2K is Displayport 1.4 Only. That's the current MBP only if they've solved the 1.4 issue — I've read this happened with Mojave 10.14.2.

Read the literature before telling people they're wrong. I'm only the messenger.

That LG is very good. I've seen one and it's impressive. You need a TB3 Mac running Mojave 10.14.2 or later.

What are you reading? Both monitors have identical resolutions - they're literally the same 5K monitor pixel density wise.

Reality check.

Well, the naysayers are right, more or less. This monitor is incompatible with most Macs.

Read and learn.

"Read and learn" lol the irony...

And look the the definition of contradiction, maybe on a 5K monitor so it really sinks in. "Most Macs" being what, anything that can't support it's connection standard? Boo hoo, upgrade. Doesn't negate this is a real, genuine 5K panel. Cute attempt and pure fail at trying to sound smart though.

 

[memo90061]

I want this monitor!!

 

[turbineseaplane]

I want this monitor!!

Trust me - you don't.
I've bought and returned 3 of them now.

All had hundreds of stuck pixels on black/dark backgrounds and all had various levels of backlight flaws, damage, wild brightness irregularity - on and on.

Many online have shared similar reviews and it would seem likely these are manufactured by Planar starting with defective and/or out of spec panels (rejects off the line) that would never cut the mustard for Apple iMac 5k usage.

Part of me even wonders if some might originate at some bulk re-seller that Apple offloads them too if brought in for AppleCare replacement of any kind.

The flaws I've seen are all over the place in terms of severity and exact issue, so really anything is on the table in terms of panel sourcing.

Also - Many online have now pointed out that Planar Systems stopped production of them in the last few months and thus there will be no more and the "warranty" they offer is basically now not a thing, since they won't have any new parts to give you if something happens down the road (which it will if they are starting out life "broken" in one way or another).

It's pretty depressing to see a company like Planar (new Chinese ownership as of 2 years ago - no longer a plucky small company out of Oregon) making ostensibly "new" products out of crap parts from the get go.

Crummy to be a customer on the other end of that.

 

[memo90061]

I did end up buying this monitor on eBay. It arrived, and I was very surprised to see that it does look like an iMac display!! I feel like I'm running Bootcamp. I bought 2 different dell monitors because I didn't know what to look for. I wanted high ppi to see crisp and clear text.

The monitor looked really good when it arrived, and I didn't know what to check for. I changed my background to solid black, and noticed I had a light leak? I emailed Planar, and I received a response within the hour! They told me to send a picture of the monitor with the bezels. Again within the hour they replied with a tracking number. It was all so quick. I don't think my current monitor looks bad with a bright colored background. Overall I'm happy with the monitor, and with the way Planar handled the situation. I hope the new display doesn't have that light leak or stuck pixels.

 

[turbineseaplane]

hope the new display doesn't have that light leak or stuck pixels.

It probably will have issues - just different ones this time.

They are nice people at Planar, Sarah & Coleman in particular, I agree.
That said - they can't really get you a perfect one since I don't believe a perfect IX2790 exists.

I've reached out to as many people that I could contact who have had one or reviewed one and every single panel seems to have a problem (or several) from what I can tell. The people that give a great review either don't see the issues or simply don't mind them or possibly have very negligible issues for their use case and have decided to accept it.

With the panels being purchased by Planar from what appears to be a "sub Apple QC level" source -- each one is its own unicorn of what the issues might be.

I've personally had:

1. Stuck pixels on every single one - sometimes they are on their own, but often in small clusters

2. Panel/backlight "damage" of some kind where there are lighter spots/chunks that never go away or change in intensity. They seem like maybe hot pixels, but they aren't at all - and in fact are some type of physical issue.

3. Rather bad backlight/illumination variation, clouding, spots - hard to describe - easy to see

4. Image retention on my first one was pretty bad.

5. Panel not aligned quite right with the casing where the glass & plastic meet

6. Oddly - every single unit has had the stand be in a slightly crooked orientation. I did a bunch of measuring and the VESA holes were fine and level as they should be on the casing relative to the panel/screen shape. The culprit seems to be their stand, which isn't engineered quite "great" and is a bit askew. Not a problem if VESA mounting - but just another knock on the quality control and fit/finish for sure. The stand doesn't allow rotation, so if you were counting on using it - it would be a problem.

Please do report back when you get your replacement.

I assume you got a b-stock replacement?
Last week I was told they only have b-stock left (and there will never again be A-stock).

Don't get me wrong - at $750-800 it's a nice price for 5k/60hz single cable DisplayPort 1.4

But - I personally live with monitors for many many years and I'd be bothered spending this much and living with issues, particularly if you wanted to sell it in a years time or something. You'd get taken to the cleaners financially unless you could find a buyer who a. needed/wanted this very niche monitor and b. didn't notice or care about all the QC issues.

It's just hard to swallow that buying & keeping one of these is basically a fully sunk cost of $800
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I did end up buying this monitor on eBay

Which seller?
Beach Audio? Other?

Was yours new or used/refurb?

 

[memo90061]

OMG!! I thought it was just me!!! I DID notice that the monitor seemed crooked, and on the stand I added a dry clorox wipe. You can't see it. I should test the new monitor then to see which one is "better." I did notice image retention, but that also happened with my iMac Pro. :|

I bought it used from Beach Audio. I'm in LA, so it arrived the next day. Planar is shipping from another state, and the display should arrive on Thursday.

I wasn't told what type of stock it is. What monitor do you recommend? I just want crisp text. This monitor was 660 including tax.

 

[turbineseaplane]

OMG!! I thought it was just me!!! I DID notice that the monitor seemed crooked, and on the stand I added a dry clorox wipe. You can't see it. I should test the new monitor then to see which one is "better." I did notice image retention, but that also happened with my iMac Pro. :|

I bought it used from Beach Audio. I'm in LA, so it arrived the next day. Planar is shipping from another state, and the display should arrive on Thursday.

I wasn't told what type of stock it is. What monitor do you recommend? I just want crisp text. This monitor was 660 including tax.

Ahh - you are the lucky duck who snagged it for the $600-ish + tax!

I would expect there will be issues if they are selling it used.
I have no idea who would return one of these if it didn't have problems, because the concept and resolution is spectacular. It's the quality control and panel sourcing by Planar that are the issues.

The other thing that's odd is "why does Beach Audio have a used one at all"?

All three of my returns through resellers are really just them coordinating and getting RMA approval from Planar so that Planar gives them their credit/money back and then they refund me and the units get shipped back to a centralized warehouse and are then under Planer ownership/control. I can't figure out how Beach would have a used unit unless maybe it was somehow returned to them past the point where Planar would accept it back and give Beach Audio a credit maybe? Very odd.

I'd thought of trying to get a used one and rip it all apart and source my own new/guaranteed iMac panel. I begged Planar to sell me one that's laying around with panel issues (rather than throw it in the trash) - no dice. They won't play ball.

I still might go that route on my own, but it's a lot of work (and delicate work to not screw up interior parts) based upon my research on a few forums where people have done somewhat similar stuff.

If you are going to return that one they sent you, please PM me and maybe we can get Beach Audio in on a 3 way communication as I'd be interested in it if the price made some sense (or close). For a project, I'm really just looking for the shell + guts - basically everything *other* than the display panel itself.


When it arrives, for sure run some monitor tests (particularly on black screens).
The Eizo monitor test is good and easy to use.

EIZO monitors for offices, photos & design, medicine, gaming and industry

EIZO MONITOR TEST

eizo.be

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OMG!! I thought it was just me!!! I DID notice that the monitor seemed crooked

...and we have yet another data point supporting the poor quality control at Planar.
haha

 

[memo90061]

Yeah, that was me! haha. I don't think my current monitor is that bad. I do notice the light bleed at the top of the monitor, but I don't see it with bright colors. I do see green pixels when I have a black background. I see about 6 of them. I think those are the biggest issues I've encountered so far.

I didn't think I would return the monitor as I'm very happy with it and I threw the box away. I think I would sell though if there was another good monitor or if I were to go back to an iMac. haha.

Thank you so much!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yeah, that was me! haha. I don't think my current monitor is that bad. I do notice the light bleed at the top of the monitor, but I don't see it with bright colors. I do see green pixels when I have a black background. I see about 6 of them. I think those are the biggest issues I've encountered so far.

I didn't think I would return the monitor as I'm very happy with it and I threw the box away. I think I would sell though if there was another good monitor or if I were to go back to an iMac. haha.

Thank you so much!

Is Planar letting you decide which to keep (which is less bad) once the replacement arrives?
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I do notice the light bleed at the top of the monitor, but I don't see it with bright colors. I do see green pixels when I have a black background. I see about 6 of them. I think those are the biggest issues I've encountered so far.

Would you be so kind as to take some photos of your monitor on a totally blank white screen?
Here's the one I just sent back

(see the splotching in the middle? was driving me insane when scrolling on websites)

It's really apparent on white/grays and the green background

I also had many stuck pixels/clusters - seemed to be well over a hundred (I stopped counting at some point)

 

[memo90061]

Oh yeah! I see it. :/
Well they shipped the monitor, and told me to ship my current monitor once the replacement arrives. I guess I'll try it first and decide which one to send back.

Here they are.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I think I might have kept my last one if it looked closer to yours.

(maybe - not sure - that top left corner on your photos is concerning)

When you're on white websites - like this one - do you ever notice that backlight difference when scrolling?

That was my main issue. Don't get me wrong - I don't like all the stuck pixels (at all), but they were more tolerable for me since it required very very dark things on screen to see them.

But - panel/backlight issues that I was noticing against white/light backgrounds (like my images) were driving me insane basically always.

Hmm.
Maybe I'll buy and try yet another one after the holiday weekend.

The whole thing just depresses me.
I love the product and the idea if they had just sourced better panels!

Planar got way too aggressive with the juicy profit margin.
This would be a hit product if it didn't have quality issues.

 

[memo90061]

Yeah, the top left is that light leak or I don't know what it's called. THat's what I showed Planar.

I don't notice any backlight difference when scrolling. I think this display would be amazing if it didn't have those issues. Other than that I really don't see a difference from the iMac display. Do you have your eyes on a different monitor? This would be a hit!! I wish it had a webcam. haha.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yeah, the top left is that light leak or I don't know what it's called. THat's what I showed Planar.

I don't notice any backlight difference when scrolling. I think this display would be amazing if it didn't have those issues. Other than that I really don't see a difference from the iMac display. Do you have your eyes on a different monitor? This would be a hit!! I wish it had a webcam. haha.

Aside from trying more Planar's in hopes of finding one that is "ok"...it gets messy quickly.

I've strongly contemplated ordering an essentially fully assembled LG Ultrafine 5k (that isn't an LG enclosure) from Chinese sellers who sell the panels and 5k driver boards, etc.

After seeing all the people doing DIY iMac 5k "monitors", it's pretty frustrating that Apple won't just do the same thing. The LG UF 5k is super super limiting and restrictive and the price jump to the 6k PD XDR is just - in$ane

I mean - if Planar can roll their own solution to get 8-bit 5k/60hz with a single DP1.4 cable, I'm pretty sure this would be a cakewalk for Apple to do as well.

They could charge $1500-2500 for an Apple aesthetic 5K Cinema Display - easily - and people would gobble it up. The ProDisplay XDR is just insane overkill for so many Mac users, designers and developers. Also, if you have an iMac or iMac Pro, the XDR is too big and just a wrong match as an external alongside.

Where is the Apple designed matching external monitor for an iMac or iMac Pro user who just wants a 2nd screen?
The UF 5k looks awful next to them, and Apple has a userbase that cares what things look like.

 

[memo90061]

I received the display, and I think it's worse than the first one!!

 

[cybertruck]

I think the last one has very good white uniformity. Overall, this is something that I had issues with on numerous LG UltraFines I’ve tested (N=5 to be precise, from different providers). Based on my experience, I don’t think these issues are exclusive to Planar.

 

[memo90061]

Thank you for the comment. I'm not sure which one to return. The new display is not slanted, and the first one has image retention.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Any stuck pixels on black background?

(look close haha)
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The new display is not slanted

That's interesting..

I'm still amazed that the Planar quality control is so bad that it extends to the stand for the monitor.

 

[memo90061]

I was going crazy when I noticed the first display was slanted. I was wondering if it was just me, but then you said it!

I did see stuck pixels. I think it had more than the first one. I'm not sure which one to send back. Based on the pictures which one do you think is best to keep?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I was going crazy when I noticed the first display was slanted. I was wondering if it was just me, but then you said it!

I did see stuck pixels. I think it had more than the first one. I'm not sure which one to send back. Based on the pictures which one do you think is best to keep?

Man - Seems like a coin flip..

I guess whichever has issues that you'll notice "less" with how you tend to use it?

Is returning them both an option?

(that is sort of my bias, as I tend to notice issues and if it's bothering you now, it might be something you can never forget about -- forever)

 

[turbineseaplane]

My z27q arrived today

It has some physical issue with the panel (spots of almost dust or marks or something on the backside) in about 8 or 9 places.

It isn't dead pixels, but has the same effect basically.
Anyone know? Dust? Something else?

Pictures if curious


It's a real shame.

No "starfield" of stuck pixels or any weird backlight variations like the Planar's had.

The color looks really great.
Very balanced and really just beautiful.
It shows up as 10-bit and all that in Windows.

For me, it is nice to have it be not quite the full blown glossy of the iMac screen.
If it weren't for these black "things", this would be a total keeper.

 

[memo90061]

The light bleed is more evident on the new screen, but everything else seems better on that one I think. I'm undecided.

What are you going to do with the display?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don’t really know yet...have to sort of figure it out over the weekend.