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Multiple hot new features and innovations have been dotting the PC monitor market recently. For Sceptre’s latest large format and daily-use model, therefore, standing out of the pack isn’t going to be any easy. It is just tough out there. Luckily, the new Sceptre C278W-1920R rings a reasonable price but offers an intriguing mix of features and capabilities. Highlights include a stellar design, a curved panel, HDMI and Display connections, all wrapped in a 27-inch package.
The Sceptre C278W-1920R does a nice job displaying both pictures and video in standard definition (HD), at a native refresh rate of 60Hz which may not be a compelling core proposition for most gamers. Those looking for a curved, extra-large general-purpose display might like to look at the feature set, too. While at it, just bear in mind that at this relatively competitive price point –and maybe at any price point– you can’t really have everything.
Design
The C278W-1920R is a matte-black curved monitor that measures 16.79 by 8.01 by 24.33 inches (HWD) and weighs 6 pounds. The 27-inch screen is surrounded by a thin strip, half an inch wide, on both sides and top panel, while a 0.7-inch border runs along the bottom of the screen, with the ‘SCEPTRE’ logo inscribed at the center. The stand, consisting of an oval base and a hinged arm is nice looking, but only provides tilt adjustment. The panel feels sturdy and is easy to adjust, but lacks the convenience of ergonomic adjustments (height, swivel and pivot) which is common at this price point.
Connectivity-wise, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort (DPI), VGA and a 3.5mm Mini-Jack for the VGA audio should ensure most of your bases are well covered. It doesn’t include a USB port that would cater for connected peripherals such as flash drives or even charging gadgets, something most of us would find desirable to have. The BenQ EX3203R wraps up its connectivity options with a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort and includes a USB-C port, making it a future-proof monitor, ideal for gamers.
Performance
Expectations suitably managed, how does the Sceptre C278W-1920R actually perform? First, the panel is highly curved with an 1800R curvature rating, which is the same rating as the 27-inch Samsung CHG70 and among the tightest curvatures we’ve seen. The high curvature makes for a more immersive viewing experience than you would get with a flat panel. The C278W is rated with a 5 ms (gray-to-gray) response time, a 1920-by-1080 native resolution, with 220 cd/m2 peak brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate.
With a brightness level of 220cd/m2, this monitor looks better than Sceptre’s quoted figure, and is bolstered with a 3,000:1 static contrast ratio, it delivers impressive visuals. The panel’s curve also makes for a nicely thrilling experience. As a general-purpose monitor, the C278W’s most obvious shortcoming is its relatively modest 1,920-by-1080 native resolution. That makes for fairly big, coarse pixels when spread across a 32-inch panel.
The same applies to HD gaming, where it might struggle to display fast-paced pixels with its 60Hz refresh rate. The SPVA panel prevents it from being at the cutting edge in terms of response, but for the price it still delivers vibrant colors underlain by crisp visuals than most sub $200 monitors. And, it doesn’t include support for Nvidia’s G-Sync that seeks to minimize tearing in gameplay, thus, making it an ideal candidate for office use and can suffice for casual gaming, too.
Sceptre C278W-1920R Review | Verdict
At a glance, the Sceptre C278W-1920R may not show much that make it stand out from the pack. It doesn’t shine with extreme brightness levels or 4K UHD resolution of competing monitors. Nor does it support Nvidia’s G-Sync adaptive sync technology, which reduces image tearing and artefacts with the latest Nvidia GeForce cards. For a gaming monitor, all these would seem like serious beal-breakers, sadly, the C278W is targeted for the casual daily user.
Precisely, the Sceptre C278W is a budget, daily-use monitor that is designed for office/home productivity and not as a primary gaming monitor. Between its balanced resolution, HD capabilities, high curvature and very good image quality, the Sceptre C278W-1920R has a lot to recommend as a daily-use panel and not as a gaming monitor. Even better, it can double as a very able monitor for video watching at home.
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