Curved Monitor Detection: Spotting The Screen's Subtle Arc

If you're looking to buy a new monitor, you might be wondering whether to opt for a curved or flat screen. Curved monitors are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. One of their biggest advantages is that they fill up more of your peripheral vision, creating a more immersive experience. This can be particularly beneficial for gamers, as it provides a more engrossing and realistic gaming experience. Additionally, curved monitors can reduce eye strain and improve comfort by allowing your eyes to take in the entire screen without strain. They also offer a wider field of view, making them great for multitasking and improving productivity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Curved monitors tend to be more expensive, require more space, and can be prone to image distortions when viewed from certain angles. They are also not ideal for wall mounting or for multiple users. Ultimately, the decision between a curved or flat monitor depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Peripheral vision

The benefits of curved monitors for peripheral vision include:

• A more immersive experience: The curve wraps around the user's field of vision, creating a more engaging and natural experience. This is especially beneficial for gaming and entertainment, providing a greater sense of 'real life'.
• Enhanced depth perception: The curvature adds a sense of depth and three-dimensionality to the content, improving depth perception and allowing for a more realistic viewing experience.
• Reduced distortion and glare: The curved design minimises image distortion and reduces reflections and glare from surrounding light sources. This is due to the light being directed towards the user, reducing the impact of external lighting conditions.
• Wider field of view: The curvature contributes to a wider field of view compared to flat screens, allowing for a more encompassing visual experience and reducing the need for excessive head movement.
• Improved focus and comfort: By wrapping around the user, the curved screen guides the eyes towards the centre, reducing constant eye movement and providing a more comfortable viewing experience, especially during long periods of use.

Overall, the curvature of a monitor can greatly enhance the viewing experience, particularly by reducing eye strain and providing a more natural and immersive experience that fills the user's peripheral vision.

Eye strain

The curvature of a curved monitor is designed to mimic the natural curvature of the human eye, which makes it easier to focus on the content without excessive eye movement. This can lead to reduced eye strain during prolonged usage. The curved screen directs light from all angles towards the viewer's eye, allowing for a more comfortable and natural viewing experience.

Research supports the claim that curved monitors can reduce eye strain. A study by Harvard Medical School found that blurred vision was four times more prevalent on flat monitors compared to curved monitors. Additionally, a 2016 study on eye strain caused by intensive visual search tasks showed that general discomfort was 33% more common on flat monitors, and tired eyes were 10% less common on curved monitors.

Another study published in PLoS One investigated the factors associated with visual fatigue from using monitors with different radii of curvature. The study found that the near point of accommodation (NPA) and near point of convergence (NPC) increased after visual tasks on a flat monitor, indicating higher visual fatigue. However, with the 1000R curved monitor (higher curvature), the changes in NPA and NPC were minimal, suggesting that the curvature of the monitor can play a role in reducing eye strain.

While curved monitors offer potential eye strain reduction, it's important to note that individual experiences may vary. Some people may still experience eye strain with curved monitors, and it's essential to identify the specific causes of eye pain, such as oversaturated colors, PWM flicker, or blue light. Additionally, the quality of the panel and its ability to reduce color shift can also impact eye strain.

In conclusion, curved monitors have the potential to reduce eye strain due to their design, which aligns with the natural curvature of the human eye and provides a more comfortable viewing experience. However, individual results may vary, and it's important to consider other factors that can contribute to eye strain when choosing a monitor.

Screen glare

• Adjust the monitor tilt: Simply adjust the display's tilt and swivel away from direct light sources. Move the monitor slowly along one axis, keeping an eye on reflections, then do the same with the other axis if possible. You can also rotate the monitor from its base to find the most comfortable angle.
• Brightness settings: Increasing the brightness of your screen can help counteract glare. However, this may also increase power consumption and the risk of eye strain, so use this method sparingly.
• Change colours: Using light-coloured text or graphics on a dark background can help minimise glare. Alternatively, try using white characters on a blue background.
• Lighting: If household lighting fixtures are contributing to glare, consider changing to indirect lighting or task lights with adjustable brightness. Avoid sitting with overhead lights directly in your field of view.
• Accessories: There are various third-party accessories available, such as glare guards, monitor visors, and polarised light filters, that can be attached to your monitor to reduce glare.
• Monitor hoods: These are particularly useful for photo and video editors, as they protect against ambient light and reduce screen glare.

Curved monitors have the added benefit of reducing glare due to the way light interacts with the curve. They direct light towards the user, minimising reflections and optimising visibility. Additionally, most curved monitors have an anti-glare coating, which further reduces glare.

If you're experiencing an issue where your flat screen appears to have a curved or convex effect after using a curved monitor for an extended period, this is likely an illusion caused by your eyes and brain adjusting. It usually resolves within a few weeks as your brain adapts to the new screen.

Aspect ratio

The aspect ratio of a screen is the ratio of its width to its height, written as W:H. This means that the higher the first number in the ratio compared to the second, the wider the screen will be relative to its height.

Most curved monitors have a wider aspect ratio than laptops and desktops. The most common aspect ratios for curved monitors are 16:9 (widescreen) and 21:9 (ultra-wide). The latter is becoming increasingly popular for gaming monitors, as it offers a broader field of view and a more immersive experience.

There are also some curved monitors with a 32:9 aspect ratio, known as 'Super UltraWide'. Less common aspect ratios include 4:3 and 16:10, which were more widespread in the past.

When choosing an aspect ratio, it's usually best to go with your display's native screen resolution. However, it also depends on the type of content you're watching and your personal preference. For example, a 16:9 aspect ratio is very versatile as it can display both 4:3 and 21:9 content reasonably well.

In competitive gaming, some games will limit the aspect ratio to 16:9, resulting in black bars on the sides of the screen.

Wall mounting

If you're looking to wall-mount a curved monitor, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, check if your monitor has VESA mount compatibility. VESA mount is the industry-accepted standard for TV mounting, with screw holes placed in specific locations on the bracket. Most curved monitors sold since 2015 are compatible with standard wall mounts, so as long as your monitor has VESA mounting hardware, you should be good to go. Just be sure to use a VESA-compliant TV mount as well.

When choosing a wall mount, tilt wall mounts or full-motion mounts are more accommodating for curved screens than low-profile fixed mounts, which are designed to keep flat screens close to the wall. While fixed mounts are easy to install and inexpensive, they are not ideal for curved screens as they do not extend from the wall, making it difficult to attach a curved screen.

Another thing to consider is the size of your curved monitor. Most TV mounts available to consumers can only handle a maximum screen size of 70 inches. If you're looking for a larger curved screen that can be wall-mounted, you may need to opt for professional installation.

Additionally, curved screens mounted on the wall can look a little odd as they stick out at each end, so be sure to measure how far your monitor will curve out from the wall before proceeding.

Finally, when wall-mounting a curved monitor, ensure that the mount is compatible with the curvature and weight of the monitor. Check the weight rating of the mount to make sure it can support the weight of your monitor.

Frequently asked questions