300hz Acer XV272UKF / XB273UKF hands on experience

[olain]

So I acquired the 300 hz Acer Nitro XV272UKF which uses an Innolux AAS IGZO IPS panel either called M270KMA-E7B or M270KMA-EFB which was introduced in Feb. 2021.

Sources:
[*]https://www.displayspecifications.com/en/model/0e4d28af
[*]https://pcmonitors.info/acer/acer-xv272 ... ayhdr-600/
[*]https://tftcentral.co.uk/monitor_panel_parts

From all the info I could gather this display is identical to the Acer Predator XB273UKF, which is priced a little higher than the XV272UKF.
Acer promotes the XB273UKF as having an AS-IPS, "Agile-Splendor" IPS Panel, and it's just sales buzz. There is also an "Agile-Splendor" sticker on the XV272UKF.
Even the manual for the XV272UKF states that it is a XB273UKF
https://global-download.acer.com/GDFile ... ER&SC=PA_6

XV272UKF is a matte 300hz 27" 2560x1440p FreeSync Premium display with VRR enabled from 48-300hz, on both DP 1.4 & HDMI 2.1
Other features include:
VRB (Acers strobing tech) in 2 modes, "Normal" and "Extreme"
HDMI 2.1, 48 Gbps bandwidth
KVM Switch
HDR 600

I have not been able to find ANY tests of the XV272UKF or the XB273UKF, so I don't know how good/bad it is objectively, but here are my subjective thoughts so far...

FreeSync
Seems to work with my nvidia RTX 2080 just fine, all the way up to 300hz. If I turn on the monitors refresh rate num, and the g-sync indicator in the nvidia control panel, this is confirmed. The display is not officially g-sync compatible certified however.
VRR does not work with any other OD settings than Normal!

HDMI 2.1 As my old RTX only has HDMI 2.0b I have not been able to test if this input port is subjectively feels better than the DP 1.4 does, or confirm if VRR works as intended all the way to 300hz.
The full bandwidth of 2.1 should allow for non-compressed full 10-bit 300hz @ 1440p, but according to the manual, does not and will require DSC (see page 19) https://global-download.acer.com/GDFile ... ER&SC=PA_6. But from what I've been able to gather, DSC is an enemy of redditors only, and not real nerds

VRB / Strobing
[*]Strobing works from 85 - 300hz, in 2 modes, "Normal" and "Extreme".
[*]Does not work with VRR (FreeSync/G-Sync).
[*]Does not work with HDR.
[*]Works with both OD modes (also named "Normal" and "Extreme")
[*]Normal mode is super bright, like very bright even in a bright room. If you film this with an iPhone 13 in Slow Motion, the camera will pick up on the strobing.
[*]Extreme mode is slightly brighter than the monitor's factory settings, which in my opinion is pretty dim. Filming this in slow motion will not pick up the strobing effect
[*]Brightness cannot be adjusted when using VRB
[*]Auto brightness cannot be used with VRB

Compared to my old Acer XB271HU, which has 120hz strobing, the strobing seems much faster and "Normal" mode is much brighter on this newer panel.

HDR
Since this is my first "HDR" monitor, I was unsure what to test or look for. I already know from watching multiple gamer monitor reviews than none of them, besides the new OLED and mini-LED monitors, are worth getting for HDR content.
And I don't know how to test if HDR really works.
But I was able to test a few things:
[*]Able to Enable HDR in Windows
[*]Able to Enable HDR Video playback in Windows
Enabling this results in a very unpleasant look, its like a grey filter is applied to the display making it look completely broken.
... That is until you:
[*]Enabled HDR in the Display's menu "hotkey Modes -> HDR"
[*]Enabled HDR in the display menu picture mode
[*]Enabled HDR color space in the display menu color mode
... Then HDR suddenly looks just like SDR did, before enabling HDR in Windows.

I loaded up LG's "The Black 4K HDR" video on YouTube, which I've seen many display reviewers use, and I observed something peculiar...
If MS Edge (chromium) is used, the HDR video will have a nasty greyish washed out appearance, when HDR is enabled in Windows and on the display. (I tried filming this, but the iPhone video processing has super-powers and eliminates this grey washed out look, and makes the video look stunning)
If Chrome is used, it looks great in HDR.

I think I might be immune to HDR though, as I can't really notice the difference between SDR and HDR.

I also want to share that if you use a stretched resolution in FPS games as I do, this resolution will not work with HDR. So for instance if a custom resolution is created in nvidia control panel of 2304x1440, 300hz, then HDR cannot work in this resolution. This is also the case even if you disable G-sync.

Some UFO testing, probably did this wrong
Ufo Test 960 pps VRB Extreme OD Normal

phpBB [video]

Ufo Test 960 pps VRB Extreme OD Extreme

phpBB [video]

Ufo Test 960 pps VRB Extreme OD OFF

phpBB [video]

Input lag testing vs Acer XB271HU
I don't know how to do this, but if I run a millisecond stopwatch timer on both monitors and take a snapshot with my phone, the milliseconds are in sync, which I guess means the input lag is the same?


Please let me know if I can help anyone by test anything further...

[Discorz]

Some UFO testing, probably did this wrong

Hi man. Yeah for some reason this is a rare display to find a proper review on.

Those are some interesting observations you found.

Can you do the ufo test with Ghosting/Pursuit Camera test instead? This test is specifically made for pursuit camera, its easier to read and it has Sync Track for validating tracking accuracy. If u want to read more about pursuit camera you can check this unproffesional instructional post I made (I should probably rewrite it): viewtopic.php?p=74863#p74863

[destroya_cs]

Just got my XV272U KF yesterday, and yup I've been checking out different settings and the like. I gotta find out if running FreeSync is worth it, how good OD normal vs overdrive is, etc. Visual tests and input lag tests, and getting the colors how I want them is always a struggle. I'll check back in a few days hopefully with some findings.

[olain]

Just got my XV272U KF yesterday, and yup I've been checking out different settings and the like. I gotta find out if running FreeSync is worth it, how good OD normal vs overdrive is, etc. Visual tests and input lag tests, and getting the colors how I want them is always a struggle. I'll check back in a few days hopefully with some findings.

Hey man, happy to hear you got it.

Can you perhaps test these issues for me on your setup?

#1
In this particular order:
Turn VRB OFF
Turn FreeSync On in Display and Windows
Start a game and turn V-Sync on
Un-cap FPS
Engage FPS counter
Confirm that max FPS is 277 (and not 300).

#2
Create a custom resolution, for instance 2304x1440
Enable HDR on Display and Windows
Start a game that allows this custom resolution, and try running the custom resolution in-game (In the game PUBG this will cause the monitor to look for an input source until you ALT+F4 your way back to Windows)

#3
Alt tab to-and-from Windows and a directx game in "Full Screen" mode, and confirm that the wait before screen is displayed is ~3 seconds. On my Acer Predator this was instantaneous

#4 Can you notice or test a difference between using HDMI 2.1 and DP in regards to my 3 issues, or anything else? (If you have a HDMI 2.1 compatible GPU that is..)

[olain]

Some UFO testing, probably did this wrong

Hi man. Yeah for some reason this is a rare display to find a proper review on.

Those are some interesting observations you found.

Can you do the ufo test with Ghosting/Pursuit Camera test instead? This test is specifically made for pursuit camera, its easier to read and it has Sync Track for validating tracking accuracy. If u want to read more about pursuit camera you can check this unproffesional instructional post I made (I should probably rewrite it): viewtopic.php?p=74863#p74863

Thank you, I will try to go through the work you mentioned! I got this monitor for 5000 DKK (700 USD) including tax and delivery directly from Acer btw.

[destroya_cs]

I'm using HDMI 2.1 on RTX 4090, my main use is 16:10 (2304x1440 @ 300 Hz) on Apex Legends, don't really care about HDR, v-sync or strobing.

What I found:

#1
In this particular order:
Turn VRB OFF
Turn FreeSync On in Display and Windows
Start a game and turn V-Sync on
Un-cap FPS
Engage FPS counter
Confirm that max FPS is 277 (and not 300).

I tried this, with all sorts of V-Syncs, 1440p and 2304x1440, and did not face this issue (CS:GO and Apex). Everything I tried stayed on 300 (with HDMI 2.1). May be a specific game/engine issue.

#2
Create a custom resolution, for instance 2304x1440
Enable HDR on Display and Windows
Start a game that allows this custom resolution, and try running the custom resolution in-game (In the game PUBG this will cause the monitor to look for an input source until you ALT+F4 your way back to Windows)

So if I have my resolution pre-set to 2304x1440 for Apex (which is what I play at), and set up HDR before I enter game, it will launch game in a windowed mode (even if I had set it to fullscreen on launch). HDR will be working, but I'll be locked in that windowed mode. The moment I switch it to Fullscreen I get that problem searching for input source / blank screen, have to alt+F4. Does seem like it may be possible somehow to get Fullscreen HDR on 16:10 SOMEHOW but I don't know specifically how to get it. I'm not bothered and likely won't use HDR outside of watching a 2k/4k movie if at all.

#3 Alt tab to-and-from Windows and a directx game in "Full Screen" mode, and confirm that the wait before screen is displayed is ~3 seconds. On my Acer Predator this was instantaneous

Can confirm this. Alt-Tabbing OUT of the game takes about 3 seconds, but going back in was instant for me. Usually when there is a delay is because the monitor is changing frequencies (300Hz to 240Hz or something) so there may be a fix/setting for this that is possible as we are staying in 300Hz. Perhaps creating one resolution in CRU and deleting all others may be a solution (at your own risk). A CRU custom resolution may also solve #2 (but I have no idea which settings).

#4 Can you notice or test a difference between using HDMI 2.1 and DP in regards to my 3 issues, or anything else? (If you have a HDMI 2.1 compatible GPU that is..)

I hooked up DP 1.4 and tried it and didn't notice any difference, but its kinda hard to tell cause they aren't side by side. Both are able to do 300Hz 1440p (or 2304x1440) 10 bit RGB on SDR, therefore DSC must be being used here in DisplayPort 1.4. On HDMI 2.1 its not so clear because HDMI 2.1 has the bandwidth to handle this without DSC, but as per the manual it says DSC is required. I can't find a way to discern if DSC is on or off (perhaps you know?)

[olain]

I'm using HDMI 2.1 on RTX 4090, my main use is 16:10 (2304x1440 @ 300 Hz) on Apex Legends, don't really care about HDR, v-sync or strobing.

What I found:

#1
In this particular order:
Turn VRB OFF
Turn FreeSync On in Display and Windows
Start a game and turn V-Sync on
Un-cap FPS
Engage FPS counter
Confirm that max FPS is 277 (and not 300).

I tried this, with all sorts of V-Syncs, 1440p and 2304x1440, and did not face this issue (CS:GO and Apex). Everything I tried stayed on 300 (with HDMI 2.1). May be a specific game/engine issue.

#2
Create a custom resolution, for instance 2304x1440
Enable HDR on Display and Windows
Start a game that allows this custom resolution, and try running the custom resolution in-game (In the game PUBG this will cause the monitor to look for an input source until you ALT+F4 your way back to Windows)

So if I have my resolution pre-set to 2304x1440 for Apex (which is what I play at), and set up HDR before I enter game, it will launch game in a windowed mode (even if I had set it to fullscreen on launch). HDR will be working, but I'll be locked in that windowed mode. The moment I switch it to Fullscreen I get that problem searching for input source / blank screen, have to alt+F4. Does seem like it may be possible somehow to get Fullscreen HDR on 16:10 SOMEHOW but I don't know specifically how to get it. I'm not bothered and likely won't use HDR outside of watching a 2k/4k movie if at all.

#3 Alt tab to-and-from Windows and a directx game in "Full Screen" mode, and confirm that the wait before screen is displayed is ~3 seconds. On my Acer Predator this was instantaneous

Can confirm this. Alt-Tabbing OUT of the game takes about 3 seconds, but going back in was instant for me. Usually when there is a delay is because the monitor is changing frequencies (300Hz to 240Hz or something) so there may be a fix/setting for this that is possible as we are staying in 300Hz. Perhaps creating one resolution in CRU and deleting all others may be a solution (at your own risk). A CRU custom resolution may also solve #2 (but I have no idea which settings).

#4 Can you notice or test a difference between using HDMI 2.1 and DP in regards to my 3 issues, or anything else? (If you have a HDMI 2.1 compatible GPU that is..)

I hooked up DP 1.4 and tried it and didn't notice any difference, but its kinda hard to tell cause they aren't side by side. Both are able to do 300Hz 1440p (or 2304x1440) 10 bit RGB on SDR, therefore DSC must be being used here in DisplayPort 1.4. On HDMI 2.1 its not so clear because HDMI 2.1 has the bandwidth to handle this without DSC, but as per the manual it says DSC is required. I can't find a way to discern if DSC is on or off (perhaps you know?)

Interesting... Thank you so much for testing this!

The 277 FPS if V-Sync=On is not a game/engine thing as I tested in initially on PUBG(Unreal Engine 4) and CS:GO(Source).
Could I bother you to see if it is a DP / HDMI thing, as I am on DP.. I ALT+Tabl from 300hz Windows to 300hz game.
I will try to use DDUH and completely rinse my system of drivers of gpu and displays..
I am using newest game-ready nvidia driver btw.

I don't know how to test if DSC is on, but from all the info I have been able to gather, 8bit and DSC should be just as fine as 10bit no compression, but idk for sure.

[destroya_cs]

I could not replicate your 277 FPS / Hz issue with DP 1.4 either. Not sure what's going on there.

2560x1440 can alt-tab instantly with certain games it seems, but still have the 3 second issue on some games and with 16:10 (for example CS:GO on 2560x1440 tabs instantly for me). DDU/CRU may solve this.

I'm on NVIDIA 522.25, a bit older and more stable of a driver for my 4090. Running Windows 10 21H2.

If I'm feeling brave this weekend I'll mess around with Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) to try and fix alt-tab delay. I'll probably try cleaning system first with DDU first like you are doing.

[Boomchakadah]

VRR does not work with any other OD settings than Normal!

The 270hz 1440p versions (XB273U GXbmiipruzx and XV272U Xbmiipruzx) had the same issue. Since OD normal was tuned for 240Hz/270hz, in singleplayer games/at low framerates (120ish and below), OD normal had too much overshoot. Switching to OD OFF removed the overshoot, but that introduced screen-tearing. Do you see a lot of overshoot on yours at 120ish fps with OD normal?

[olain]

VRR does not work with any other OD settings than Normal!

The 270hz 1440p versions (XB273U GXbmiipruzx and XV272U Xbmiipruzx) had the same issue. Since OD normal was tuned for 240Hz/270hz, in singleplayer games/at low framerates (120ish and below), OD normal had too much overshoot. Switching to OD OFF removed the overshoot, but that introduced screen-tearing. Do you see a lot of overshoot on yours at 120ish fps with OD normal?

I'm sorry, but I don't think I am able to really answer that, because I don't think I am that affected by that effect
BUT I will say this, I bought the monitor directly from Acer (right now there seems to be a discount on this monitor), and it was DHL Express, no delivery fee, and you can try the product and return it for full price. I confirmed this with a sales rep.