Where did they cut corners? Prism+ F270i PRO 165HZ 1440p Display IN DEPTH REVIEW

Summary

The video review of the Prism F270i Pro monitor critiques its performance, especially for professional content creation. While it offers solid gaming features like fast refresh rates and a good 1440p display, its color accuracy and HDR performance are subpar for professional use. The reviewer highlights the misleading use of 'Pro' in the name and criticizes the lack of clarity in marketing, particularly regarding HDR400 and response time features. The review concludes that the F270i Pro is a good choice for gamers but not for those seeking a high-quality color-accurate monitor, recommending the non-Pro version for better value.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Prism F270i Pro is marketed as a professional monitor, but it’s primarily designed for gaming, with performance more suited to casual gaming rather than professional content creation.
• 🎨 The monitor's color accuracy is underwhelming for professional work, as it doesn't meet the standards required for tasks like color grading.
• 💡 HDR 400 certification is misleading; the monitor doesn't deliver true HDR performance due to insufficient brightness (only 400 nits), making it unsuitable for HDR content viewing.
• ⏱️ To achieve the advertised 1ms response time, users must manually enable the MPRT overdrive feature, which is not user-friendly and may not be easily accessed by average consumers.
• 🛠️ The monitor's menu system is described as poor, making it difficult for users to adjust settings efficiently.
• 📊 While the monitor offers decent gaming performance with smooth gameplay and a good refresh rate, it falls short in color accuracy and contrast for serious professional use.
• ❗ The term 'pro' in the monitor’s name is misleading, leading to raised expectations that the product can handle professional workloads when it cannot.
• 🎮 The monitor excels in gaming, providing good refresh rates, viewing angles, and decent enough colors for casual gaming experiences.
• 💰 For its price, the monitor provides good value as a gaming display, but its features don't justify the premium compared to other models, especially for non-professional use.
• 🚫 The reviewer suggests opting for the cheaper non-pro F270i (with VA panel), as it provides similar performance without the higher cost associated with the IPS panel version.
• 🔧 The reviewer expresses skepticism about the longevity and support of Prism, a smaller brand, noting that their customer service and warranty might not be as robust as larger brands.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the Prism F270i Pro monitor's marketing?

The main issue is that it is marketed as a 'pro' monitor, which raises expectations for professional-grade color accuracy and HDR performance. However, the monitor fails to deliver in these areas, making it unsuitable for professional use despite its claims.

How does the Prism F270i Pro perform in gaming?

The monitor performs well in gaming with fast response times, high refresh rates, and good viewing angles. It provides a solid gaming experience, especially in games like CS:GO, League of Legends, and Cyberpunk, making it a great choice for casual and competitive gaming.

Why is the Prism F270i Pro not recommended for professional content creation?

The F270i Pro isn't suitable for professional content creation due to its poor color accuracy and limited HDR capabilities. While it covers a portion of the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts, it does not provide the level of color accuracy required for serious work like color grading.

What are the limitations of the HDR 400 certification on the F270i Pro?

Despite having an HDR 400 certification, the monitor lacks the brightness needed to display true HDR content effectively. HDR requires a brightness of at least 1000 nits for a meaningful dynamic range, and the F270i Pro's 400 nits falls far short, making HDR content look unimpressive.

How does the Prism F270i Pro compare to other panels like VA panels in terms of gaming performance?

VA panels provide a similar gaming experience, with improvements in color accuracy, contrast, and viewing angles. The F270i Pro's IPS panel may offer better color reproduction, but the price difference isn't justified for gaming alone, especially when VA panels have become more competitive in this regard.

What is the issue with the F270i Pro's MPRT (Motion Picture Response Time) setting?

The MPRT setting, which improves response time and reduces ghosting, is not enabled by default on the F270i Pro. Users must manually adjust the setting through the monitor's difficult-to-navigate menu, which can be confusing for average users who might miss out on the full gaming experience.

Why does the reviewer dislike the 'Pro' label attached to the F270i?

The reviewer believes that labeling the monitor as 'Pro' is misleading because it sets unrealistic expectations for professional performance, especially in areas like color accuracy and HDR. The term 'Pro' suggests a level of quality that the monitor does not deliver, making it a poor choice for professional users.

What alternatives does the reviewer suggest instead of the F270i Pro?

The reviewer suggests opting for the non-Pro version of the F270i, which uses a VA panel instead of IPS. This alternative offers a similar gaming experience at a lower price, making it a better choice for those who do not require the color accuracy promised by the IPS panel.

How does the Prism F270i Pro's support and brand reputation affect the recommendation?

The reviewer expresses concern about the support and warranty from Prism, a smaller brand. While they acknowledge the brand's positive reviews, the lack of a large, established support system might lead to issues for consumers if something goes wrong with the monitor.

What is the final recommendation from the reviewer regarding the F270i Pro?

The final recommendation is not to buy the F270i Pro. While it is a good monitor for gaming at a competitive price, it does not live up to its 'Pro' label and is not suitable for professional content creation. The reviewer suggests saving money and opting for the non-Pro version or investing in a more appropriate monitor for professional work.