PG32UCDP Proper Windows HDR Calibration settings?

[EthanJL721]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I'm having a hard time finding any information on this. 

I recently switched from the PG32UCDM to the PG32UCDP, and I just can't seem to get the HDR settings right. Everything seems super dim, or blown out without really anything in between.

I'm using MCM103 in Console HDR mode. My current OSD settings are...

Adjustable HDR: On

Brightness: 100

Contrast: 80

Color Temp: User, R100, G99, B97 (TFT Central)

Saturation: 60

I've seen someone post settings of...

Min Lum: 0, Max Lum: 1400, Full Frame Lum: 1400

And someone posting about the monitor clipping on any HDR setting at anything over 420 nits. So...

Min Lum: 0, Max Lum: 420, Full Frame Lum: 420

Neither of these look right to my eye, and I could really use some clarity on the manner.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[ElMateo1221]

From my experience with this monitor (I had the qd oled version as well) something is really wrong with HDR. I tested all configurations on latest firmware as well and here are my findings: 

- Console HDR - clips at 420 nits no matter the brightness setting. However it achieves up to 1300 nits in very small windows. It is something similar to those “boosted” modes on UCDM. This is not how it should be as it should go up to 1300 in calibration and works as a proper HGIG mode. On other ASUs monitor with the MLA panel it works this way so calibration and using the HDR is simple - you just set it to the correct peak value and enjoy. It needs an update on firmware side. For now it is the most “correct” mode, if you want accuracy and bright as intended highlights. Problems starts to appear when the game does not support any form of HDR calibration or doesn’t respond to the Windows one. Then you have to use the other 2 modes for now. 

- Gaming HDR - goes up to 1300 nits in calibration but overblowns highlights and make every detail washed out. Looks similar to the brightness boosted console or gaming mode on UCDM. This is not a correct image, you are losing details and everything is overbrighten (look at the sun for example). 

- Cinema HDR - does tone mapping on the monitor site. Does not respond to any calibration sliders. This is a mode known as DTM on TVs. However highlights are not as bright as it should and look dull in comparison. Good option to use in games or movies that don’t let you calibrate HDR properly (ex. MFS 2020, the 2024 versions responds to Windows HDR calibration). 

Those are the options for now. It needs to be corrected in a similar way to the ASUS AQDMG which works great in HDR and shows that they can provide us with proper HDR mode if they want to. Personally I am using the Console HDR mode as the highlights are accurate and bright. Remember to always adjust the sliders in games. Don’t worry about the 420 nits cap - it uses same kind of boost just like the UCDM version (here is it related to the use of MLA layer). Some prefer the over-brightned Gaming HDR mode but for me the overblown highlights are not acceptable on such high end monitor. 

Hoper this clarifies the issue a bit.

[EthanJL721]

I appreciate the detailed rundown. 

Sounds like Console HDR is the way to go for the time being. What values should I tune it to within Windows HDR Calibration? 1300 or 420? Do the same values apply to both the Max and Full Frame Luminance settings?

Apologies if you answered this and I'm just too stupid to understand it. 😅

[ElMateo1221 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you should set both values at 420/430 nits. In games never set the peak brightness value above that as even slightly bigger value crushes the highlights. It is sometimes better to leave same margin, for example when you have sliders with an image to disappear, it is better to leave it 1 step before it fully disappears. 
But for Window calibration: 0,420,420. When using gaming or cinema HDR mode it doesn’t matter what you set here, the monitor is doing the tone mapping on its own. 

[EthanJL721]

Got it, thank you so much! Here's hoping an MCM104 is on the horizon to fix these lingering issues.