My first time with UltraWide was NOT what I expected! - ASUS ProArt PA34VC

After many, MANY suggestions to give ultrawide monitors a try for my video production workflow, I finally gave in. I gave up my first time to the ASUS ProArt PA34VC - a 3440x1440 100hz IPS HDR (sorta) monitor that is both great for gaming and video editing.
But... maybe I won't replace my dual 4K monitor workflow with this one just yet... Let's talk about the differences between an ultra wide monitor vs normal 16:9 monitor when it comes to video production and screen casting.
This is my ASUS ProArt PA34VC Review

[Both products sent for review by their respective companies.]

Thanks for watching!
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[lexlex]

Have you had a look at powertoys and fancyzones? It would allow you to do some easier resizing and management.

[sethwilliamson]

I've been using 3440x1440 for about 3 years and 4k for 2 years. If anyone's interested, I'll share my impressions too.

# My Recent Monitor History:
*2009* -- Triple 22"
*2010* -- Replaced center monitor with a 30" 16:9 in landscape; turned the two 22" flanking it into portrait.
*2017* -- 34" 3440x1440 replaced all of that. Not having a second monitor still made me itch.
*2018* -- 23" 2160p added to scratch that itch. Subsequently decided to build a dedicated gaming rig. 3440x1440 moved to the gaming rig and bought a second 4k for the workstation. In other words, ultrawide on the gaming rig and dual 23" 2160p (4k) monitors on the workstation.
*2019* -- 43" 2160p took the ultrawide's spot on the gaming rig. What to do with the ultrawide? I moved it back to the workstation in addition to the 2x 4k displays. So now it's dual 4k plus ultrawide on the workstation and a 43" 4k for the gaming rig.

*Streaming/Recording*
For streaming or recording, I'd _emphatically_ suggest to anyone to stay at 16:9. The pixel scaling issues, and then the layout hassles aren't worth it. Whether you letterbox or crop, half of your audience will complain. I'd say go with 2160p if you can/want, but good old 1080p if you can't or don't care about that many pixels. 2160 --> 1080 is easy downscaling. 1440 --> 720 is another 2:1 step. At 1080p, your resolution won't be a reason you're not growing/retaining viewers. 720 might get you the occasional comment, but this channel has shown how it could actually improve your stream to do so. Either is plenty good, especially with the continuing shift to viewership in handheld screens. Ultrawide content creators definitely have more of a struggle. It's wonky on non-ultrawide displays and viewers click away.

*I just wanna play, man*
For gaming with no regard for recording/streaming, it depends on what you play. I love the real estate of the 21:9 monitor for some games like MMOs where I can have some UI elements up but out of my way, or panoramic games, driving games, etc. Side scrollers are interesting on ultra-wide. However, for some older titles, they'll puke all over your screen if you try to play them. Skyrim for example, the UI gets very derpy to the point of unusable without some mods that replace the elements with ultrawide versions, but then those mods may not be compatible with other mods you might want. However, when I go back to 16:9 I really miss the panorama sometimes. I've done multi-monitor gaming in the past, starting with expensive hardware signal splitters and even with small bezels, it just isn't the same.

*4K?*
As for 4k, I was very hyped when I got my first monitor. I'd heard all the amazing tales and I was so excited to bask in the glory. When I fired up a few games after plugging it in, my reaction was kinda "That's it?" Now, where I really noticed the pixel density made a huge difference for me when working with text. So much crisper and less eye fatigue. I immediately switched over to doing the bulk of my 'day job' work primarily on 4k and I've noticed a huge difference in how my eyes feel at the end of a day.

*Large Format*
I had a 30" 16:9 at my desk at one point, but it was too big. Eye movement was way too excessive and lead to headaches and eye fatigue. If you can push back away from it, it's fine. That actually lead to where I'm at now with my gaming monitor. I'm using a 43" 2160p for gaming, but it's like 2 arms-lengths away from me. Last year, my wife and I set up side-by-side gaming stations with mini-recliners and 43" 4k monitors. We looked up THX guidelines for screen size to viewing distance, and at that scale, the 4k is worthwhile IMO for gaming or video/movies. It's been great, both from a gaming perspective and a relationship perspective.

*Current Workstation*
The desk where my workstation is at is set up in an L-shape with two 27" 2160p monitors on one side and a 34" 3440x1440 on the other. I just can't make up my mind. My eyes love working on the higher pixel density of the 4k monitors, but there are some tasks that are just nicer to do on the wider screen. I can't quite bring myself to ditch the ultra-wide. If I could have a 21:9 with the pixel pitch/density of a 23" 4k monitor, that just might be my perfect monitor if I could have only one. I do find myself enjoying having at least one additional monitor though, even if it's just to throw up YouTube of Netflix. If I could only have one monitor and I was stuck with a 16:9, I'd be very, very frustrated. Being stuck with one monitor at 21:9 is less painful than a single monitor at 16:9.

I'm not totally content with the display situation on my workstation. Having both the dual 4k side and the ultra-wide side feels wasteful and excessive and not particularly ergonomic. Frankly, it's a bit awkward to use. It's more like having two workstations where I have to rotate 90-degrees to use one or the other. The ultra-wide is just too wide to comfortable have flanking monitors like my old triple-monitor setup. They'd be usable for something like half-backgrounding some YouTube videos while you work or throwing up some seldom-used monitoring software or something, but the eye and head movement wouldn't be nice for a long workday if it was something more actively used.

I'm toying with the idea of experimenting with a pair of 15.6" 1080p monitors in portrait (since they'll match the screen height of the 23") in a triple monitor config. I prefer having one main central monitor versus having to cock my head left or right for prolonged periods with a dual setup.

*Recommendations:*
* Streaming/recording: 16:9 @ 2160p if you wan/want; 1080p if you can't/don't.
* For gaming and not streaming/recording: 3440x1440 accepting that some older titles may need to be played in windowed mode if available.
* Only going to have one monitor: 3440x1440 and see if Asus MultiFrame, Display Fusion or similar will help.
* For working with text: All other things being equal, a higher resolution on the same size screen will be much easier on the eyes (assuming the text is scaled so you aren't having to squint.)

For a dream dedicated editing station, I imagine you'd want maybe 4 monitors if you have room & budget.
(1) 3440x1440 for your timeline and main editor suite UI
(2) A standard office monitor where you have all of your clips, assets, etc to grab and pull in quickly. (Panoramic ideal)
(3) A standard office monitor for things like the script, notes, desktop, etc. (Panoramic ideal)
(4) Reference/grading monitor where you can fullscreen the project you're working on
* Note separate GPUs are recommended for the displays and image processing.

I know that's a heck of a lot of text for a YT comment, and only the most dedicated of monitor nerds (like me) will have actually read it, but I hope it's useful to at least someone. :)

[LrdLogan]

Thank you for the native 21:9 upload, looks a lot better! especially on my 21:9 monitor - 2560x1080

[drunkev]

I cannot agree more about valuing desk space. I can't even bring myself to put my PCs ON the desk. Always on the floor under or next to my desk.

[GoodBadProductReviews]

can u help me ? how can i Changing input port on ASUS ProArt PA34VC

[Markelijk]

Hi EposVox, I have some trouble with OBS and Premiere Pro. My Premiere Pro is extremely laggy when playing back a file recorded with OBS, no matter what setting I use, and I'm using a i9 9900k with an RTX 2070 Super with 32GB RAM, so that couldn't be the issue, right?.. Could you make an updated 2020 OBS settings video? That would be awesome! Love your video's :)

[nextInsiders]

I have 49” Samsung 32:9 monitor. Any arm that could help me out for this size? For window managment I use Power Toys.

[Crimly]

Please tell me what webcam mount are you using on the Brio?

[webzen]

I've been trying many monitors, however, found 34" 3440x1440 the best option for me (for coding, movies, and sometimes games with split screen). Now I'm reconsidering my workspace again. Finally deciding between 32" UHD and 34" 3440x1440. The good thing about 34" is that I can easily split screen and use two apps, and I'm satisfied to have only one monitor cos it works like two.
But the total square of 32" is a bit bigger than 34", so I'm still thinking...

[DARTHSKATER]

How can I stream with it? That's my dilemma

[justawfulgamer]

Ultra-wide... It's fun until your friends catch you doing it.

[Cichlid_Visuals]

can i just thank you for uploading a 21x9 video. had me tripped out i thought i had my ultrawide video extension active.

[desktoppcisnotalaptop]

Why don't windows just give us option to split single screen into 2/3/4 or more in software? Isin't this kinda obvioussly useful feature, especially for big monitors?

[joechristieartstudio]

I love seeing your YT sub counter above your monitors already be out of date by the time you publish your videos

[indubitable]

As an owner of an ultrawide monitor myself, I'd love to see more of your videos in 2.35:1/cinemascope! Any chance we'll get some more in the future? I loved watching your past few videos in this aspect ratio on floatplane

[KCouchot]

where do u get a animated halo desktop background?

[rolfathan]

Monitor arms that hold 17ish lbs will not function as advertised with a heavier monitor. That doesn't mean they will not hold a heavier one. See, a lot of them can be tightened, but will gradually lose flexibility. Mine is holding the 120hz Dell Alienware ultrawide. I had to tighten it so much that I can't easily move it up or down, I had to find a good height and sort of lock it at that. But it did allow me to get it at a good height and distance that I am very happy with. This arm was only $35, and entirely worth it just for that use IMO.

[grumpychocobo]

Just got my first ultrawide a few days ago. YouTube suggested this video today...so I click...and the video is done in ultrawide. lol Very nice.

[atreyujones]

This video really helped me out a lot with my decision, thank you very much. I would recommend maybe trying to organize your office a bit better though (no offense) lol

[indigomontari]

Even after getting my 34' 1440p a few years back I still kept my dual 1080 setup to flank the big one . Trust me after a while it will feel wrong to use any smaller aspect monitors. I would try adding a second one in portrait to the right to be used for comms use like discord, web browsing, and other tasks while "content creating". Forgoing the stand I went with a monitor riser shelf so I can still have storage underneath it.