BenQ PV3200U

Great colour coverage, integrated 2.1 speakers and a handy puck, but beware of this monitor's limitations

- SASHA MULLER

BenQ targets the PV3200U at video editors and content creators, and as you can spend a small fortune on high-end monitors for content production it’s tempting: a colour-accurate 32in 4K IPS panel with builtin 2.1 speakers for £700 sounds like a bargain. That temptation is reinforced by the specs, with BenQ promising 95% DCI-P3 coverage, Calman Verified accreditation plus a wireless puck to jump between settings and sources.

Every inch is finished in a dark charcoal grey, and the result is a smart, unassuming monitor. The plastic construction feels lightweight, but I have no complaints about the stand. Ample adjustability comes via the tubular design and wide base, which provide stable support for the screen, and you get 115mm of smooth height adjustment. You can also rotate the panel around clockwise into a portrait orientation.

DisplayPort is absent, but there are three HDMI 2.0 ports, which makes sense for the target market. The USB-C input supports DisplayPort Alt inputs and provides 65W of power delivery; the first misstep, as content creators will likely use laptops with higher power demands. There’s no USB-B port, but you will find one USB-C port and three USB-A ports for peripherals.

One limitation is that using the USB-C port for video means that you'll have to choose between 4K 60Hz images and USB 2 transfer speeds, and 4K 30Hz and 5Gbits/sec USB transfer speeds. If you want 4K 60Hz and maximal USB throughput, then you'll need a USB-C cable for data and a separate HDMI cable for video.