It only gets noticeable at about 80% brightness, but the excess light this generates can have a negative impact on detail in high contrast images. Now: £362.21 upfront or £30.34 p/m (Up to £234.12 off) The purpose of AQCOLOR is to provide consistent products calibrated in the factory to each panel with the right gamma, colour temperature, gamut, and uniformity adjustments. The PSU is internal, as we prefer, and there isn’t any annoying-and-easy-to-break plastic cover over the ports. Now: $99.99 ($50 off) That said, there’s no 4K support, and the 4K Max Stick doesn’t cost much more.

Now: $99.99 ($50 off) Now: Up to $550 off (With free Galaxy Buds 2) With Alexa voice support directly available on the remote, it’s easy to search for what you need. Now: $499.99 ($50 off) Was: £596.33 upfront or £49.94 p/m She is always on top of the latest news across streaming services, film and TV and is also interested in gaming and smart home products. While adjustments are good, their use is dependent on the hardware being able to deliver the colours that the designer wants, and this panel goes further than most. Amazon-owned app Twitch isn’t available on devices such as Roku, for example.

And, in the UK, the very similar Dell U2719D UltraSharp is even cheaper at £299.99, although a bit more in the US. Now: £649 (£150 off) HDR on this display is somewhat token, as it only supports HDR10 and the backlighting and contrast offered by IPS isn’t anywhere near enough to handle the extremes that HDR needs. Looking at the colour space overall, most of the extra space around the sRGB zone is focused on the red direction, with the green and blue components receiving much less space. In testing, the PD2705Q performed slightly better than BenQ predicted with 79% of AdobeRGB and 88% of P3 coverage. One issue with this screen, and it is generally experienced by all IPS designs, is that as the brightness increases, the backlight tends to bloom.

Even if you have a so-called ‘smart TV’, it’s likely to offer an inferior experience – not to mention a deficit in content – compared to the media streamers we’ve reviewed here. Apple MacBook users get an affordable monitor that is colour accurate and M-book mode, but this display isn’t cheap or an antidote for regular colour calibration. What the BenQ offers are the M-Book colour matching, ICC Sync and the excellent KVM functionality. For those aiming for a wide colour gamut with a decent contrast range, but not that interested in a high refresh, IPS (standing for in-plane switching) is the obvious choice.

If you already have either app installed it will keep working, but new users will no longer be able to download them. But it’s on here, for those that like tidy cabling scenarios. There’s also support for picture-in-picture with Ring doorbells.

From: Virgin Media In addition, the device now has support for Google Stadia, so you can use it for gaming as well as streaming. We don’t all perceive colours or intensity identically, and while our BenQ PD2705Q came as acceptably configured out of the box, there is inevitably always room for improvement. Whilst it’s more expensive than other streaming sticks, it has all the apps you need and offers a built-in Amazon Echo speaker, which can be used for multiple things. From: Virgin Media Now: £37 Clubcard Price (£13 off) Hannah specialises in entertainment, technology and lifestyle.

Now: $69.99 ($29.99 off) These days you don’t need to buy a smart TV to access services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or BBC iPlayer. Another area it might have been better was in respect of the OSD (On Screen Display), not that the menu is an issue, but BenQ went with the old but cumbersome line of buttons control. If that’s the case, you may as well save some cash and buy a Fire TV stick instead. If you only have a 1080p panel, opt for the 3rd-gen Fire Stick. Whilst the remote doesn’t have a headphone jack, you can connect Bluetooth earphones for private listening.

It’s rare for one device to offer everything, but many have a wide range, with hundreds or even thousands of apps to choose from. It’s now up there with the best from Amazon. You only need a little gadget that plugs into and HDMI socket.

But the contrast levels are generally good, and the brightness is close enough to the quoted level for us to be happy. Up until recently, Roku’s Streaming Stick+ was our #1 choice, but as you can read in more detail below, a spat between Roku and Google means new Roku devices will not have access to YouTube from 9 December 2021. All the main free and paid catch-up and on-demand streaming services are catered for, and Amazon’s interface is easy-to-use – even if it is a little heavy on the self-promotion. At the time of writing, you can still download both YouTube and Amazon Prime Video on Roku and Now TV devices – but YouTube TV is no longer available.

If you just want all the streaming apps for a low price, then the Fire TV Stick Lite is the one for you. It combines the standard ICC colour profile information with that of the output device to achieve more accurate colour settings, or ICC Sync as they’ve called this function. Streaming boxes like the Apple TV are, well, boxes and they tend to sit underneath your TV and then connect via an HDMI cable. The addition of a handle on the very top of the mount makes handling the monitor easier, and also reduces the possibility of back strain. Whilst Roku devices have in the past been at the top of this chart, the devices lose one of the biggest streaming apps around – YouTube – on 9 December.

BenQ created an M-Book mode specifically for these customers to configure the PD2705Q to match the screen of the MacBook Pro when using them in conjunction. As the foundations for this design, BenQ chose the LG LM270WQ4-SSC1 AH-IPS panel, and BenQ provides a production printed analysis of the used panel by its AQCOLOR process in each box. Only the best deals on the best products handpicked by our expert editors The Streaming Stick+ from Roku brings 4K streaming for an affordable price. Then you connect a laptop using the USB-C port and cable, and you then use the OSD to select that machine as the source for the display via USB-C.

Existing users who already have the YouTube app can continue to use it, but you won’t be able to get the app on a device bought after that date. In addition, users in the UK should keep in mind that Now TV streaming sticks use the same hardware as Roku’s. The device has a lot going for it including upgraded wireless, smooth performance, and a decent remote that is easy to use, with controls for both the volume and power, and voice support. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

But, if you’re an iPhone, iPad or Mac user, you’ll love the AirPlay support the Apple TV offers, allowing you to wirelessly stream content from your phone or tablet to the big screen instantly. As a result of these disputes, Roku has already lost the YouTube TV app, and will no longer have access to the main YouTube app from 9 December. The 4K Max is the best Fire TV Stick yet, with improvements including Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor and support for picture-in-picture.

But, with a well-stocked app store containing all popular streaming services, it’s not difficult to recommend. It’s not as good as native 4K content, but it’s certainly the next best thing. For most users, the factory calibration of this screen is probably good enough, but you might want to check that the gamma is right if you have a calibrator, as it was below the nominal level on our review hardware. The only downside is that it is not really a useful device if you already have an Echo speaker. The Streaming Stick+ doesn’t have a headphone jack directly on the remote, and the lack of a HDMI extension cable may make setting up a little tricky.

Here, we round up the best media players and streaming sticks and boxes you can buy that let you watch endless TV shows and films. Designs have changed a little over time so some, like the Fire Stick, have a small cable and tend to be called dongles. Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you.

A great example of how IPS technology can be tweaked to deliver a wide spectrum is the new BenQ PD2705Q. If you like the sound of the Roku system with its roster of catch-up TV and streaming apps, games and high-end features like AirPlay 2 support, and also want to upgrade your TV audio system at the same time, the Roku Streambar is a capable and budget-friendly option. However, there are no volume or power buttons on the remote, something you do get on the more expensive Amazon sticks.

Offering the capabilities similar to that of the Roku Streaming Stick+, including 4K HDR support, it’s a fully-fledged Roku streamer embedded within a great-sounding, compact soundbar that’ll sit in front of your TV. The biggest issue here is the price since there are other similarly specified screens in the market that undercut this design significantly. Now: £899.90 (£100 off) Only the best deals on the best products handpicked by our expert editors Typically, a 27in panel of this resolution using IPS technology should cost around $240 or £220, and the BenQ PD2705Q is nearly double that price. Rumours that Roku devices would also lose access to Amazon Prime Video appear unfounded: Roku has confirmed that the contract for renewal with Amazon isn’t happening at the moment – so if it does go, it won’t be anytime soon. When DisplayPort first appeared, this was one of its significant advances over HDMI, but relatively few monitors ever had this feature, disappointingly.

Mark is an expert on displays, reviewing monitors and TVs. You can play casual games such as Tetris on Roku and Amazon devices, or opt for the Nvidia Shield TV for something a little more console-esque. It has support for HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos content, and has an easy-to-use interface with a broad range of apps, including Twitch – which isn’t available on other rivals such as Roku. Was: £596.33 upfront or £49.94 p/m In addition, Now: $59.95 ($40 off) There are no huge benefits to either unless you have a wall-mounted TV and have nowhere to sit a box.

The 3rd-gen Amazon Fire TV Stick is a great-value media streamer if your TV doesn’t have all the apps you need. The KVM functionality dictates that once you’ve selected the laptop as the display, the mouse and keyboard automatically switch over to that system, and they switch back if you revert the source to DisplayPort. Siri is also included on the remote, so you can control via your voice.

The only complaint? The lack of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video apps, meaning there’s a lack of 4K content beyond what’s available on YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Some have the ability to control your TV (normally power and volume) and might even have a headphone jack so you can easily listen privately. But then for anyone working with colour accuracy consistency of the light around the screen is important, making this functionality a bit redundant to our minds.

However, it is at the high end when it comes to streaming boxes, and the loss of access to YouTube is something to keep in mind. Roku has accused YouTube of unjustly requesting user data which can be used to benefit its own services, amongst other things. Others might support voice search via Alexa or Google Assistant. However, it is possible to use it for both those jobs, since the decode speed is decent and it does at least have HDR10 support.

What the support doesn’t provide is much in the way of cable management, other than a hole that cables can pass through to funnel them together before they connect. Ebuyer has it for the same price but you can save a few pounds via Box. If you have an iOS device, then the latest Apple TV 4K is a compelling choice. However, there’s no escaping the high price, and competition from other media streamers is stiff, too. Exactly what colours are in the gamut are impacted by the Picture Mode chosen in the OSD, since that menu offers both REC.709 and sRGB as choices.

That avoids the need for a docking station unless a wired LAN port is also required. There’s also Apple Arcade, which the latest generation of Apple TV 4K is plenty capable of running. But there is one feature on this monitor that for those who need it they will love, and that’s an inbuilt KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse). Many of the recent BenQ designs I’ve encountered are excellent when it comes to getting them out of the box and on to a desk. The decoding lag is also reasonably low, though the 60Hz refresh doesn’t allow enough scope for adaptive sync, and BenQ didn’t bother to implement it.

When monitor makers make displays that are approaching colour accurate, I’ve noticed that it impacts proportionally on the price. Now: From £21 per month Assembly involves attaching the foot to the support and then snapping that into the screen to lift it out of the styrene packing. Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Speaker capabilities aside, the Fire TV Cube has support for 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos. That might seem like a minor thing, but over-complicated assembly and unbalanced structures are commonplace in monitors with adjustable supports. The PD2705Q is a 27in display that offers 2560×1440 (Quad HD) and can be configured to 10-bit or 12-bit (with HDMI 2.0) colour representation with dithering, from within the GPU driver configuration, if the driver software offers those options.

I also noticed that the ambient light sensor tends to be more aggressive with adjustments than I’d be happy with. It’s a huge upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers and, with AirPlay support, it’s a particularly great buy for Apple users. But, I’m not wholly convinced that these alone are worth the cost difference between this and the Asus PA278QV, as an example. On the plus side of this hardware are some unexpected bonus features that include the ability to take 4K signals and downsample them automatically. The Chromecast with Google TV is the firm’s best ever streamer.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Roku told Tech Advisor, " We have renewal discussions with hundreds of partners each year in the normal course of business that are focused on achieving mutually beneficial agreements providing our customers the best possible user experience and value. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Now has declined to comment on whether it will also lose YouTube at the end of the year, so again, keep this in mind.

Streaming maxes out at 1080p FHD at 60fps, so if you are looking to enjoy 4K or HDR10 content instead, look to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max instead. Using this approach, BenQ has achieved both CalMAN verification and Pantone validation on this screen. Check out our chart of the best monitors.

Now: $59.95 ($40 off) From: Laptops Direct The lack of greater than 60Hz refresh or adaptive sync options won’t make the BenQ PD2705Q a display that will attract gamers, and the extremely limited HDR choices also negate it as being ideal for video watching or editing. Couple that with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support across Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Google Assistant support, access to AAA gaming via GeForce Now and a new triangular remote with backlit media keys and you’ve got a truly premium media streaming experience. And, most importantly, the software is simple, easy to use and stutter-free. Many of them also have the ability to run other apps and even games. The redesigned Siri remote is easy to use, with a mix of click-based controls and swiping.

Even if you’re not considering rivals, it’s worth upgrading from an older Chromecast. The Nvidia Shield TV offers the most complete media streamer experience on the market right now, although it’s not the cheapest gadget in our chart by a long shot. My only reservation about the Type-C connector BenQ provided is that while it will charge the connected laptop, it has a maximum output of 67 watts. You can even buy optional gamepads for some if you’re serious about wanting to play like that.

The design of the remote is also something to consider. The remote control with Google Assistant and the excellent Google TV interface combine to create a great way to browse and discover content from a range of services and in 4K with wide HDR support, too. It’s also quick and easy to set-up, with a refined design that sits unobtrusively behind your TV. Now: $69.99 ($29.99 off) If you still primarily watch TV over streaming services, the Manhattan T3-R is a great option.

Included in the box are a DisplayPort cable, USB-C cable and USB downlink, and depending on the region you might also get an HDMI cable. Even with such a narrow frame, the designers managed to avoid backlight shadowing, and the illumination is very consistent across the display. But this would all be moot if the monitor didn’t take into account the colour profile of the video subsystem that it is connected, and that’s considered by BenQ’s Display Pilot software, available for the PC and Mac. The colour representation is much better than a typical office monitor, even if most of the extended colour gamut leans towards the red side of the spectrum. It offers Freeview Play, complete with 85 channels (15 of which are HD), and you’ll also find catch-up apps from all the main UK broadcasters if you miss something on TV.

Plug into your TV via HDMI and connect to the internet so you watch a wealth of content. The rectangular foot provides excellent stability but doesn’t take much desk space, making this a good choice for those that are ergonomically limited. The 3rd-gen remote adds more buttons for more TV control, while behind-the-scenes improvements (such as an upgrade to the underlying Android version) mean you’ll now get Atmos from Netflix, and you can control the volume of Bluetooth headphones and speakers using the remote control. In the UK it can be found on Amazon for £403.98, and in the USA that translates to $399.99, which is on the expensive side for a screen this scale and specification.

They go by many names – streaming sticks, streaming boxes, media players and more – but they all do the same thing. This design is promoted as ‘factory calibrated’, which to our thinking is positioning BenQ to fail in the minds of those who possess and use a calibrator regularly. He also covers storage including SSDs, NAS drives and portable hard drives. For a long time, the best colour representation for general use came from OLED display technology.

Of course, Amazon could do with toning down the self-promotion. Now: £679 (£120 off) In theory, with M-Book mode selected from the OSD, a MacBook Pro screen and the monitor should have a remarkably close colour representation, allowing them both to be used for colour adjustments simultaneously. But the continued high cost, relative to other display technology, and issues with longevity have made screen makers look towards enhancing other display constructions as affordable alternatives.

When buying a streaming device, check it has the specs and features you need. Imagine that you have a desktop PC connected via DisplayPort and the USB downlink enables the mouse and keyboard to connect to the PD2705Q. Even when the buttons are lined up with the menu, this method never seems as intuitive a solution as a joystick. But for those editing photos or working with printed graphics, there is plenty to like here, especially if they use an Apple Mac alongside a desktop computer.

A good comparison is the Asus PA278QV, another 27in display with the same resolution that is also CalMAN verified that costs just £349.99 or $294.99. The PD2705Q comes in just three main parts that consist of the foot, the support and the panel. Overall, the PD2705Q is good, but maybe given the promotional material that BenQ released around it, created expectations that it could never realistically meet. He started writing in 1986 and had contributed to MicroMart, PC Format, 3D World among others. We’ve also reflected this change in the list above.

Only the best deals on the best products handpicked by our expert editors You also can’t switch users on this device. Now: $599 ($360 off) There’s also the option to play audio via the HomePod, should you prefer. Only the best deals on the best products handpicked by our expert editors Learn more. Another exciting diversion from the norm is a second DisplayPort connection to allow the chaining of monitors.

The upgraded A12 Bionic chip brings support for high framerate HDR content, and the OS is simple and slick. Gaming is a bonus feature on some media streamers. It features [email protected] playback, like its predecessor, but the new Shield TV takes things a step further with AI-based 4K upscaling that makes even 360p content look sharp and crisp. The inclusion of Alexa voice support, volume buttons and power buttons on the remote also give you much more control over your TV than the Fire Stick Lite. If you’re looking to combine your media streamer with a smart speaker, then the 2nd-gen Amazon Fire TV Cube is one to consider.

Now: £679 (£120 off) In addition, the YouTube app won’t be available from 9 December 2021, which could be a dealbreaker for some people. The content available through each streamer is the most important factor for a lot of people. There are ads on the home screen, and heavy promotion for Amazon-owned content from Prime Video and IMDb TV. This is why it’s crucial to check that the services you want are available.

The IPS technology used in the panel has excellent 178-degree viewing angles, and with the 140mm of vertical travel on the stand, it is possible to use the PD2705Q in portrait mode just as easily as landscape. The way this works is rather innovative since it leverages the ability USB-C to perform multiple jobs at once. Now: From £21 per month In this case, get a stick so it can be hidden behind your set.

Now: £362.21 upfront or £30.34 p/m (Up to £234.12 off) Now: £1,499.97 (£400 off) This is because of failed negotiations during the renewal contract for the app. But frankly, most people will have buckets of HDMI cables by now. Below the 85 watts that some laptops require to recharge or run their onboard GPU rapidly. And, the lack of localised dimming is a major drawback for displaying HDR content.

Now: $599 ($360 off) But as impressively featured as this design is, people will buy this monitor primarily because of its display, so let’s talk about that. Now: $24.98 ($24 off off) Boasting a 500GB or 1TB HDD, you’ve also got the option of pausing, rewinding or recording TV shows, with the ability to record two channels while watching a third simultaneously. The quoted gamut for sRGB is 100%, 78% on Adobe RGB and 85% of DCI-P3 coverage.

It doesn’t have hands-free Alexa like the more expensive Fire TV Cube, but for only £5/$5 https://jiji.ug/kalagala/services more than the 2018 Stick 4K, it is the best choice if you have a 4K TV. Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Now: £649 (£150 off) It will deliver 4K resolution at 60Hz, with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and other HDR and surround-sound formats. Those who use the Apple MacBook Pro have some features designed specifically for them, as the colour profile of these devices is well documented.

If you have a Ring doorbell, the video will appear when someone presses the button, too. The difference here is minimal but a stick is what you’d imagine; a stick-like device that plugs directly into your TV. Now: £899.90 (£100 off)

BenQ DesignVue PD2705Q review

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p>By Mark Pickavance, Contributor | 25 Nov 2020 Now: Up to $550 off (With free Galaxy Buds 2) Now: £37 Clubcard Price (£13 off) The DesignVue PD2705Q isn’t a cheap display, but BenQ has delivered something decidedly different from what other display makers are offering. Learn more. This means we cannot unreservedly recommend Roku streaming devices, though if you don’t need or want to watch YouTube, they remain a good choice. Google Stadia is one of the most popular options for cloud gaming, which you can get directly on Chromecast. Now: $499.99 ($50 off) Our Amazon agreement is not up for renewal at this time and there are currently no negotiations underway." Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you.

Now: £1,499.97 (£400 off) Now: $24.98 ($24 off off) That’s a big difference. With many devices costing under £50/$50, they are one of the best value smart home devices you can get. Regardless, YouTube is one of the most popular streaming services, so if you want to watch YouTube videos on your TV, Roku isn’t an option at the moment. From: Laptops Direct You can navigate your Fire TV interface hands-free (something none of the Amazon sticks offer) and use it to check weather forecasts, get news updates, set timers, reminders, control smart home kit and more. By Hannah Cowton, Senior Staff Writer | 04 Nov 2021 If you don’t watch YouTube, then it’s still a decent device to consider.

A monitor design laser-focused on those that work with colour professionally and use a variety of techniques to enhance chromatic accuracy and consistency. Not all support 4K Ultra HD resolution output and you’ll also want to check for HDR for a more vibrant picture. And therefore, if you are working exclusively in either of the latter colour spaces, this might not be the design for you.