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Brightness and Contrast
To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check outDisplay Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors.We cover brightness and contrast testing onpage two.
Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
The Omen 32 OLED only has variable brightness in HDR mode which means peak measurements are the same for full field and 25% window patterns. My sample brushed the underside of 260 nits, which is plenty of brightness for general and professional use. SDR games could use a little more verve, but this is nit-picking. It is on par with the other screens that lack a variable brightness option. Remember that HDR mode does have it in three different peak levels. More on that later. Black levels and contrast are the same as any OLED: unmeasurable and theoretically infinite.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration doesn’t change the Omen 32 OLED‘s contrast or black level. 200 nits is an appropriate setting for a room with medium lighting. My office lets some sunlight in, and I was comfortable at this level. The ANSI checkerboard pattern is also unaffected by changes in the brightness setting.
Test Takeaway:The Omen 32 OLED lacks variable brightness for SDR content. This is a minor omission because it is still plenty bright for indoor environments. It has plenty of punch and impact for SDR games and even more in HDR mode, where the brightness does vary up to peaks of 1,000 nits.
MORE:How to Buy a PC Monitor
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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom’s Hardware US. He’s a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.
