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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
Lenovo claims 450 nits for the R45w-30, but my sample didn’t quite get there. 415 nits, however, is extremely bright when a monitor is this large, so I have no complaints. The default brightness setting of 75 is only a tick above 200 nits, which is an ideal light level here. The black level of 0.1341 nit is very good relative to other VA screens and delivers a solid contrast ratio of 3,098.2:1.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration makes no difference in contrast, which remains just over 3,000:1, excellent performance. The top four screens are nearly identical to the naked eye and will have a lot more pop and depth than the IPS-based Monoprice, which is a decent monitor in its own right.
ANSI contrast drops a little to 2,770.9:1, but that is a typical result. I noted a slight hotspot in the bottom center of the screen that is affecting this test. Again, there is no cause for complaint.
Test Takeaway:The R45w-30 delivers average contrast for the VA ultra/mega-wide monitor class. It can be set quite bright which will be an advantage for those with sunny offices. Black levels are about as good as it gets for LCD monitors, so the picture is vibrant and saturated with deep shadows and bright highlights.
MORE:How to Choose the Best HDR 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.
