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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 P32A2S2 delivers plenty of light output for SDR content with a peak white level of 377 nits. This is very bright, especially for a 32-inch panel. Even with a sunny window in your office, you’ll likely want to turn the brightness slider down to a more comfortable level.
The black level is the best of the IPS screens here at 0.2851 nit. This is excellent performance for the technology and is part of a recent trend towards better IPS contrast. I’ve seen several screens of late that can top 1,200 and 1,300:1 contrast like the P32A2S2.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration doesn’t change the finishing order and even adds a few points to the P32A2S2’s score with a final result of 1,385.3 nits peak SDR brightness. It is far enough ahead of the HP that one would see a difference in a side-by-side comparison. Only the VA-equipped CQ27G3Z has a greater advantage in contrast here.
The P32A2S2’s ANSI score is also impressive at 1,298.8:1. This is the consistency I’d expect from a premium monitor. That it is available in a budget screen is a plus.
Test Takeaway:Among IPS monitors, the P32A2S2 has few equals in contrast. It is possible to buy a brighter screen, but you’ll have to look hard to find more dynamic range. At 1,300:1, it is a class leader, and the image shows this by being vibrant and lifelike.
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.
