Interview with Acer's Victor Chien 2023: Discussing the Current State and Future of Display Technology

G-LYFE Nation: I have a 40 series GPU specifically the 4090, and it's so powerful, I’m able to run my X38 at full power on any game. Where do you think the balance lies now between gaming monitors and GPUs? Is it monitors now that need to catch up to the GPU power?

Victor Chien, Acer President of Digital Display Products: The monitor performance used to be ahead, but with the 40 series performance, you can deliver max performance in QHD resolution up to 144 or even 175Hz. But for 4K or 2K resolution, we still need more power from the GPU. If you include all the special effects like Ray Tracing, etc., there is still room to work. But we believe 4K and 2K will deliver max performance and be mainstream soon.

G-LYFE Nation: That's exciting to hear. I was concerned it might be a while before monitors to catch up to GPU power, but it sounds like they still have plenty of room.

Victor Chien: Yes, there's still room to improve GPU performance to maximize current display technology. Some professional gamers believe going up to 240 frames per second can improve in-game performance in first-person shooting games.

G-LYFE Nation: AMD has finally made its stamp again in the GPU industry with the new AMD Radeon RX 7900 series. As it is beginning to play out, we are in store for a GPU price war. How does this affect the way Acer approaches the display market?

Victor Chien: Well, actually, when I think of the current state of things and the RX 7900 version, if we take ray tracing into consideration, the performance is still not good enough for QHD resolutions between 2160p and 1440p. However, the price war between AMD and NVIDIA is resulting in more affordable prices for QHD gaming displays, which are becoming increasingly popular. So, while the performance may not be there yet, the competition between the two companies is healthy for the game industry as it drives innovation and more affordable prices for consumers.

G-LYFE Nation: Can you talk about some of the challenges in producing products with different technologies like AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync?

Victor Chien: Actually, as these technologies become more mature, there aren't really any major issues or difficulties in producing products with different technologies. The major technology issue right now is how to drive a display with higher refresh rates and higher resolution. But in terms of the technologies themselves, they are becoming more and more compatible, with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync becoming more interchangeable.

G-LYFE Nation: Can you talk about V-Sync and how it compares to FreeSync and G-Sync?

Victor Chien: V-Sync is a traditional technology, and the reason why FreeSync and G-Sync were originally developed is because GPU power was not good enough. But if someday GPU power is good enough, they can easily deliver 144 frames per second with 4K resolution without the need for FreeSync or G-Sync. So, V-Sync is still a viable option, but it may become obsolete if GPU power is sufficient to handle 4K and high frame rates.

G-LYFE Nation: It seems this question always comes up because there's always something major happening in the world. We’d like to know how Acer is navigating the challenges posed by the global supply chain issues caused by the Ukraine war, or if there are any issues at all with that as far as distribution, production, or manufacturing.

Victor Chien: Yeah. I think actually, after one year, it's been possible to navigate all the potential issues. Right now, I think everything is back to normal, from our viewpoint, for the supply chain. So it's relatively more manageable. But the current problem is not really because of the war but is mainly because the end market demand has slowed down. So key component providers originally had the task to prepare more buffer materials, that kind of thing. So if certain demand increases, it will still, you know, cause some supply chain issues. It has nothing to do with any war or COVID, I’m assuming. That's all done.

G-LYFE Nation: And moving forward as far as all those manufacturing and distribution go, do you foresee any other issues coming up in the next year? Or are we pretty much going to get better and better and better for now?

Victor Chien: No, I think it will get better and better.

G-LYFE Nation: Before we get into talking about the new products, I would like to ask you about OLED technology. First, can you just give me a quick rundown from your perspective of what OLED technology actually is for people who don't know?

Victor Chien: So, OLED technology, basically, doesn't need a backlight module to illuminate the whole thing, unlike traditional LCD technology. This makes it better in terms of native contrast ratio, which means that it can deliver better dark levels. This results in better contrast and, because of the technology, it has a better response time. As you know, that response time is a significant benefit for gaming. So, it has a better response time and better native contrast ratio, which means that in certain environments, you will have a better viewing experience. Also, it has a wider viewing angle. So from different angles, it provides better quality. And it's also more eco-friendly because it doesn't need a whole new backlight module to illuminate. This means it doesn't need as much power so it also moves in the "go green" direction. I think that's a major benefit.

G-LYFE Nation: A friend of mine recently purchased an OLED monitor from Alienware. He said it came with a warning about screen burn-in. Is this really a thing?

Victor Chien: Yes, the technology has been around for a long time. The original major issue is related to image retention. If you put the same image pattern on a monitor for too long, it can cause image retention, which is a form of screen burn-in. This issue can be a big problem, especially for productivity use. However, for video playback and TV, it is not as much of an issue because the image stays on the screen for a shorter time.

G-LYFE Nation: Is there a solution for this moving forward?

Victor Chien: The image retention issue is a concern for all types of monitors, not just gaming monitors. However, gaming monitors have a specific need for high refresh rates and high image quality, which can exacerbate the image retention issue. So, manufacturers have been working on developing solutions for this problem, and now the technology has improved enough to be included in gaming monitors.

G-LYFE Nation: Can you explain how this technology works?

Victor Chien: The technology works by detecting when an image has been on the screen for too long and then applying a minor adjustment to the image to prevent image retention. This adjustment is done in the background, so it is not noticeable to the user. The aim is to minimize the side effects of image retention and prevent screen burning from occurring.

G-LYFE Nation: How long do you think it will take for this technology to be widely adopted?

Victor Chien: The technology is already being used in some newer monitors, but it will take time for it to become standard across the industry. The cost of implementing this technology is also a factor, but as it becomes more widely adopted, the cost will come down. So, it's hard to say exactly how long it will take, but it is definitely a trend that is gaining momentum.

G-LYFE Nation: Do you think the average user can feel confident in using a monitor without worrying about screen burning?

Victor Chien: Yes, I think for average use it should be okay. The technology has improved a lot, and as long as users are not leaving the same image on the screen for extended periods, they should not have to worry about screen burning. However, for users who need to use their monitors for extended periods, such as for productivity use, it's still a good idea to be cautious and make sure to take breaks and vary the images on the screen. I just want to emphasize that while the technology is improving, it is still important for users to be aware of the risks of screen burning and take steps to prevent it. This includes taking breaks, varying the images on the screen, and being cautious about leaving static images on the screen for extended periods.

G-LYFE Nation: We are sitting on the mountaintop of display technology with our new X38 powered by the new 4090 and i9-13900k. But then you introduce the Predator X45 at CES 2023 and now in the latest press conference the Nitro XZ452CU V Monitor. When is too big, too big?

Victor Chien: Wow, that is an interesting question. I think it's really based on your application. One significant difference between the Nitro XZ452CU V Monitor and the original X45 is their aspect ratio. The XZ452CU V Monitor has a 32:9 aspect ratio, while the X45 has a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is a major distinction between the two products. The X45 and the XZ452CU V also differ in technology. While the X45 features OLED technology, the XZ452CU V uses a VA panel. This is another important difference between the two products.

G-LYFE Nation: Aside from these significant differences between the Nitro XZ452CU V and the Predator X4 which is mainly the old technology. Can you shed some light on the direction of the two products?

Victor Chien: The X45 boasts OLED technology, which is considered the most advanced available. This is a major point of differentiation between the X45 and the Nitro XZ452CU V, which has a 32:9 aspect ratio, similar to two 24.5 inch displays placed side by side. This feature is ideal for productivity purposes, and to enhance it further, we have included USB type C and RJ45 connectivity, as well as other productivity features. We offer these two distinct options so customers can choose between a monitor that prioritizes productivity or one that delivers a superior gaming experience.

G-LYFE Nation: The Predator X34 V Monitor boasts an OLED UWQHD resolution and a 175 Hz refresh rate. How do these specifications contribute to Acer's strategy for capturing the high-end gaming market?

Victor Chien: We aim to offer superior solutions for the high-end gaming market with our products. Our flagship gaming monitor features a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 34-inch display, designed to provide an immersive gaming experience. We are working towards leading this category by providing a high refresh rate of up to 175Hz, which is among the fastest available.

G-LYFE Nation: What is the highest refresh rate right now with WQHD and OLED? Is it 175 or are there higher?

Victor Chien: For WQHD, 240Hz is the highest refresh rate available now. Our flagship gaming monitor, with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 34-inch display, offers a refresh rate of up to 175Hz, which is one of the fastest in this segment.

G-LYFE Nation: How has user comfort, health, and Acer's product development strategy changed this year in 2023 from our previous conversations?

Victor Chien: At Acer, our focus remains on providing essential and comfortable features that cater to the needs of our users, particularly gamers who spend extended periods in front of the screen. We strive to offer improved eye protection, comfort, color accuracy, and low-dimming technology in our products. Additionally, we aim to implement low-reflection technology across our product line to enhance eye comfort for our customers.

G-LYFE Nation: Both the Nitro XZ452CU V and the Predator X34 V prioritize eye safety, right?

Victor Chien: Yes, both the Nitro XZ452CU V and the Predator X34 V prioritize eye safety. We offer a range of comfort technologies, such as Blue Light Shield, Flickerless, Low-Dimming, ComfyView, and Eyesafe certification, to provide a better solution for users’ eye protection and comfort.

G-LYFE Nation: We know Acer has taken massive steps in becoming eco-friendly not only on the product side but also internally. How has that landscape changed in 2023, what new steps is Acer taking to reduce the environmental impact of its display products?

Victor Chien: Acer is committed to addressing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns and aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2035, with a net-zero target by 2050. We strive to produce energy-efficient displays that consume minimal power and are environmentally sustainable. Additionally, we aim to incorporate post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in 35% to 30% of our display products and maximize the use of PCR materials across our product line.

G-LYFE Nation: Where do you see the future of displays going in the next five years, and what does Acer have in store for us?

Victor Chien: The future of displays is focused on enhancing the user experience through new technologies that deliver superior image quality, protect user interface, and reduce power consumption. At Acer, we constantly explore innovative technologies and materials to improve display performance, and we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality products to our customers. We continue to develop new products that push the boundaries of what is possible in display technology, and we look forward to unveiling them soon.

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