HP started by showing us its latest Z Book X2, a convertible tablet/notebook designed for content creators and using a Wacom pen and using an anti-glare display with UltraHD resolution. The display has touch and is part of the DreamColor range, so colour performance is good. The company was also showing the existing Z27X and Z31X which are IPS colour-critical monitors that are built around Panasonic IPS panels and have technology for self-calibration.
The HP X2 is a convertible that is for content creators. Image:Meko
HP showed us how the calibration sensor on its Z31X can be triggered into position. Image:Meko
HP told us that although the 31″ 4K is what a lot of people want, the Z27X is more affordable although it has QuadHD rather than 4K resolution. HP has a special KVM integrated as for some content creation, the system used has to be completely isolated from the internet, to avoid the possibility of content being pirated. That means that content creators may not have access to facilities such as email. For this reason, the KVM is also supported in PiP operation so that while content in an isolated PC is shown on the display, a window to another PC can be used. The KVM also allows a PC keyboard (ctrl-ctrl-up-arrow) to change inputs. The KVM acts slightly more slowly than some other designs, but that is because it is intended to support products such as Wacom pens, which do not like ‘quick and dirty’ switching.
Other features include remote control which can even extend as far as firmware updates and settings such as the use of a specific EOTF. One HP client has 700 units and is very positive about the control this facility gives them. The company can also remotely force calibration to ensure that the whole facility is up to date and consistent. Each monitor has its own integrated web server, so a browser can be used to log on to the monitor to ensure it is correctly set up. Again, this can help that workgroups are set up to show the same image everywhere.
The monitors have special features to show content that might be overscanned and frames can be set on the screen to allow the marking of the display to indicate where idents, lower thirds or other special areas of the display might be.The monitor also has a number of special scaling features to deal with challenges such as pixel to pixel mapping and, HP told us, is the only monitor that can correctly scale DCI 2K content as well as scaling a variety of sources to full screen or to maintain aspect ratios.
