Monitor Lust

[SeoulSoxFan]

As someone who runs a webdesign studio, I've purchased probably over a few dozen monitors over the years. 
 
These are my current lusts -- the new LG UM95 (34") and LG UM65 (29"). Announced this year, not available yet, but will be soon.
 
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1801170
 

 
Yup -- it's a 21:9 at almost 4k resolution (3440 x 1440) measuring 34" diagonally. 
 
I've seen a current generation "cinema wide" monitors in person -- the woefully under-resolutioned EA93 at 2560 x 1080 @ 29", and never pulled the trigger as it just needed more height when working on a site or a spreadsheet. (Looks great watching a movie though). 
 
The new UM95 solves this issue for me, offering more vertical real estate at both 34" and 29":
 
34 inch 21x9 display vs 27 inch 16x9 display:

 
Pricing will be reasonable at ~$1300 US for the 34" version and hopefully under $1000 for the 29", but here's the kicker. 
 
Many Korean monitor makers are taking the "B" grade (still completely usable "rejects" from Apple and/or Dell) panels from LG and Samsung and private-labelling them at awesome prices.
 
Brands like Qnix, Advanced One, Tomato, and others sell a practical equivalent of a $800 Dell 27" for about $350, like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-QNIX-QX2710-LED-Evolution-27-2560x1440-WQHD-PLS-Computer-Monitor-Matte-/121117252582
 
My feeling is that be end of the summer these off-label brands will come out with "B" panel versions and have a price around $800 for a beautiful IPS 34" with near 4k resolution. That'd be the one to look for.

 

[santadevil]

I would love to have a higher resolution option that I could afford.
 
I mentioned in the BF4 thread that I had recently purchased this monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236348
The Asus PB298Q. As you mentioned, it's only a 2,560 x 1,080.
 
But I was due for a bit of an upgrade and didn't want to run dual or triple monitors.
I'm thinking I'll be kicking myself in about a year for not waiting for a 4K monitor instead.

 

[johnmd20]

I got the Phillips Brilliance Monitor in the fall. It's a beaut but it is WAY too short. It is nearly unusable for work. I guess you could get used to it over time, but I use it in my office basically to watch movies, hooked to a MacBook Air. It is shockingly short.
 
This LG one looks like it solves the height problem. I can't wait until it's released, sounds like the perfect monitor for my home office.

 

[AlNipper49]

I got the Phillips Brilliance Monitor in the fall. It's a beaut but it is WAY too short. It is nearly unusable for work. I guess you could get used to it over time, but I use it in my office basically to watch movies, hooked to a MacBook Air. It is shockingly short.
 
This LG one looks like it solves the height problem. I can't wait until it's released, sounds like the perfect monitor for my home office.

 
I had the same problem but instead got an awesome VESA swivel arm for it and threw it on the wall.  It's awesome, if I want to get desk space I can easily pivot them back. 

 

[Blacken]

The LG monitors aren't bad at all, but I'm waiting on the next MBP (wider Thunderbolt bus) and the rumored-so-long-it-has-to-be-nearly-here Cinema Displays. Retina everywhere.

 

[rembrat]

I was actually going to ask that question. How long are we going to have to wait for Retina displays on big honking monitors? Every time I open a file in my text editor I want to jizz all over the retina display.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

The LG monitors aren't bad at all, but I'm waiting on the next MBP (wider Thunderbolt bus) and the rumored-so-long-it-has-to-be-nearly-here Cinema Displays. Retina everywhere.

 
I believe almost all Apple monitors use LG panels, the same ones used by, well, LG and the Korean off-label brands.

 

[ypioca]

 
I believe almost all Apple monitors use LG panels, the same ones used by, well, LG and the Korean off-label brands.

 
The Macbook Retinas come from LG and Samsung. The LG ones have a ghosting issue (I have one).

 

[derekson]

 
I believe almost all Apple monitors use LG panels, the same ones used by, well, LG and the Korean off-label brands.

 
Apple uses pretty much every panel manufacturer out there. Notably when they've had mixed suppliers for various models, the LG panels have tended to be noticeably poorer than the Sharp and Samsung panels. Especially in the rMBP models, people have been trying specifically to get units with the Samsung panels instead of LG due to various issues and better color reproduction.
 
I'm pretty sure my 2010 MacBook Air has an LG panel though, and it's a fine display.

 

[Blacken]

I believe almost all Apple monitors use LG panels, the same ones used by, well, LG and the Korean off-label brands.

That has nothing to do with 4K versus QHD.

And I've sent back two MBPs with LG panels, one retina and one not. It's the first thing I do when I unbox a machine now.

 

[Couperin47]

There is a very active trade in Korean versions of these larger monitors being informally imported into the US at eBay (mostly 27" and 30" so far. Some use "A" panels, some use "B" panels. Wide variations in electronics: for gamers some have minimal inputs and no resizing electronics to reduce lag to a minimum, others have more versatile electronics backing up the panel. All use external power supplies and some of these are of inferior quality. The panels are also packaged both as glossy or matte, some with and some without front glass (which in a majority of cases seems to trap debris behind the glass at the factory much to the annoyance of many).
 
The 2 domestic options with real warranties here have been some models imported and sold at Microcenter stores.
 
More recently Monoprice has been importing these under their own brand. They sell out rather quickly. The good news is with each iteration Monoprice keeps improving each model, using better bases, better casing, reducing edge bleed... they are clearly listening to the customer base. ATM they have a good selection of 27" and 30" models. Considering their understanding of the American market they are a no-brainer. I'd expect them to get into even larger sizes as soon as they believe they can produce in quantity at a good price.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

There is a very active trade in Korean versions of these larger monitors being informally imported into the US at eBay (mostly 27" and 30" so far. Some use "A" panels, some use "B" panels. Wide variations in electronics: for gamers some have minimal inputs and no resizing electronics to reduce lag to a minimum, others have more versatile electronics backing up the panel. All use external power supplies and some of these are of inferior quality. The panels are also packaged both as glossy or matte, some with and some without front glass (which in a majority of cases seems to trap debris behind the glass at the factory much to the annoyance of many).
 
The 2 domestic options with real warranties here have been some models imported and sold at Microcenter stores.
 
More recently Monoprice has been importing these under their own brand. They sell out rather quickly. The good news is with each iteration Monoprice keeps improving each model, using better bases, better casing, reducing edge bleed... they are clearly listening to the customer base. ATM they have a good selection of 27" and 30" models. Considering their understanding of the American market they are a no-brainer. I'd expect them to get into even larger sizes as soon as they believe they can produce in quantity at a good price.

I got one of those Monoprice 27" for work and have been really happy with it. Dunno if they've fixed this, but when I was buying their cheapest ~$350 range ones only had dual-link DVI or some crap like that, so I stepped up to the $450 to get display port and not need to buy an expensive even at Monoprice dual link cable plus adapter to Thunderbolt. Even at that price, it's a lot of monitor for the money, although I think the Dells and brand names are starting to creep close to that territory as we'll now that the 4k is pushing from above, so that's considering if you like better case fit, finish and adjustability.

I still haven't taken the Retina leap yet on any computers (iThings excepted), so I think I will be able to hold out until they sort out all the format issues and Apple gets it's shit together to be widely more compatible with 3rd party 4k displays (or they do whatever they're doing instead of 4k if they go nuts and skip to straight pixel doubling or something).

 

[Blacken]

I've seen the Monoprice ones and was pretty impressed, but honestly if I'm buying that much monitor I'll probably just get an UltraSharp because Dell is a lot easier to yell at. They're great monitors on a budget, though.

 

[Couperin47]

I've seen the Monoprice ones and was pretty impressed, but honestly if I'm buying that much monitor I'll probably just get an UltraSharp because Dell is a lot easier to yell at. They're great monitors on a budget, though.

 
But when you yell at Dell...nothing happens, otoh Monoprice keeps listening...in fact it's hard to pull the trigger on one of theirs atm because you know some of the minor annoyances will actually get fixed in their next batch.

 

[Blacken]

Yell at them through a sales rep instead of calling customer service. :buddy:

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Alright, I stopped by local LG center (a 5-story monster) and they have the UM95 ready for purchase but not in stock. Stopped by Hi-Mart and a couple of other places but still none out in display,
 
However, I did get the LG manager to get me a price -- W1,200,000 ($1119.60 US) MSRP, but could get me a discount, down to W1,150,000 ($1072.95). Which is a much better price than some US prices that's starting to crop up ($1400 to $1500):
 
http://www.amazon.com/LG-34UM95-Panorama-UltraWide-Monitor/dp/B00IJUFGDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393963523&sr=8-1&keywords=lg+ultrawide+34
 
Can't wait to see it in person, and will report back here when I do.

 

[johnmd20]

Alright, I stopped by local LG center (a 5-story monster) and they have the UM95 ready for purchase but not in stock. Stopped by Hi-Mart and a couple of other places but still none out in display,
 
However, I did get the LG manager to get me a price -- W1,200,000 ($1119.60 US) MSRP, but could get me a discount, down to W1,150,000 ($1072.95). Which is a much better price than some US prices that's starting to crop up ($1400 to $1500):
 
http://www.amazon.com/LG-34UM95-Panorama-UltraWide-Monitor/dp/B00IJUFGDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393963523&sr=8-1&keywords=lg+ultrawide+34
 
Can't wait to see it in person, and will report back here when I do.

 
Please do. This might be my next monitor and I'm interested in hearing how it is.

 

[AlNipper49]

I've seen the Monoprice ones and was pretty impressed, but honestly if I'm buying that much monitor I'll probably just get an UltraSharp because Dell is a lot easier to yell at. They're great monitors on a budget, though.

Yelling at Dell should be an Olympic sport. Its enjoyable as a recreational sport but its also a sport that lends itself to elite skills.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Please do. This might be my next monitor and I'm interested in hearing how it is.

 
Until I come back with a first-hand report, here's some UM95 porn:
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10NPdLBhsFc[/youtube]
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49MUwU5vGw[/youtube]
* in Vietnamese
 
BTW, in that Vietnamese video that the back does not seem to have a VESA panel, but the official Korean LG page lists it as a standard 100x100 VESA setup:
 
http://www.lge.co.kr/lgekr/product/detail/LgekrProductDetailCmd.laf?catid=2400&prdid=EPRD.270582&pcatid=2400
 

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Please do. This might be my next monitor and I'm interested in hearing how it is.

 
I'm literally stopping by every other day and bugging the shit out of the sales people. They say it's going to be on display "sometime" this week. 
 
Some better news -- first real US price (not the $1,500 scalper prices on eBay) from B&H for $999. That's pretty much right along the expected price point:
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1040788-REG/lg_electronics_34um95_34_led_d_sub_dvi.html

 

[johnmd20]

 
I'm literally stopping by every other day and bugging the shit out of the sales people. They say it's going to be on display "sometime" this week. 
 
Some better news -- first real US price (not the $1,500 scalper prices on eBay) from B&H for $999. That's pretty much right along the expected price point:
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1040788-REG/lg_electronics_34um95_34_led_d_sub_dvi.html

 
That's not a bad price.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

That's not a bad price.

 
Not at all. Very reasonably in fact. Especially comparing the extra real estate vs. previous versions: http://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-34UM95
 

 
I don't have time to play games much anymore, but this looks pretty amazing:
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIA2Bxb3W9E[/youtube]

 

[Blacken]

That looks pretty neat, but for my use cases that sort of width isn't very useful without more height. At our new office we're getting 2x2560x1440 for every developer, on tilt/swivel/rotate racks - I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up using both of mine vertically, because 1440 wide is plenty but 2560 high is amazing.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

That looks pretty neat, but for my use cases that sort of width isn't very useful without more height. At our new office we're getting 2x2560x1440 for every developer, on tilt/swivel/rotate racks - I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up using both of mine vertically, because 1440 wide is plenty but 2560 high is amazing.

 
I can see that for full-time developers. Now this UM95 is 3440 high when vertical -- would side-by-side 3440 VERTICAL be too much? Not that crazy due to the very thin bevels perhaps.
 
The myriad of connection options & the brighter + much more accurate color spectrum of a next-gen. IPS panel in a $999 package is very competitive. I paid about $1400 for the hybrid-IPS Dell 30" (2560x1600) a few years back (3011 model).

 

[Blacken]

That 3011 model is pretty much the same as today's $460 Monoprice panel, and (having used the 3011 at my last job) I literally can't tell the difference, to the point where I'm starting to think designers just want to spend more money to exhaust the corners of sRGB they already can see. :buddy:

3440 vertical is not too excessive, except that I might need to lower my desk and raise my keyboard.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

That 3011 model is pretty much the same as today's $460 Monoprice panel, and (having used the 3011 at my last job) I literally can't tell the difference, to the point where I'm starting to think designers just want to spend more money to exhaust the corners of sRGB they already can see. :buddy:

 
Guilty as charged!

 

[Couperin47]

til 5/15
 
LG 29EB73-P Black 29" 5ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight 21:9 Ultrawide LCD Monitor IPS  for $400
 
at Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005533&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL050914&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL050914-_-EMC-050914-Index-_-LCDMonitors-_-24005533-L013A
 
2560 x 1080
DVI-D, HDMI and Displayport
USB 3.0 x 2. VESA mount and speakers
 
3 year warranty
 
This is about $89 lower than Amazon or anyone else has had this.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

til 5/15
 
LG 29EB73-P Black 29" 5ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight 21:9 Ultrawide LCD Monitor IPS  for $400
 
at Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005533&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL050914&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL050914-_-EMC-050914-Index-_-LCDMonitors-_-24005533-L013A
 
2560 x 1080
DVI-D, HDMI and Displayport
USB 3.0 x 2. VESA mount and speakers
 
3 year warranty
 
This is about $89 lower than Amazon or anyone else has had this.

Do not buy. This is the oldest generation panel that is being replaced by the UM and sister models. Notice the short 1080 height.

 

[johnmd20]

Do not buy. This is the oldest generation panel that is being replaced by the UM and sister models. Notice the short 1080 height.

 
And that short height is bruuuuuutal on a monitor, unless you're using it soley to watch movies.

 

[Couperin47]

 
And that short height is bruuuuuutal on a monitor, unless you're using it soley to watch movies.

 
agreed, I have 3 24" panels here..ALL are 1920 x 1200, otoh the average consumer is uncritically accepting the TV monitor resolutions at all sizes and the extremely low prices of endless 23.1 and 23.5  monitors now dominates the market....

 

[Couperin47]

A strange phenomenon begun last month:
 
Monoprice monitors are being sold at Rakuten and Rakuten is running sales that seriously undercut Monoprice's own prices.
 
Today and until 5/22 the 27" multi-input  2560 x 1440 10489 model which is $460 plus shipping (which will be over $20 to anywhere at a minimum) on the Monoprice site is
 
$370 with free ship at Rakuten.  http://monoprice.shop.rakuten.com/p/27-ips-glass-panel-pro-led-monitor-wqhd-2560x1440-440cd-m2-hdmi-1-4/252439954.html?scid=em_20140520_Daily&adid=17653
 
If you're thinking about any of their monitors, it now behooves you to start watching Rakuten to see if they put the model you desire on sale.

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

 
I'm literally stopping by every other day and bugging the shit out of the sales people. They say it's going to be on display "sometime" this week. 
 
Some better news -- first real US price (not the $1,500 scalper prices on eBay) from B&H for $999. That's pretty much right along the expected price point:
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1040788-REG/lg_electronics_34um95_34_led_d_sub_dvi.html

B&H expected availability listed as June 30 with pre-order price now $899
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1040788-REG/lg_electronics_34um95_34_ultrawide_qhd_led.html

 

[CoRP]

I recently bought a 65" 4K TV which is friggin awesome but I am being told that it's a complete waste of money to buy a 4K computer monitor because in order to see the detail I would need to be 12" away.  Curious if that's been people's experience here. I'd like to buy some monitors for my home PC set up that my son could also play games on. Thoughts?

 

[Couperin47]

Monoprice 27" IPS-ZERO-G Slim Monitor WQHD 2560x1440 - Dual Link DVI, VGA - MPLE27QADV  til  8/22
$327 - $37 coupon = $290   free ship
http://monoprice.shop.rakuten.com/p/27-ips-zero-g-slim-monitor-wqhd-2560x1440-dual-link-dvi-vga/254863185.html?scid=em_Promotional_20140818SS1&adid=28884

Rakuten once again seriously discounting Monoprice

Anyway, this is $359 at Monoprice's own site PLUS shipping. Reviews are very good, note you can't reach 2560x1440 resolution unless your video card has dual link DVI output and you have a good dual link cable (Displayport can also do this, but this monitor doesn't have a Displayport input)
 

 

[EricFeczko]

I recently bought a 65" 4K TV which is friggin awesome but I am being told that it's a complete waste of money to buy a 4K computer monitor because in order to see the detail I would need to be 12" away.  Curious if that's been people's experience here. I'd like to buy some monitors for my home PC set up that my son could also play games on. Thoughts?

I'm assuming you mean less than 12 inches away, as pixels become more visible as the distance between your retinas and the monitor decreases.
Depends upon your corrected visual acuity, but for many that is correct. If you have close to 20/15 or 20/10 vision, then this is likely untrue.
IMHO. most monitor p*rn is a complete waste of time. Having more real estate can be beneficial, but you can achieve a great deal of real estate by linking multiple monitors together anyways. For certain types of research/office layouts, it can be helpful.
 

 
Not at all. Very reasonably in fact. Especially comparing the extra real estate vs. previous versions: http://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-34UM95
 

 
I don't have time to play games much anymore, but this looks pretty amazing:
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIA2Bxb3W9E[/youtube]

 
That looks awful to me, I would never spend more than $200 on such a monitor. Then again, I'm hardly their market.


 

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

What's the best external monitor output that a Macbook Pro 2011 can generate? Would it be 1440 via the Thunderbolt/mindisplay port? How about a Macbook Air 2011?

 

[Couperin47]

Monoprice 27" IPS-Glass Panel Pro LED Monitor   $387 - $37 coupon = $350 with free ship  til 8/22
http://monoprice.shop.rakuten.com/p/27-ips-glass-panel-pro-led-monitor-wqhd-2560x1440-440cd-m2-hdmi-1-4/252439954.html?scid=em_Promotional_20140820SS2
 
 
Rakuten contines it's serious undercutting of Monoprice's own site. This is the upgraded version of the 2560x 1440  16:9 monitor listed 2 days ago:
 
We have a antiglare glass covered screen, we now have Dual DVI, HDMI, Displayport and...vga inputs.
Monoprice wants $461 PLUS shipping for this.

 

[Couperin47]

Rakuten once again undercuts Monoprice on their monitors, this time ALL OF THEM   til 8/28:
 
30" IPS LED Backlit LCD Panel WQXGA 2560x1600 Dual Link DVI-D, DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA w/Adjustable stand -Matte / Anti-Glare
with coupon til 8/28   $600 and free ship
http://monoprice.sho...ated&adid=17582
 
Monoprice's current best 30" currently selling at their own site for $690 plus shipping
 
 
30" IPS CCFL Backlit LCD Panel WQXGA 2560x1600 Dual Link DVI-D, w/Adjustable stand -Matte / Anti-Glare
$500 with free ship
http://monoprice.sho...ated&adid=17582
 
Monoprice wants $576 plus shipping
 
27" IPS-Glass Panel Pro LED Monitor WQHD 2560x1440- 440cd/m2 - HDMI® 1.4 / DVI / VGA / DisplayPort 1.2 w/Built in Speakers
$350 with free ship
http://monoprice.sho...ated&adid=17582
 
Monoprice wants $461 plus shipping
 
27" IPS-ZERO-G Slim Monitor WQHD 2560x1440 - Dual Link DVI, VGA
$280 with free ship
http://monoprice.sho...ated&adid=17582
 
Monoprice wants $399 plus shipping

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

OMG OMG FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcaktV1iiGk
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmubSCE0Pf0
 
There are several Korean blogs talking about this epic monitor, and the guesstimated price is about $1350-$1400 US. That's a rocking price for the most innovative monitor out there.
 
(Korean only)
http://www.leaderyou.co.kr/3149
 
The curve also makes putting two of these ultra-wide monitors a possibility.

 

[SumnerH]

The curve also makes putting two of these ultra-wide monitors a possibility.

Because putting flat monitors next to each other is impossible?

You'll notice the almost unavoidable glare that curved monitors promote featured prominently in both videos. The sooner this fad dies, the better.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Because putting flat monitors next to each other is impossible?

You'll notice the almost unavoidable glare that curved monitors promote featured prominently in both videos. The sooner this fad dies, the better.

 
If I'm putting two 34UM95 (the non-curved) version, the end of each panel would be too far. When putting two curved ones together, the elements at the edges would be much closer. 
 
Regarding the glare, why would this glare more than a non-flat version? In our studio I have custom lighting that's neutral & reflects up towards the ceiling. Not too worried there especially with the matte finish.
 
I used to think curved TVs were fads until I saw them. Curved TVs do make viewing experience more immersive and even 3-D like depending on the source. I'm assuming it'll be similar (or even more so) here. 
 
I'd love to ditch my 30" + 24" + 20" 3 panel setup with two of these. 

 

[SumnerH]

Regarding the glare, why would this glare more than a non-flat version? In our studio I have custom lighting that's neutral & reflects up towards the ceiling. Not too worried there especially with the matte finish.

You get direct light reflections when the angle from your screen to a light source is equal to the angle from your eye to the screen. When you have a flat screen, you only get one big bad reflection from a light source if you're sitting at an angle to reflect it; you can eliminate that by moving slightly, moving the light slightly, or turning the screen slightly. When you have a curved screen: you never get the one big bad reflection (because different parts of the screen are at different angles), but it's virtually impossible to eliminate the reflection entirely by moving any of those things only slightly. Basically any direct light source on the viewer's side of the screen becomes almost guaranteed to create an annoying reflection.

Unless you have a very light-controlled environment (e.g. your studio, or maybe a dedicated theater room) then controlling direct reflection on curved screens is very difficult.

If you _do_ have a light controlled environment, the converse is true--the curved screen actually decreases ambient reflections and defocuses reflected objects, making them less distracting. So if you have that kind of dedicated environment (e.g. in a movie theater, or your studio) then they can make sense. But in a typical home or office environment where there are uncontrolled windows and non-purpose-built lighting, it's a problem.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Aha. Didn't know that SH. Thanks for the knowledge.

I do wonder how sale figures would be impacted if more folks knew about it. My guess is perhaps less than my first inclination, as the target audience for the monitor would be creative pros and gamers. It is a fairly niche product @ near the $1500 price point to begin with.

 

[Blacken]

I have Monoprice panels at work and Dell U2713's at home.

I'm happy paying $500 a pop if it means the colors don't suck, the lighting is consistent, and the bezels aren't junk.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

The curved LC 34UC97 ultrawide 21:9 monitors have seen increase in production, and the prices have felt way off. 
 
LG used to sneak these guys in on a non-dedicated production line, but as the 21:9 monitors grow in popularity they've decided to give it a full production line (Korean, so you'll need to run Google translation):

• http://prod.danawa.com/info/?pcode=2406258&keyword=LG+34UM95#bookmark_news_expert

Right now I've seen it as low as $883 US, which is absolutely a bargain and a half: 

• http://prod.danawa.com/info/?pcode=2763459&keyword=LG+34UC97

For the older non-curved model, described at the top of this thread, have come down from its original $1,200-$1,400 US all the way down to about $782:

• http://prod.danawa.com/info/?pcode=2406258&keyword=LG+34UM95

Hopefully I'll get my hands of one of these very, very soon.