Dell recently introduced a 32-inch (31.5) 4K HDR monitor (see Dell’s U3223QE ultra-black sharable 32-in 4K monitor) with a super-black IPS screen. Last year, the company introduced an 8.3 MP Sony Starvis CMOS sensor-based 4K HDR camera. This year, Dell has combined the camera technology and the 32-inch 4K HDR screen to make the ultimate video conferencing monitor—the U3223QZ. The Dell retrofit UltraSharp webcam has a magnetic cap that can be placed over the front when you are, ah, you know, doing private things you don’t want seen. However, the built-in U3223QZ camera has Dell’s Safe Shutter that knows when to automatically open or close by syncing to your videoconferencing applications. Dell first deployed this feature with the cameras on their Latitude 9420 and 9520 in early 2021.
The videoconferencing monitor has all the above features plus two 14w built-in noise-canceling speakers. The speaker positioning, however, is different, located in the top bar with the camera. According to Dell, the top positioning is optimal, as it includes built-in echo cancellation microphones as well.
Although the UltraSharp web camera has a 90-degree field of view (FOV), which can be changed to 65 or 78 degrees based on the user’s preference, it has a limited FOV face-tracking (auto-framing), whereas the built-in video conferencing monitor has a much wider FOV face tracker. That is designed for teleconferences who like to (or compulsively) pace during a Zoom call. But it’s also useful while moving around at your desk to grab something for show-and-tell. The auto-framing feature uses CPU-based AI to keep you in focus and centered in each frame—if you move, the camera repositions so that you remain in-picture. The camera does not physically move; instead, it adjusts the image (under the AI auto-framing software) that enables it to track your movements and keep you in focus.
Both the webcam and the built-in cameras have relatively fast autofocus as part of the face-tracking feature, so you always look your best, er, in focus. They also have auto white balance, auto light correction, and noise reduction, as well as temporal and spatial noise reduction. The camera is located in the center of the top-mounted speaker bar and can record and playback 4K streams at 30 frames per second or FHD resolution at 30 or 60 fps. The camera also can be tilted downward 20 degrees.
It also comes with an infrared sensor and can be used for Windows Hello facial recognition and auto wake-up.
We beta-tested the Dell UltraSharp webcam, and I tried to get it and the video conferencing monitor to create an infinity mirror—that’s a work still in progress.
The screen is bright, with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. It delivers 1.07 billion colors, covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color space, and is VESA-certified for DisplayHDR 400. The screen has a brightness of 400 nits, features Dell’s “ComfortView” low blue light technology and has a 5ms G2G response time.
The U3223QZ has the same Picture in Picture (PIP) and Picture by Picture (PBP) features as the U3223QE.
What do we think?
The U3223QZ is a kind of all-in-one monitor with speakers, a camera, a state-of-the-art 4K black HDR display, and a hub function talking in USB-C from your PC and offering three USB-B slots.
Hook ‘em up
The U3223QZ is expected to be available in late Q2 2022. The US list price is USD $1599.99.