(Note: we have no relationship to the brands mentioned in this post except for CURA™)
Although CURA™ is targeted to be as compatible with as many digital displays as possible. In order to achieve a goal to match CURA’s capabilities with high quality displays that could rival and potentially replace traditional printed and framed photography we put together a number of configurations and sizes and tested them.
Here are some of the results:
In all cases we had some baseline capabilities that a recommended configuration needed to meet those being:
Mandatory:
The ability to be switched off and on automatically, and enabled images from CURA to start automatically.
The ability to remain on for as long as CURA was programmed to display images.
Very good to excellent display rendition of images at 1080p or 4k resolution
Good viewing angle (178°) in both horizontal and vertical orientation.(we found some monitors when mounted vertically had issues viewed from what would normally have been the bottom edge).
No issues or likely issues with burn out/in.
A thin bezel that would either look aesthetically pleasing on its own or with a simple wrap around wood frame.
Physical depth of less than 2.2in so when mounted on a wall with/without a frame it would look like a aesthetically pleasing frame.
Optional:
Ambient light sensing and brightness adjustment.
In built speakers
Costs
The costs in the table below include the displays (as of May 2022, from BestBuy, Amazon or the manufacturer),the CURA compatible Android media device (only about $25 if you already have a display that needs it) , a black stained 2 ¼” or 1 ¼” wood frame and flush wall mount. Note: To hide the power cord in a wall you would also need to add about $15 for a recessed power outlet and qualified labor to get it wired up if you were not able to do it yourself.
You can find more info on how to set up CURA here.
| Recommended best value | ||||
| Diagonal Size | Dimensions | Tested Orientation* | Brand/Model | Cost (US) |
| 10.1 in | 10 x 6.5 in | H/V | Elecrow 10.1 Inch Raspberry Pi Screen | $185 |
| 15 in | 14 x 8 in | H | InnoView Ultra Slim Portable Monitor | $210 |
| 22 in | 19 x 11 in | H/V | Samsung LF22T350FHNXZA | $199 |
| 24 in | 21 x 12 in | H/V | Samsung SF350 Series S24F350FHN 24″ | $189 |
| 27 in | 23 x 13 in | H/V | Samsung 27″ WQHD Monitor | $270 |
| 32 in | 27 x15 in | H/V | Samsung AM500 Series 32” Smart Monitor | $270 |
| 34 in (21:9) | 31 x 13 in | H/V | Samsung 34in Wide | $369 |
| 43 in | 37 x 20 in | H/V | Samsung Q60 QLED | $639 |
| 43 in | 37 x 20 in | H/V | Sony 4K HDR LED Smart Google TV | $499 |
| 48 in | 42 x 24 in | H | LG – 48″ Class A1 Series OLED 4K | $799 |
| 55 in | 47 x 26 in | H/V | Samsung Q60 QLED | $889 |
| 65 in | 56 x 31 in | H | Sony X85J 4K HDR LED with Smart Google TV | $979 |
| Recommended best | ||||
| 32 in | 27 x15 in | H | Samsung Frame Series | $629 |
| 43 in | 37 x 20 in | H | Samsung Frame Series | $1,029 |
| 50 in | 44 x 25 in | H | Samsung Frame Series | $1,330 |
| 55 in | 47 x 26 in | H | Samsung Frame Series | $1,529 |
| 55 in | 47 x 26 in | H | LG – 55″ Class G2 Series OLED with Gallery Design | $2,100 |
| 65 in | 56 x 31 in | H | Samsung Frame Series | $2,029 |
* In most cases we were successfully able to mount and present images in high quality in both Landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) orientations. (The CURA system automatically reorientates images or filters them as needed). The H or V indicates the ones we physically tested.
