Alienware AW2720HF Monitor User’s Guide Model: AW2720HF Regulatory model: AW2720HFb
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2019 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents About your monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Product features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Identifying parts and controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Front view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Back view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing the monitor stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 VESA wall mounting (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Operating the monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Power on the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Using the joystick control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Using the rear-panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Contact Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About your monitor Package contents Your monitor ships with the components shown below. If any component is missing, contact Dell technical support. For more information see Contact Dell. NOTE: Some components may be optional and may not ship with your monitor. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries.
I/O cover Power cable (varies by country) DisplayPort cable (DisplayPort to DisplayPort) HDMI cable USB 3.
Product features The Alienware AW2720HF monitor has an active matrix, Thin-Film Transistor (TFT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and LED backlight. The monitor features include: • 68.5 cm (27 inch) viewable area (measured diagonally). Resolution: Up to 1920 x 1080 through DisplayPort and HDMI, with full-screen support or lower resolutions, supporting an extremely high refresh rate of 240 Hz.
Identifying parts and controls Front view Label Description Use 1 Cable-management slot (on the front side of the stand) To organize the cables neatly. 2 Power On/Off button (with LED indicator) To turn the monitor on or off.
Back view Back view without monitor stand Back view with monitor stand Label Description Use 1 Joystick Use it to control the OSD menu. 2 Function buttons For more information, see Operating the monitor. 3 Barcode, serial number, and Service Tag label Refer to this label if you need to contact Dell for technical support. 4 Cable-management clip To organize the cables neatly. 5 Stand release button Releases stand from the monitor.
7 Regulatory label Lists the regulatory approvals. 8 Lighting dock connector When the stand riser is attached to the monitor, the dock supplies power to the light on the stand. 9 Cable-management slot (at the To organize cables by routing them back of the stand) through this slot. 10 I/O cover Protects the I/O ports. Rear and bottom view Rear and bottom view without monitor stand Label Description Use 1 Power connector Connect the power cable (shipped with your monitor).
5 Headphone port Connect headphone or speakers. 7 HDMI port (HDMI 1) Connect your computer with the HDMI cable (shipped with your monitor). 8 HDMI port (HDMI 2) Connect your computer with the HDMI cable (shipped with your monitor). 9 DisplayPort Connect your computer with DisplayPortDisplayPort cable (shipped with your monitor). 10 Line-out port Connect your speakers. NOTE: This port does not support headphones.
Faceplate coating Anti-glare treatment of the front polarizer (Haze 25%, 3H) Backlight WLED Response time • 1 ms gray to gray in Extreme Mode * • 2 ms gray to gray in Super Fast Mode • 4 ms gray to gray in Fast Mode * The 1 ms gray-to-gray mode is achievable in the Extreme mode to reduce visible motion blur and increased image responsiveness. However this may introduce some slight and noticeable visual artifacts into the image.
Adjustability Height adjustable stand 0 to 130 mm Tilt -5° to 21° Swivel -20° to 20° Pivot -90° to 90° Dell Display Manager (DDM) Compatibility Easy Arrange and other key features Resolution specifications Model AW2720HF Horizontal scan range • DisplayPort 1.2: 255 to 255 kHz (automatic) • HDMI 2.0: 30 to 255 kHz (automatic) Vertical scan range • DisplayPort 1.2: 48 to 240 Hz (automatic) • HDMI 2.
Preset display modes Display mode Horizontal frequency (kHz) Vertical frequency (Hz) Pixel clock (MHz) Sync polarity (Horizontal/ Vertical) VESA, 640 x 480 31.5 60.0 25.2 -/- VESA, 640 x 480 37.5 75.0 31.5 -/- IBM, 720 x 400 31.5 70.0 28.3 -/+ VESA, 800 x 600 37.9 60.0 40.0 +/+ VESA, 800 x 600 46.9 75.0 49.5 +/+ VESA, 1024 x 768 64.0 60.0 108.0 -/- VESA, 1024 x 768 80.0 75.0 135.0 +/+ VESA, 1152 x 864 60.0 60.0 108.0 +/+ VESA, 1280 x 1024 67.5 60.0 148.
Physical characteristics Model AW2720HF Signal cable type • Digital: HDMI, 19 pins • Digital: DisplayPort, 20 pins • Universal Serial Bus: USB, 9 pins NOTE: Dell monitors are designed to work optimally with the video cables that are shipped with your monitor.
Environmental characteristics Model AW2720HF Compliant standards Arsenic-free glass and mercury-free for the panel only Temperature Operating 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) Non-operating • Storage: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) • Shipping: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) Humidity Operating 10% to 80% (non-condensing) Non-operating • Storage: 5% to 90% (non-condensing) • Shipping: 5% to 90% (non-condensing) Altitude Operating 5,000 m (16,404 ft) (maximum) Non-operating 12,192 m (40,000 ft) (maximum)
Power management modes If you have a VESA DPM™ compliant display card or software installed on your computer, the monitor can automatically reduce its power consumption when not in use. This is referred to as Power save mode*. If the computer detects input from the keyboard, mouse, or other input devices, the monitor automatically resumes to function.
Pin assignments DisplayPort connector Pin number 20-pin side of the connected signal cable 1 ML3 (n) 2 GND 3 ML3 (p) 4 ML2 (n) 5 GND 6 ML2 (p) 7 ML1 (n) 8 GND 9 ML1 (p) 10 ML0 (n) 11 GND 12 ML0 (p) 13 GND 14 GND 15 AUX (p) 16 GND 17 AUX (n) 18 Hot Plug Detect 19 Re-PWR 20 +3.
HDMI connector Pin number 19-pin side of the connected signal cable 1 TMDS DATA 2+ 2 TMDS DATA 2 SHIELD 3 TMDS DATA 2- 4 TMDS DATA 1+ 5 TMDS DATA 1 SHIELD 6 TMDS DATA 1- 7 TMDS DATA 0+ 8 TMDS DATA 0 SHIELD 9 TMDS DATA 0- 10 TMDS CLOCK+ 11 TMDS CLOCK SHIELD 12 TMDS CLOCK- 13 CEC 14 Reserved (N.C.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface This section gives you information about the USB ports that are available on the monitor. NOTE: This monitor is Super-Speed USB 3.0 compatible. Transfer speed Data rate Power consumption* Super-Speed 5 Gbps 4.5 W (Max, each port) High speed 480 Mbps 4.5 W (Max, each port) Full speed 12 Mbps 4.5 W (Max, each port) * Up to 2 A on USB downstream port (with battery icon) with battery charging version-compliant devices or normal USB devices.
USB downstream connector Pin number 9-pin side of the connector 1 VCC 2 D- 3 D+ 4 GND 5 SSRX- 6 SSRX+ 7 GND 8 SSTX- 9 SSTX+ USB ports • 1 x upstream - rear • 2 x downstream - rear • 2 x downstream - bottom Power charging port - the port with icon; supports up to 2 A fastcharging capability if the device is BC1.2 compatible. NOTE: USB 3.0 functionality requires a USB 3.0-capable computer. NOTE: The USB ports on the monitor work only when the monitor is turned on or in power save mode.
LCD monitor quality and pixel policy During the LCD monitor manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for one or more pixels to become fixed in an unchanging state, which are hard to see and do not affect the display quality or usability. For more information on Dell Monitor Quality and Pixel Policy, see www.dell.com/support/monitors. Maintenance guidelines Cleaning your monitor CAUTION: Read and follow the Safety instructions before cleaning the monitor.
Setting up the monitor Attaching the stand NOTE: The stand is not factory-installed. NOTE: The following instructions are only applicable for the stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are attaching a stand that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up instructions that were included with the stand. CAUTION: The following steps are important to protect your curved screen. Do follow the instructions below to finish up the installation. 1.
5. Open the protective cover on the monitor to access the VESA slot on the monitor. 6. Slide the tabs on the stand riser into the slots on the display back cover and lower the stand assembly to snap it into place.
7. Route the power cable through the cable-management slot on the stand and then through the cable-management clip at the back of the display. 8. Connect the power cable to the monitor. 9. Now route the required cables through the cable-management slot on the stand and then through the cable-management clip at the back of the display.
10. Hold the stand riser and lift the monitor carefully, then place it on a flat surface. CAUTION: Hold the stand riser firmly when lifting the monitor to avoid any accidental damage. 11. Lift the protective cover from the monitor.
12. Slide the tabs on the I/O cover into the slots on the display back cover until it snaps into place. NOTE: Ensure that all cables pass through the I/O cover and cablemanagement slot on the stand riser. Connecting the computer WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the Safety instructions. NOTE: Do not connect all cables to the computer at the same time. NOTE: The images are for the purpose of illustration only. Appearance of the computer may vary.
2. Connect the other end of the USB 3.0 upstream cable to an appropriate USB 3.0 port on your computer. 3. Connect the USB 3.0 peripherals to the USB 3.0 downstream ports on the monitor. 4. Plug the power cables for your computer and monitor into a wall outlet. 5. Turn on the monitor and the computer. If your monitor displays an image, installation is complete. If it does not display an image, see Universal Serial Bus (USB) specific problems.
5. Disconnect the cables from the monitor and slide them out through the cable-management slot on the stand riser. 6. Press and hold the stand release button. 7. Lift the stand up and away from the monitor.
VESA wall mounting (optional) (Screw dimension: M4 x 10 mm) Refer to the instructions that come with the VESA-compatible wall mounting kit. 1. Place the monitor panel on a soft cloth or cushion on a stable flat surface. 2. Remove the monitor stand. (See Removing the monitor stand.) 3. Use a Phillips crosshead screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the plastic cover. 4. Attach the mounting bracket from the wall mounting kit to the monitor. 5. Mount the monitor on the wall.
Operating the monitor Power on the monitor Press the power button to turn on the monitor. Using the joystick control Use the joystick control on the rear of the monitor to make OSD adjustments. 1. Press the joystick button to launch the OSD main menu. 2. Move the joystick up/down/left/right to toggle between options. 3. Press the joystick button again to confirm the settings and exit. Joystick Description • When the OSD menu is on, press the button to confirm the selection or save the settings.
• For 2-way (up and down) directional navigation. • Toggles between the menu items. • Increases (up) or decreases (down) the parameters of selected menu item. Using the rear-panel controls Use the control buttons on the rear of the monitor to access the OSD menu and shortcut keys. The following table describes the rear-panel buttons: Rear-panel button Description To launch the OSD main menu. See Accessing the menu system. 1 Menu To exit the OSD main menu.
When you press any of these buttons (excluding the joystick button), the OSD Status Bar appears to let you know the current settings of some OSD functions. Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu Accessing the menu system Icon Menu and submenus Description Game Use this menu to personalize your visual gameplay experience. Preset Modes Allows you to choose from a list of preset color modes. • Standard: Loads the monitor's default color settings. This is the default preset mode.
Preset Modes • MOBA/RTS: Loads color settings ideal for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) and Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games. • RPG: Loads color settings ideal for Role-Playing Games (RPG). • SPORTS: Loads color settings ideal for sports games. • Game 1/Game 2/Game 3: Allows you to customize the color settings for your gaming needs. • ComfortView: Decreases the level of blue light emitted from the screen to make viewing more comfortable for your eyes.
Game Enhance The feature offers three available functions to enhance your Mode gameplay experience. • Off Select to disable the functions under Game Enhance Mode. • Timer Allows you to disable or enable the timer at the upper left corner of the display. The timer shows the time elapsed since the game starts. Select an option from the time-interval list to keep you aware of the remaining time. • Frame Rate Selecting On allows you to display the current frames per second when playing games.
Dark Stabilizer The feature improves the visibility in the dark gaming scenarios. The higher the value (between 0 to 3), the better visibility in dark area of the display image. Hue This feature can shift the color of the video image to green or purple. This is used to adjust the desired flesh-tone color. Use the joystick to adjust the hue level from 0 to 100. Move the joystick up to increase the green shade of the video image. Move the joystick down to increase the purple shade of the video image.
Input Source DP HDMI 1 HDMI 2 38 | Use the Input Source menu to select between the different video signals that may be connected to your monitor. Select the DP input when you are using the DisplayPort (DP) connector. Press the joystick button to confirm the selection. Select the HDMI 1or HDMI 2 input when you are using the HDMI connectors. Press the joystick button to confirm the selection. Auto Select Turn on the function to allow the monitor to automatically scan for available input sources.
AlienFX Lighting Color Use this menu to adjust the LED light settings for the Power button, Alienware logo, and the light stripe on the stand. To specify an LED lighting color, select On and move the joystick to highlight the Custom Color option. Then you can make a selection from the list of 20 available colors by moving the joystick up or down.
The following table depicts the color number and the RGB codes used for the 20 LED colors. No. R G B 1 0 0 0 2 100 0 240 3 144 0 240 4 240 0 240 5 240 0 176 6 240 0 112 7 240 0 0 8 240 80 0 9 240 128 0 10 240 224 0 11 120 240 0 12 160 240 0 13 100 245 35 14 0 240 0 15 0 240 85 16 70 240 145 17 0 240 240 18 0 160 240 19 0 96 240 20 0 0 240 To turn off the AlienFX lights, select Off.
Spectrum When you select On, the LED lighting glows and changes colors in the sequence of the color spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Reset AlienFX Resets all settings under the AlienFX Lighting menu to the Lighting factory defaults. Display Brightness Use Display to adjust images. Brightness adjusts the luminance of the backlight. Move the joystick up to increase the brightness level or move the joystick down to decrease the brightness level (min. 0 / max. 100).
Input Color Format Allows you to set the video input mode to: RGB: Select this option if your monitor is connected to a computer (or media player) using the DP or HDMI cable. YPbPr: Select this option if your media player supports only YPbPr output. Sharpness This feature can make the image look sharper or softer. Move the joystick to adjust the sharpness level from 0 to 100. Reset Display Resets all settings under the Display menu to the factory defaults.
Transparency Select this option to change the menu transparency by moving the joystick up or down (min. 0/max. 100). Timer Sets the length of time for the OSD to remain active after you move the joystick or press a button. Move the joystick to adjust the slider in 1 second increments, from 5 to 60 seconds. Reset Menu Resets all settings under the Menu menu to the factory defaults.
Others Display Info DDC/CI Displays the monitor's current settings. DDC/CI (Display Data Channel/Command Interface) allows your monitor parameters (brightness, color balance, and etc.) to be adjustable via the software on your computer. You can disable this feature by selecting Off. Enable this feature for best user experience and optimum performance of your monitor. LCD Conditioning 44 | Helps reduce minor cases of image retention.
Firmware Service Tag Reset Others Displays the firmware version of your monitor. Displays the service tag of your monitor. This string is required when you look for phone support, check your warranty status, update drivers on Dell's website, etc. Resets all settings under the Others menu to the factory defaults. Factory Reset Resets all OSD settings to the factory defaults.
When the monitor enters the Power Save Mode, the following message appears: Activate the computer and wake up the monitor to gain access to the Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the connected input signal. If you press any button other than the power button, the following message will appear depending on the selected input: NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the connected input signal.
When Factory Reset is selected, the following message appears: See Troubleshooting for more information. Setting the maximum resolution To set the maximum resolution for the monitor: In Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1: 1. For Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 only, select the Desktop tile to switch to classic desktop. 2. Right-click on the desktop and click Screen Resolution. 3. Click the Dropdown list of the Screen Resolution and select 1920 x 1080. 4. Click OK. In Windows 10: 1.
Using the tilt, swivel, and vertical extension NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for attaching the stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are attaching a stand that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up instructions that were included with the stand. Tilt and swivel extensions With the stand attached to the monitor, you can tilt and swivel the monitor for the most comfortable viewing angle. NOTE: The stand is not factory-installed.
Rotating the monitor Before you rotate the monitor, your monitor should be fully extended vertically (vertical extension) and fully tilted up to avoid hitting the bottom edge of the monitor.
Rotate counterclockwise NOTE: To use the Display Rotation function (Landscape versus Portrait view) with your Dell computer, you require an updated graphics driver that is not included with this monitor. To download the graphics driver, go to www.dell.com/support and see the Download section for Video Drivers for latest driver updates. NOTE: When in the Portrait View Mode, you may experience performance degradation in graphic-intensive applications (3D Gaming and etc.).
Adjusting the rotation display settings of your system After you have rotated your monitor, you need to complete the procedure below to adjust the Rotation Display Settings of your system. NOTE: If you are using the monitor with a non-Dell computer, you need to go the graphics driver website or your computer manufacturer website for information on rotating the 'contents' on your display. To adjust the Rotation Display Settings: 1. Right-click on the desktop and click Properties. 2.
Using AlienFX application You can configure the LED lighting effects across multiple distinct zones on your Alienware monitor through AlienFX in AWCC (Alienware Command Center). NOTE: If you have an Alienware Gaming Desktop or Laptop, you can directly access AWCC to control the lightings. NOTE: For more information, see Alienware Command Center Online Help. Prerequisites Before installing the AWCC on a non-Alienware system: • Ensure the OS of your computer is Windows 10 R3 or later.
Navigating the AlienFX window With the Alienware Command Center, AlienFX allows you to control the LED lighting colors and transition effects for your Alienware monitor. In the AWCC home screen, click FX in the top menu bar to access the home screen of AlienFX. The following table describes the functions and features on the home screen: No. Functions Descriptions A CREATE NEW THEME... B Edit controls • EDIT: Provides options for you to customize lighting settings for your theme.
When you start to customize a theme, you should see the following screen: The following table describes the functions and features on the screen: No. H Functions LIGHTING panel Descriptions Use the controls in this panel to set up lighting effects for a theme. See Setting lighting effects for details. I SAVE THEME Click to save all adjustments and changes for the theme. J Live preview The lighting zones are with numbered callouts. You may select a single zone by clicking the number on the image.
Creating a theme To create a theme with your preferred lighting settings: 1. Launch AWCC. 2. Click FX in the top menu bar to access the home screen of AlienFX. 3. In the top-left corner of the window, click to create a new theme. 4. In the CREATE NEW THEME text box, type the theme name. 5. Specify the lighting zone(s) for which you want to make lighting adjustments by: • selecting the zone check box(es) above the live preview area, or • clicking the numbered callout on the image of monitor 6.
Setting lighting effects The LIGHTING panel provides various lighting effects. You may click Effect to open a drop-down menu with available options. NOTE: The options displayed may vary depending on the lighting zone(s) you specified. The following table provides an overview of different options: Morph Descriptions The effect changes the light color into another through a seamless transition. To make the adjustments: 1. Pick a preferred color from the color palette or the list of PRESET COLORS.
Pulse Descriptions The effect makes the light flash with a short pause. To make the adjustments: 1. Pick a preferred color from the color palette or the list of PRESET COLORS. The selected color and its RGB color codes will be displayed on the right field. NOTE: To change the color, use the up and down arrow buttons beside the R/G/B boxes to edit the color codes. 2. To add the selected color to the list of YOUR COLORS for quick access in the future, click . At most 12 colors can be added to the list.
Spectrum Descriptions The effect makes the light change in sequence of spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. You can drag the TEMPO slider to adjust the transition speed. NOTE: The option is available only when you select All Zones to make lighting adjustments. Breathing Descriptions The effect makes the light change from bright to dim. To make the adjustments: 1. Pick a preferred color from the color palette or the list of PRESET COLORS.
Troubleshooting WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the Safety instructions. Self-test Your monitor provides a self-test feature that allows you to check whether your monitor is functioning properly. If your monitor and computer are properly connected but the monitor screen remains dark, run the monitor self-test by performing the following steps: 1. Turn off both your computer and the monitor. 2. Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer.
Built-in diagnostics Your monitor has a built-in diagnostic tool that helps you determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with your monitor, or with your computer and video card. NOTE: You can run the built-in diagnostics only when the video cable is unplugged and the monitor is in self-test mode. To run the built-in diagnostics: 1. Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen). 2.
Common problems The following table contains general information about common monitor problems you might encounter and the possible solutions: Common symptoms What you experience Possible solutions No Video/ Power LED off No picture • Ensure that the video cable connecting the monitor and the computer is properly connected and secure. • Verify that the power outlet is functioning properly using any other electrical equipment. • Ensure that the power button is depressed fully.
Brightness Problems Picture too dim or too bright • Reset the monitor to factory settings. • Adjust brightness and contrast controls in the Display menu. Geometric Distortion Screen not centered correctly • Reset the monitor to factory settings. Horizontal/ Vertical Lines Screen has one or more lines • Reset the monitor to factory settings. • Perform monitor self-test feature check and determine if these lines are also in self-test mode. • Check for bent or broken pins in the video cable connector.
Wrong Color Picture color not • Change the settings of the Preset Modes in the good Game menu OSD depending on the application. • Adjust Gain/Offset/Hue/Saturation value under Custom Color in the Game menu OSD. • Run the built-in diagnostics. Image retention from a static image left on the monitor for a long period of time Faint shadow • Use the Power Management feature to turn off from the static the monitor at all times when not in use (for more image displayed information, see Power management modes).
Universal Serial Bus (USB) specific problems Specific symptoms What you experience Possible solutions USB interface is USB peripherals • Check that your monitor is turned on. are not working • Reconnect the upstream cable to your computer. not working • Reconnect the USB peripherals (downstream connector). • Switch off and then turn on the monitor again. • Reboot the computer.
Appendix WARNING: Safety instructions WARNING: Use of controls, adjustments, or procedures other than those specified in this documentation may result in exposure to shock, electrical hazards, and/or mechanical hazards. For information on safety instructions, see the Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information (SERI). FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory information For FCC notices and other regulatory information, see the regulatory compliance website located at www.dell.
