Forget about RTX filters. The gaming monitor from BenQ takes care of the visual enhancements on its own.

      I've spent years adjusting in-game brightness sliders, GPU filters, HDR settings, and monitor presets to enhance my experience with my favorite games. Naturally, I prioritize the original vision of the artists first, but replaying these titles with fresh filters certainly revitalizes the atmosphere.

      This brings me to my admiration for BenQ’s new MOBIUZ gaming monitors. During a recent visit to BenQ's headquarters in Taiwan, I got a firsthand look at the company's latest AI-driven game filter technology, and it exceeded my expectations in terms of clarity. BenQ is not merely attaching an "AI" label to a gaming display; what they're offering are personalized modifications that enhance your experience by utilizing BenQ’s game art database, which automatically adjusts brightness, contrast, and color balance to align with the game’s aesthetic without compromising performance.

      The filter is integrated within the monitor itself.

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      When using GPU-side filters, like Nvidia’s Game Filters, your graphics card is still involved in processing after the frame is rendered. While these tools can enhance a game's visual sharpness, mood, or vibrancy, they may incur a performance penalty depending on the setup. BenQ adopts a different approach by delegating this processing to the display itself. Its Smart Color system operates through the Color Shuttle software and employs an AI chipset alongside BenQ’s MOBIUZ Game Color Database.

      Instead of applying a GPU-level filter to the finished frame, it modifies the monitor’s output using game-specific visual profiles. In practice, you can achieve a more vibrant or balanced game display without the concern of the filter affecting your frame rate. Given the importance of every additional fps for many PC gamers, this visual filter ensures that none of it is sacrificed.

      More than merely a collection of presets

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      What impressed me during the demonstration was that BenQ is not treating this like an outdated preset menu for FPS/RPG/Racing games. Such menus have been around for ages, often being too extreme or overly generic. Color Shuttle is designed around a game art database boasting over 120 profiles. BenQ claims it employs deep learning to comprehend color grading, lighting, and artistic intent across various game genres. Once Smart Color is activated, it can automatically detect the game you're playing and switch to an appropriate profile.

      You also have the option to modify these settings, utilizing familiar BenQ features like Color Vibrance and Light Tuner, which allow you to adjust the image to your liking. Once again, the concept of “better colors” is subjective. One player might prefer a darker and moodier horror game, while another may want improved shadow visibility. Meanwhile, someone else might desire a more cinematic look for open-world games. BenQ’s system provides a foundation and allows for further customization.

      Community-driven features

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      One of the standout aspects of Color Shuttle is its cloud-sharing capability. You can save custom presets, upload them, and share them with other users. Other players can then download these configurations for their compatible monitors, adding a social dimension to the feature. Imagine being able to download a profile for a specific game that another user has optimized for better night scene visibility, for example.

      This also highlights the necessity of an internet connection. Color Shuttle interfaces with BenQ’s Game Color Database, and the cloud functionality is utilized for saving and sharing profiles. The AI tuning differs from cloud gaming or streaming, but the ecosystem still relies on BenQ’s online database and community interactions.

      However, there are certain restrictions. Currently, Color Shuttle is only available as a Windows 10/11 application, and console users must save presets to the monitor's Gamer modes via a PC before applying them elsewhere. Nonetheless, I appreciate the direction BenQ is taking. Many AI gaming features often feel overwhelming or too reliant on costly GPU upgrades. Smart Color, while simpler, is also more practical.