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This assessment first appeared in situation 355 of PC Pro.
It’s tempting to disregard the diagrams on the Philips 49B2U6900CH field that say, categorically, “it is a two-person job”. So tempting, actually, that I did ignore them, and was quickly struggling to connect the big 49in panel to the gratifyingly sturdy metallic stand. A minimum of I had the great sense to clear my desk beforehand, as I seemed like a weightlifter huffing and puffing it into place.
However it’s workplace staff fairly than weightlifters that Philips targets right here, significantly those that presently have two or three 27in monitors littering their desk. The thought is to exchange such anachronisms with a single display, permitting you to separate your home windows throughout the 5,120 x 1,440 pixels (32:9). Home windows Snap does an incredible job of this, however I discovered I labored greatest with my home windows scattered round; I may then drag the required window entrance and middle as required. In case your job includes analysis, you’ll love having all the pieces in view.
It’s even attainable to multitask throughout two totally different computer systems, with a KVM that lets you swap between sources just by urgent Ctrl thrice. A minimum of a kind of sources will must be linked over USB-C, and with as much as 100W of energy supply (on each upstream USB-C ports) this monitor makes a perfect docking station. It even features a 1GbE port alongside the 4 USB-A ports and a USB-C downstream port. Sensibly, Philips locations that USB-C port, a 3.5mm jack and two USB-A ports on the left-hand aspect of the monitor for simple entry.
You’ll additionally discover a flip-out headphone stand right here though, for as soon as, I used to be pleasantly stunned by the standard of a monitor’s built-in speakers; I used to be completely satisfied to hearken to music whereas engaged on the Philips 49B2U6900CH. Though not bass-heavy tracks, as even this pair of 5W audio system sound hole.
Philips features a 5MP webcam, which pops up like a periscope if you want it.
It is smart to stick with it on a regular basis as it could additionally log you into Home windows utilizing facial recognition, plus it features a “Busylight”. So, if it is aware of you’re on a video name, a crimson strip gentle runs throughout the highest and aspect to alert colleagues. Or you’ll be able to activate this your self utilizing a button on the underside left. It’s a pleasant concept, however I hope the following iteration is extra distinguished.
I additionally hope that Philips improves the camera. Element seize is spot on, and the auto-framing possibility (albeit a tad over-eager) works properly, as does the truth that it could accommodate a number of folks in view. Nevertheless, its coloration steadiness wants work, as all the pieces has a wierd, hazy blue high quality to it. Hopefully this will likely be fastened by way of a software program replace, however within the meantime I like to recommend utilizing a webcam and a separate mic, as even at most pickup I discovered the built-in possibility too weak.
I’ve no such complaints concerning the panel’s picture high quality. This can be a VA panel with a minor curvature, and it’s tuned for the sRGB coloration house fairly than DCI-P3. There’s even an sRGB preset, which produces glorious whites. Colour accuracy is ok for its meant workplace use, with a mean Delta E of 1.13. Preserving to the default mode offers you extra colours than sRGB mode, overlaying 79% of the DCI-3 house in comparison with 68%, and whereas whites lose some whiteness it’s nonetheless an incredible on a regular basis alternative.
Brightness goes all the way in which as much as 500cd/m2, which is overkill in an workplace and likewise consumes extra energy. At a extra smart 200cd/m2(33% in Philips’ brightness setting) it consumed 44W, whereas pushing it to 100% eats 71W. Philips additionally presents a bunch of its SmartImage choices, together with Eco (125cd/m2, 37W) and EasyRead, that are price exploring.
There’s a Film mode, too, with Philips incomes DisplayHDR 400 certification for this monitor. Movies look good as long as you ignore the massive expanse of black to the left and proper. It’s in driving and FPS video games, although, the place you actually benefit from the vast expanse, and despite the fact that it has a peak 75Hz refresh charge this monitor pays further dividends after hours.
In reality, it delivers in all key areas. Picture high quality is robust, it’s extraordinarily properly suited to workplace life (word the 150mm of top adjustment), and there are helpful options galore. My solely actual criticism of this monitor is its value.