Early Verdict
If the 288P6LJEB used the speedy control board found in Asus’ and Planar’s monitors, it would be a winner. If you aren’t looking for a gaming screen, it gets the job done based on perfectly acceptable color performance and excellent build quality.
Pros
- +
Decent color accuracy, excellent build quality, SmartControl software, easy 60Hz setup over DisplayPort 1.2, better-than-average speakers
Cons
- -
Middling contrast, higher-than-average input lag
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Philips 288P6LJEB 28-inch Ultra HD Monitor Review
The next price point is between $1000 and $1500. That gets you a 24-inch AH-IPS panel from Dell or NEC, with an Adobe RGB option on both screens, along with superb color accuracy and decent contrast. We reviewed the UP2414Q and the EA244UHD and found them among the best displays we’d measured in all areas of performance.
For gamers, the best 4K products right now are the 28-inch TN panels. Viewing angles are not as good as IPS and you do give up a little contrast, but right now prices are stable at $600 and below. A couple of them add fast panel response and low input lag to the mix. We recorded excellent results from Asus's PB287Q and Planar's IX2850 that beat many QHD/IPS screens.
Today, we’re taking a look at our fourth example – Philips’ 288P6LJEB. Like the aforementioned group, it's attractively-priced. And according to our tests, it acquits itself as well in most areas of performance.
| Brand & Model | Philips 288P6LJEB |
|---|---|
| Panel Type & Backlight | TN / W-LED, edge array |
| Screen Size & Aspect Ratio | 28in / 16:9 |
| Max Resolution & Refresh Rate | 3840x2160 @ 60Hz |
| Native Color Depth & Gamut | 10-bit (8-bit w/FRC) / sRGB |
| Response Time (GTG) | 5ms |
| Brightness | 300cd/m2 |
| Speakers | 2 x 3W |
| Video Inputs | 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI/MHL,1 x DVI, 1 x VGA |
| Audio | 1 x 3.5mm / 1 x headphone |
| USB | v3.0 - 1 x up, 2 x downv2.0 - 2 x down |
| Panel DimensionsWxHxD w/base | 25.9 x 22.6 x 10.7in659 x 573 x 273mm |
| Panel Thickness | 2in / 50mm |
| Bezel Width | .7-1.3in / 18-33mm |
| Weight | 17.7lbs / 8kg |
| Warranty | Three years |
Innolux, formerly Chi Mei Optoelectronics, list only two versions of the same panel part in its catalog: a 28-inch TN screen with an 8-bit/FRC color depth for an effective 10-bit signal path (if you have the appropriate graphics hardware). The backlight is a white LED and its brightness is rated at 300cd/m2. The only difference between them is an apparent refresh for 2014.
To that component, Philips adds a full set of convenience features. You get plenty of inputs, including a legacy VGA port for analog signals. To operate the monitor at its native resolution, however, you need to use DisplayPort 1.2 for 60Hz or HDMI for 30Hz.
Unique to the 288P6LJEB is Philips’ SmartControl Premium software. It’s included on a CD in the box, or you can download it from the manufacturer’s website. It can help you with calibration by giving you desktop access to all image controls, along with test patterns. It doesn't work with any calibration instruments though. Adjustment with SmartControl is strictly by eye.
It also has a neat window management feature that automatically sizes and places applications in any on-screen configuration you desire, up to four quadrants. We’ve seen a similar tool bundled with AOC monitors.
Our initial impression of the first Philips monitor we've reviewed is that it has decent build quality, a useful set of extras and represents an inexpensive way to add 4K to your rig without breaking the bank. Let’s take a closer look.
