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The choice between jumbo monitor or television will always be a matter of debate. Newer TVs have 120Hz and FreeSync for console gaming and usually cost less than than similarly sized monitors. But computer displays usually include things like DisplayPort, faster refresh rates, overdrive and other features that make them a compelling choice.
The Philips Momentum 559M1RYV isn’t significantly more expensive than a very good 55-inch TV, but it delivers fantastic sound and Ambiglow in addition to being a decent gaming monitor. And its excellent build quality is certainly something to consider.
(Image credit: Phillips)
With a bright picture courtesy of a 1,200 nit FALD backlight, the 559M1RYV looks great playing the latest SDR and HDR titles. Its 144 dimming zones up the contrast ratio to over 200,000:1 in HDR mode and an impressive 5,200:1 for SDR. Vibrant and accurate color also contributes to one of the best pictures we’ve seen from a jumbo screen. You don’t have to calibrate it, but if you do, you can enjoy reference-level accuracy.
My two favorite features are the B&W soundbar and Ambiglow. Computer monitor speakers are usually an afterthought, but Philips has really made an effort here. The 2.1 channel unit delivers some of the best sound we’ve heard from any monitor we’ve ever reviewed. Ambiglow is also a unique and useful feature. You can coordinate a light show with both picture and sound, And Ambiglow can function as a bias light which enhances picture contrast and reduces eye fatigue.
If you’re looking to get a monitor from Microsoft’s new Xbox display certification program, the 559M1RYV is one of the first to earn the moniker and, as of this writing, is the largest. With HDMI 2.1, FreeSync and HDR, it’s a great choice for Xbox or PS5. And it’s an excellent TV, so long as you don’t need an internal tuner. I am always happy to see 24p frame rate support for Blu-ray disc and streaming. The only thing we wished for was a better overdrive. Even on its fastest setting, there was some motion blur.
Aside from this one flaw, the Philips Momentum 559M1RYV is a very useful and versatile monitor for those wanting a jumbo screen in their office or media room. With a great picture, accurate color and a strong feature set, it’s well worth checking out.
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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.
