Philips Intros Quad HD, UltraWide Monitors

Philips Monitors has launched three new displays that offer multiple simultaneous inputs, allowing customers to see more and do more on a single screen. Two "P-Line" models are designed for professionals to make their work more productive while one monitor is aimed at the home user who enjoys watching movies and playing PC games. The two professional models are available through CDW and other resellers, and the consumer model is now available on Amazon.

First, let's start with the consumer unit, the $599 Philips Brilliance 29 inch "Crystalclear" UltraWide HD Monitor. It features built-in high-definition speakers, an advanced 21:9 panoramic AH-IPS panel with "superb" color accuracy, and an ultra-narrow bezel. MultiView technology enables active dual "connect and view" so that users can work with multiple devices like PC and laptop side-by-side simultaneously.

"Watching a live football feed from your set-top box on the right side, while browsing the Internet from your notebook on the left is now easy," the company said. "You may want to keep an eye on the live news feed with audio in the small window, while working on your latest blog in another."

The display also sports "Smart" technology including SmartControl PC software that allows the user to easily fine tune display performance and settings, and SmartKolor which enables rich, vibrant images while experiencing photos and videos. There's also SmartTxt which increases the contrast and boundary sharpness of text content for better readability.

Next we have the $799 P-line 27 inch Quad HD Professional Monitor, designed to deliver Crystalclear Quad HD 2560 x 1440 images. It comes equipped with a 2MP webcam and microphone, built-in speakers, a height-adjustable SmartErgoBase that delivers both cable management and "ergonomic display comfort", and a variety of USB 3.0, Dual link DVI, DisplayPort, universal HDMI and optional Thunderbolt ports.

The display also sports a built-in PowerSensor that determines if a user is present and automatically reduces monitor brightness when the user steps away from the desk. That cuts energy costs by up to 80 percent thus prolonging the monitor's life.

"With excellent 8 bit color depth combined with 109 ppi density, you can now enjoy professional true color sRGB images compared to limited 6 bit color depth displays with 82ppi density," the company said. "Its higher brightness and lower power consumption relative to conventional wide-view angle displays ensure you always have brilliant performance, while saving energy too."

Finally there's the $699 P-line 29 inch UltraWide Professional Monitor featuring a 21:9 AH-IPS screen with an ultra-narrow bezel, delivering Crystalclear 2560 x 1080 pixel images. MultiView functionality enables active dual connect of two separate devices simultaneously on one screen, and the super-wide aspect ratio allows users to view two full Internet pages side by side.

The monitor also packs four USB 3.0 ports and DisplayPort 1.2a Multi Stream Transport (MST) technology with HBR2, the latter of which doubles the data throughput to 21.6 Gbps. This allows the monitor to daisy chain multiple monitors to increase efficiency. The monitor's SmartErgoBase allows it to be lowered down almost to desk level for a comfortable viewing angle.

"The display’s 178/178 degree wide viewing angle allows for optimal graphic design, web applications and photo retouching," the company said. "Whether you require extremely detailed information for CAD-CAM solutions, use 3D graphic applications or are a financial wizard working on huge spreadsheets, this Philips display will deliver Crystalclear 2560 x 1080 pixel images."