Philips 436M6VBPAB review: The 4K monitor built for console gamers

TVs are the go-to displays for console gaming, however, with a push button for 4K, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and other cut-border technologies, monitors are increasingly worthwhile. Sporting frequently reduced input latency, improved response times, and other performance gains, monitors can often depict the best from your console.

Philips' new 43-inch Momentum brandish offers a unique hybrid solution, positioned as a monitor for console gamers. Despite the Telly grade gene, it bears characteristics synonymous with traditional monitor panels, combining the best (and worst) aspects of the two. The upshot sits among the all-time monitors for consoles, despite cutting conventional living room features.

Best of both worlds

Philips 436M6VBPAB

$999.99

Lesser line: A ideal monitor for console gaming, only fails to agree up in the average living room.

Pros:

Outstanding paradigm quality.
Supports all features of flagship consoles.
Unique alloy of TV and monitor capabilities.
Sturdy Television receiver-way hardware.

Cons:

One HDMI port.
Ameliorate alternatives for full general entertainment.

What you'll honey about the Philips 436M6VBPAB

The Philips 436M6VBPAB is packed with traits expected from both TVs and monitors, uniquely positioning itself between two product categories. The engineering behind the brandish stems from monitors, while its simple out-of-box-feel and intuitive control feel familiar to those accustomed to TVs.

The Philips 436M6VBPAB display brings out the absolute all-time of Xbox One and PS4, in glorious 4K.

As expected from any gaming TV replacement, this 43-inch LCD vertical alignment (VA) console packs support for 4K resolution (3840 × 2160) at 60Hz with compliance for the open HDR10 standard. This is also the first VESA DisplayHDR 1000 monitor, achieving an ~~eyeball-called-for~~ impressive 1,000 nits peak brightness level. This achieves a abrupt image that simultaneously draws intense colors, pulling the most from whatever console.

A formidable 4ms gray-to-gray response time comes from roots every bit a monitor, meaning reduced latency for games. Paired with Adaptive Sync support, Xbox Ane users to leverage AMD FreeSync, reducing screen tearing and smoothing out gameplay.

While a monitor under the hood, the Philips 436M6VBPAB still fits into whatever living room with its Telly-mode body. It's a sleek exterior is paired with comparable bezels and the streamlined stand up features a simple vertical tilt to ameliorate viewing angles. The wide base remains sturdy on flat surfaces and the 200 × 200 mm VESA mount provides further flexibility.

You'll also find other common Telly features, including a remote command for adjusting volume for the DTS speakers, among other settings. You won't use this remote regularly, but it's an actress step that will brand Tv set converts more comfortable. HDMI-CEC is besides supported, assuasive select devices to control your TV over the HDMI cable.

And for a fashionable cease, a row of downwardly-facing LEDs powers Philips Ambiglow, projecting custom colors or adaptive lighting below.

What you'll dislike about the Philips 436M6VBPAB

The Philips 436M6VBPAB packs features mutual across TVs and monitors, but finds itself in the middle ground, missing some expected from both. These are small criticisms, however, and don't hugely detract from the focus on raw gaming operation.

One fundamental issue is the express port offerings, featuring PC-oriented inputs, despite its console audience. Yous'll observe a unmarried HDMI port, rather than the expected four of TVs, failing to provide flexibility with multiple inputs. DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, and USB-C are available, but just aren't as common across the desk.

The limited port selection may be frustrating for some.

You'll too be missing a TV tuner, among a variety of other amusement-focused features of similarly-priced smart TVs. That'southward non a deal breaker, but when paired with its express ports, information technology'south difficult to recommend this for full general entertainment utilise.

As with many LCDs, the display suffers from backlight haemorrhage, declining to achieve true blacks in some instances. Viewing angles of the VA panel also aren't ideal for a display of this size.

Should you lot purchase the Philips 436M6VBPAB?

The Philips 436M6VBPAB is a well-rounded monitor for gaming on the big screen, packing features often omitted by traditional TVs. While closer to a monitor, it'south a corking entry point for gamers drawn by its gains, without sacrificing the comfort of a burrow. Full-fledged console gaming comes at a cost of some features, making this harder to justify equally a complete Telly replacement.

The Philips 436M6VBPAB costs $999.99 in the U.s., with orders currently accepted at All-time Buy.

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