If you only use your TV for gaming and streaming anyway, it doesn’t necessarily need a TV function. With the 559M1RYV, Philips offers a 55-inch monitor for the living room that is designed for use with current consoles.
The 4K panel uses high-contrast VA technology and offers 144 Hz. Thus, for example, the 120 Hz mode of the Xbox Series X and the PS5be fully exploited. The Xbox also uses the variable synchronization technology FreeSync, which ensures a smooth display even with fluctuating frame rates. The device is on par with televisions in this price range in terms of HDR display, but you have to do without the outstanding contrast of OLED and QLED panels.
In return, Philips installs a large soundbar from Bowers & Wilkins, which should give the device a clear sound advantage. The popular Ambiglow backlight is also part of the game. The lighting on the back wall is always dynamically adapted to the current image content.
The 558M1RY is a 55-inch Philips TV monitor without a TV receiver. The model comes with all the usual features of a properly equipped 4K HDR TV. The resolution ensures sufficient image sharpness. The luminosity, which can be briefly increased to 1,200 candelas, ensures an intensive HDR effect if the image material provides for the extended dynamic range.
The TV feeling also comes with the refresh rate: With 120 Hz, the monitor can display smooth and sharp movements if you play on a computer because game consoles deliver a maximum of 60 Hz here – there would be no added value in this respect. If you want to edit media, the 558M1RY is also suitable for this: 125% of the sRGB color space is covered and the P3 space, which is important for video productions, is a proud 95%.
As is typical for televisions, there are many signal connections to choose from: 3x HDMI and 1x DisplayPort allow you to connect multiple end devices without replugging when you switch. On the back is also the Ambiglow lighting system known from Philips televisions, which provides lighting that is adapted in terms of color and brightness depending on the content being displayed. Below the panel is a soundbar that promises a rich sound.
Pros and Cons
| Philips 559M1RYV | Philips 558M1RY |
| Sharp QHD panel with 165/170 Hz | Large and sharp VA panel |
| 144Hz and FreeSync | High luminosity and contrasts |
| High contrast and DisplayHDR 1000 | High color space coverage |
| Neutral colour representation | Few connections |
| No OLED panel | Very expensive |
Specification
| Philips 559M1RYV | Philips 558M1RY | |
| Released | 11, May 2021 | 16, Dec 2018 |
| Brand | Philips | Philips |
| Panel Type | IPS | VA LCD |
| Dimension | 715 x 585 x 244 mm | 713.1 x 530.3 x 244.9 mm |
| Weight | 7.1 kg | 7.28 kg |
| Screen Size | 31.5 inch | 31.5 inch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Refresh Rate | 170 Hz | 144 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 ms | 1 ms |
| Adaptive-Sync | AMD FreeSync AIM Stabilizer Sync | FreeSync |
| Ports | 2 x HDMI 2.0 Input 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Input 1 x 3.5 mm Output 1 x USB Type-B (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1) Input/Output 2 x USB Type-A (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1) 1 x USB Type-C (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1) Input/Output | 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1.4 1 x HDMI 2.0 1 x 3.5 mm Output |
| Built-In Speakers | 2 x 3 W | No |
| Pixels Per Inch | 93 PPI | 93 PPI |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² | 300 cd/m² |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Colors | 1.07 billion colours 8 bit | 16777216 colours 8 bit |
| Power Consumption | 120 W (Maximum) | 37 W (Typical) |
The 559M1RYV from Philips is a fantastic monitor for gaming on PCs and next-generation consoles. It delivers excellent picture and HDR performance, even if it’s not comparable to some HDR1000 monitors with full-array direct backlighting. It is designed to work with all popular devices, including gadgets with USB-C slots designed for productivity.
But on the other hand, it is not perfect due to factors such as slow pixel response time and weak overdrive implementation. It’s also too big for tabletop gaming, so it’s almost certain to be used as a TV rather than a desktop monitor. However, if these issues don’t bother you, consider the 559M1RYV one of the best displays you can buy right now.
The Philips Momentum 558M1RY is a premium gaming monitor ideal for gaming or watching/listening to media content from your game console or PC. Moreover, it is a classic PC equipped with a flagship video card that can offer the highest picture quality. New generation consoles can also please the eye with a beautiful image, but a lot depends on the game itself.
In any case, Momentum 558M1RY can deliver stunning image quality, complementing it with a backlight. The monitor has 4K resolution and an increased refresh rate (120 Hz), which, with 55 ″ and support for a whole range of other technologies (the most important is AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), which, given the low cost for such a set of features, is an unattainable level for competitors at this point.
