The Philips 34E1C5600HE is an inexpensive multi-purpose solution that satisfies gamers and business users. It has a 100Hz ultrawide panel, but it has docking and conferencing features that are now more useful than ever. Let’s look closer to see what you can expect from a sub-$500 ultrawide monitor specializing in multiple applications.
Philips 34E1C5600HE Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution:3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height –Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, USB-C PD65W x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.8” x 21.9” x 11.1”
- Weight: 20.44 lbs
Design and Features
The Philips 34E1C5600HE wasn’t meant to be flashy or decorative, but its functional look makes it suitable for any setup. The device has a matte black finish that looks clean and is quite easy to maintain. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders just like any other modern monitor.
34-inch monitors are neither compact nor portable, but this model’s design and curvature further emphasize that. The device has a 1500mm radius and a stand with a large base, so it needs almost a foot of depth from your desk. It only weighs 20.44 pounds, but we still recommend asking for help since larger displays are always prone to tipping over.
Philips doesn’t disappoint with build quality either, judging from the products we’ve seen in recent years. The plastic panels are sturdy enough to prevent flexing and cracking, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand can hold the massive display up stably, but it can still wobble when nudged accidentally or if the desk it’s on is flimsy.
The Philips 34E1C5600HE has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its features and accessories. It’s at the back near the right side of the panel, so you will most likely lean in to reach it. However, it is still easier and quicker to use than mushy buttons, so there are no complaints here.
The stand included with the ultrawide only offers tilt and height adjustments, so your ergonomic options are limited. However, curved ultrawides need to be centered to your seating position to maximize their immersive benefits. It is still VESA compatible, but the stock setup already works unless you have multiple screens or a very small desk.
Its I/O layout isn’t the best in the market, but it has more than you can expect to get at this price range. It has DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0, but it also has a USB-C slot with DP Alt Mode and 65 Watts of charging power. You also get four USB 3.2 ports for accessories or peripherals and a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
The monitor also has a 5-megapixel webcam with a built-in microphone and an LED indicator for conferencing needs. It is not the clearest cam on the market, but it works and can get the job done without additional spending. It’s also Windows Hello compatible as an added measure for security.
It’s rounded up by a pair of 5-watt speakers, which can get loud enough for basic entertainment use. It lacks an appreciable bass range, but we think that it is good enough for daily tasks like conference calls or video streaming.
Display and Performance
The Philips 34E1C5600HE boasts a 34-inch VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1, like most VA panels. This model doesn’t advertise HDR, but we know how ineffective that is if the monitor lacks special features like local dimming.
34-inch ultrawides aren’t the sharpest monitors you can get, but they are still very popular. The extra horizontal space is handy for both gaming and productivity since it gives you a lot more room to maneuver. It’s more demanding than its 16:9 siblings, but its GPU requirements aren’t on the same level as a 4K screen.
The Philips 34E1C5600HE covers 100% of the sRGB gamut and 86% of the DCI-P3 color space. Its default setting had a deltaE average of 1.41 which is excellent for a budget monitor and daily use. Most users won’t need to calibrate it since it’s already semi-balanced out of the box.
Calibrating it to give it a more neutral appearance reduced the dE average to 0.93, making it suitable for color-critical work. However, you will need the assistance of a colorimeter to get the same results instead of simply copying settings from reviewers. It is worth it if you edit images for a living or create content, but it’s impractical otherwise.
The Philips 34E1C5600HE’s backlight reached 372 cd/m2 at 100%, which is considerably higher than the manufacturer’s claims. Its contrast peaked at 3671:1 at 40% brightness, so it’s capable of deep blacks, unlike its IPS counterparts. It’s great for night or dark scenes in games and movies, although some black crush can happen.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues at the top edge of the screen. They showed up as clouding in some instances but were mostly unnoticeable in full-color images or light backgrounds like a browser or Microsoft Office. Note that this can change with every monitor made due to tolerances, so it is possible to get a unit with fewer issues.
The biggest weakness of the Philips 34E1C5600HE’s VA panel is its slower pixel response time. It’s prone to blurring and trails in fast-paced transitions, just like every other VA panel out there. You can use some overdrive to alleviate it, but maxing it out will induce overshoot which is also quite visible.
The Philips 34E1C5600HE is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. This duality is essential now, so you don’t have to buy a new monitor in case you upgrade your GPU to other brands. Input lag sits at 5ms at 100Hz, so it is still very responsive and suitable for fast-paced play.
Thoughts on the Philips 34E1C5600HE
The Philips 34E1C5600HE is a superb choice if you need a computer monitor that will serve multiple purposes. It is suitable for gaming and professional applications thanks to its 100Hz VA panel that has decent imaging qualities. It’s equipped with today’s must-have accessories, so you are saving a lot of money by choosing it instead of buying each one separately.
Budget models will almost certainly have limitations, so we’re not treating them as deal-breakers. One example is its USB-C port which could use an upgrade with charging since 65 Watts is meager by today’s standards. But overall, it’s a decent buy since you are getting a large and beautiful screen with useful accessories for under $500.
Pros:
- Excellent Contrast and Max Brightness
- Great Color Performance
- USB-C and Webcam Included
- Affordable Price
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- USB-C is Limited to 65W
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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