The Philips Momentum 329M1RV is a sophisticated 4K 144Hz option in a sea of gamer-centric high-performance monitors. What sets it apart is it’s minimalist aesthetic and the brand’s Ambiglow feature which works a bit differently than most RGB implementations. Let’s see if the Philips Momentum 329M1RV should be your top pick if you are in the market for an HDMI 2.1 gaming monitor with a 144Hz output.
Philips Momentum 329M1RV Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 500 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 3, USB-C PD65W x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 28.15″ x 18.35″ x 11.69″
- Weight: 25.64 lbs
Design and Features
The Philips Momentum 329M1RV looks like a premium business monitor more than a variant that’s designed for multi-platform gaming. The device has a matte black cabinet that’s matched with a matte silver stand for that clean look. The display is bezel-free on three sides although it still has inner borders even if they aren’t immediately noticeable.
It’s a big boy, so you might want to prepare your desk before you set it up to avoid issues with space. It’s wide enough to cover big bookshelf speakers and it’s deep enough to displace a full-sized keyboard. It is not lightweight at 25.64 pounds, so you might need to ask for help to set it up to avoid accidents.
Build quality for the Philips Momentum 329M1RV sample is fantastic thanks to its premium nature. The plastics used are thick and sturdy and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts when the sample was unboxed. The included stand is firm and steady so the screen won’t suddenly sag or wobble while it’s in use.
Another noticeable characteristic of the Philips Momentum 329M1RV is the LEDs that outline its back panel. It’s the monitor’s Ambiglow LEDs that cast a visible glow that matches the dominant colors of the screen. We like how it involves your peripheral vision in the action and its usability versus the simple lighting aesthetics provided by other RGB systems.
You also get an OSD joystick with this model as opposed to the time-consuming button layouts on its lower-tier siblings. The controller is located at the back near the right side of the screen, so it is readily accessible and within reach. Other premium models like the BenQ EX3210U even include a remote, but it isn’t a necessity especially if adding it will raise the price.
The stand included with the Philips Momentum 329M1RV offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your convenience. Pivoting is unnecessary since monitors like this model are too big and they are meant as main displays instead of a secondary portrait screen. you can also use VESA mounts, but they are only necessary if space is limited or if you have multiple monitors on deck.
Another highlight of this model is its impressive connectivity layout with modern standards to suit your every need. It includes DisplayPort 1.4 DSC and three HDMI 2.1 ports which enable 4K 144Hz and 4K 120Hz for PC and next-gen consoles respectively. You also get a USB-C slot with DP Alt Mode and 65 watts of power delivery, allowing you to dock modern laptops like the Apple MacBook Pro.
You will also find four USB 3.2 ports for high-speed transfers and peripherals, although the Type-C or Type B slot needs to be connected to your PC for upstreaming data. You also get a 3.5mm jack and a pair of 5-watt speakers that sound quite better than most built-ins. The monitor is well-equipped in this regard, but its performance is better complimented with immersive headsets or dedicated speakers.
Display and Performance
The Philips Momentum 329M1RV boasts a 32-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms MPRT response time. The backlight has a 500 cd/m2 output while the contrast ratio is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model is certified for HDR 400 so it can only offer very limited improvements in extended contrast and color quality.
4K monitors are more comfortable to view at this size since the pixels aren’t too bunched up and their pixel per inch ratio is looser. You can still enjoy sharper images and the resolution’s expanded space, small objects like text won’t become microscopic. Note that you will need a powerful GPU or the latest gaming consoles if you want to utilize this monitor’s high refresh rate in 4K.
The Philips Momentum 329M1RV renders 100% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 for great color performance in games and movies. the monitor is superbly accurate out of the box with a deltaE average of only 1.21, indicating that it is factory calibrated. Most users won’t need to calibrate the monitor except for basic settings like the screen’s brightness.
Calibrating the monitor improved its dE average to 0.79 which is impressive for a gaming variant. This enables the product to be suitable for color-critical work, enforcing the fact that it’s a great docking monitor for popular workstation laptops. However, most users won’t need to spend the extra on a colorimeter to achieve this since the default setting is already excellent.
Its backlight peaked at 501 cd/m2 in SDR and it reached 553 cd/m2 when it’s HDR mode is active. The screen’s contrast ratio hit 1088:1 at 40% brightness, but it also expands a bit more due to the high brightness output. It would be a better HDR monitor if it had local dimming, but that will also raise its price considerably.
Panel uniformity for the Philips Momentum 329M1RV had some minor issues in the backlight’s spread from the top to the bottom of the screen. it is most noticeable in dark scenes, but it’s not the worse we’ve seen from an IPS panel. There were no backlight leaks or clouding issues, but it’s possible to get a worse unit due to manufacturing tolerances and the nature of some IPS monitors.
Its responsiveness is quite good as well just like the rest of the 4K 144Hz monitors that are already on the market. You only need to set its overdrive feature to its Faster level to reduce the minimal trails and persistence level. It is great for fast-paced games, although 4K 144Hz variants aren’t usually used for competitive play.
The Philips Momentum 329M1RV is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync so you won’t have to worry about tearing and stuttering. This is a must-have feature now since the GPU market is unstable, so getting a specific AMD or Nvidia GPU isn’t guaranteed. Input lag sits at 5ms at 144Hz, so there is no need to worry about delays while gaming.
Thoughts on the Philips Momentum 329M1RV
The Philips Momentum 329M1RV is one of the best 32-inch 4K 144Hz monitors we’ve tested based on its imaging and gaming performance. It’s also brimming with features like HDMI 2.1 connectivity, so it’s not merely for high-end PCs. It is also capable of excellent contrasts, so professionals who enjoy gaming can buy it.
We don’t have any major issues with the product, but it’s kind of hard to find in US retailers, and it is quite pricey. It also could use a better backlight solution to improve its HDR performance, since HDR 400 simply just doesn’t cut it. it’s a fantastic option, but it is not as widely available as the Asus PG32UQ or the Aorus FI32U.
Pros:
- Excellent Color and Accuracy
- Attractive Design
- USB-C and HDMI 2.1 Connectivity
- Fast and Responsive
- Attractive Design with Ambiglow
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited Contrast
- Difficult to Find
About the Author: Paolo is 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 and he believes that it’s 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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