Monday, November 20th 2023

Philips Launches the 49B2U5900CH Monitor with Busylight and Webcam with Windows Hello

With a new arsenal of features to compliment its release, Philips will add a new monitor to their B2B 5000 series product line on 20 November, 2023. The Philips 49B2U5900CH is equipped with a 32:9 (48.8 inches) SuperWide display, which is one of the key aspects of this monitor, and it brings new features such as the Busylight and a tilting Earphone Hook that has never before been seen on a Philips monitor.

All of these new features, along with the Philips 49B2U5900CH's USB-C docking with RJ45 and TUV Rheinland Eyesafe certification, make this monitor ideal for office professionals looking to increase productivity in the workplace as well as those who work from home and require a highly-collaborative product to facilitate their workday. Please check out the product page here.
Made for Collaboration with Windows Hello and Busylight Function
The Philips 49B2U5900CH is designed to create a more dynamic work environment. For professionals working in an office setting, the new Busylight is located on the top of the webcam of the monitor and it can sync with Microsoft Teams statuses so that colleagues know whether others are on a call or not.

Apart from the Busylight function, another collaborative feature of the 49B2U5900CH is the 5MP webcam with Microsoft Hello. Not only can users experience picture-perfect call quality, but they can also log in to all of their Microsoft accounts automatically through facial recognition with the Microsoft Hello feature; thereby making the Philips 49B2U5900CH an ideal office companion. Please check out the product page here.

More Screen Real Estate for Higher Productivity
Several functions make the Philips 49B2U5900CH ideal for increasing productivity in the workplace; with one of them being the large 32:9 SuperWide screen.

Designed to replace a multiscreen work setup, the large 48.8-inch screen with 5120×1440 resolution is equivalent to having two 16:9 Quad HD monitors side by side. In addition to this, the Philips 49B2U5900CH has 178 by 178-degree viewing angles and a 3000:1 contrast ratio which ultimately helps users see with complete clarity and from any angle. Therefore, with all these features in mind, professionals can work in one fluid motion with a single screen that is built for completing multiple workflows simultaneously and from any angle. Please check out the product page here.

Connectivity and Versatility at Its Best
Apart from being adaptable to an evermore-changing workplace, the Philips 49B2U5900CH also fashions features that make it a staple for any type of work. The newest addition to its connective capabilities is the Smart KVM. Traditionally, an integrated KVM switch is used to switch between sources with the click of a button on the monitor's bezel. With the Smart KVM feature, however, users only need to press the "ctrl" keyboard tile three times to be able to switch between multiple PCs.

Adding to the Philips 49B2U5900CH connectivity features is the USB-C docking with RJ45; the ultimate feature for facilitating workflow. The versatile USB-C connections allow for up to 100 W of power delivery as well as high-speed data transfer to and from devices. Not to mention the Philips 49B2U5900CH's USB-C docking station is also equipped with an RJ45 connection that can reach a transmission speed of up to 1G. Please check out the product page here.

Additional Features for the Philips 49B2U5900CH
Connectivity and Collaboration are not the only advantages of the Philips 49B2U5900CH. To add to its arsenal of workplace-focused features, this monitor guarantees a high-quality picture experience for all professions with its DisplayHDR 400 certification, SmartImage technology, and 1.07 billion color gamut. In addition to this, the Philips 49B2U5900CH fashions a new earphone hook that can pull down from the monitor's side, a Height Adjustable Stand (HAS), and a VESA mount that makes for a convenient and comfortable viewing experience.

Last but certainly not least, the Philips 49B2U5900CH is certified with TUV Rheinland Eyesafe; which helps make long hours in front of the screen easier on the eyes. In addition, this certification makes sure that the Philips 49B2U5900CH was built to protect against the adverse health effects from long exposure to blue light.

The Philips 49B2U5900CH monitor will be available for purchase on November and with a MSRP of €1199,00
Source: Philips
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22 Comments on Philips Launches the 49B2U5900CH Monitor with Busylight and Webcam with Windows Hello

#1
b1k3rdude
So a monitor with a built-in webcam that can spy on you or be hacked/used to spy on you - HARD f***ing pass. yet more IOT nonsense that need to be disabled or cut off with a hacksaw.
Posted on Reply
#2
AnarchoPrimitiv
All I want is 34"- 40" Ultrawide with a 5120x2160 resolution that does at least 120Hz refresh and has Freesync premium, anyone know if one of those exist?
Posted on Reply
#3
TheLostSwede
News Editor
b1k3rdudeSo a monitor with a built-in webcam that can spy on you or be hacked/used to spy on you - HARD f***ing pass. yet more IOT nonsense that need to be disabled or cut off with a hacksaw.
As this is an office monitor, of course your boss should be able to spy on you...
Posted on Reply
#4
P4-630
b1k3rdudeSo a monitor with a built-in webcam that can spy on you or be hacked/used to spy on you - HARD f***ing pass. yet more IOT nonsense that need to be disabled or cut off with a hacksaw.
We've got you covered...
Posted on Reply
#6
Packabowl09
b1k3rdudeSo a monitor with a built-in webcam that can spy on you or be hacked/used to spy on you - HARD f***ing pass. yet more IOT nonsense that need to be disabled or cut off with a hacksaw.
Uber hackerz like you are not the target audience. You might be surprised by how often workers need to do Zoom or Teams meetings with webcams. This is pretty handy - USB ports are often in short supply on modern computers.
Posted on Reply
#7
chstamos
b1k3rdudeSo a monitor with a built-in webcam that can spy on you or be hacked/used to spy on you - HARD f***ing pass. yet more IOT nonsense that need to be disabled or cut off with a hacksaw.
If it's anything like other Philips webcam monitors I've seen, it has a physical way to disable the camera built into it, which would actually make it preferable to your run of the mill logitech c270 webcam and the likes with no physical cover. And integrated windows hello is also nice to have.
Posted on Reply
#8
Chrispy_
b1k3rdudeSo a monitor with a built-in webcam that can spy on you or be hacked/used to spy on you - HARD f***ing pass. yet more IOT nonsense that need to be disabled or cut off with a hacksaw.
I guess that rules out all laptops, smartphones, and tablets for you then?

This is a monitor with a bunch of ports for USB, power, video. If you don't connect the USB cable for the webcam, it's not functional. It's a spring-loaded pop-up webcam. If it's tucked behind the display, it's not functional. I guess the microphone could be always spying on you but then so is your laptop, smartphone, tablet, echo, alexa, smart TV, Airpods, and possibly your fridge, doorbell, and electricity meter.

At some point you just have to accept that you are never very far away from a device that can listen or record you. We sleepwalked into a surveillance society 20 years ago and it's too late to complain about it now.
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#9
JasBC
Don't dig the design. Why's the aux-jack, USB-ports and the headphone-holder off to the left?
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#10
wEeViLz
They had me at a tilting Earphone Hook, sold!
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#11
Chry
To monitors like this all I can say is KISS.
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#12
Chrispy_
The biggest issue with this is that it's €1200 for what basically a pair of 27" curved VA 1440p panels, which are about €250 each if I'm being generous since these displays make no claims of gamut coverage or factory calibration to within a DeltaE of 2.0, for example. Backlight and gamma uniformity is very hard to get right on curved VA anyway so they're far from the ideal professional solution for anyone needing colour accuracy.

You're paying a lot to have the middle bezel removed and an integrated webcam.

If I had a business need for a 48.8" displays and a tight budget, I'd get two nice 27" displays and a webcam for a lot less money, or else I'd spend the budget on much nicer screens - €1200 gets you a couple of prosumer, colour-calibrated 32" 4K monitors - including some award-winning Dell Ultrasharp and HP Z-series professional displays that most photographers and graphic designers would be happy to own. Even Philips themself have decent €600 4K 32" displays targeting the prosumer/business content creation market.
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#13
Chaitanya
chstamosIf it's anything like other Philips webcam monitors I've seen, it has a physical way to disable the camera built into it, which would actually make it preferable to your run of the mill logitech c270 webcam and the likes with no physical cover. And integrated windows hello is also nice to have.
According to instruction manual there is no physical button to switch off the webcam and windows hello features but the webcam can only be poped out manually unlike Dell monitors which have similar features.
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#14
kapone32
Wow now Superwides are in the Office space. I can't see how this is better than having 2 monitors for business. Does this even have PIP?
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#15
1d10t
Been putting my eye on since its first model 499P9H1, I'm glad they've managed to push refresh rate even further to astonishing 5hz in 2 years.
kapone32Wow now Superwides are in the Office space. I can't see how this is better than having 2 monitors for business. Does this even have PIP?
Yes it does.
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#18
b1k3rdude
Chrispy_I guess that rules out all laptops, smartphones, and tablets for you then?
When I buy personal, I either get a laptop without one or I perm disconnect it. The sensors used in these these are trash for the most part.
AnarchoPrimitivI own that monitor already and it's only 60hz
Its was just a starting point, I beleive Samsing does a 49".
chstamosIf it's anything like other Philips webcam monitors I've seen, it has a physical way to disable the camera built into it, which would actually make it preferable to your run of the mill logitech c270 webcam and the likes with no physical cover. And integrated windows hello is also nice to have.
Ah, thats good to know. Seems some one/s at Phillips have the same mindset.
Packabowl09Uber hackerz like you are not the target audience. You might be surprised by how often workers need to do Zoom or Teams meetings with webcams. This is pretty handy - USB ports are often in short supply on modern computers.
Er, Im the polar opposite. I am how ever an engineer and quite aware of my privacy. And Computers are you using, my Am4 based mobo has several at the rear and a handfull for front i/o. If you want more convenient placed USB ports then a powered hub/switch would be an idea.
Posted on Reply
#19
Chrispy_
b1k3rdudeWhen I buy personal, I either get a laptop without one or I perm disconnect it. The sensors used in these these are trash for the most part.
Does your mobile phone then not work for voice calls if you disconnect the microphone?
Do you invalidate the warranty on your laptops and tablets by prying open the display bezel and breaking the connections?

I'm confused. You cannot own modern communications technology and avoid microphones connected to the internet. You're better off installing and configuring a firewall rather than molesting your devices and making them unfit for purpose.
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#20
b1k3rdude
@Crispy_

Were talking about laptops, not phones. But on the subject I have custom permission blocker on the phone and there isnt an equivelent for windows.

And yes you can, when their USB and unplugable.
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#21
Chrispy_
b1k3rdude@Crispy_

Were talking about laptops, not phones. But on the subject I have custom permission blocker on the phone and there isnt an equivelent for windows.

And yes you can, when their USB and unplugable.
As I said before, you don't have to plug in the USB to this monitor either, which means the camera and mic cannot possibly be connected.

You're entitled to your opinions about privacy, but having a rant about a webcam in this post-pandemic, work-from-home era is about as out of touch with reality as it gets.
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#22
b1k3rdude
And I, like you am entitled to my opinion.
Posted on Reply
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