LG MyView Smart Monitor Review: A better TV than monitor

Traditionally, monitors have been passive devices depending on the smarts and processing power of connected devices like PCs, consoles or media players. But as times and technology evolve, Smart monitors are gaining popularity for several reasons. Equipped with their own operating systems, these monitors can operate independently, allowing users to browse the internet, stream content, and use apps without necessarily pairing a PC. They feature user-friendly interfaces and can easily pair with other smart devices like smartphones and IoT appliances.

Leading manufacturers like LG and Samsung offer extensive smart monitor portfolios across a wide price range. Affordable options, such as the LG MyView Smart Monitor 32SR50F, which we are reviewing here, are exciting options for people with limited space or budget, making the 32SR50F an interesting option.

How well does it perform? How well is the display quality and gaming experience on the LG MyView Smart Monitor? Let’s answer these questions and more in our review.

Pros 

• Great colour accuracy for SDR and web content
• Decent HDR experience for the price
• Aesthetic design 
• Smart features add to the convenience

Cons 

• Text isn’t sharp enough on the large display 
• Only for casual gaming

LG MyView Smart Monitor Video Review

Why do we need smart monitors?

Monitors and TVs both serve the purpose of displaying visual content but differ in their technical aspects, design, and intended use.

Monitors are designed for close-up viewing with higher pixel density and faster response times, which are crucial for tasks requiring precision, such as computer work, gaming, and graphic design. They are conventionally tuned to handle Full RGB colours with relatively darker blacks ( 0 to 255). 

TVs, on the other hand, are optimized for distant viewing. They come with a proper OS with app support and a dedicated picture engine to refine and process picture quality, motion smoothness, and more, which can also impact overall responsiveness. The content for TVs is also mastered in a limited RGB range (16 to 235).

Monitors provide raw output, relying on the connected device to handle all the processing, while TVs are designed to offer a comprehensive entertainment experience, adjusting colours and luminance depending on the picture mode and manufacturer preferences.

This LG smart monitor is intended to blur the line between these two categories.

LG MyView Smart Monitor: Design and Specifications

• Model number – 32SR50F
• Display: 31.5-inch, Full HD IPS display (1920×1080)
• Refresh rate – 60Hz
• HDR Support – Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
• Audio – 10W
• Claimed response time – 5 ms
• Connectivity – 2 USB ports, 2 HDMI ports
• Software – WebOS 23 
• Smart Features – Airplay, Screen Share, ThinQ home dashboard 
• Price – Rs. 19,499

This LG monitor comes in a nice white colour, which looks very modern and minimalistic but will be difficult to maintain. The build is all plastic but still feels quite sturdy. The stand is also plastic and we don’t get any height adjustment. But yes, you can adjust the display by tilting it both sideways and vertically.

Ports are placed at the back of the panel, and the speaker grille, along with the power button are at the bottom of the LG MyView smart monitor.

Then comes the remote, which feels a little less sturdy, but goes really well with the whole white aesthetics. It is also super lightweight so using it is super comfortable. And yes, it looks very similar to Samsung’s smart monitor remote.

LG MyView Smart Monitor: How is it as a TV

LG SmartView monitor did a fairly great job as a TV for streaming content. 

As you can see in the pre-calibration report, the monitor closely follows the standard gamma curve. In our SDR colour checker test, we recorded an average delta error of under 3, which is great. In SDR content also, colours are well-balanced and skin tones are close to natural. 

The display is capable of reproducing a wide colour gamut. We recorded 99.9% sRGB coverage and roughly 96% of the DCI-P3 gamut, which is again brilliant. Our results in LAB colour volume checker tests are also better than expected.  

Though LG is using an IPS LCD panel, the screen is a tad reflective and we noticed an off-axis luminance shift on the display panel.  For the best experience, you will need to sit directly in front of the monitor. 

In HDR, the colour accuracy takes a hit in our tests. We noticed that colours in HDR content felt slightly boosted, but nothing too bad. We’d recommend watching HDR content in a dark ambience because the monitor loses many dark details and contrasts with lights turned on. 

We recorded a peak brightness of 276 nits which is more than the 250 nits of Typical Brightness that LG claims. This isn’t enough for impactful HDR highlights, but overall, LG does a good job of tone-mapping HDR sequences. The Prime Videos app on our monitor doesn’t support HDR. We are hoping this can be fixed with a software update. 

Then again, the processor is not powerful enough for a smooth experience. Lags were quite apparent in the interface and while switching between apps. 

As for audio, the 10-watt speakers are quite basic and you will need to connect external Bluetooth speakers or a sound bar for a proper TV viewing experience from a distance. 

LG MyView Smart Monitor: How is it as a monitor?

As a monitor, this model is not the best option, especially considering that there are better alternatives available at the same price point. For instance, LG’s own UltraGear series of monitors offers an IPS LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate for under 12K, which is likely to be more appealing to gamers.

This SmartView Monitor, however, is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which is acceptable for casual gaming but not ideal for more demanding uses. Additionally, the Full HD resolution on a 32-inch screen proved disappointing for us, as we noticed some fuzziness in the text. This issue is less likely to occur with the 27-inch variant, where the pixel density would be higher.

On a positive note, we did not observe any fringing, a common issue when using affordable TVs as monitors. The colour accuracy is also great for use as a monitor. 

WebOS offers smart connectivity options like AirPlay and HomeHub that help seamlessly mirror from your phone or wirelessly connect your PC to the monitor.

LG MyView Smart Monitor Review Verdict

After using the LG MyView Smart Monitor, the idea of adding smarts to a monitor makes a lot more sense to me. At the same time, I probably want an OS more tailored for a monitor than a TV. The LG MyView Smart Monitor 32SR50F stands out as a versatile device that is a better TV than a monitor. It offers a reliable TV viewing experience along with a suite of convenient smart features at an affordable price. 

You get decent colour accuracy, wide colour gamut coverage, and satisfactory HDR performance, making it a solid choice for streaming content and casual viewing. The built-in WebOS 24, along with Airplay and Screen Share capabilities, further enhances the experience.

At the same time, when it comes to functioning as a monitor, the 32SR50F falls a tad short. Its 60Hz refresh rate and Full HD resolution are limiting factors, especially when compared to other monitors in the same price range that offer higher refresh rates and better pixel density. 

In summary, this is a good option for consumers with limited space and budget, like students living in hostels or shopkeepers with limited space in their stores. 

Pros 

• Great colour accuracy for SDR and web content
• Decent HDR experience for the price
• Aesthetic design 
• Seamless screen mirroring from phones 

Cons 

• Text isn’t sharp enough on the large display 
• Only for casual gaming