Execs
- Ambilight temper lighting nonetheless has wow issue
- UHD picture high quality seems nice with Sky Q
- Netflix 4K on a steadily bettering Android TV platform
Cons
- The display screen has a restricted black stage
- Backlight uniformity is poor
- Audio efficiency little greater than useful
Key Specs
- Overview Value: £750.00
- Two-sided Ambilight
- 4K Extremely HD decision
- HDR help
- Android TV good platform
- Two HDMI inputs help 4K
Editor’s observe: On the time of assessment, the Philips 55PUS6401 value £750. The value has since dropped to £650.
What’s the Philips 55PUS6401?
The generously specified Philips 55PUS6401 is a funds 4K flatscreen with HDR (Excessive Dynamic Vary) compatibility and Ambilight. This 6 Sequence mannequin is the most important in a household of three at 55 inches. It’s joined by the 49-inch 49PUS6401 and 43-inch 43PUS6401.
In the event you’re on the lookout for a cut price UHD TV to associate the Xbox One S, or to binge-watch reveals on Sky Q, then this TV definitely seems to tick all the best bins. However there’s satan within the (2160p) element…
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Philips 55PUS6401 – Design and Construct
This set is probably not ultra-slim – a few of its heft could be attributed to the inclusion of Ambilight – however it is available in a trendy gray and stands neatly on two bolt-on A-frame toes. The general look is classically neat.
For connections, the Philips options 4 HDMI inputs. Nearer inspection reveals that solely two help HDCP 2.2, the copy-protection normal utilized by all 4K content material sources, together with UHD Blu-ray and Sky Q.
You do get ARC (Audio Return Channel) and MHL for smartphone help, although, in addition to three USBs (one in all that can be utilized to report to an exterior laborious drive for primary time-shifting). There’s additionally scart and element legacy connections, plus a digital audio output. Along with an Ethernet LAN port, the set has built-in Wi-Fi.
There’s a alternative of both a single Freeview HD tuner or generic HD satellite tv for pc.
The distant management is a standard IR wand. We’ve seen zappers with keyboards on the rear from Philips earlier than, however this isn’t provided right here. The distant is overly directional, which meant we needed to level straight on the set to exert management.
Associated: Finest 4K TVs
Philips 55PUS6401 – Options
Sensible performance comes by way of Google’s Android TV platform. Not like Sony’s Android TVs, that are bolstered by YouView, this can be a inventory implementation with a curated Philips content material shelf.
Consequently, catch-up TV alternative is proscribed to the BBC iPlayer. Nonetheless, there’s a good variety of streaming content material providers on faucet: Vimeo, Wuaki.television, Netflix, Amazon Video, Chili Cinema, DailyMotion, Spotify and Deezer. Each Netflix and Amazon help 4K streams. There’s additionally a wide range of informal video games, made playable by the set’s quad-core processor.
The 55PUS6401 additionally gives a jumping-on level for Ambilight, included right here in a primary two-channel stereo guise. Simply place the TV close to a wall for a garish gentle present. Ambilight could be set to observe on-screen video or audio dynamically, or you may go for a stable color wash in both Pink, Inexperienced, Blue or White.
The latter gives a useful bias gentle for a extra relaxed viewing expertise. Whereas a plain white wall is right, there may be some wall color correction provided. You may as well combine the TV with a Hue good lighting system – it’s fairly one thing to have all of the lights in your front room pulsate when taking part in Rocket League!
This Philips doesn’t help 3D, so when you’ve invested closely in 3D Blu-rays then this could possibly be a deal-breaker.
Philips 55PUS6401 – Efficiency
With the TV fed 4K content material, the 55PUS6401 seems crisp; UHD film downloads from Sky bristle with element. It’s value noting that Philips Pixel Plus Extremely HD processing can exaggerate grain (most noticeable on Pure and Normal image presets), so the Film mode is definitely the higher viewing choice right here, notably when watching gritty motion akin to Daredevil (Netflix 4K).
Color efficiency is wealthy and vibrant, if not all the time natural-looking. Reds tend to look a bit orange. Backlight uniformity is poor. There’s clearly gentle pooling across the fringe of the display screen.
Black ranges are additionally restricted. Behind the glass, Philips’ Micro Dimming Professional system analyses 6400 zones. Nonetheless, in a totally darkish room, the display screen stalls at gray moderately than reaching true black, and shadow element is compromised. Nonetheless, throughout regular viewing in a brightly lit room, this limitation and people gentle puddles have a tendency to not be noticeable.
Movement readability isn’t a robust level, both. Pure Movement processing can be utilized to minimise panning judder. For one of the best outcomes, stick to the Minimal setting. Something stronger introduces ugly artefacts round shifting objects.
The set’s HDR compatibility is comparatively low stage. On condition that the 55PUS6401 has a display screen brightness of simply 350nits, you’re not going to expertise the identical lifelike highlights seen on high-end screens able to 1000 nits plus. Nonetheless, the picture does look balanced and is able to a reassuring twinkle.
There are a number of HDR viewing modes, together with a welcome low-latency HDR Sport choice.
Audio efficiency is marginally higher than grim. There’s no scarcity of welly, however the sound is sharp and strident. It isn’t a nice pay attention, and also you’ll wish to funds for a soundbar to alleviate the ache.
Associated: Finest Worth TVs 2016
Ought to I purchase the Philips 55PUS6401?
In relation to worth for cash, this 6-Sequence mannequin actually can’t be faulted. The display screen seems usually superb with Sky Q UHD content material and 4K Blu-rays, providing scrumptious element and texture. The caveat is a restricted black stage, which shouldn’t shock given the asking worth. The sweetener is Ambilight, which stays a terrific life-style embellishment.
General, the 55PUS6401 could be thought-about a classy-looking funds UHD big-screen that boasts a spec that appears nigh on irresistible for the worth. However whereas HD and 4K photos are crisp and involving, don’t anticipate profound blacks or excessive influence HDR – and simply two HDCP 2.2-compatible HDMI inputs is downright stingy.
Nonetheless, Netflix and Amazon 4K are welcome points of interest, and Ambilight is a psychedelic crowd-pleaser.
Verdict
There are numerous causes to purchase this TV, however they don’t embrace correct blacks and HDR efficiency.
How we take a look at televisions
We take a look at each TV we assessment totally over an prolonged time frame. We use business normal exams to check options correctly. We’ll all the time let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to assessment a product.
Discover out extra about how we take a look at in our ethics coverage.
Used as the principle TV for the assessment interval
Examined for greater than every week
Examined utilizing business calibrated instruments, discs and with actual world use
Examined with broadcast content material (HD/SD), video streams and demo discs
