![]() Upscaled standard definition images are as you’d expect: fuzzy, noisy and soft, with some iffy edge definition around objects and people. Overall, though, images have a clear, fairly well detailed and colourful look. There’s also an element of noise to some upscaled HD content, as well as noticeable edge definition with sports. Whites radiate brightness but can lack detail. Colours are characterised by their saturation, and in brightness terms the Phillips has a higher ceiling than the similarly priced Panasonic TX-50HX600. Once adjustments are done, the Philips 50PUS8545 puts in a colourful performance with upscaled broadcasts. Philips’ out-of-box calibration leaves room for improvement, but I suspect the 50PUS8545 is more interested in punchy, attractive colours over accuracy. For a brighter image, turn the Light Sensor setting to Off. Switch colour temperature to Normal, Dynamic Contrast to Medium and the Colour Gamut to Normal (not Wide) as a starting point. Standard is effectively Eco mode, and the Natural mode makes greens look artificial. My advice? For SDR content try Personal mode over Standard. I’m struck by how saturated the colours look, and watching Fulham vs Everton on the BBC, the away team’s kit veers more towards orange than amber. I’m not overly enamoured by the Philips’ out of box settings. Latency is good – better than Philips’ own OLEDs at 21.2ms. There is a Game mode that needs to be set for whichever HDMI input you use, since the TV doesn’t auto-detect when a console is connected. Annoyingly, when using iPlayer, settings can’t be adjusted until the app is closed. A positive is that each setting is provided with an explanation, and if you still find yourself overwhelmed, there’s a Quick picture setting for simpler adjustments. That’s both welcome and potentially much for someone only after simple tweaks. Philips own menu settings offer an array of advanced settings for picture, sound, Ambilight and more. Integration with Freeview Play means all the UK catch-up apps are present and correct, and that (smart) decision makes this version more streamlined than its Android equivalent on Sony TVs. I don’t find Android TV to be the bugbear others do to me it’s neatly laid out with decent content discovery and curation. Even more curious is the Prime Video app supports 4K but not HDR. Plug in a streaming stick and it plays Dolby Vision/Atmos on Disney+ just fine. Philips’ Disney+ app only supports HD/5.1. You also get plenty of apps: YouTube, Prime Video, Rakuten TV, Netflix and Disney Plus to name a few. The UI is Android TV 9 and with that you get Google Play Movies/Play Music, built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant voice control. ![]() There have been moments where Wi-Fi randomly disconnects, which I initially thought was due to my Wi-Fi, but it’s an issue that’s been mentioned elsewhere. ![]() Wireless connections include Wi-Fi (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2. ![]() All four HDMI inputs support ARC, so you can plug an external sound system into any one, but that also means there’s no eARC support here. The 50PUS8545 has side- and down-facing connections that consist of four HDMI and two USB inputs: satellite and terrestrial tuners, Ethernet, headphone out, Common Interface Plus and digital optical out. As a means of controlling the TV, it feels good and is fairly responsive to inputs. Button presses feel precise and clicky, and there are hot keys for Netflix, Freeview Play, Ambilight, Rakuten TV and Google Assistant. The remote exudes a premium feel with its brushed finish and unorthodox rectangular shape. Construction is on the complicated side, since the stand comes in multiple parts and takes a while to assemble. The stand can swivel 15 degrees in either direction to help with placement, plus there’s a little area around the back for cable clutter. However, the bezel is noticeably thick, and the choice of silver means you can’t help but notice it, especially during the day. If you include the stand, the TV measures at 720.2 x 1119.8 x 253.6mm (HWD).Ĭompared to cheaper TVs, the Philips offers more pizzazz and style with its elegant chrome stand and bezel. The Philips PUS8545 comes in five sizes: 43, 50, 58, 65 and 70 inches, with the 70-inch version coming with feet instead of a stand. Philips does not sell this TV in the US, Canada or Australia. Philips’ The One’ is priced at £549 / €749. ![]()
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