The Philips 50PUS7609/12 is a budget-friendly television featuring a striking 50-inch (126 cm) screen. It operates on the innovative Titan OS, which ensures an intuitive user experience. Additionally, it supports widely-used HDR formats, including HDR10 and HLG. The Philips PUS7609 series also offers larger models, with screen sizes reaching up to 190 cm (75 inches).
This series has been meticulously crafted to deliver an exceptional viewing experience, regardless of the screen size chosen. Each model in the series incorporates the same advanced technologies, such as the Titan OS and HDR format support. How does this series perform overall, and is the PUS7609 a worthwhile investment?
The Philips PUS7609 is an affordable TV that offers a lot of important features despite the lack of Ambilight technology.
Design
The Philips 50PUS7609/12 is a budget-friendly 50-inch television that boasts several key features, even in the absence of Ambilight technology. It is compatible with multiple streaming platforms, offers voice control capabilities, and includes a triple tuner for satellite, antenna, and cable reception. The elegant design features robust feet and a stable chassis constructed from black plastic.
The feet are well-engineered, providing adequate support to keep the TV securely in place. However, with a depth of 88mm, this 50-inch model is less deep compared to similar offerings from competitors like Sony and Samsung. A 200 x 300mm VESA bracket is available for wall mounting, although it is not included with the purchase.
Older television models operated on the Android TV and Saphi platforms. However, starting in 2024, all new televisions will feature the advanced Titan OS. The interface of Titan OS closely resembles that of Google TV and other competing systems. At the top of the interface, users will find a favorites list showcasing the most recently accessed streaming services.
Various streaming providers, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Netflix, are readily accessible. Additionally, current recommendations are prominently displayed. The Channels menu allows users to access numerous TV channels through Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), offering a viable alternative to traditional cable or satellite services.
Overall, the operating system is easy to use and has a good response time, ensuring smooth operation.
The operating system is user-friendly and boasts a quick response time, ensuring seamless performance. Notably, all applications, settings, and favorites are stored in the Philips cloud, guaranteeing that users always have access to the latest versions without the need for manual updates.
The Philips 50PUS7609/12 television is equipped with a robust triple tuner that accommodates cable, satellite, and terrestrial TV. Channel switching may take up to three seconds. However, the USB recording feature is not available on this model, as it is reserved for higher-end versions. The CI+ card slot located on the side enables access to pay TV channels such as HD+. Positive features include efficient channel sorting and a user-friendly program guide that enhance the overall experience.
Sound quality
In recent years, while television screen sizes have continued to grow, sound quality often remains overlooked. Modern televisions typically struggle to deliver satisfying audio performance without the aid of external sound systems. However, a 50-inch TV can still offer a reasonably balanced sound experience, despite some limitations in high-frequency clarity and bass response, particularly for vocal reproduction.
The Philips PUS7609 features two integrated multi-range speakers that emit sound from the bottom of the unit, each with a power output of 10 W. This downward-facing design is particularly beneficial for wall-mounted setups, as it helps maintain sound quality.
Overall, the audio performance of this TV is adequate for everyday viewing. For those seeking superior sound quality, it is recommended to consider external audio solutions, such as a soundbar or a home theater system.
Image quality
The Philips 50PUS7609/12 TV offers an economical option with impressive natural color rendering and smooth motion performance. While higher-end models typically feature a refresh rate of 120 Hz, the PUS7609 operates on a 60 Hz panel. This can lead to image stuttering in less expensive televisions during rapid movements.
However, the PUS7609 manages fast motion effectively, ensuring that dynamic scenes, such as sports or action films, are displayed without distracting stutter. The television also excels in color reproduction, showcasing vibrant hues.
With a color depth of 10 bits, it can display over a billion colors and covers more than 94% of the extended color gamut, including the DCI P3 color space used in cinema. Its high color accuracy allows for the detailed representation of even the most subtle color variations.
The result is a particularly vivid and lifelike picture quality that enhances the viewing experience. Every detail is rendered clearly and accurately. However, one drawback of this model is its ability to display deep blacks. Lacking QLED technology and local dimming, the PUS7609 may sometimes only produce dark gray tones in very dim scenes.
This limitation is most noticeable in dark sequences. Additionally, the TV’s viewing angle stability is restricted, which further affects the perception of perfect blacks. For optimal viewing during movie nights or public screenings, it is advisable to sit directly in front of the television.
At angles exceeding 60°, there is a noticeable decline in color accuracy and brightness. To maintain optimal image quality, it is advisable to remain within a 120° viewing cone. While the Philips 50PUS7609 is compatible with HDR10 and HDR10+ technologies, the advantages are somewhat limited. High Dynamic Range (HDR) aims to enhance color and contrast reproduction, but it necessitates a peak brightness of at least 540 nits. Some premium televisions can achieve brightness levels surpassing 4000 nits. In contrast, the 7609 reaches a maximum brightness of approximately 300 nits, resulting in a barely perceptible HDR effect. When HDR is activated, the image may even seem darker.
In conclusion, the PUS7609 is designed for budget-conscious consumers rather than discerning home theater aficionados regarding picture quality. The television provides exceptionally sharp visuals for streaming services, as well as DVD and Blu-ray formats. However, since standard definition channels can appear less defined and somewhat blurry, it is advisable to choose HD channels for a better viewing experience.
The feet are well made and provide enough support to ensure the TV sits securely.
Connections
The switching panel of the PUS7609 TV includes all essential connections, but no additional features. It offers three HDMI ports, with the first port supporting eARC technology. Additionally, there are two USB 2.0 ports, an optical digital output, antenna connectors, a linear input for Internet connectivity, and a CI+ 1.4 slot. For wireless connectivity, the TV is equipped with Wi-Fi.
The PUS7609 TV’s switching panel is equipped with all the necessary connections
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to highlight that this television is distinguished by its vivid colors and impressive contrast. Consequently, it represents a compelling choice within its price range. Although there are slight concerns regarding black levels and the stability of viewing angles, the overall visual quality is noteworthy. Furthermore, the 50-inch model comes with a range of modern features, such as voice control, a triple tuner, and a wide array of streaming options. These characteristics, along with a high level of user-friendliness, allow the device to compete effectively with pricier models. The combination of excellent picture quality and advanced technical features makes the Philips 50PUS7609/12 a highly recommended option for budget-conscious consumers who seek essential functionalities without compromise. Additionally, the television is built with solid quality. Overall, the 50PUS7609/12 delivers remarkable value for money and remains a strong contender in the mid-range television market.
