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Group test: 4K Ultra HD TVs<br />
PHILIPS 40PUT6400<br />
£449 inc VAT • philips.co.uk<br />
This budget UHD set may lack Philips’ trademark Ambilight mood<br />
lighting, but it’s still bright enough to warrant close attention.<br />
The first of the company’s Android-powered connected TVs, it’s a<br />
smart-looking flat screen, with much to commend it.<br />
Cosmetics are neat and tidy, with a thin black bezel and wire<br />
frame pedestal stand. An illuminated logo pouts from the bottom of<br />
the panel; thankfully brightness can be moderated or switched off.<br />
The set’s connections include four HDMI inputs, though only<br />
one supports HDCP 2.2 copy protection, required for 4K content<br />
sources. There are also three USB ports, ethernet, SCART and<br />
component, plus a digital optical audio output. Integrated Wi-Fi is<br />
dual band, there’s also Wi-Fi Direct.<br />
The Android interface here is better managed than we’ve seen<br />
from Sony’s Android offerings. The platform’s baffling system settings<br />
and interface controls are buried away in the main Settings menu,<br />
resulting in a cleaner, more inclusive, Android user experience. The<br />
set supports Google Cast, offering a reasonable level of interaction<br />
with compatible mobile apps.<br />
Onboard apps include YouTube, Netflix, iPlayer, Dailymotion and<br />
some lesser content options. Beyond the BBC, there’s no catch-up<br />
provision. You do, however, get a wide selection of casual games.<br />
8GB of local storage is provided, although this can be extended if<br />
you really need it. The set has an integrated HEVC decoder, and as<br />
a result has a 4K Netflix client. Spotify Connect is also provided.<br />
For a relatively budget set, this 6 Series model offers a high level<br />
of image control and personalisation – gamma, dynamic control,<br />
Build<br />
Features<br />
Performance<br />
Value<br />
Overall<br />
noise reduction. Most users will elect to stay with the presets, which<br />
comprise Personal, Vivid, Natural, Standard, Movie, Photo, plus ISF<br />
Day and Night modes. Philips image-processing tricks include a UHD<br />
iteration of its Pixel Plus image engine, with Philips Natural Motion.<br />
Similarly, there are a large number of audio parameters, including<br />
Incredible Sound – billed as a surround mode. There’s also support<br />
for additional Bluetooth wireless speakers. Media playback from USB<br />
and across a network is excellent. The TV instantly identifies DLNA<br />
sources and will play all popular video formats, including MKV. Audio<br />
support covers FLAC, AAC, MP3, WMA and WAV.<br />
The picture quality is impressive. The set looks sharp and that<br />
UHD panel eliminates any sense of a pixel grit. Backlight uniformity<br />
is good. Micro Dimming Pro works with an on-set light sensor to<br />
enhance contrast and ensure blacks remain on the right side of<br />
dramatic. HD sources also look extremely crisp and cinematic.<br />
Colour fidelity could be better – the set displays deep reds as orange.<br />
While Freeview HD channels are sharp enough, there’s no doubt<br />
Blu-ray and 4K Netflix look better. Marco Polo (Netflix 4K) has an<br />
abundance of detail, with lush textures and finely delineated fabrics,<br />
which convey well on this display. Unfortunately, audio, despite all its<br />
parameter control, remains thin. You’ll want to add a sound bar.<br />
VERDICT: Overall, this Philips is solid value. It’s a good advert for<br />
Android and image quality is great. Despite the relatively small<br />
screen size, there are benefits to having 4K resolution on a 40in<br />
panel, though you need to get close to the screen to appreciate it.<br />
76 www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews February 2016<br />
TEST CENTRE
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