Philips has unveiled its 2014 TVs with recognizable features such as Ambilight and Pixel Perfect engines, but there is also plenty of innovation. In 2014, Philips will introduce its first TV with the new Android-based Smart TV platform. They will also launch Ultra HD TVs and TVs with twin tuners, Miracast screen mirroring and a new Cloud TV app that streams TV channels over the internet.
Philips’ TVs are developed by TP Vision in Hong Kong nowadays, but the new owner is holding on to some of the classic Philips virtues. Design is still an important element and Philips’ 2014 TVs are very slim with narrow bezels. Many TVs have been designed in a combination of metal and glass with a simple stand that puts the center of gravity squarely in the middle of the TV frame. The speakers have returned to the backside of the TV, after a brief visit to the TV base.
Ambilight is now available in more TVs than ever, and in the recent years Philips has switched to LEDs for Ambilight, which makes it less bulky and more energy efficient. Ambilight can either dynamically follow the images on screen or emit a constant color to illuminate the back wall – for example a warm white, relaxing hue.
Philips has made it possible to connect the Ambilight system in their TVs to the Hue lighting system for the living room. Hue is the brand of Philips’ new LED lamps. With Ambilight+Hue you can extend the Ambilight experience to your entire living room – a kind of light surround, if you will.
Only the 8000 series TVs will ship with the new Android-based Smart TV platform
Philips has something for all budgets. The most expensive TVs are Ultra HD models, and they actually have an Ultra HD TV in the 7000 range with the 7809 TV. There is an Ultra HD TV in the 8000 range, too, but the 8000 TVs include perhaps a more exciting new initiative. Philips has been working intensively on a new Smart TV platform based on Google’s Android operating system, and the 8000 series is Philips’ first Android Smart TV.
The idea of using Android in a TV is not a novel concept, and in recent years we have seen several – especially Chinese – vendors release the so-called Android stick, but this is the first time – outside of China – that Android has been integrated directly into a Smart TV. Since Android already has a healthy app catalogue with local streaming services for each country and thousands of developers, Philips sees huge potential.
All Android apps can, in theory, run on the 8000 Smart TV, but Philips will only promote a small subset of them. They want to make sure that all apps play nicely with the remote and the big-screen, so this is to ensure a good experience for the user.
The Android Smart TV comes pre-installed with Google Chrome, Search, Voice Search, Google Play Movies, Google Play Music, and YouTube, but you have access to the Google Play Store and can download new apps and games from here. You can even connect a game controller and turn your TV into an Android game console.
The platform is based on Android 4.2.2. It will not be possible to update to a newer Android version, as Philips has built their Smart TV platform with 4.2.2 as the core, but it will obviously be possible to update the platform that Philips has built on top. The most expensive 8809 Ultra HD TV has a Hex-core processor and the Full HD 8109 has a quad-core processor. There will be 2.7 GB of free capacity to install additional apps.
Philips has a twin-tuner, Cloud TV, Miracast, Multi-room & lots of Ambilight
The 8000 TVs also incorporate other interesting features. For the first time, Philips is introducing a twin-tuner in its TVs, enabling you to record one TV channel while watching another.
The twin-tuner also expands the functionality of the Multiroom function that allows you to stream TV channels or TV recording to other TVs in the household – for example the bedroom with without a TV antenna. Only WiFi is required.
Philips will still offer Smart TV features in most of its other 2014 TVs, but instead based on their old Smart TV platform, not the new Android-based platform. The old Smart TV platform will likely be terminated in a few years, but right now apps such as Netflix and YouTube will still be available. In fact, Netflix on the 8000 TVs will still be the app from the old platform – at least initially.
Most of the TVs have built-in WiFi and Miracast. Miracast enables you to mirror your Android smartphone or tablet screen onto the TV wirelessly – useful if you want to share photos or videos with friends and family on the big living room screen.
A new product from Philips is the Cloud TV apps that will be available on the 5000 range and up. Cloud TV streams local and international TV channels via the Internet. The key advantage here is that you just need an internet connection to get started. No need for antenna cables.
Some TV channels are free, but others are premium. The major channels are not available through Cloud TV at this point in time, but Philips is working on it. They say that over 200 TV channels will be available at launch.
Another useful app is Cloud Explorer that connects to Dropbox. If you store photos or videos in your Dropbox locker you can access that content on the big living room TV with Cloud Explorer.
Lastly, Philips says that the 2014 TVs support HbbTV, which is rolling out in some European countries at the moment.
Advanced features call for a simple user interface and simple controls. Philips will, for the first time, implement motion and voice controls into its Smart TVs – but only the Android TVs. Their competitors have not exactly been successful in this field, so we are curious to see how Philips will approach this – we will examine this in depth in our later reviews.
If you prefer a tradition remote control you can use the one in the box. It has a keyboard on the back side that lets you enter text.
Most of the TVs still feature 3D, but it is not a focus area for Philips. The 3D technology depends on the specifics model. Some 2014 Philips TVs use passive 3D with the inexpensive 3D glasses that you know from movie theatres. Other TVs use active 3D technology that requires battery-powered 3D glasses.
Philips’ 2014 TVs will be available in stores in April/May – the 8000 TVs a bit later. The 2014 TVs can be identified by the model number ending in 9.
Philips 9809 (4K)
9809 is the new high-end model with local dimming and a design made from exclusive materials. It has a wireless subwoofer.
4K Ultra HD
HDMI 2.0
Ambilight (4-sided)
Micro Dimming Premium
3D (actibe)
Android Smart TV
Hex core
Twin-tuner
Multiroom
Miracast
Cloud TV
Motion & voice controls
Wireless subwoofer
WiFi
EU prices
65” Philips 65PUS9809
Philips 9109 (4K)
Philips has also added the 9109 to its line-up this autumn. It has most of the same features as of the flagship 9809.
4K Ultra HD
HDMI 2.0
Ambilight (4-sided)
3D (active)
Android Smart TV
Hex core
Twin-tuner
Multiroom
Miracast
Cloud TV
Motion & voice controls
Wireless subwoofer
WiFi
EU prices
55” Philips 55PUS9109
65” Philips 65PUS9109
Philips 8809 (4K)
Philips 8809 is an Ultra HD TV with HDMI 2.0. It is Philips’ first Android-based Smart TV with a twin TV tuner. A curved 8809C is also available
4K Ultra HD
HDMI 2.0
Ambilight (3-sided)
3D (active)
Android Smart TV
Hex core
Twin-tuner
Multiroom
Miracast
Cloud TV
Motion & voice controls
WiFi
Philips 8809 will be available in 55” called 55PUS8809.
Philips 8109 / 8209
Philips’ second 8000 TV is a Full HD model. It is also based on the Android Smart TV platform and has 4-sided Ambilight. It exists in two design variants called 8109 and 8209.
Full HD
Ambilight (4-sided)
3D (active)
Android Smart TV
Quad-core
Twin-tuner
Multiroom
Miracast
Cloud TV
Motion & voice controls
WiFi
UK prices
48” Philips 48PFS8109
48” Philips 48PFS8209
55” Philips 55PFS8109
55” Philips 55PFS8209
Philips 7909 (4K)
Philips 7909 is a new more affordable Ultra HD TV. It is also the cheapest Ultra HD TV with the Android platform.
4K Ultra HD
HDMI 2.0
Ambilight (2-sided)
3D (passiv)
Android Smart TV
Quad-core
Twin-tuner
Multiroom
Miracast
Cloud TV
WiFi
EU prices
49” Philips 49PUS7909
55” Philips 55PUS7909
Philips 7809 (4K)
Philips 7809 is a cheaper Ultra HD TV. It no longer has the Android Smart TV platform, but instead the old platform.
