Philips PUS7009 (VA)

Available screen sizes: 50”

Diagonal with a different matrix: ,

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Panel technology: LCD VA | Brand: PHILIPS | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Titan OS | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

5.4

Overall rating

Philips PUS7009 with a VA panel is a television that is best suited for casual users who primarily use it for watching TV, browsing photos, or using basic applications. Thanks to the VA panel, it offers significantly better contrast and deeper blacks than the IPS version, making it a better choice for watching films in darker rooms. Features such as ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar provide satisfactory compatibility with consoles, making it a solid option for less demanding gamers. In terms of image quality, Philips PUS7009 with a VA panel offers better black levels than the IPS variant, but it is still not without its drawbacks. Low brightness and lack of Dolby Vision support mean that the television does not perform well with more demanding HDR scenes. Philips' proprietary operating system, TitanOS, still leaves much to be desired. While it offers access to basic applications, its limitations and lack of intuitiveness can be frustrating for more advanced users. At this price point, it is worth considering other models (list below) that will better meet the requirements for image quality and multimedia features.

Advantages

Good native contrast - better than the IPS panel variant

The dynamic tone mapping feature enhances image quality in demanding scenes
Okay for casual gamers - VRR, ALLM, low input lag
Supports all popular audio formats, including Dolby and DTS

Disadvantages

Very low brightness (250 nits)

Poorly developed operating system - TitanOS
No support for Dolby Vision
Worse viewing angles than the variants 43' and 55'

Movies and series in UHD quality

4.9
Classic TV, YouTube

5.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

5.0
Gaming on console

6.6
TV as a computer monitor

2.0
Watching in bright light

4.4
Utility functions

6.8
Apps

7.0
Sound quality

5.6

TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review Philips PUS7009 (VA) Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

5.4/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review Philips PUS7009 (VA) Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

4,250:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

4,600:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

3,800:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

4,200:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

4,250:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Philips PUS7009 in the 50' variant uses a VA panel, which offers better contrast and deeper blacks compared to the variant with an IPS panel, albeit with some limitations. Due to its price, this model does not feature local dimming technology, which affects the quality of blacks in challenging scenes. For example, in the film The Revenant, one can notice that the blacks take on a navy hue, which does not allow for full immersion in the film's atmosphere. Nevertheless, compared to the IPS version, the difference is noticeable in favour of the VA panel, which performs significantly better in reproducing darker scenes, providing a more satisfying picture in poorly lit rooms.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

3.3/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 75.0%, Bt.2020: 55.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips PUS7009 (VA) Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

229 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

210 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

241 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

234 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

240 nit

In terms of HDR effect quality, Philips PUS7009 performs very poorly. A brightness level of 250 nits does not allow one to enjoy HDR effects, and the image resembles more of a standard SDR. There is no question of dynamic effects or vivid light bursts. The coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut is only 75%, which is definitely insufficient. The lack of full colour coverage means that the colours are not as vibrant as they should be, resulting in a flat and unconvincing image. There are no aspects for which this model could be praised in the context of HDR.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Since the television does not impress in terms of its specifications, we decided to check how it performs in more demanding film scenes, such as those from the films "Pan" and "Billy Lynn". To our surprise, the television performed better than we expected. In the film "Pan", the sun on the horizon does not merge into one spot, and the details are rendered adequately, despite the lack of clear contrast. In the case of "Billy Lynn", the foreground with the actors looks quite good, although light effects, such as fireworks, perform significantly worse. The dynamic tone mapping feature in this model can improve the picture enough to compensate for the overall shortcomings of the television.

Philips PUS7009 supports various HDR formats, including HDR10 and HDR10+. In the case of HDR10, the television struggles to achieve vivid contrast and detail, which makes the image resemble a more standard SDR. With HDR10+, noticeable slight improvements are present – dynamic metadata help in achieving better contrast and greater detail, especially in more demanding scenes. Nevertheless, the differences between HDR10 and HDR10+ on this television are not significant enough to be considered a major advantage. The lack of support for Dolby Vision limits this model's ability to fully utilise the potential of HDR content.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.6/10

The gradation of tonal transitions on the Philips PUS7009 television is at a decent level and does not exhibit any serious flaws that could affect viewing comfort. Although upon closer examination, one can notice minor imperfections in the bright and colourful transitions, they are minimal enough that most viewers are unlikely to notice them. The version with the VA panel performs slightly worse in this regard; however, the differences are subtle enough that they should not hinder the average user.

Review Philips PUS7009 (VA) Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

When it comes to tonal transitions in low-quality material, the function called "Distortion Reduction" (the "minimum" setting) effectively improves gradation, eliminating unattractive tonal transitions. However, this setting on Philips televisions is quite aggressive – while it does not blur grain or good quality material, it can introduce undesirable effects and blur elements that should remain sharp when the signal is poorer.

In terms of image scaling, Philips PUS7009 performs decently. A significant advantage is the absence of cropped image edges, meaning no overscan, which allows for the display of the full frame without loss. The image is noticeably enhanced, making characters and backgrounds, such as the model or branches in the background, look quite detailed and natural, even with lower quality signals. Although scaling is not perfect, as it can remove desired details in the distance, the effects are good enough for most users to be satisfied.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.9/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz

Film motion smoothing option: No

Blur reduction option: No

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 0%

Philips PUS7009 does not have motion smoothing capabilities, which means there is no option to adjust the image for a more choppy or smoother, cinematic effect. Such features could positively influence the reception of dynamic scenes. In terms of motion blur, this model is equipped with a 60 Hz VA panel, which offers slightly worse results than the variant with an IPS panel. The VA panel introduces minimally greater motion blur, although the differences are not significant and should not pose a problem for most viewers.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Console compatibility and gaming features

4.7/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 60Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: No
Correct implementation of HGIG: No
1080p@120Hz: No
1440p@120Hz: No
4K@120Hz: No
Game bar: Yes

In terms of compatibility with consoles, Philips PUS7009 is likely to satisfy casual gamers. Although equipped with HDMI 2.0, it offers features such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and Game Bar. ALLM automatically switches the television to low latency mode, which speeds up responses during gaming, while VRR adjusts the refresh rate to minimise screen tearing. Game Bar provides quick access to gaming settings and monitors key parameters, although it visually falls short compared to competing solutions. However, more demanding gamers may feel underwhelmed. Philips PUS7009 does not support advanced HDR formats in games, and the 60 Hz panel limits the ability to display smooth and detailed images in dynamic scenes, which may not satisfy fans of fast-paced action games.

Input lag

10/10

Input lag in Philips PUS7009 is at a very good level – it is only 11 ms for the supported resolutions. For most gamers, this low level of latency should be satisfactory, providing smooth and responsive experiences during gameplay.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 11 ms	2160p60: 11 ms
2160p60: 11 ms

Compatibility with PC

2/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Average

Readability of dark text and shapes: Poor

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 43ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 60Hz

G-Sync: No

Regarding collaboration with the PC, the VA matrix variant in Philips PUS7009 is not suitable for text work, despite supporting chroma 4:4:4. The visibility of fonts is at a moderately satisfactory level. The biggest problem is their display on a dark background – the text appears "pixelated," and the letters have multicoloured textures, which significantly hinders comfortable work with documents and text editing.

Viewing angles

3.4/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 60%

The viewing angles on the Philips PUS7009 with a VA panel are distinctly worse compared to the version with an IPS panel, which is due to the inherent limitations of VA technology. When viewed at an angle, colours quickly lose their intensity, and contrast drops dramatically, making the picture appear washed out and less discernible. For those who plan to watch the television from different places in the room, this may be a significant issue, especially compared to IPS panels, which offer considerably better viewing angles and a more consistent image even when viewed from the side.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.4/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Good

Although the panel in the Philips PUS7009 is equipped with a satin finish that effectively reduces reflections, the brightness of 280 nits in SDR mode is simply too low for the television to perform well in bright rooms. As a result, in heavily sunlit conditions, details on the screen may be difficult to see, which lowers the comfort of use during the day.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Philips PUS7009 (VA): 280 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: TPN246E_V246.004.012.161

Panel uniformity:

Backlight Type: White LED

TV features

6.8/10

System operacyjny: Titan OS
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: No
Voice search in native language: No
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: Yes
Teletext: Yes

Philips has opted for a change in its approach to the operating system this year, replacing the previous open GoogleTV system with its proprietary TitanOS. As is often the case with new solutions, TitanOS is struggling with typical teething problems. Currently, it only offers basic applications, and the app store leaves much to be desired, which may disappoint users expecting a wealth of programming options. Additionally, the lack of support for AirPlay and the inability to record to USB are further limitations that may affect the overall user experience.

One interesting feature of the models with TitanOS is the new remote control, which, thanks to its backlighting, is very convenient to use. Unfortunately, its wireless functionality is not entirely reliable. The hybrid design means that sometimes you need to aim at the television, while other times you do not—this depends on the buttons being used. This is just plain annoying.

On the positive side, Bluetooth support should be noted, as it allows for the connection of a mouse or other peripheral devices. This is particularly useful when using the browser, which can be an alternative given the limited availability of applications in the TitanOS app store.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.2/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

In terms of playing files from USB, Philips PUS7009 performs quite decently. The television plays most popular formats of photos, audio, and video, and an additional plus is the support for Polish subtitles and the ability to change fonts. Unfortunately, it has issues with playing certain photo resolutions.

Apps

7/10

Sound

5.6/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

The sound in Philips PUS7009 is rather flat and does not stand out compared to other televisions. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the television supports all popular audio formats, including Dolby and DTS, which is a plus in terms of compatibility with various audio sources.

4K Ultra HD Resolution (3840 x 2160): Provides four times higher resolution than Full HD, offering sharp and clear images with rich details.
Pixel Precise Ultra HD Technology: Optimizes image quality, ensuring smooth motion, rich colors, and excellent contrast, resulting in more realistic visual experiences.
TITAN OS Operating System: An intuitive and fast Smart TV system that provides access to popular streaming apps and allows for interface customization.
Support for HDR10 and HLG: High Dynamic Range technologies ensure better contrast and more accurate color reproduction, leading to a more realistic image.
Dolby Atmos Sound: Provides deeper experiences by placing sounds in the space around and above the listener, creating immersive sound experiences.
Gaming Features: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) support ensures smoother gameplay and minimizes lag, making it ideal for gaming enthusiasts.
Wi-Fi Connectivity: Provides a wireless internet connection, enabling the use of Smart TV features and access to online content.
HDMI and USB Ports: Three HDMI ports and two USB ports allow for connecting various devices such as gaming consoles, media players, or USB drives.
Design: Slim and elegant design with an almost bezelless screen makes the TV a perfect fit for modern interiors.

Excellent Picture Quality with VA Panel

Philips PUS7009 is a television that stands out with its exceptional picture quality, thanks to the VA panel used. This solution provides deep contrast and excellent black levels, making it a great choice for watching movies in darker rooms. Results from Philips PUS7009 testing show that this model delivers a vibrant image that impresses in various lighting conditions. If you care about high-quality images in everyday use, Philips PUS7009 is an excellent option.

Gaming Features: ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar

With features such as ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar, Philips PUS7009 is also suitable for less demanding gamers. These technologies ensure image smoothness, which will be especially appreciated by those using gaming consoles. Tests conducted on 65PUS7009 clearly demonstrate that the TV handles gaming well, providing comfortable play without delays or stuttering. This is an important feature for those who value smooth gaming experiences.

Excellent Black Levels, Though with Some Limitations

The VA panel in Philips PUS7009 allows the television to offer exceptional black depth, surpassing models with an IPS panel. This is particularly noticeable when watching films in darker rooms, where contrast and image details are crucial. Although Philips PUS7009 achieves very good results in many tests, such as the Philips PUS7009 test, it is worth noting that it is not without certain limitations. Low brightness and lack of Dolby Vision support may affect image quality in more demanding HDR scenes, which is something to keep in mind.

TitanOS Operating System – Simple, Yet Limited

Philips PUS7009 operates on the TitanOS operating system, which offers access to basic multimedia apps. While this solution is sufficient for everyday use of the television, it may sometimes be a bit less intuitive to operate, especially compared to more advanced systems. Nevertheless, Philips PUS7009 has received positive reviews in the 65PUS7009 test for its stability and simplicity, which are adequate for comfortably browsing apps and using the TV's features.

Philips PUS7009 – A Solid Choice at a Good Price

In summary, Philips PUS7009 is a television that offers excellent picture quality, thanks to its VA panel, great contrast, and features such as ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar, making it a good option for less demanding gamers. Although it does not support Dolby Vision and has certain limitations in brightness, the results from the Philips PUS7009 test show that it is a solid choice for those looking for a TV for everyday watching of movies, photos, and entertainment.

Philips PUS7009 (VA)

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Excellent Picture Quality with VA Panel

Gaming Features: ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar

Excellent Black Levels, Though with Some Limitations

TitanOS Operating System – Simple, Yet Limited

Philips PUS7009 – A Solid Choice at a Good Price