Classic TV Features:
If you’re looking for a TV that, in the basic sense, “works” – the PUS8560 will fill that role. In terms of classic features, we have a rather minimalist set. On the plus side, there’s an electronic program guide (EPG), teletext, a backlit remote with a classic numeric keypad, and a headphone jack input. It sounds a bit like a dream set for seniors – and there’s some truth to that. However, it must be said clearly: this is a TV with very limited capabilities. We won’t find USB recording from DVB tuners here, and there’s no Picture-in-Picture mode or other conveniences known from more expensive models.
Smart TV:
How does SmartTV fare on the PUS8560? Well, it gets a bit trickier here. The PUS8560 runs on the Titan OS, which in this particular implementation posed significant issues. Some functions, though present “on paper,” simply didn’t work. For example: Wireless screen mirroring features like Chromecast or Miracast – we tried to activate them with several different phones and laptops… without success. Perhaps this will be fixed in the future, but at the time of testing – it didn’t work. Also, the speed of the system left much to be desired – switching applications or home screens was simply slow. A substantial portion of the functions in the menu seem to be heavily hidden in the depths of a poorly organised system. To make matters worse, the library of available applications is quite limited. Although the situation with apps is better than last year, it’s still far from ideal. A modern remote tries to save the situation – slim, elegant, backlit and really well-made. Unfortunately, it operates on classic infrared, so you have to aim it at the screen. The only exception is voice control, which works via Bluetooth… it’s just a pity it doesn’t support Polish.
Functional Features
Let's start with the basics, which are the classic functions of a television. The Philips OLED770 doesn’t turn the table here; we have a standard EPG interface, the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth, and a few simple configuration options including teletext. Interestingly, there is a jack connection, which is becoming quite rare these days. However, those with older receivers or wired headphones will appreciate it. The remote creates a good impression – it’s ergonomic and has a backlit numeric keypad – but there’s also a sense of a step back here. It works via infrared, so you have to aim it at the television, and frankly, by 2025 we would expect full wireless support. The exception is voice commands, which use Bluetooth, but even here there’s no reason for euphoria.
SmartTV Features – TitanOS
Speaking of voice, let’s move on to the Smart TV system, which is an element that largely defines the daily comfort of using a television today. And here the OLED770 clearly lags behind the competition. TitanOS operates quickly enough that it's not a disaster, but daily use can be frustrating due to minor bugs and shortcomings. Theoretically, we get support for AirPlay, but on the other hand, screen mirroring just didn’t work at all in practice. Voice search? Yes, but only through Amazon Alexa and without support for the Polish language. In other words, the features are there, but when we try to use them, we find that their practicality is severely limited and nearly useless. And it’s this Smart TV aspect that becomes the greatest hindrance of the OLED770. The image can be astonishing, gaming is excellent, and Ambilight creates a unique atmosphere – but when we transition to daily use of apps and services, we feel a sense of dissatisfaction.
Ambilight – Philips OLED770
Although in terms of smart functionality, the Philips OLED770 is rather average, it has something in store that its competitors honestly envy. We’re talking about the three-sided Ambilight system, which has been a hallmark of this brand’s televisions for years. The LED lights positioned at the back of the housing dynamically illuminate the wall in colours matched to whatever is happening on the screen at that moment. The effect is simple but very suggestive – the image seems to extend beyond the boundaries of the television, giving us the impression that the screen has suddenly grown by extra inches. During a movie screening, it can create atmosphere, in games it enhances immersion, and during regular TV viewing, it simply pleases the eye. It’s this addition that makes it so that despite the limitations of TitanOS, the OLED770 has something that can attract attention and give it character.