Compare: Philips PUS8209 vs Philips PML8709

The Philips PUS8209 is a model that stands out primarily for its unique Ambilight system. The three-sided wall lighting behind the television dynamically adjusts to the picture, adding an extraordinary atmosphere when watching films or playing games. This solution, for which Philips is renowned, makes a difference and could be a great choice for those looking for something more unconventional in everyday use. In terms of picture quality, the television performs quite well, especially in this price range. The VA panel provides solid contrast and decent blacks, which works particularly well in the evening in dimly lit rooms. Watching films in such conditions is genuinely enjoyable, although the screen brightness (280 nits) leaves much to be desired – in bright rooms, the image can appear washed out, and HDR content does not make a significant impression. When it comes to gaming, the PUS8209 also has some advantages. Support for VRR, ALLM, and a low input lag of 13 ms ensures that gameplay is smooth and responsive. Of course, this is not equipment for advanced gamers, but for those who occasionally pick up a controller, it should suffice. The biggest downside is the Titan OS operating system. Many popular applications are lacking, and the interface does not always function as smoothly as one would wish. The remote control, which requires aiming at the television, can be irritating, especially in situations where quick operation is expected. In summary: the Philips PUS8209 is a television that will perform well for basic applications. Ambilight adds uniqueness and enhances the atmosphere during viewing. In everyday use or occasional gaming, it manages, but its limitations – particularly in screen brightness and operating system – may be problematic for more demanding users. If one is looking for simple equipment with an unusual visual addition, this model is worth considering.

The Philips PML8709 is a model that stands out in the offerings of the Chinese-Dutch manufacturer due to its uniqueness. Instead of the classic Philips operating system - TitanOS, we find the already well-known Google TV here, which provides extensive personalisation options and access to a vast library of applications. This television tempts us with very good contrast on one hand, while on the other hand, it surprises with a few unusual design decisions. In terms of picture quality, the PML8709 offers very good contrast, which, combined with wide colour gamut coverage, ensures excellent colour reproduction – especially after calibration. Despite a 60 Hz panel, the television is also suitable for occasional gaming thanks to support for features such as ALLM, VRR, and a low input lag of around 13 ms. On the other hand, Philips has deprived this model of one of the greatest advantages of its televisions – the Ambilight system. This unexpected move may disappoint many brand fans. Another weak point is performance in HDR – despite promising contrast results, the television performs averagely in this category. The average brightness and issues with details in brighter scenes give the impression that something has evidently gone wrong in the implementation of this feature. The Philips PML8709 is a television full of contrasts. On one hand, it offers solid black quality and interesting solutions for gamers, while on the other hand, some limitations, such as the lack of Ambilight and average brightness, mean that it is not a model without flaws. It is a good choice for those who value the versatility of Google TV and are looking for a television for everyday use.

Philips PUS8209 pleasantly surprised us in terms of contrast, which is truly solid for its price range. Thanks to the use of a VA panel, a contrast level of 8000:1 has been achieved, which is considered an excellent result in this price category. In tests using scenes from the film Oblivion, the television performed well, providing visible light separation. Three independent light sources in the test scene were portrayed without significant issues. Similarly, in the case of the film Sicario 2, where the blacks, although not perfect, appear decent enough to allow for the distinction of details in the darker parts of the image. The lack of local dimming technology is noticeable, however, the manufacturer has implemented a "global dimming" function. This mechanism enables the television to automatically darken or brighten the entire screen depending on the content, which somewhat improves the perception of contrast. Philips PUS8209 offers solid contrast and decent results in tests. Although it lacks the precision of local dimming, its capabilities at this price are satisfactory and will meet the needs of most users.

The model name 8709 "PML" refers to Philips mini-LED technology, but can we really call its backlighting that? In the 65-inch version, we counted only 96 local dimming zones. For mini-LED standards, this number seems too low, which raises questions as to whether we are actually dealing with a true mini-LED here. However, if we look at the black quality, the television performs quite well. On the first two test patterns, as well as in less demanding scenes, the picture is quite decent – blacks are deep and contrast is satisfactory. Problems begin, however, in more complex scenes, such as the last three test patterns, where small light elements appear on the screen. The local dimming algorithm seems to "get lost," unable to decide whether to brighten or darken a given area. The result is visible errors – reduced black quality and unevenness of the picture. An example of the local dimming zones' operation can be seen in a scene from the film Sicario 2. You can see how the dimming zones try to reproduce details, but at the same time, this leads to a slight brightening around the helicopter lights. However, despite these shortcomings, the black level in the Philips PML8709 is quite good, especially considering its price class.

Unfortunately, this is where the problems begin. A maximum brightness of 280 nits is definitely too low to feel the true effect of HDR. In practice, the image resembles standard SDR more, so it’s hard to speak of deeper visual experiences. On the positive side, the colour gamut coverage is commendable – 91.4% DCI-P3 is a score that will be sufficient for most films. It must also be said that the image is stable and there are no issues with sudden changes in brightness or colours. Overall, HDR on this television is more of a formality than an actual added value. If we are looking for genuine HDR thrills, this model may not meet expectations.

Looking at the results of the contrast, we expected that the algorithms responsible for the operation of zones in the Philips PML8709 would be at least decent. However, what we encountered during testing is difficult to explain. The average brightness we managed to achieve was only 350 nits, which is definitely too little to fully enjoy the effects of HDR. In practice, the television barely stands out against the backdrop of an average SDR. The situation becomes even more surprising for test scenes, such as the second one from the film Life of Pi or Sicario 2. Small light elements reach only 120 nits there, making them practically imperceptible. Such a level of brightness is completely at odds with contemporary HDR standards and significantly diminishes the experience of watching high-quality content. The only bright spot in this category is the very good coverage of wide colour gamuts – DCI-P3 at 97% and BT.2020 at 83%. This means that the colours are saturated and well-reproduced, which may improve the overall experience of watching HDR materials, if only a little. However, the lack of adequate brightness means that even this cannot save the Philips PML8709 in this category.

Philips PUS8209 offers many picture modes, but the best of them, without a doubt, is the Filmmaker mode. Despite its proud name, it has its clear problems. In the case of HD content, the white balance is characterised by a strong dominance of red, which causes the picture to be significantly warmer than it should be in reality. The brightness characteristic (gamma), although correct in the mid-tones, has serious issues at the beginning and end of the curve. Drops in the shadows cause a loss of detail in the dark areas, and blowouts in the bright areas make some elements look unnatural.

For high-quality 4K HDR content, the situation reverses. In this case, blue dominates, leading to an artificial enhancement effect, reminiscent of unnatural retail settings. Such an image looks unattractive and inconsistent with the creators' intentions. An additional problem is the EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in HDR materials. It deviates significantly from the reference chart, causing the image to appear too dark, robbing the depth and detail of HDR content.

Against this backdrop, errors in the Color Checker test and deviations in colour palette reproduction are exceptionally large, which further negatively impacts the overall image quality. The Filmmaker mode, although the best among the available options, requires substantial corrections to fully convey the director's vision.

Although theoretically the Filmmaker mode on the Philips PML8709 should provide natural colour reproduction, in reality it resembles store mode more closely. In the white balance, both for HD and 4K content, there is a clear dominance of the blue colour. This causes the image to appear washed out and cold, which is particularly noticeable in the comparative photo below.

The brightness characteristics also leave much to be desired. Both the gamma and EOTF curve show excessive screen brightening. As a result, there is a loss of detail in both the brighter and darker areas of the image, which further diminishes its credibility and naturalness. Bright elements appear unnaturally flat and lacking in variety.

These significant issues in white balance and brightness characteristics lead to noticeable errors in colour reproduction, which can be easily seen in films as well as in the Colour Checker test. The colours are inaccurate, impacting the overall image quality and visual experience. The factory settings require significant improvement in order to fully enjoy the potential of this television.

After calibration, the white balance for HD and 4K content has significantly improved. Although we have not achieved a perfectly flat characteristic, the effect is definitely better than before. The picture on the television no longer appears artificially warm or excessively cold, which significantly enhances the naturalness of the displayed content. The brightness characteristic (gamma) has also been adjusted – the biggest issues at the beginning and end of the graph have been mitigated. The EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in 4K HDR material, has been stabilised, eliminating problems with excessive dimming of the image. In the colour palette test, some imperfections can still be noticed due to average coverage of the wide colour gamut, which is a limitation of the equipment itself. Nevertheless, the final effect is clearly better than before calibration – the image looks more natural and approaches the expectations of the Filmmaker mode.

Philips offers advanced image calibration tools in its televisions, which we decided to fully utilise. The results? Although we managed to improve many aspects, it was not without difficulties. White balance was one of the biggest challenges – despite our efforts, this can be described as a fight against windmills. We managed to correct it significantly, resulting in the image now looking much better than in the factory settings, but it is still far from perfect. Particularly in some scenes, a subtle dominance of blue is visible, although not as intense as before. We achieved a substantial improvement in brightness characteristics – gamma now appears much more stable. The EOTF curve initially looks correct, however, when analysing film content, it is evident that the television struggles to maintain the appropriate characteristics. The algorithms are "battling," trying to adjust brightness, which may stem from the limited number of dimming zones that do not always cope with more complex scenes. Overall, the image after calibration looks much more pleasing to the eye – colours are more natural, and errors in colour reproduction have been minimised. Although it is still not perfect, the Philips PML8709 now performs significantly better than in the factory settings.

The Philips PUS8209 presents a decent gradient in bright scenes, where tonal transitions are smooth enough not to be noticeable. Unfortunately, in darker scenes, such as red water, the television clearly struggles. Issues with blending shades and a lack of precision in reproducing subtle colour differences are very apparent here.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Philips PML8709 is at a very high level. The colour gradation is incredibly smooth, and the transitions between shades appear natural and detailed. Even in more demanding scenes, the television performs excellently. Minor issues may arise with bright elements, where the gradation may be slightly less precise. However, these are such subtle differences that only the most discerning purists will notice them. For most users, the effects will be fully satisfying, and the image will maintain its impressive quality.

The television offers a "Distortion Reduction" feature that effectively improves the gradation of tonal transitions, especially when set to the minimum level. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost – the feature simultaneously smooths out details such as the texture of materials. On the positive side, it is worth noting that the operation of this option does not negatively affect film grain, which remains intact.

As for image scaling (upscaling), the television generates a plastic, soft image that generally looks pleasant. However, in the background, one can sometimes notice issues with aliasing on certain elements, such as branches or fine details, which can lower the quality of reception. Despite these minor imperfections, the overall experience of scaling is satisfactory.

The distortion reduction function in the Philips PML8709 smooths tonal transitions, but its effectiveness leaves much to be desired. We recommend setting this option to "Medium" – at this level, the effect is noticeable but not excessive. Unfortunately, compared to other Philips models, the smoothing effect is less effective, which means that certain tonal transitions may still appear a bit uneven. An additional drawback is that this function also smooths out other details, such as the textures of materials like a shirt, which can affect the sharpness of the image.

When it comes to image scaling, the television performs very well. The image appears plastic and free of noticeable "jaggedness." This effect may appeal to many users, although some may prefer a more pronounced appearance. Fortunately, the television allows for sharpness adjustment, and this enables us to tailor the image to individual preferences.

The 60 Hz panel in the Philips PUS8209 is mainly suitable for watching films, but there is still a sense of something missing. The television does not offer any motion smoother that would allow users to adjust the fluidity of the picture to their individual preferences, which can be disappointing for some users.

The Philips PML8709 is one of the few models with mini-LED technology on the market, offering a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Although it is not a panel for the most demanding gamers, it should satisfy those who mainly watch films. The television is equipped with the "Motion Style" function, which is a motion smoother that allows you to adjust the smoothness of motion according to preferences – from a more "plastic" look to a cinematic aesthetic with clearly visible frames.

The Philips PUS8209 offers basic features useful for gamers, such as variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic low latency mode (ALLM), and a Game Bar that makes managing settings easier.

Unfortunately, due to the 60 Hz panel, the television will not meet the expectations of more demanding gamers who are counting on higher smoothness and image precision. Additionally, this model does not support any HDR mode dedicated to gaming, such as HGiG or Dolby Vision, which further limits its capabilities in this regard.

Philips PML8709 is a television aimed more at casual gamers, primarily due to its 60 Hz panel, which may not meet the expectations of the most demanding users. However, for those who appreciate gaming at a more measured pace, this model may prove sufficient.

The television offers several gamer-friendly features, such as ALLM (automatic switching to game mode) and VRR (variable refresh rate), which help deliver smoother visuals without annoying stutters. Furthermore, in terms of HDR, it includes an HGiG implementation that adjusts HDR effects to the specifics of games, providing a more natural image in properly optimised titles. Unfortunately, it lacks support for Dolby Vision mode, which may be noticeable in games that utilise this format.

A nice addition is the presence of a basic "Game Bar," which allows for quick viewing and modification of the most important gaming-related settings. This is a simple but useful feature, especially for those who often switch configurations between different types of gameplay. Despite some limitations, Philips PML8709 offers a solid set of features for less demanding gamers.

The input lag in the Philips PUS8209 is one of its strongest points. With a value of around 13 ms, the television provides a very quick response time, which should please most gamers, both casual and more advanced. This result allows for comfortable gameplay even in dynamic games.

Philips PML8709 performs very well in terms of input lag. At the supported resolutions, results around 13 ms are more than sufficient to ensure comfortable gameplay. Such a response time means that even more dynamic games do not cause annoying delays. As a result, players can enjoy smooth gameplay without unnecessary stress.

On paper, cooperation with a PC seems promising, especially thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4, which should ensure good font readability and detail reproduction. In practice, however, the television has significant issues with displaying text, particularly on dark backgrounds, where the so-called pixelation is clearly visible, negatively affecting work comfort.

Additionally, the lack of support for technologies such as G-Sync means that the smoothness of gameplay when connected to a PC leaves much to be desired, making this model less attractive for users looking for a television for gaming on a computer.

The Philips PML8709 offers a dedicated mode for PC, but its capabilities are quite limited. The television does not support chroma 4:4:4, which significantly affects the readability of fonts – text appears blurred and is difficult to read, disqualifying this model for those planning to use it as a monitor for work or document viewing. Additionally, although in G-Sync tests the television showed compatibility, the image when using this function is very unstable, with frequent stuttering. Such unpredictability eliminates the benefits that adaptive sync support should provide.

The only positive aspect in the context of working with a PC is the low input lag, which may be an advantage for those using the television mainly for gaming. Nevertheless, the limitations in chroma support and issues with G-Sync make the PML8709 less than ideal for PC users.

The viewing angles on the Philips PUS8209 are poor, which is typical for a VA panel. When viewing at an angle, the brightness of the image drops significantly, and the colours lose their depth, which can greatly affect viewing comfort, especially in larger groups or in an unusual setting of the television in relation to the viewer.

The Philips PML8709, equipped with a VA panel, offers average viewing angles typical for this type of display. The image deteriorates in quality when viewed from a sharper angle – colours wash out and contrast significantly decreases. This is a characteristic feature of VA panels and it is worth keeping in mind, especially if we plan to watch the television from different positions in the room. However, for viewers sitting directly in front, the picture remains clear and well-reproduced.

The Philips PUS8209 is equipped with a satin matrix coating, which only moderately reduces reflections, which may be insufficient in brightly lit rooms. However, the biggest problem is the low brightness level of 280 nits. In practice, this means that watching content during the day, especially in strong sunlight, can be a challenge, as the picture appears too dark to ensure comfortable use.

The Philips PML8709 is equipped with a satin matrix, which performs moderately well in reducing reflections. In moderately lit rooms, reflections will not be too bothersome; however, in heavily sunlit conditions, the situation can become problematic. An additional challenge is the relatively low screen brightness, measuring around 330 cd/m². This level may prove insufficient to ensure comfortable viewing in bright rooms, where the image may appear too dark and unclear. The television will perform better under controlled lighting conditions, but for those looking for a model that handles daytime viewing well, this may be a significant limitation.

The Philips PUS8209 uses the Titan OS operating system, which, while simple to use, remains limited in terms of functionality. The number of available applications is small compared to more developed ecosystems such as Google TV, which can be disappointing for users accustomed to broader capabilities. Additionally, the lack of support for AirPlay restricts compatibility with Apple devices, reducing the flexibility of the television for content streaming. Although the remote control is interesting, it requires aiming at the screen, which may not appeal to everyone.

The absence of more advanced features, such as PiP (Picture-in-Picture) or programme recording, further limits the device's capabilities in everyday use.

The Philips PUS8209 is a television that draws attention with its interesting solution in the form of a three-sided Ambilight system, which is a dynamic backlighting of the wall behind the television that adapts its colours and intensity to the content displayed on the screen. This effect creates an impression of greater depth of image and enhances immersion, especially in dimly lit rooms. Unfortunately, its potential is limited by the Titan OS operating system, which leaves much to be desired. The limited number of applications and lack of support for popular features such as AirPlay can be a significant drawback for more demanding users. Although Ambilight distinguishes this model from the competition, shortcomings in the operating system greatly affect the overall functionality of the television.

Philips PML8709 runs on the Google TV operating system. This is quite a surprising choice, considering that it is not a flagship model of the brand. Fortunately, it has avoided the implementation of the less popular TitanOS, which can be seen as a plus. Google TV offers a well-known, clear interface and wide possibilities for app installation, making the television more versatile.

In terms of usability, the television performs solidly. Daily use of the device is pleasant, thanks to support for voice search in Polish. The ability to connect peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice or headphones via Bluetooth increases its functionality. Unfortunately, the PML8709 does not offer more advanced options like USB recording or PiP (picture-in-picture) functionality, which may disappoint more demanding users.

An interesting fact, and quite a surprise, is the absence of the Ambilight system, for which Philips is widely known. The decision to omit this technology in the PML8709 model seems inexplicable, especially since Ambilight is often cited as one of the greatest advantages of televisions from this brand.

The built-in media player in the Philips PUS8209 performs well in everyday use. It handles Polish characters in subtitles without any issues and allows for the adjustment of colour and font size, which significantly enhances the comfort of using this feature. More demanding users may notice some shortcomings in the supported file formats; however, for most applications in daily use, this player should be completely sufficient.

Philips PML8709 performs well in playing multimedia files from USB. The television should not have problems with handling most popular video, audio, and photo formats, making it a versatile tool for home entertainment. Files are read smoothly, and the interface of the built-in player is simple and intuitive.

However, a significant drawback is the lack of support for Polish characters in subtitles, stemming from the incomplete implementation of the UTF-8 standard. Subtitles with Polish characters are displayed incorrectly, which can be frustrating for those watching films in their native language. This shortcoming means that users seeking full compatibility with subtitles may be forced to resort to external multimedia players.

The sound in the Philips PUS8209 can be described as average, typical for televisions in this price range. The speakers with a power of 2x10 W do not offer exceptional quality or depth; however, they are sufficient for everyday television viewing. On the positive side, it is worth noting the wide range of supported audio codecs, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS, which can significantly enhance audio quality when combined with external sound systems, such as soundbars or home cinema sets.

The sound quality of the Philips PML8709 is average and standard for a television equipped with speakers rated at 2 x 10 W. The sound is sufficient for everyday viewing, but it is difficult to expect depth in the bass or clear details in more demanding scenes. On the plus side, it does support Dolby Atmos and DTS.

Philips PUS8209 vs Philips PML8709

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

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