Philips will unveil its 2015 flagship TV to the world at IFA 2015. The 9600 is Philips’ first TV to offer HDR (high dynamic range), which is by many considered the next step after Ultra HD. The model will be available in 55, 65 and 75 inches, all with Android TV and Ambilight.
Philips 9600 with 4K HDR
As per tradition, Philips is adding high-end TVs to its line-up at IFA 2015 in Berlin. Besides the new 8 series TVs, Philips will introduce the high-end 9600 TV with an elegant design and the latest picture technology from the former Dutch, now Hong Kong-based company.
It hardly comes as a surprise that the TV comes equipped with Ultra HD resolution, but Philips is also adding support for HDR. High Dynamic Range can deliver deeper blacks, brighter whites and more details in shadows and highlights. To enjoy HDR on a TV you will need HDR content from either an Ultra HD Blu-ray players or a streaming service such as Amazon (still not supported on Philips’ TVs). To enable HDR on 9600, Philips is using a full-array local dimming system that can control light in zones. No words on the number of zones.
Like most other 2015 Philips TVs, the new 9600 is built on Google’s “Android TV”, an operating system developed specifically for TVs, media players and game consoles. Android TV lets you download apps, streaming services, games and more from an app store. The system is powered by a Hex-core processor and has 16GB of storage, which is expandable via external USB devices. HEVC and VP9 decoding make it possible to stream 4K content from Netflix and YouTube, and Google Cast lets you use the TV just like a Chromecast.
Philips 9600 is naturally equipped with HDMI 2.0 ports for connecting Ultra HD Blu-ray players.
Ambilight, Ambilight, Ambilight
If you had to characterize Philips’ TVs by just one feature it would surely be Ambilight; the mood lighting system used in TVs. Philips continues to add new features to Ambilight, which today is based on LEDs. Philips has also made it possible to integrate Ambilight with the “smart home” through its Hue lamps.
The new flagship has a 4-sided Ambilight system and one of the new features is the ability to make it pop to the rhythm of music tracks played through Spotify. We got a sneak peek at CES earlier this year and Philips is now adding it as a feature in its 2015 TVs. Another new feature is “Ambilight Game Mode” for console gaming.
Lastly, Philips draws attention to its new "premium remote" with a touch pad and a full keyboard on the back.
Philips’ 9600 series will be available in 65" 65PUS9600. Pricing details have not been announced.
Google Play Movies*, Google Play Music*, Google search, Voice Search, YouTube, HbbTV, Top Picks, TV on demand, Netflix, Spotify Connect, online apps, online video stores
Ambilight 4-sided
4 HDMI 2.0a (1x with HDCP 2.2), 3 USB (1x USB3.0)
Twin Tuner: 2x DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2
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