What Hi-Fi? Verdict
A solid performer at a tantalisingly affordable price
Pros
- +
Ultra-competitive price
- +
intuitive interface and smart design
- +
detailed, lively sound and decent picture
Cons
- -
No DTS-HD decoding
- -
not as sharp or subtle as rivals
- -
sound lacks solidity
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Of all our Blu-ray player reviews, this Philips is the first machine to sneak in with an RRP of under £200 – now, the high-definition format really is in reach for the masses.
That said, a quick search online shows one of our current favourites, the Sony BDP-S360, can be found for as little as £160, some £80 lower than the price we originally listed.
Good quality for little money
So, we're soon enjoying the fantastic action of Watchmen, and considering the knockdown price, there's certainly nothing disheartening about the image.
Do an A-B comparison with a five-star performer, and edges lack a little sharpness and fast motion isn't handled so smoothly – but it's a good HD picture.
Sonically there's a lack of weight and solidity, but the Philips will leave a fair few quid in your pocket compared to most, making it a good proposition.
