Philips 40PFL8606H

HD TV Reviews (32" and Above)

As it did last year, Philips has positioned the 8000 Series as a mid-range offering in its TV collection. The new PFL8606H has picked up the baton from last year and offers both active 3D and features that are becoming increasingly standard, like online services and motion interpolation filters. The PFL8606H uses Edge LED backlighting, with LEDs installed around the frame allowing it to be a wafer-thin 3.3 cm. One big improvement is the fact that the infra-red transmitter that's used to synchronise the 3D glasses is now built into the TV itself, so you don't need to waste one of the USB ports on it. The difference between this TV and more expensive models in Philips' collection isn't really the features, but the finish. Instead of the attractive brushed metal frame that completes the PFL9706H's look, here you only have plastic. The display sits behind a pane of glass, meaning it picks up a few reflections. But just like the PFL9706H, the 2 x 14 W RMS speakers are part of the stand, which doubles up as a VESA wall mount in a very handy system. If you're looking for multimedia services, then the PFL8606H can: act as a PVR, recording your favourite programmes and pausing live TV; support DLNA 1.5 over built-in WiFi or Ethernet; play content from a USB device and offer a whole range of online services.