Philips BDP1502 Blu-ray and DVD Player (Renewed): features and specs

The Philips BDP1502 is a Blu-ray and DVD player for people who still watch discs. This listing is for a certified renewed unit, meaning it has been refurbished by a service centre and resold. Here is what the player does and what to check.

Blu-ray playback in full HD

The BDP1502 plays Blu-ray discs at up to 1080p. Blu-ray holds far more data than a DVD, which is why films on the format typically look sharper and carry richer sound. Philips describes the picture as sharp, full HD.

It is a 1080p player, so it is not described as playing 4K Ultra HD discs. Those typically need a separate player.

DVD upscaling over HDMI

Standard DVDs are lower resolution, so the player upscales them to 1080p over HDMI. Upscaling adds pixels to fit a high-definition TV; it improves how a DVD fills the screen, but it cannot add detail the disc never had. Philips calls the result near-HD images.

Audio

The player lists Dolby Audio and DTS 2.0 digital out. A digital output lets you pass sound to a receiver or soundbar, which does the decoding. Check which audio inputs your equipment has.

Bonus View

Bonus View, also called picture-in-picture, shows a second video on top of the main film on discs that support it. This is typically used for director commentary or behind-the-scenes clips. Only discs authored for it offer the feature.

What "renewed" means here

The seller states that the unit is certified renewed, graded under an R-CUBES/FSC scheme, and that as a certified service centre it has sanitised data so no data remains on the product. A renewed player typically has been checked, cleaned and tested, although cosmetic wear can vary. Read the terms of the renewal and warranty for this particular unit.

Who it suits

A player like this fits people who already own a library of discs, or who want a simple way to play DVDs and Blu-rays on a TV that has an HDMI input. Physical discs typically offer consistent picture and sound quality that does not depend on an internet connection, and many films include extras that are not always available elsewhere. A basic player is also a common choice for a spare room, a holiday home or a second TV, where a full home cinema setup is not needed. If you mostly watch streamed content or own 4K discs, it will be less relevant.

Setting it up

Setup is usually straightforward: connect the player to the TV with an HDMI cable, plug in the power, and choose the correct input on the television. If you use a soundbar or receiver, you can pass the audio through its digital connection. Read the manual for the exact output options and for how to set the video resolution to match your TV.

Size

The player measures about 12 × 8 × 2 inches (30 × 20 × 5 cm) and weighs about 2.5 lb (1.1 kg). It is slim enough for a shelf or media cabinet.

What to check before you buy

• Connections: confirm your TV or receiver has an HDMI input, and decide whether you need an HDMI cable.
• Disc regions: Blu-ray and DVD discs carry region codes. Check that the player's region matches your discs.
• Disc types: confirm which formats it plays; it is not a 4K disc player.
• Streaming: nothing here mentions streaming apps, so check whether you need them.
• Condition and warranty: read what comes in the box, including the remote and cables, and the warranty terms.

The short version

• Renewed Blu-ray and DVD player from Philips, model BDP1502.
• 1080p Blu-ray playback and DVD upscaling over HDMI.
• Dolby Audio, DTS 2.0 digital out and Bonus View.
• Compact at about 12 × 8 × 2 inches; check disc region and connections.

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