Philips CD4451S
Full featured but complex - Philips CD4451S Telephone

Product Type: Philips telephones

Newest Review: ... the numeric pad. It is not as easy to set up as other DECT phones we have had - but it has a lot more features to set up. Incoming numbe... more

Full featured but complex
Philips CD4451S

Lakelander

Member Name: Lakelander

Product:

Philips CD4451S

Date: 15/03/11

Rating:

Advantages: The price I paid, call screening and sound quality

Disadvantages: Complicated, and the display is too bright.

I bought this to replace our twin DECT phone which was giving problems. It was on offer at £12.95 - much less than I have seen it even online.
The phone has a bright backlit screen and buttons - BLUE LED light, but it is far TOO bright to be read easily!
You can adjust the contrast, but not dim the brightness!

The various features are accessed by pressing combinations of the same five buttons, and of course the numeric pad.
It is not as easy to set up as other DECT phones we have had - but it has a lot more features to set up.
Incoming numbers which you have entered in the phone book are identified to you if you subscribe to caller ID, and can be assigned to a particular incoming call group, each with its own distinctive ring. This is a quick way to screen incoming calls once you have mastered the keystroke combinations to do it!

The phone will also keep a record of incoming call numbers - and names if they are in the phone book feature.
You can also use this incoming call list to redial the caller, or add to the phonebook.

However for ALL these features, you have to be able to follow the on screen guide or the instruction book - no simple task unless you are a child of the computer age!

The BEST feature is the sound quality - which can be heard through the earpiece or a built in speaker. This must be a boon for the hard of hearing, or can be used so a room full of people can share a conversation.

Does anyone use conference calling? This has it - although I have no idea how to use it!
The handset is easy to hold, and no doubt in time I will get used to the features I use most, but I feel I will never get to use many of the features built in!

I have got used to the answering machine, although I have not yet created a personal message, and most callers simply hang up!
Why do we all struggle to talk to answering machines? :)

Summary: Good quality product, good sound and I got a good price, but many surplus features!

Processing/Quality:    Processing/Quality
Reliability:    Reliability
Ease of use:    Ease of use
Installation:    Installation
Update possibilites:    Update possibilites