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39 out of 39 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Wan an unbiased review? Look elsewhere!"
Pros: Less money than the Panasonic with more features and equal picture quality, Ambilight is awesome!
Cons: Speakers leave something to be desired.
Summary: I decided to post my opinion only after reading the cnet review listed above. This is more of a rebuttle than a review, so please read the review and other cnet opinions, then read this.
In the cnet review it states that the Philips does not have independent memory per input. I have this set in my living room right now, and it does have independent memory per input. It makes me wonder if cnet even looked at this set and is instead relying on incorrect information.
The menu system, I felt, was very intuitive. It's easy to navigate and adjust settings.
The ambilight feature, while not for everyone (the cnet reviewers) I find it a great addition. I, like most, turn off the lights while viewing a movie. The addition of the ambilight reduces my eye strain and adds a more cinematic experience to the film. But hey, if you don't like it, TURN IT OFF. I'm not about to knock a product because it has TOO MANY features.
I paid $2330 at a national chain store for my set during a promotion. $830 less than the Panasonic PX50U and the Philips has more features and inputs, including PC and 2 HDMI instead of 1. I do not notice any false-countouring artifacts in dark scenes like the cnet review suggests. Greens such as grass on NFL or MLB, look amazing and vibrant, again, unlike the cnet reviews opinion.
With the mention of the Panasonic PX50u so many times in the cnet article, I wonder if they can provide a truly unbiased opinion. After reading the review, I would have to say no. Lines like "Compared to recent plasmas such as the excellent Panasonic TH-42PX50U, which we had on hand for comparison, the philips 42PF9630A's overall image quality leaves something to be desired." I notice NO difference in picture quality between the Philips and the Panasonic. However, I do see a ton of extra features, including the ability to update the sets firmware, ambilight, an added HDMI input, PC inputs, Memory Card Reader, Front AV inputs for a gaming system, etc. Oh, and all at a retail price tag $500 less than the Panasonic.
The only complaint I have is a slight buzzing noise on some high-bass audio segments. However, if your going to spend the money on a plasma TV, why are you using the speakers it comes with instead of a home theater system. I'll have mine hooked up in a couple of weeks.
When it's all said and done, I would recommend this set to anyone over the Panasonic PX50u. I don't work for any company relating to any of these manufacturers. I'm just an owner of a great set that got bashed in a review when it shouldn't have. Lets see if this review even makes it online, or will cnet censor it because it conflicts with their opinion.Updated
iiiiiiiiiiUpdated
Several of us have been discussing this in a forum and have come with this conclusion.
There are 6 settings for your picture, one Personal and 5 presets:
Rich
Natural
Soft
Multimedia
Eco
Each input can have any of the above as it's option, however Personal is the only one you can change, and Personal is the same no matter what input you put it on. Hope this info helps!
- 4 replies to this review
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Hi,
Can anyone tell me if the speakers on this set are removable? -
why not have/use a crt as a standard,ie.compare lcd and plasma model/yr. after model to a constant,the phosphorus of a reference crt? just a thought from an old retarded engr.
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thank u,objective and to the point
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I am about to purchase a Plasma TV and I agree. I have looked at 50 or so. I have heard and read all of the hype about the Panasonics. However my eyes see thing differently. In all cases with the panasonic side by side to the philips, the phillips looked better to me. Sharper, Clearer, with more detail. The panasonic was darker but there was also a dark halo around everything. Also the panasonics did a really really poor job with Standard Broadcast, actually they looked terrible, Like a 1970's color TV. Since we will all be viewing Standard TV for at least another 2 years it is important that a set do good with standard broadcast too. The Phillips did great with standard broadcast and picture perfect with HD. To me the answer is clear. Phillips is the best all around. Dont believe the Panasonic Hype.
