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"Corrections to Editors review" on by 1080i720p
Pros: Sharp detail / Colorful images / Blackbar formatting
Cons: Audio needs a "boost"
Summary: Just a few clarifications to the editors review.
I own this set. Like most of you, I researched this extensively online and in-store before purchasing.
So having lived with it for about 4 months, let me correct many of the inaccuracies stated in this review by Mr. Katzmaier.
I will try to make my comments in the order of the review as you read it.
1. The weights of the TV (stand / sans stand) listed are backwards.
2. The 42PFL7432D uses multiple LED lights for its Ambilight technology NOT cold cathode fluorescent bulbs as stated by the reviewer.
3. The Philips LCD TV being reviewed is a 42PFL7432D NOT a 42PFL9732D, that set does not exist.
4. Pressing the MENU key with any menu screen up on the Philips removes or "exits" the current on screen menu. It's on page 9 of the manual for reference.
5. My guess would be that less than 1% of the CNET readers watch an ISF "calibrated" picture.
6. If you think about it (CNET readers; please ask your friends), I'd guess that over 90% of all people do not adjust the picture on their TV; typically they just take it out of the box, connect it and watch it. With that knowledge, two reviews should be done...one in "out of the box" and one for the "tweeks"...of which the majority of CNET readers are not. Not looking to get flamed here...just stating obvious facts.
7. 480i and 480p input signals offer 6 picture format settings; Automatic, Superzoom, 4:3, Movie Expand 14:9, Movie Expand 16:9 and Widescreen. Unscaled is not available with 480i and 480p signals.
8. From what I have experienced, Philips uses an "active backlight control" to adjust black levels. Seeing how most consumers don't know what Backlighting does for a TV, it seems like a smart way to approach the setting. Personally, Philips should offer both. Ship the set in Automatic Backlighting, but offer a manual override. That'd at least make the reviewers happy.
9. Perfect Pixel HD Engine in the menu makes a big difference when turned ON/OFF. Pause the picture and turn it ON/OFF, the difference is pretty big. David I know you wear glasses from watching your videos, did you have them on when you were testing this set?
10. Color Enhancement DOES affect the picture, pause the picture and look at it.
11. Dynamic Contrast; turn it off and you get the poor black levels he is referring to. Leave it on and the black levels are very strong.
COMMENT / EDITORIAL: I find it odd that some reviews (depending on the brand being reviewed) turn OFF the manufactures picture processing during the review and then complain about the results. I thought these processing tools were designed to make the incoming picture better? So wouldn't turning everything off be counter-intuitive and provide a negative result? I am glad Mr. Katzmaier doesn't write for the auto industry. If he did you might read things like..."after removing the engine, we found the pickup on the vehicle to be sluggish when compared to others with engines...OR...after de-activating the vehicles on board computer this caused erratic behavior while driving...OR...when the front tire was removed, we found it performed very poorly in the slaloms..." Sorry, had to get that out.
12. Settings Assistant from what I can tell is a "consumer" adjustment setting. It appears to me that the images you are looking at are "over emphasized" to make you chose. If they were just slightly different, people couldn't see the differences.
13. TV has 3 format modes in HD: Automatic which REMOVES black bars in 4x3 up-converted content contrary to what the reviewer says. The other 2 modes are Widescreen & Unscaled. NOTE: When viewing true HD content (CSI in HD, Heroes in HD..etc.) and using the Automatic format mode, the picture performs exactly like the Widescreen format mode EXCEPT it stretches out the Black Bars on 4x3 up-scaled content. The only time the 4x3 up-converted picture will not format and remove the bars is if there is a logo in the black bar area.
14. Connectivity: I found out reading at the AVS Forum when I was researching this set that the 3 HDMI inputs and 2 Component Video inputs support 1080p @ 24, 30 and 60Hz. From what I read, this means the set is ready for pretty much any set top box present or future. I have an older X-Box without HDMI and can connect it via Component Video with the X Box set to 1080p…love it!
15. PC Connectivity: Yes, this TV is missing a VGA or RGBHV input. However, you can connect your PC or Laptop with a DVI or HDMI output to the set via one of its HDMI inputs. I have a PC with DVI out and a MAC that display computer information beautifully on it.
16. Performance: The reviewer complains about the picture performance here and quite a few times through the whole review. Once again I have to remind the readers that he has turned OFF all the picture processing. What does he expect? For the record, my black levels are fantastic.
17. Ambilight: David Katzmaier does not like Ambilight. David Katzmaier does not like Ambilight. David Katzmaier does not like Ambilight. If you don't like it, have somebody else "neutral" review this part of the TV for you. In researching this TV, I came across other reviews by this editor. With regards to Ambilight, his comments stand true for each Philips model he has reviewed…it’s almost a “cut and paste” from one review to the next. By the way, I am a photographer and utilize a light meter where necessary. In one of the Ambilight menu settings Philips offers 10,000 independent settings for Ambilight. Using that menu, I metered my Ambilight set out to 6,550K...so I don't know what they were doing unless the screen they were reflecting it off of was not really "white". Bottom line, if you use Ambilight, then take it away...you'll want it back. The picture just looks better with Ambilight on.
18. Juice Box: The 42PFL7432D I have uses between 0.4 and 0.6 watts in the standby mode. I have one of those "Watts Up?" power analyzer meters and when I hooked it up to the set, I found his standby number to be incorrect, also.
So what don't I like about the set. It's audio performance as a stand alone unit. Philips needs to “pump up the volume” on this TV. To overcome that, I use the Digital Coaxial output into my Dolby Digital Stereo system and the problem is solved. A nice thing about the Philips Digital Coaxial output is that all audio sources are converted to the digital output...even the Analog input (I have a Wii connected via the side input) comes out of the Digital Coaxial output.
Well, I hope my comments are helpful for you folks wanting to read the rest of the "correct" story.
Enjoy -
"Great 1080P LCD" on by rsbruner
Pros: Number of inputs, autosizing picture
Cons: Sound, Only 1 RF/Coaxial input, some pixelation
Summary: My intention this weekend was to purchase a Panasonic 42" Plasma TV, but after a great amount of searching and reviewing LCD and Plasma TVs I finally settled on the Philips 42PFL7432D 42" LCD TV as Best Buy had this TV on sale over the weekend for $1,499.99.
Being the father of 4 kids who can not turn off the lights let alone the TV when they are finished watching, the thought of purchasing a Plasma TV bothered me as I was concerned about the "burning" of images if the picture remains static for too long. I also did not want a DLP or LcoS rear projection TV as we were looking for something to mount on the wall. This TV met all of my criteria, LCD and 1080p, perfect!
When I went to BestBuy to purchase this set, I meandered around the displays and I can honestly say that this TV did not garner any excitement. In fact there was a 47" Westinghouse display that did look really good. After checking the spec and what the Philips offered, it did seem like a no brainer. Also, BestBuy does have a 30 day return policy, so I felt as though that would be some insurance if I was disappointed in the quality of the picture. Ultimately, I purchased this "on a wing and a prayer", hoping the reviews I had read on other forums were true. I have always had a great respect for Philips brand name, so that did have an impact on my decision.
My son and I opened the packaging and were quite impressed. The TV was well packed and included the display, remote control, a Quick Start Guide, User Manual, and much to my surprise a very nice and very well made swivel stand - I may have rethink the wall mounting...
The stand required some assembly, but Philips included all of the necessary tools, basically a hex wrench. It was easy to assemble the stand, though getting the stand into the display took a little bit of effort.
The TV at 77 lbs. was a bit heavier than I expected. With two of us it was easy to place on a table where we had our 20" tube TV. The dimensions of the TV are 41.2" wide x 27" high and only 4.6" deep.
Finally, it's time to plug it in. I hooked up a very basic antenna, my sons XBOX and Ninentdo Game Cube. After starting up the TV you are asked to answer 8 questions about the picture you are viewing, much like going to the eye doctor. 6 "Better or Worse" questions about the picture you are viewing and 2 "Better or Worse" questions regarding the sound you are hearing. The TV sets up the picture based on your answers and automatically adapts to your personal preferences. Very cool, though I do believe there are some tweaks we could make to improve the picture. It is important to note that this TV does allow some fine adjustments to picture. As far as the sound goes, the bass is just OK and the rest of the sound is fairly middling, bordering on tinny. I believe hooking up a sound system is in order here.
One aspect of this TV that really caught the attention of my wife is the Ambilight 2. This consists of LED displays on either side of the TV that change as you watch the picture. It makes for a thoroughly engrossing experience as the lights around the TV match those of the screen while you watch. This truly enhances watching TV while in a dark room, and it does reduce eye strain.
The next step was to dial in the local over-the-air channels through the antenna. We receive 12 analog channels and 18 digital channels. The pictures on the analog channels are terrible. They are like looking at an old TV where you have to move rabbit ears all around the room just to make them palatable. The standard definition and high definition pictures are enchanting. They truly are phenominal, very crisp, very clear, and very rich in color. Professional TV connosieurs say that a drawback to LCD TV's is that they do not show true blacks, but on this TV, I find that the blacks are black. They do not look grey at all.
Our next effort was in playing the Microsoft XBOX. Again very good colors through the component cables. The picture was great. In playing the Nintendo GameCube with the S-video input I was again impressed with the color. One thing this TV does if left in automatic sizing mode is that it will adjust the picture the fit the TV. Really neat in watching this happen though there are times when you do have to set the picture size manually as people can become bloated if the screen is stretched to wide, or short and fat if compressed narrowly.
The Philips has 3 the following inputs:
3 HDMI
2 S Video
2 Component, though on one of the settings you must choose between S- Video or component.
1 Composite Video
1 RF/Coaxial
1 USB port for software upgrade and USB devices
There are side inputs that include S-Video and USB hook ups.
The only disappointment with this TV is the 1 RF/Coaxial input. I have the Dish Network 2-Box to 4 TV set-up. Because we use an internal cable to attach this TV, I have to choose to hook-up the DISH or use the antenna. I would have liked to use both. It is my personal recommendation to Philips to include 2 RF/Coaxial inputs.
In my final analysis, would I say this is a great TV? I think it is a very good TV. The only comparison I can make is to the Sony KDS-R50XBR1 that we own. It has some flaws, but it is a great TV. On this TV, I can see some pixelation and jaggedness of the images on the screen, as for the Sony, I can not. However, that TV was twice the price of this one, and it is a different technology. Is this picture amazing? Yes, when compared to the CRT TV we still own it is amazing, and I am sure to a first time buyer of HDTV it will amaze and astonish them just as mine did. In the end, I am very happy to own this TV, the picture is very good, it will serve my family well, and hopefully we are future-proofed for some time. I do whole heartedly recommend this TV for TVs in this price range as it offers a great number of inputs, and a great ability to adjust colors, tint, fine-tuning as well as other options. -
"I did my homework and bought the Philips Ambilight 2 42PFL432D" on by Poppadster
Pros: Great picture. Great looking. Great price. Easy setup. What are you waiting for? This is a no-brainer.
Cons: Sound is only okay.
Summary: just bought the Philips 42PFL7432D Ambilight 2 LCD TV for my master bedroom. I must have looked at, and read the reviews of, at least 100 TVs. My research included TVs measuring 40-47 inches and technologies ranging from DLP, LCD, plasma and projection (front and rear). With this being the only boy-toy purchase my wife will allow me to make for the year, I wanted to get it right the first time. Okay?
The set up is extremely user friendly and dummy proof! The fine-tune adjustments are also easy to tweak. The picture quality and field of view on this TV are as good as any other LCD TV I've seen; period!
The picture looks awesome, especially when viewing HD signals from my recently installed Verizon FIOS broadband service. While watching a local network channel that was showing a golf tournament in HD, I think I saw an ant giving me the finger as it was walking across the putting green (kidding).
Aesthetically, the black-framed beauty is matter-of-factly handsome in my bedroom. And, the price is ridiculously low for a TV that has 1080 resolution, 3 HDMI ports, antiglare screen with 176-degree viewing angles, auto volume leveler, built-in speakers, Ambilight 2 technology, and much more. I bought mine on sale at Best Buy.
Typically, I'll shop around for at least a month before I buy something that costs over 1,000 bucks. This was definitely worth the wait and research. My wife loves it. In fact, she watches it more than me. She went out and rented a bunch of chick flicks to watch; the ones with subtitles, frilly dresses, horse-drawn carriages . . . you know what I mean. I/we love the Ambilight feature. We watch TV a lot in a darkened room. I noticed that Ambilight really reduces eyestrain.
My only complaint: The only thing this TV needs is a better set of built-in speakers. Actually, now I get to go out and buy an appropriate sound system for the master bedroom!! Hey, punkin? -
"Really good LCD TV" on by Perception Is Reality
Pros: Very nice HD picture
Cons: can't really think of any...guess that's why I don't review TV's
Summary: I found this review looking for something else at CNET and seeing how I own this TV for 2 months now, I find the comments by the editor confusing.
I'm not as technical as most so I don't know all the numbers people talk about but this Phillips set has a really good picture in HD. I use comcast with a HD box and like the picture I watch.
I'd say go look at it and compare the price. For a lot less money than the competitive sets by it, you'll get a really nice LCD TV. -
"Very satisfied with purchase." on by dglanzer
Pros: HD picture, sound and viewing angle.
Cons: None so far after looking at competitors.
Summary: New on market. Bought at Sears on 0% credit for 18 months. Picture quality to me as good as Samsung or Sony or anything they had in the store. About $1000 under other 1080p sets in the store. Hooked it up to my surround sound and very compatible and better than old JVC. 180 degree viewing angle seems correct. May be the best 42" 1080 out there. Check it out before committing to other more expensive models. Have been comparing to other big sreens I encounter and quality of picture as good or better than all other, no matter price. But, may be personal.
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