Philips Looks to Light Up the Holidays--With Ambilight TVs

During a preview of what it hopes will be big holiday sellers, Philips showed off an HDTV line that showcased new LCD sets with 1080p resolutions, 120Hz refresh rates designed to help reduce motion blur during fast-moving scenes, and "new, improved" Ambilight ambient lighting effects. The new TVs sport stylish designs with glossy black finishes and they come with contemporary pedestal stands.

The two new models are 47- and 52-inch sets priced at $2,800 and $3,800. They'll be available in September and August, respectively. With these additions, the Ambilight LCD line now has five models, starting with a 32-inch set priced at $1,050.

One of the most interesting features on the new TVs is Philips’ new jargon-free "Settings Assistant," which uses split-screen A/B comparisons to help users choose the best picture in a manner not dissimilar to the way an optometrist helps you select the proper eyeglass prescription ("Which one is better—this? Or this?"). Rather than selecting from various brightness, color saturation, contrast, detail, flesh tone, and sharpness settings, users simply select one of the two on-screen images before moving on to the next. More experienced users still have access to more detailed, conventional settings. Settings Assistant is available on all LCD HDTVs 26 inches and larger, plus its two plasma models.

Philips said that it is now using LEDs to power all its Ambilight effects. The Ambilight 2 used in the new sets projects a halo of colored or white light on each side of the TV. The company says that the switch results in improved energy efficiency and more vibrant colors. However, LEDs have not replaced conventional CCFL lamps as backlights for the LCD panel. Surprisingly, even the newer models are outfitted with HDMI 1.2a inputs, rather than HDMI 1.3. Models with the newer HDMI inputs, which support the xvYCC expanded color gamut, won’t arrive until 2008.

With LCD sets stealing the spotlight, Philips is now selling only two plasma models, 42-inch ($1,500) and 50-inch ($2,000) screen sizes that will primarily be available through mass merchants. The company said that it would be discontinuing its 63-inch plasma model due to insufficient demand. The set should be available until the early fall. Two rear-projection DLP sets, in 50- and 60-inch screen sizes, will be carried over, but sold primarily to rent-to-own dealers.

-- James K. Willcox

Comments

[paul]

ann, i have the same problem. i tried component cables (red, blue, yellow plus 2 audio) instead of the hdmi cable and it's much better. no "unsupported video format" anymore, and the channels change faster. but the "no video signal" still pops up for a second. it seems to be the hdmi connection between directv and philips lcd's that's the source of the problem. i've tried to update my tv software to no avail.

[ann seabrook]

Purchased 42pfl7432d/37. Changing channels I get "Unsupported Video Format", then screen goes blinks, then reads "No Video Signal, - sometimes the picture comes in and sometimes It doesn't. I have Direct tv HR20-700 and is connected using the HDMI connection. What causes this, and what should I do to get the picture to come in more quickly?

When ever I turn from one channl to another, the tv blinks, "no Video imput" comes up then the channel will come in. Help!

[richard]

Has there been any testing done yet on the Philips 52" lcd? We
saw one at Sams that looked very nice. Any opinions??