 Good TV can be found for a great price when you shop around & are patient. Strengths: LCD, Good Quality, decent number of inputs. Good screen resolution 1080i or 720P. $699 plus tax. Very attractive presentation. Good audio. VERY BRIGHT! For good daytime viewing.
Weaknesses: Set up takes more time than it needs to w/ better pictures. NO DVI inputs. Why? The on screen menu can be annoying appears every time change channels no option to turn off!
No ambilight 8-(
Summary: 2008-08-29 18:55:37 I bought this TV for my grandmother for $699 + tax @ Office Depot.
Setup:
Out of the box, the directions are bright and seem simple but the labels on the items like the metal bar that you use to attach the speaker panel (along the bottom of the TV if you want to use the included speakers) could be made better. If its not a race/not a problem then.
The stand you assemble to hold the TV is very sturdy.
Operation:
The television enters an easy to configure setup program the first time you start it. It will guide you through channel detection and actually found some digital music that I didn't know we could get with TV Tuner alone with Cable with no box (BONUS!) It takes a while to search for high def. channels but that's ok & the way it should be.
I'm familiar with the Philip's menu so operating it was intuitive and quick but was difficult at first for others to get the hang of it. As you arrow over right rather than pushing an enter key to get into sub-directories as you do on many TV models. Once you figure it out it works well.
Once you have all your Source inputs setup, or you use the Coaxial cable input for TV, you notice that when changing the channels the screen displays a menu of input used, whether its stereo or mono, channel number etc. At first its a good bit of information to tell you whether you are getting HD or Standard. But after a day or so...well it stays on the screen too long & there is NO option to remove it or make it translucent, or shorten the time. There is even a FAQ on Philip's Support website so obviously other customers have complained about this; Philip's response is there is no way to turn this off. But maybe they will consider putting it in a firmware update, as they have with other models (done firmware updates). There is a work around, sort of, if you hit volume right away the bigger menu display is gone & replaced by a smaller volume slide bar (if it bothers you). For me I'm a crazy channel surfer so it does become annoying as it blocks part of the screen.
Don't know if it does it if you were to use HDMI input with a cable box tuner....you may by pass it that way. (DON'T have a box for her at this time so I can't try it or maybe if you change the channel through the VCR's Tuner). That may negate the whole issue (sorry unsure about that just occurred to me, if I remember I'll try and update later). NOT A DEAL BREAKER AT ALL. JUST trying to be thorough! From across the room its not easy to see the channel number (bad color small).
Picture Quality:
The TV I replaced for her was an old 1991 Tube style (CRT) RCA console. This LCD screen does an excellent job of diffusing daylight/reflection problems (unlike the old tube TV which was difficult to watch during the day - almost like a dull mirror). The settings for picture and sound are very good including several preprogrammed settings as well as a personal setting you can configure. This is a very bright display (if you want it to be - you can always turn down to your likings) but it really was impressive. Seems brighter especially, during daylight than any other TV I've seen. My own Philips 42" plasma (1 year 5 months old) is harder to watch during the day due to reflection and less brightness. I know since then they have improved the diffusing on both plasmas and LCD's and this TV is certainly a testament to that.
Its best viewed from 4-5 feet or farther back (as pretty much with all TVs).
Issues. Currently my grandmother is having an issue with the TV not turning on when she would like. (Not sure if this is an issue with the TV or her ability to correctly press the single power button on the remote just once. The TV has a bit of a delay when starting before it displays the picture as do all the LCD & Plasmas I have used, but this can be difficult for some customers. Some related issues. The GREEN LED indication turns on when the set starts, but when it's off it turns RED to indicate Standby mode...why they changed from the often used amber I am not sure but blinking RED is the error code state for Philips so I wish they would have chosen amber. What does this have to do with the TV well the switch or power button on the TV itself isn't like old power buttons that could be used as the means to turn the TV on & off as well as the Remote, rather the Power button on the TV is designed to change the TV from the OFF mode to a STANDBY mode. But for elderly people, the inclusion of a true on off button would have been nice. Once the TV has started she seems to have no problem controlling the TV channels or volume so if she could manually turn it on, on the set then use the remote she would be very happy. (I realize this only applies to the segments of the population that are technologically challenged or have a physical limitation do to a disability ) but still. Hopefully not a problem with the TV but user issue. I use TV for a few days every other week. VERY HAPPY. Sad for her.
EDIT BIG PROBLEMS SEE NEW C
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