Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD HDTV
Introduction
As we reported a few days ago, Philips has launch the LCD flat panel display in the original movie Widescreenformat of 21:9 for the 2nd Quarter of 2009 announced. For a product preview at the end of last week, we had the opportunity to make a prototype of this Flatscreens of a screen diagonal of 56 inches and a panel resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels, in action. Our impressions for this special topic.
Cinema 21:9 potential of the market
First, the important question of where the potential for Philips 21:9-device on the market. According to Philips from the PR department, the unit is not subsidized image makers, but should bring profit - it is nevertheless aware of the fact that the Cinema 21:9 course no guarantee for huge quantities. Among the possible non-binding wanted one at Philips will not comment. We assume that the price of the flat screen cinema at the end of February will be announced. What are the potential buyers come for the Cinema 21:9 in question?First, the classic early adopter and high-tech enthusiasts. This admittedly rather small audience, it is at the heart, at home, in principle regarding the latest high-tech in your own four walls to have. The second is the one user in question, which is not the motivation, has a projector screen along with the complex and to carry out adjustments. Even if the living room and the home theater room is designed in the establishment and commissioning of Cinema 21:9 much easier. Moreover, it must be remembered that in the living room, usually a strong external light is present. The brightness strong 21:9 Cinema comes so easily to cope, one for operating in the completely darkened home theater projector designed not. Beamer also has no current direct playback in 21:9 with no black bars. Philips has always in fact a wide range of EQ settings in the video, but also a good "Out of the Box" image and excellent adjustment assistance as well as efficient from the factory default image programs (Lively, of course, film ....). We expect that the Cinema 21:9 also will offer these opportunities. Therefore, it is the one who all adjustments as quickly as possible wants to have done, just happy with the 21:9 flat as the one who actually means precisely calibrate Color Facts wants. Already, it was still possible, for example, the white point individually.
Advantages and disadvantages of 21:9 display
A great advantage of the current flat panels with Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution is that incoming Full HD signals from a Blu-ray natively, that is pixel accurate, are presented. There is no scaling within the chain performed. This has a detailed and accurate, sharp and enormous plastic image as a visible result. Since the Blu-ray images stored in 2:35:1 in the usual adaptation for a 16:9 image output device, ie the format 1.920 x 1080 pixels with black bars above and below, the scale Philips TV - its resolution is with 2560 x 1080 pixels in the horizontal well is much higher. At the same time, seeing in 21:9 but particularly suitable concerning human perception of the natural way. Not for nothing has this format in the cinema enforced. The pleasantly wide and not too high image allows a film immensely relaxed enjoyment. It will be built by Philips Ambilight Spectra III, which is in a position to each side is using the display more colors to the image content to adapt, yet supported. Basically, the experience factor at Cinema 21:9 higher than a 16:9 device. The use as a conventional TV set is of course possible, but the question is, how a signal 4:3 to 21:9 makes adding. Of course you can TV signals in 16:9, then, however, are left and right black bars to be seen. Very interesting is the 21:9 model the possibility for integration into home networks, so that you saved on your PC HD video, for example, shot with your camcorder, and jpeg image files can view it. Also, a USB port for the integration of a USB stick or a USB hard drive would be just at the Cinema 21:9 very sensible. Philips Since these features with other flat panel monitors already installed, we assume that the Cinema 21:9 to enjoy such features will come. The flat screen was shown, moreover, no LED Backlight model, but worked with the conventional CCFL backlight. Here, in contrast with LED Backlight, where individual LEDs can be completely darkened (hence arises the darkened points really black screen), only a complete background light (which means at CCFL fluorescent tubes will be realized) dimmed. A 21:9 LED Backlight flatscreen would be another very interesting evolutionary stage, since the combination of LED backlight and 21:9 cinema format, the device just for movie lovers would still enticing.
The construction
Philips showed the preview not only the Cinema 2:9 screen, but also the prototype of a 7.1 speaker system. This was driven by a newly developed by Philips 7.1 AV receiver. In the design that fits this was also the prototype of a Blu-ray player to admire. Philips plans to consider these components in addition to introducing Cinema 21:9, so that the user has the possibility of a complete home theater system with Philips devices can. In order to "live" the comparison with a conventional 16:9 Flatscreen could experience was a 42 inch full HD device from the current product range next to the Cinema hang been 21:9. The choice fell to 42-inch, because the 42-inch or less the same level as the 56-inch flat screen 21:9.
Re: Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD HDTV
Our impressions
The look from us for 21:9 Cinema was still a prototype - the newly developed image engine was not finished yet developed a number of functions were not yet available. Very positive, we have the relatively color-neutral interpretation noticed. Colors appeared to be very realistic and not too gaudy. The picture was of a uniform brightness distribution dominated. Clearly visible was also a sharp loss in direct comparison with the 42 inch HD-Full. This is due in scaling - as already described, the Cinema 21:9 screen the incoming signal scale to make it full screen display. The contrast with the prototype was already on a good level. The fact that there are no black bars when viewing movies in the format 2,35:1-exist, the black-value problems of a CCFL LCDs are not so obvious. Moreover, the black level on a level, which for a CCFL-based panel really neat to mention. Problems were still at the prototype for the representation of movement, light and easy steps Ruckler in diagonal lines were visible. We do however believe that these shortcomings in the series device has long been eliminated. The experience factor convinced now - a relaxed, while emotionally deeper view of the films is 21:9 Cinema possible. Ambilight is just for this device like a feel-Pushing sensation, because then you have the opportunity to complete in an intense movie experience dive and everything else around it to forget.
Also interesting are the aural impressions, the AV receiver prototype already showed a good co-operation with the 7.1-speaker system. The bass appeared homogeneous and strong impression of the room was authentic and dense. Impuls effect combinations were implemented quickly. Potential for improvement, there are still in the design of the getting up. This played at the prototypes are not yet free enough, and appeared a bit cloudy. Also in the playing vocal contours should be finishing something. Overall, however, presented the Philips surround sound system has a remarkable standard.
Film examples: Casino Royale, I'm legend, The Fifth Element, which plays Blu-ray
Our conclusion
Bravo - Philips has demonstrated good courage. In the current difficult times with such a project to market cars, is truly commendable. Proper Expierience cinema with a flat screen, this is a very good approach. We wish the best of luck Cinema 21:9. With a powerful "film" program which image, a friendly eye, slightly abgedunkeltes image with natural image sharpness and minimal warm colors are combined, the expected 21:9 Cinema Furore for sure. Of course, everything is also Eien question of price - the EIA should not be too extreme fail, the chances of flat screens in the 21:9 format even higher. Further information is expected to be available at the end of February.
