Philips LED-backlit 42PFL9803 LCD HDTV

[Russell]

Introduction

Philips has agreed with the model 42PFL9803, a 42-inch Full HD LCD flatscreen, already celebrated great success and won the EISA Award 2008/2009 as "Europe's LCD TV" - because we are naturally eager to see whether we opinion of the EISA and the body share in a stylish flat panel held atmost also an excellent test of this ruling. Who will benefit from the LED backlight technology will want to begin some financial hurdle, as with a retail price of 2,999 EUR recommendation is 42PFL9803 not special, but rather a premium offer. The elaborate LED Backlight technology calls its toll here. Philips uses white LEDs for backlighting, the better black level and an improved contrast ratio guarantee. With rich port placement - including four HDMI 1.3 inputs, a network and a USB port - Philips is very abundant equipped. The optics in aluminum design also provides a degree of exclusivity. As the high-tech innovation of Philips, which has a cable tuner and a DVB-T tuner features, the test follows now.

Philips LED-backlit 42PFL9803 LCD HDTV

Processing quality

Excellent detail


Beautiful form and stable base


Aluminum frame, narrow acrylic frame


Slightest gap dimensions provide a very high impression

High-quality remote
As usual at Philips LCD TVs offer the 42PFL9803 an impeccable production quality. The silver part is very appealing processed, the surface is actually made of aluminum (temperature test). The narrow margin acrylic leaves a nice impression. The gap at the housing dimensions are all very small. The connection panel on the back and the side connector panel is stable attached. The stand looks elegant, is very well made and rotated. He granted the expensive LED Backlight-TV has a secure grip. The included remote control like material with very good quality and stylish appearance. Overall prices in relation to the class: Excellent.

Connections

On the back are three HDMI inputs as well as a network connection


Laterally find, among other things, a fourth HDMI input and a USB port

The 42PFL9803 is an excellent choice, especially for connecting those who wish to connect many player, an excellent choice. Four HDMI 1.3 inputs, all HDMI-CEC are able to start the connection fireworks. Three of the terminals on the rear, another side of building. A network connection is back, a USB interface side. Of course, there is a component input along with 2-channel stereo analog input for the sound.

Overview:

• Ext 1 Scart: Audio left / right, FBAS-Ein-/Ausgang, RGB
• Ext 2 Scart: Audio left / right, FBAS-Ein-/Ausgang, RGB
• Ext 3: YPbPr, left / right audio input, VGA PC input
• Ext 4: HDMI V1.3
• Ext 5: HDMI V1.3
• Ext 6: HDMI V1.3
• EasyLink (HDMI-CEC): Start-up system, audio system controls, system standby
• Front / Side connections: HDMI v1.3, S-video input, composite input, left / right audio input, headphone output, USB
• PC network link: DLNA certified
• Other connections: Analog L / R audio output, SP-DIF output (coaxial), Common Interface
• Overall connections in relation to the price category: Excellent

[Russell]

Technical Data

The 42PFL9803 is a 42-inch Full HD LCE with 106 cm screen diagonal. The panel resolution is, as usual in full-HD imaging devices, 1920 x 1080 pixels. Feature is the LED backlight technology. LCD offer very sharp images - but not a perfect black and not very pure colors possible. The reason for this lies on the visual limitations of fluorescent tubes produced white backlighting. Here, the light generated by a light-conducting plastic evenly distributed on the screen. Subsequently, various color filters and polarization, and ultimately passed the liquid crystal cell - the result is in accordance with illuminated dots (pixels) on the display. Weaknesses of this technology show, for example, in color. For a pure white light must be in equal parts of red, green and blue together - with CCFL hardly possible to perfection. Visible detriment of CCFL technology: The fluorescent tubes may occur because of their technical development only by working together dimmed. This means that depending on the incoming signal, the picture is bright or dark can be switched. With the shutdown of illuminance can LCD TVs in dark scenes while producing a deeper black. But once again a brighter picture element is added, must return all the fluorescent lights up - and from the Black is again a rather gray. Problem was that for the discerning user is not perfect black value not from the world created Contra argument against an LCD screen was. The industry has therefore something else: Instead of just as a whole CCFL were independently controllable light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which is also in other industries (such as lighting units in the automobile industry, more and more prevail. At Philips, the LEDs are arranged glittering. Due to the targeted control of individual LEDs can be achieved that the desired image content to appear completely black, while other areas remain a high luminosity of which - the result: With LED Backlight new Höhenflüge regarding the maximum contrast ratio achieved. The fact that the LEDs in the black areas of the image is actually made, seems the black visible deeper and richer. The Philips uses However, no RGB Backlight - This generate a red, green and blue LED together the white. The use of Philips LED Lux technology uses the so-called pseudo-white LED backlight technology, the white LEDs are used. The with RGB Backlight improved brilliance and can pseudo White LED Backlight not offer, but because of the dimming a better black level and better contrast. Overall, 1152 white LEDs are installed, which in 128 segments (8 x 16 rows with 9 LEDs per segment ). According to Philips claims is not only the better black level and contrast range of advanced, but also by up to 45 percent lower power an advantage of LED backlight.

The maximum dynamic contrast ratio with Philips 2.000.000:1 to the brightness of 500 cd/m2. The viewing angle is horizontally and vertically at 176 degrees, in practice, a satisfactory viewing angle offers. As a response time of the panel, 2 ms in the data sheet, in all our tests, the response was in fact so short that neither the Philips in the viewing of films still had problems with. The TV has the image enhancement technology, Perfect Pixel HD. This powerful image engine is specially designed, an excellent image on a full HD panel to produce, even if the original HD signal not only an SD specification. Too Perfect Pixel HD include various sub-systems. Using 17-bit RGB color colors can appear tired and clear. 2250 trillion colors, the 42PFL9803 are. Perfect Natural Motion By using complex internal processes that optimizes motion playback. Movements naturally and smoothly. To view the movement to further optimize the Philips is also equipped with the 100 Hz Clear LCD technology, the retention of a single image on the screen in half. The dynamic contrast adjustment works as a function of image content and has thus always a fitting contrast ratio - at least in theory. Other features of Perfect Pixel HD are Jagged Line Surpression of 3:2 - 2:2 motion to pull and the 3-D comb filter. Using the "Active Control optimizes the LCD-TV, depending on the currently used source of the image content. Another built-in light sensor adjusts the brightness in relation to the ambient light. Various fields picture of Philips has also on board: Standard, Movie, Custom, Vivid, energy saving and games are available.

To ensure the appropriate formats ready to have, the Philips as usual today on various switchable image formats. Of course there are the classic 4:3 format with black bars left and right, the other the "Auto Format" program, which depends on the source signal-screen representation guaranteed. Widescreen 14:9 and 16:9 widescreen modes are another. Subtitle headline-shift, super zoom and widescreen will get added. For incoming full-HD signals, the mode is not scaled thought. Here, the incoming image signal pixel accuracy implemented.

The 42PFL9803 is already in place for the digital TV era prepared. Like almost all current LCD TVs, except the very cheap models will start the flat-screen TV is not only an analog cable tuner, but also a digital cable tuner (DVB-T). The built-in digital tuner offers an MPEG4 HDTV reception. Of course, the TV the Senderabstimmmung automatically. Too impatient you can during the search but not be around 10 to 11 minutes of flat panel takes time until it is finding and arranging the station has been completed. For the digital tuner is the "digital magazine program" Electronic Progam Guide (EPG) ready. 1,200 pages with hypertext Habit Watch and program information line includes Teletext equipment.

The 42-inch TV, of course, has also Philips' Ambilight technology for very relaxed, but emotionally deeper view of films and television programs on board. It has Ambilight Spectra 2 (wide-color LED) lighting, including lounge-mode manual dimmer and dimmer than the light sensor

The 42PFL9803 is phonetically but even a good figure are - no easy task for an LCD TV with confined spaces. With four built-in speakers, two subwoofers and two dome tweeters, the difficult balancing act to be solved. 2 x 15 Watt are the RMS power to the equipment of the integrated sound system is abundant. A 5-band graphic equalizer is also available as an automatic volume control and adjustable headphone volume. Virtual Dolby Surround and BBE have the task of a strong and credible spatial sound.

Supported formats (PC)

• 640 x 480
• 60 Hz
• 800 x 600
• 60 Hz
• 1024 x 768
• 60 Hz
• 1280 x 768
• 60 Hz
• 1360 x 768
• 60 Hz
• 1920 x 1080i
• 60 Hz
• 1920 x 1080p
• 60 Hz

Supported video formats

• 480i
• 60 Hz
• 480p
• 60 Hz
• 576i
• 50 Hz
• 576p
• 50 Hz
• 720p
• 50, 60 Hz
• 1080i
• 50, 60 Hz
• 1080p
• 50 Hz, 60 Hz
• 1080p
• 24 Hz, 25 Hz, 30 Hz

More info:

• Ambient temperature: 5 ° C to 35 ° C
• AC Power: 220 to 240 VAC + / - 10%
• Current (sleep mode): 153 W
• Power (IEC 62087, Edition 2): 201 W
• Standby: 0.15 W
• Device Dimensions (WxHxD): 1027 x 627 x 108 mm
• Dimensions device inc feet (H x D): 698 x 265 mm
• Weight (including packaging): 40 kg
• Product weight: 27.6 kilograms
• Product weight (+ stand): 30.8 kilograms
• Box Dimensions (WxHxD): 1142 x 906 x 320 mm
• Housing Color: Brushed satin aluminum and Precision Silver
• Included accessories: Revolving Table, antenna cable, power cable, quick start guide, user manual, warranty certificate, remote control, batteries for the remote control

Conclusion

The Philips 42PFL9803 is lavish. It has a powerful engine for image signal processing and even LED backlight, but not in RGB but in pseudo-white version. Philips familiar to a lattice structure of the LEDs with local dimming function for first-class black level and contrast. The Ambilight is the film or television experience targeted intensified. Overall prices in relation to the class: Excellent.

[Russell]

USB functionality

After the docking of our 4 BG Sony Micro Vault USB sticks and our Toshiba 2 GB sticks, it only takes a few seconds, until the stick is recognized correctly. The menu is divided in Picture, Music and Video. The loading of jpeg images is also in large image files (2.35 MB) fast. The picture quality is excellent, high sharpness is with great color fidelity and a perfect contrast combined. The features being offered are practical. You can text details (Image Name, etc) are displayed, and the image can be in 45 degree increments shot. Various transitions between the different images available: No, right or left off the top or bottom hide box, box (object is in a box or hidden). If desired, thumbnails for a better picture overview presented. With the "Back" button on the remote to get back into the ground plane and back again between Picture, Music and Video. It is also possible, in parallel to the slide show MP3 playback to start. This one goes as follows:

1. On the Music folder go
2. In the directory in which to play MP3 files are stored
3. Start playing the desired MP3 file
4. Selecting the folder "Pictures" -> The music keeps playing
5. In the image directory
6. Begin the slide show

The functions: 1 x Play, or Repeat Shuffle (Random Play) are available. All relevant information (ID3 tags), if the title is available in selecting the "more details" presented. Conclusion: Practical features, high reliability - the 42PFL9803 gets the Overall rating: Excellent.

Overall Conclusion

The Philips is profiled as a high-tech LCD

The Philips 42PFL9803 is one of the best LCD TVs in the German market. Responsible for this first assessment are many factors. Starting from superior black level and excellent contrast, it goes with the excellent handling of SD material to opulent port placement and excellent workmanship. To use the visually beautiful LED Backlight TV very simple. Even less experienced users will find no difficulties. The purchase price is happig, the high technological cost, high quality materials, the enormous visual performance and the lush facilities to justify the financial investment but without a doubt.