Here are reviews of the Philips 42PF9831D plasma television I've collected from various sources on the Internet.
The 42"
Philips 42PF9831D features a "WXGA display with state-of-the-art LCD screen technology gives you widescreen HD resolution of 1366 x 768p pixels. It produces brilliant flicker-free progressive scan pictures with optimum brightness and superb colors. This vibrant and sharp image will provide you with an enhanced viewing experience."
I4U.DigitalTrends.com - August 2006: On the
Philips 42PF9831D, Ian Bell writes: ".. We believe that Philips is truly starting to up the ante, and the Philips 42PF9831D is probably one of their best TV's yet.."
January 4, 2006
Ambilight™ Full Surround technology headlines the 2006 Philips FlatTV™ lineup
LAS VEGAS – Illuminating the future of home entertainment, Philips Electronics debuted its
new four-sided Ambilight FlatTV display today at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Ambilight Full Surround features a dramatic color effect on all sides of the screen to draw
consumers into the action. In addition to Ambilight Full Surround (four-sided model), the
Ambilight revolution continues to grow with the addition of Ambilight Surround (three-sided
models). The new Ambilight line, with sizes ranging from 37- to 50-inches, demonstrates the
power of Ambilight technology to dramatically enhance the cinematic experience. With Philips’
new Ambilight range, consumers are rewarded with an even more immersive viewing experience
that changes the way they watch television.
“Since we first introduced the concept of Ambilight, we have been overwhelmed by the positive
response and feedback we have received from our customers,” said Scott Levitan, vice president
of marketing and sales, Philips Consumer Electronics, North America. “Ambilight Full
Surround simply takes the immersion effect of ambient lighting to the next level with surround
color and light. The result is a captivating, life-like environment that redefines the home
entertainment experience.”
Ambilight technology and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
(SMPTE)
Ambilight technology made its debut at CES in 2004 as a unique innovation emitting ambient
light along the sides of the FlatTV display. Utilizing Philips’ proprietary color analysis software,
the ambient light is blended to match dominant colors on the screen, extending the consumer’s
viewing field. This use of custom backlighting reduces eyestrain, improves the perceived picture
detail, contrast and color and creates a deeper, more immersive viewing environment. The
addition of an Ambilight display also enhances the design element in any room.
Ambilight’s innovative benefits gained the recognition and support of SMPTE. According to the
organization, the optimum level of ambient light should be less than 10 percent of the peak
white output of the television. The use of such backlighting allows for an optimum-viewing
environment, while relaxing the iris and reducing eyestrain. The Ambilight television provides
this ideal light level, never impeding or disrupting on-screen action, only enhancing it. In line
with SMPTE’s recommendation, Ambilight technology allows the user to choose a static warm
or cool white effect. For customization, consumers can select the active mode where the
software determines the color of the light or can choose from a color pallet to have the ambient
light personalized to their taste.
Ambilight Full Surround – Complete Immersion with Four-sided Color
Ambilight Full Surround, the most advanced generation of Ambilight technology, not only
revolutionizes the way consumers watch television, but also is a designer’s dream. Ambilight
Full Surround is an industry first that features dynamic lighting effects on all sides of the display,
providing a continuous band of light to fully immerse the viewer. The new design surrounds the
entire display with an integrated canvas that makes the screen appear to be floating when hung
on the wall. This canvas, combined with four sides of intense ambient backlighting, produces a dramatic
effect of saturated color for the ultimate viewing experience. The addition of the canvas frees
consumers to place the set wherever they desire, regardless of the color or surface of the wall.
Complementing its unique design, Ambilight Full Surround boasts a complete surround-sight
effect with light emitting from the left, right, top and bottom of the screen. Ambilight Full
Surround allows consumers to enjoy a visual extension from all sides of the screen bringing the
picture to life in the comfort of their home. Additionally, by reducing eyestrain Ambilight Full
Surround creates a proper viewing environment for a relaxing entertainment experience.
Ambilight Surround - Broader Ambient Effect for the Cinema Lover
With light surrounding the on-screen picture to the left, right and top of the screen, Ambilight
Surround makes consumers a part of the experience, rather than just viewers. The set fully
immerses consumers in the viewing experience by relaxing their vision and drawing them into
the action. Ideal for movie watching and large rooms, where a wall can be dedicated to the TV,
Ambilight Surround adds a new dimension to watching television.
Ambilight 2 Channel – The Original Innovation Improved with Stereo Lighting
Expanding the viewing experience through independent colors, Philips’ Ambilight 2 Channel
technology creates a stereo, two-sided lighting environment. Designed with the consumer in
mind, the light mode can be customized to blend colors to match on both sides of the set or
feature different coloring on each side. The Ambilight 2 Channel feature has increased light
output, as well as new software that ensures a strong match between colors on the screen and
light displayed throughout the room.
Picture Quality Performance – HDTV, ClearLCD™, Pixel Plus 3HD technology
Touting a wide range of high-definition televisions (HDTVs), Philips research indicates that
picture quality is a leading factor when consumers are purchasing TVs. Recognized as the
highest quality format in digital television, HDTV provides improved transmission, better
resolution and color and superb surround sound. It offers up to five times sharper picture
quality than current standard definition TV sets and can be compared with 35mm movie quality
on widescreen in cinemas. HDTV also is the first complete digital ‘end-to-end’ solution.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) forecasts that 30 percent of US households will
receive HD broadcasts by 2007 – the year the government has mandated that broadcasts to the
entire nation will be 100 percent digital.
The new ClearLCD display is a major advancement in Philips’ goal of achieving maximum
picture quality in its LCD TV products. ClearLCD technology addresses two common
limitations of LCD TVs: motion artifacts in fast moving pictures and reduced contrast in rooms
with low ambient illumination. ClearLCD provides razor sharp moving images, dramatically
increased black levels and contrast, and a much wider viewing angle. The result is considered a
major breakthrough for the television industry and adds to the long list of achievements of a
company that is a world leader in lighting and consumer electronics.
Pixel Plus 3HD technology enhances content from multiple sources, including HD and DVD
material, to provide viewers with the next step in picture sharpness, true natural detail and
increased depth impression. Each pixel of the incoming picture is altered to better match the
surrounding pixels in a true natural picture. Pixel Plus 3HD also creates the next step in brilliant
and vivid colors while preserving white tones and natural skin tones.
Consumers also will appreciate reduced blurring effects that result in smooth, natural motion. In
addition, the special artifacts within highly compressed multimedia content are detected and
reduced – ensuring a clean and razor-sharp picture.
Philips’ entire range of Ambilight FlatTV sets are high-definition and feature Pixel Plus 3HD
technology. Additionally, Philips' HDTV sets include Nexperia semiconductor system solutions
that improve picture quality.