I had the Vizio 42HD that was purchased at Costco and the DVI port went out on it 3 days after the manufacturers warranty expired. I was happy with the value of the unit and picture quality (I am by no means a video quality expert) but was happy it was purchased where it was. I returned it to Costco last week with the intent to swap out with another Vizio but unfortunately they did not have one in stock, 42" or 50". One of the employees mentioned the Philips that will be available next week ( 50PF7220A I think ). Because they do not have one in stock I couldn't see the quality and features in person. Does anyone know about this unit or have any experience with it or its sister version which is I believe is the 50PF7320A. Because I am w/o a television, I need to pull the trigger tomorrow and won't be able to spend alot of time researching like a did with my previus purchase. I know I have time to give it a home tryout but, man, these are big TV's and I don't want to schlep an unwise choice back to the store. Any advice would be appreciated.

The 7220 uses the same user manual as the 7320. So for all reasons one would think it is very similar to the 7320.

I plan to go look at it tomorrow and see how it looks.

*Bump*

Well the unit should be on sale today at Costco. Which means they should be displaying them. For anyone who gets a chance today or this week to go take a look at the unit please post your thoughts on it and if possible the comparison to the Visio & other 50" models on display at your local Costco.

I will go take a look around 11am. So I will post my feedback around noon.

NatasNJ,

I saw one in a Costco Home yesterday -- I left some comments in the BB/CC/Costco thread (sticky) -- check out page 5 of the postings.

Brad

Thanks elwood..

So it looks comparable to the Panny to you and no glaring issues. Not a bad write up.
I thought they were not displaying them until today. If I like what I see this afternoon I will be owning one of these tonight. Not looking to getting it in my car though. UGH...

Are the speakers removable?.... I don't need them and they make the set look huge. I think its 55" long.

From what I have read the speakers are not removable..

I purchased the 50" Zenith from CC last week w/ the rebate and the 10% off to replace a 42 Samsung I sold. Didn't buy the warranty. Wondering if maybe I should look at this unit for the satisfaction guarantee Costco has and return the Zenith. Television is only used for watching normal television....all DVD gets watched on projector.

I saw the Philips next to the Maxent MX-50X3 now being sold at Costco. The Philips by far had the clearer picture and the Maxent's color was way off (probably because of settings). I am seriously considering the Philips.

Just saw it. The Philips was hooked up via the output of a 20" Maxent TV from behind it. The cable was a re white yellow composite cable. So I assume a better connection would help the picture out more.

My impression is that though the colors were not spot on perfect they looked like with some adjustments they would look fine. It looked a tad dark and the skin tones were a bit (not real) but this is from a bad feed and no setting adjustments.

I figure for the price and size and features it is worth a shot at home. Plan on picking up tonight. I can post a full review in about 2 weeks. (still waiting for HDTV upgrade)

I was lucky because Tempe, AZ has a Costco Home store next to their Costco Warehouse store. The Home store had the Philips on display.

Brad

Picked my philips today and it getting his brackets put on it right now. Just remember you might have to use the stand holes to mount becaues they are closer. The holes for philips were to wide for my universal mount.

Which mount did you get?

Name?

Just saw it. The Philips was hooked up via the output of a 20" Maxent TV from behind it. The cable was a re white yellow composite cable. So I assume a better connection would help the picture out more.

My impression is that though the colors were not spot on perfect they looked like with some adjustments they would look fine. It looked a tad dark and the skin tones were a bit (not real) but this is from a bad feed and no setting adjustments.

I figure for the price and size and features it is worth a shot at home. Plan on picking up tonight. I can post a full review in about 2 weeks. (still waiting for HDTV upgrade)


Regarding your waiting for the HDTV upgrade, doesn't the 7220 have the HDTV tuner built in, or did I misunderstand your comment?

Also, does anyone know how many AV inputs the 7220 has. I have regular cable with no box (offered free in my facility), and will just use the local HD signal OTA, therefore with my Tivo, regular cable, VCR, DVD, and OTA HD antenna (presumably), I will need 5 (me thinks). Any comments on the futility of this? Also, am I correct in that I will still need an external antenna to receive the HD signal?

Thanks in advance for the advice. Hopefully it's good so I can get with the 21st century and have this on my wall by 8 pm Houston time tonite.

HDTV upgrade meaning Directv DVR and new OTA antenna. I need a new dish and all to receive my HDTV.

I can try the built in tuner but don't plan to use that anyway. Can't bypass the TIVO. hard to watch TV live now a days.

Which mount did you get?

Name?


I purchased my mount from net mounts on ebay. It is the universal mega tilt.

Also, does anyone know how many AV inputs the 7220 has.

Loads.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D50pf7220a_37_us_consumer%2 6fh_location%3D%2F%2Fconsumer%2Fen_US%2Fcategories%3Ccatalog _us_consumer%2Fcategories%3Ctv_gr_us_consumer%2Ffh_att_ce_us e%3E%7BFH_TV_USE_HOMET%7D%26&productId=50PF7220A_37_US_CONSUMER&activeCategory=TV_GR_US_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=5FH2TCXS0MTJVJ0RMRESHP3HKFSEKI5P

I went ahead and picked one up this morning. Man, this thing is big and it wouldn't fit in the back of a 06 Pathfinder (how embarassing, always have friends with bigger trucks you can call). The store didn't have one hooked up yet with a feed, just the floor model that was just out of the box turned off. The speakers look removeable but are not. That is all I can add at this point until I run some cables to hook up to the DirecTV SD feed. Ot a bad looking TV from an aesthetics standpoint, although I am kind of over the silver painted plastic thing. The Vizio 50" with the silver combo and black outline looks better to my eye. My plan for right now is to continue to run my DirectTV Tivo SD feed and use the built in HD for OTA sports until I have the time to upgrade to HD for SAT. I will post my impressions as I go through hooking this thing up but I am by no means an expert. Plan to spend some time on these boards learining about break in time, etc.

Agh, 0nly 3 left. 6 already sold. My wife's on her way down to claim one for me now.

Brad

I picked up the Philips 50PF7220A this morning. The picture looked terrible, but the feed was through the coaxial input with the set tuned to channel 3. I'm hoping that it will look much better when connected properly. But I have to admit, if the picture I saw at Costco is indicative of the SD picture quality, it was quite unimpressive. I hope others chime in with their impressions of the PQ relative to other plasmas on display.

The 42-inch Philips *was* hooked up via component cables, and the PQ was much better. But of course this was a true HD feed. It was sitting next to the Vizio P50. The color depth did not match the Vizio IMHO.

Hi-- Brought home the TV from Costco this morning and still playing around w/ all the setting. I only have the digital cable from comast and my DVD player is hooked up s- video. If anyone has tips I'd love to hear them-- also can't I get HD over the air w/ a antenna? Thanks Christie

I can relax -- she got the last one (boxed, that is). Now to start planning the wall mount, furniture and cabling. Let the fun begin...

Brad

Hi-- Brought home the TV from Costco this morning and still playing around w/ all the setting. I only have the digital cable from comast and my DVD player is hooked up s- video. If anyone has tips I'd love to hear them-- also can't I get HD over the air w/ a antenna? Thanks Christie

Hook your dvd player up via component cables, or HDMI (if you player has it) and SMILE. :p

My wife just picked up the Philips this morning at Costco. She was going to pick me up during my lunch hour to pick it up but she thought it was going to sellout due to the special this week.

She picked it up, helpers could not get it into our Mecedes ML suv with the box so they had to take it out of the box. THe height of the trunk opening is 37 inches so for those looking to pick this set up as well, that won't fit with the box.

It's currently sitting in the suv in our garage until I get home to get it into the house.

She went right when the warehouse opened, they had 12 in stock (which I also confirmed last week to make sure they had them) and when she left, she only saw like 6 left.

elwood,

I am in the same position as you - getting this tv for the wife so she can watch television plus I am in the phoenix area. which store did you go to if i may ask?

Thanks!

rodgermorales,

She picked it up at the new Chandler costco, but the other one on Arizona avenue was also supposed to have 9.

Good luck,
Brad

Was at the Costco at 10:30 this morning. I can already see 3 being loaded into various cars.
I ran to look for those flat-bed cart and rushed to claim one. When I was in line, I saw 2 other people with it behind me.
Its like a mad rush for the TV. 6 sold in 45 minutes.


Anyways, I went home, hooked it up to my HD Tivo, I only had the composit cable available at the time, and it was on the Spike network. The picture looked pretty bad. I also noticed this pink line on the right side of the screen, ran about 1/4 of the way down. I keep switching inputs to see what was the cause. I even tried hooking it up to component cable, the pink line was still there.

For some reason, after having it on for like 5 minuts, the pink line went away. Does anyone know what it was?

Does anyone have a stand recommendation? I'm putting it in a corner.. so I can't wall mount it. I wonder if Costco has any stand that'll fit this.

I don't have any "componet cables"-- I do have 3 RCA type that I can use is that the same? I just connected a cheap OTA and the HD channels look great. My husband and I are going snowboarding tomorrow until sat. - I can't wait to get home to play / the tv! Glad I got to Costco at 10am im JAX! Take care
Christie

elwood,
chandler is sold out and I think superstition springs is down to 3. the costco near me has 6 but I i drove the sedan today. Funny how scarcity is making this tv so much more appealing to me. I know 3 others who looking to buy this one as well.

Got mine. After dinner I will hookup and try an OTA for now. (Since my HDTV Direct guy won't be here for a week) I hope my local Radio shack has something for me to play with until then. :)

That thing is heavy.. :)

I agree with the post above stating it better look better in house than the store cause I was not sold byt the display in the store. Then again I thought all the TV's looked bad in Costco. :)

I don't have any "componet cables"-- I do have 3 RCA type that I can use is that the same? I just connected a cheap OTA and the HD channels look great. My husband and I are going snowboarding tomorrow until sat. - I can't wait to get home to play / the tv! Glad I got to Costco at 10am im JAX! Take care
Christie

Hop onto ebay and pick up a 6' component (check your spelling on that) cable after verifying that your dvd player has component capabilities (if it was made in the last 4 years, it should, but my older player does not). Even better is hdmi, but it's doubtful that your player has that, unless it's very new.

Component cables are fairly inexpensive--they shouldn't cost more than $30 for a good one. Unlike a s-video cable or RCA type, component hookups split the video signal into three discrete signals onto 3 cables (marked red, green and blue) that improves the picture dramatically.

I don't have any "componet cables"-- I do have 3 RCA type that I can use is that the same? I just connected a cheap OTA and the HD channels look great. My husband and I are going snowboarding tomorrow until sat. - I can't wait to get home to play / the tv! Glad I got to Costco at 10am im JAX! Take care
Christie

Yes, you can use 3 RCA cables instead of a single 3-prong component cable. I don't think there is a significant difference. I've used this "shortcut" without any problem in the past.

Our Costco has 17 in stock as of 5 PM today. At least I don't have to rush down there to snag one. I will head over there tomorrow and check it out.

So far the reviews aren't too good eh? Sorry to hear that, i was hoping this TV would be the one. Everytime i find a TV i like i always find out later there's something i don't like about it.

Gotta have a good picture :p - Anyone else got a little mini-review of it? I'm going to go check it out in an hour or so.

My Costco had the Philips hooked up to Costco's in-house HD feed (satellite). The picture looked stunning, as most plasmas do.

The bad reviews here seem to be do to poor in-store setups.

I have my TV setup. Sort of. Bought a cheap HDTV antenna for the time being. Here is my mini-review.

The unit is HUGE. Huge = big screen. I am used to a 36" Tube and this 50" is BIG. I like it.
After getting over the size of the screen I went into the menu and did the antenna scan for channels. Found a few local channels and off to watch my 1st HD show. King of Queens. :)

Well it looked great. Since the TV is so big if you get too close you can see some detail lose or pixelization not sure what you call it. But whatever it is you don't see it from a few feet back. (maybe 6ft or so is the closest you want to be)

The picture is stunning. Looks nothing like the TV I saw in the store. And mind you I am using a Coax connected cheap antenna for the time being. Should only get better with a real antenna and Directv Tivo.

I played with some of the picture settings and lowered the contrast and brightness settings. Temperature control imho has to stay on cool. If you switch it the flesh tones get too red. (I am semi-color blind so this might just be me)

Overall I am impressed. And before I forget the speakers SUCK on this thing. Useable for King of Queens but that is the most I would consider using them for because they SUCK! Low quality and just as plain jane as they come. If you NEED to use a TV for speakers I would not suggest this TV. THey are that bad. Go buy a cheap 5.1 setup if necessary. Worth it. I like the picture. I like the design better in my house than in the store. Menus are a tad unintuitive but managable and no volume control ever on screen.

But I have zero regrets so far. Have not watched SD yet. Plan to go hookup my Directv box to it for SD. Will let you know how that is soon. Is this TV the best I have ever seen? Nope. But it looks solid and the price makes it a solid consideration for someone who wants a solid TV for a reasonable price.

Long term review will be more important but so far so good.

Went to Costco in Houston this evening and of course they were sold out. Myself and 3 other guys were obviously disappointed, but alas, we were told to put our names on a raincheck list and that we would get one on Thursday. They guaranteed the price so long as we put our name on the list prior to the end of the sale. So for those of you who , still want one and don't want to pay the shipping from costco online, there is still hope. They did have one hooked up that had been sold, which had an excellent picture. Compared to the Pioneer, there was less glare and an equally satisfying picture, although the black is more attractive than the silver Phillips. I was also very impressed with the 37" Vizio and Phillips LCD tv's. They were much sharper and brighter, as might be expected. But nonetheless only 37". I went by the Best Buy, which is next door to check out their stuff. What a disaster of a business--chaos and staff with marginal knowledge of the equipment. And the 7320 was a helluva lot more expensive.

Anyway....looking forward to Thursday.

Glare is really due to TV placement in Costco. If the TV is placed in line with the lighting from above the glare is horrible. I noticed the Philips in my Costco was located in the worst spot and the glare was the best of the Pioneer which was located right inbetween two huge lights from above.. So I am not sure you can read into that much.

The connections in Costco are also HORRIBLE. I noticed the Maxent in my store is the only one hooked up via component. All the other TV's are daisy chained to each other via the Monitor out with composite cables. Philips was at the end of that chain. :(

But in my dark room with the lights off it is pretty.

My Costco had the Philips hooked up to Costco's in-house HD feed (satellite). The picture looked stunning, as most plasmas do.

The bad reviews here seem to be do to poor in-store setups.


I agree.. I purchased this TV sight unseen about 10 days ago..... They had the 42 inch version on display but not the 50....

I am hooked up to HD cable thru component cables and I have no complaints..... As long as you have a good HD feed you should have no problems..... XBox360 is also very nice on this set....

I viewed the 42 inch Pioneer next to the 42 inch Philips and I felt the Philips had a better picture... this could of been due to a poor setup or feed.....although I loved the case of the Pioneer I thought overall PQ was better with the Philips.....

So far I have no regrets....and with the great return policy I would not hesitate to buy this set...

Has anyone noticed a blinking green light at the back of the TV when it's on? I wonder what that could be and if it's normal?

Went down and checked out the TV a little earlier, they were out of stock, said they only got 5 in and they all sold out by 10:05 AM, but said they will also have more coming into tomorrow morning. The picture looked very nice to me, i see nothing bad about it. Though right next to it was a Vizio P50HDM, and the picture on that was at least as good, but it also seemed a little better. It would be $100 less than the Philips (with the coupoun) so it's tempting. I'll have to do some research and compare both TVs. If anyone cares to compare them for me i'd greatly appreciate that too.

We connected a $10 antenna and the HD was unbelievable. Th PBS station was the best so far. My husband and a friend couldn't believe how good the picture looked w/ that antenna.The antenna also picked up FOX,ABC and CBS-- all looked great.I didn't have time to adjust any setting-- leaving on vacation until Sat-- then I'll get the HD box from Comcast. I also need to purchase a wall mount for over the fireplace, any suggestions? Thanks Chrisite

I purchased the Peerless tilting mount from the costco website... but I dont see it on the site anymore... they had a good deal on it til the 15th... only nagatve was you had to use this small inner table mount screw holes...but it mounted very nicely...

My firned has an omnimount which he puchased at CC.... which also worked well with the set.. I believe he was able to use the outer big screws...

Fyi...a crappy OTA antenna is only worse it that it might not pick up as many channels as a good antenna...with a digital OTA channel, if it comes in, it comes in...there's no better or worse...

I went to my Costco today in anticipation of buying my first plasma, the 50" Phillips. What a disappointment! The picture looks like you are looking through a light hazy fog. The picture on the Phillips could not compare to the 42" Pioneer. The 50" Vizio is a much better picture. I am going to see if the Vizio is still in stock. This Phillips just does not have a vivid picture. Boy, was I disappointed. I thought this would be the set.

Initial report:

Turned it on, and after the cable scan, it found all of my analog channels and the 6 unscrambled hi def digital cable channels off the regular cable (no set top or cable card).

Since this is for my wife, I spent a lot of time in the analog channels, and my first thoughts were "take it back!" Pixelation, jaggies, pixel movement, color, all very annoying. But when I turned off a bunch of the enhancements in the menus, things got much better. If you notice, when you change channels, the enhancements kick in after a second. So now when I cruise, the initial picture is terrible, but after a second, it cleans up pretty sharp. The only jaggies I see are on the CNN scrollers.

Once I turned to the HD PBS channel, my remaining doubts began washing away. 1080i is stunning in detail and color (for my eyes). I do see pink and green tints in some greys (as I saw at the Cosco Home store), and in some faces, the tones are not ideal. Is this what they call "clay face"? This was nearly absent in HD -- CSI Miami looked good, but they exagerate their colors all around.

I have a slight buzzing, worse on bright/white scenes. Its actually better than my 42" daewoo EDTV, so I know I can learn to live with it.

The best feature that surprised me is the black bar detection. The screen automatically zooms to hide black bars as a burn in prevention. Standard 4:3 fair scales with a nice funhouse mirror, rivaling what my old Zenith DTV1080i set top would do (this is where the center is normal, but this sides stretch to fill the void). Letterboxed content zooms also. Even during a letterboxed commercial, the TV smoothly zooms in, then zooms out after the letterboxing is removed.

I can't wait to hook up my PhotoBridge and test out some 720p and other 1080i footage. All in all, 90% satisfied so far. I may end up returning it, but for now my impression is much better than my initial out of the box feelings.

Brad

yeah i just got back from costco and bought one of the last three they had left. i think the costco employees didn't want the tv to sell or something they left the tv in the worst possible settings. i don't have digital cable or any HD channels yet, and the scan couldn't find any local HD channels. is there anything special i have to do for see if i can find some local HD channels?
overall, the picture quality is pretty good for SD channels. i was messing around with some of the settings and i turned down contrast and brightness to around 50 and it looks pretty good and it will hopefully break in the tv nicely. the speakers are ok for just watching tv shows but for movies and stuff i would recommend a sound system.

Does anyone have a stand recommendation? I'm putting it in a corner.. so I can't wall mount it. I wonder if Costco has any stand that'll fit this.

The Costco's here had some stands in last week, so I picked one up expecting to get the 50" Philips (I take delivery tomorrow!!). Here's the stand:

http://www.slambrands.com/

Go to the Xera tv stand. It's a nice unit. I put it together tonight and only had about a dozen leftover parts. :D

The problem with my Antenna is that it isn't holding a perfect signal the whole time. Some channels I get in very good but others I don't for long periods of time.

Fox when I did get it in was not impressive. CBS/NBC both looked great. ABC (Bachelor) was not displaying anything in HD so that was pointless. Even the WB shows looked great even though I would never watch the junk they had on. :)

I did not notice any lights or buzz yet. I wasn't searching for those things and not finding them is a good thing. I plan to play with it a lot more next week after I get all my new hardware and get it setup properly. Also ned to get a Avia disc to calibrate it. Lots to do...

I also snagged one and hooked it up soon as I could to an antenna and got a good number of OTA channels. to be honest i thought the picture was less satisfying than my 5 year old mitsubishi 55 inch RPTV. of course one needs to keep in mind that I am staring at the television from about 4 feet as it's currently sitting on the floor so all the errors are very apparent and I haven't reallly messed with any of the settings other than turning the contrast down.

How about everyone list the settings they are using? I read that elwood turned off the enhancements and he seemed to think it improved the picture. Specifically did you turn off the pixel plus?

I bought this TV yesterday at Local Costco in Jacksonville (FL), it was the last one boxed in the store. Easily loaded it in Honda Element (did not know that you could not fit it in Pathfinder or Mercedes).
Connected to DishNetwork receiver and was really disappointed (SD), did not look good at all (S video). Tried to scan local channels with ota antenna, found only 2 HD channels (local Channel 4 - clearchannel, and PBS). All major networks (CBS,FOX,ABC) are analog and looked very bad (a lot of noise, snow). HD channels are very good, I am not expert but I am satisfied with HD; however, I am going to watch mostly SD over Dish and would like to have decent picture on this TV. There is no more outputs from the satellite receiver (only RF and it is even worse, and S video), I did some adjustments but it is not even close to what I expected. I understand that this TV was designed for HD signal and all that, but if anyone could advise how to improve quality of the signal over Dish Network receiver SD, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

I went to my Costco today in anticipation of buying my first plasma, the 50" Phillips. What a disappointment! The picture looks like you are looking through a light hazy fog. The picture on the Phillips could not compare to the 42" Pioneer. The 50" Vizio is a much better picture. I am going to see if the Vizio is still in stock. This Phillips just does not have a vivid picture. Boy, was I disappointed. I thought this would be the set.

I agree. We didn't buy it for this same reason. I spoke to the guy who set it up. He said he spend all day (or a good portion) trying to get it to look it's best, and I thought it looked horrible compared to the others on display (and I don't even have HD at home). We passed on this. The store started with 21, they had 16 by the afternoon and about 8 by the time we left.

Tonight I'll list what my settings are, and maybe throw in a little editorial comment on each one. I'm also going to tune it with Avia on a 480p input, so we'll see what the results look like.

Brad

Anyone else's have a pink vertical line when the TV is turned on?
I get this pink vertical line about 1/3 of the screen long, and it happens mostly when I turn the TV on, and lasts for about 5 to 10 minutes.

I kinda want to return for a new one.. but its just so much hassle since this is so big...

The picture is stunning. Looks nothing like the TV I saw in the store. And mind you I am using a Coax connected cheap antenna for the time being. Should only get better with a real antenna and Directv Tivo.


Well, since the signal is digital, it shouldn't matter what kind of antenna you are using or how it's getting to the tuner in the TV. Also, for the most part, OTA usually has the best quality of HDTV. It will probably get worse when you get a directivo since the satellite providers heavily compress their HD content.

Just picked up the last one from Costco last night. These items are selling very fast.

One of the installation items that intrigues me is a long cable (twin attached with small light bulbs at their ends) coming together to a single male plug point.
I think this can be stuck behind the TV panes (ambilight maybe? not sure) and wondering if any one in the forum has figured how to set it up... If so, let me know.

Thanks!!

It is IR blaster, and according to documentation it is not being used now (read pdf on cd). It will be used in the future (possibly).

What the heck is IR Blaster?

Well, since the signal is digital, it shouldn't matter what kind of antenna you are using or how it's getting to the tuner in the TV. Also, for the most part, OTA usually has the best quality of HDTV. It will probably get worse when you get a directivo since the satellite providers heavily compress their HD content.

When I say better I mean a more solid signal. I am getting an OTA installed on my roof. Right now I am using one 2 ft from my TV in my basement. So I would think I will get a better signal from on the roof meaning less drop outs and a more consistent signal on all the channels.

Do all OTA outputs go over Coax cable?

Question
What to do with the IR cable (or IR blaster) and port included with your FlatTV ?

Answer
The IR cable (or IR blaster) and port included with your FlatTV set were included in the event of future enhanced functionality. Accordingly, the IR output is not currently functional. Additional functionality to your TV set may be available in the future through a software upgrade, at which time you will be able to take advantage of the IR output cable (or IR blaster) and IR port.

Thank you for the clarification about the IR cable. In fact, the IR outlet that was the only outlet this would fit into. However, I did not see any tangible result and hence was curious.
Hopefully, in the future the IR cable, blaster and port will come to good use.
Thanks.

As I mentioned in my original post, I am not an expert in any of this and trying to pick up some knowledge as I go through this, but what is the "PQ" qualities that seems to be a judge of a good plasma? I probably have a "tin eye" but what to know what I should look for as I evaluate this unit.

I have this set for about 2 weeks and would reccomend it... I am not saying it is the best PQ...but it is definitely very good... I think alot has to do with the setup... Costco is far from the ideal situation.... You have poor lighting... subpar connections...etc... Give this TV a good HD feed and you will be quite impressed.. I have the settings turned down for break in...but once I turn them up this set is very nice.....

My only word of advice is don't pass judgement based on the PQ at Costco... Take it home and try it... Then return it if your disappointed... You have nothing to lose besides your time and some $$$ for fuel.....

As I mentioned in my original post, I am not an expert in any of this and trying to pick up some knowledge as I go through this, but what is the "PQ" qualities that seems to be a judge of a good plasma? I probably have a "tin eye" but what to know what I should look for as I evaluate this unit.

Look for an image that YOU LIKE! People go crazy measuring every minor detail on a TV. The thing that it really comes down to does the TV offer the features important to you and have a picture you like in the price range you want to spend.

The Philips was the best suited for me when comparing all those factors. Did I like the 50" Pioneer better from in store impressions? Yes. But the price was the problem on that one.

Also from the little I noticed the TV's on display in stores really are the worst viewing situation you should ever see on that TV. (Most bright lit warehouse type stores)
So it should only get better once setup at home with a better feed, adjusted settings, etc...

Can anyone comment on SDTV PQ (once you had it at home)? Is it as good or bad as other plasmas? I watch a significant amount of SD content so I do not want poor quality.

My impression from my Direct Tivo via Svideo that the SD material was ok. Not great by any means and not horrible. It was watchable. From what I can tell in stores and all it was pretty much on par with other TV's. Something you can watch but rather not if possible.

I will know more over this week. Plan to test it out bigtime tonight. DVD playback, SD, etc...

lol i am monitoring this thread feverishly, as i just picked mine up last night. unfortunately, the wife and i don't move in to our new place until mid february, so all i can do right now is stare longingly at the box!

this is my first flat screen of any kind, so i'm not to concerned with comparisons...i'm sure i'll be blown away at the HD content and satisfied with SD -- it can't look worse than my sony wega....can it?

No way dude. This Plasma will blow away your sony wega. I just got my philips 50 on my wall last night. I am in the break in period. This also is my first plasma and PC is damn good. Some Sd look great and some good to poor but what do you expect. You will here this with every PDP owner. Now I have to go home and deal with my wire mess before wife returns on friday!!!!

I have less than 5 posts, so I can't post the URL directly, but there's a link to the 7220 support page on Philips' site posted in thread titled "Philips 50PF7220A/37 at Costco ?" from a couple weeks ago.

The only thing of interest there is the firmware upgrade is 1.0.13.0, which is the same version talked about in the 42PF7320A thread. I have no idea if the files are different or if they're just renamed for each model.

Edit: This makes it 5 so here's the URL:

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=50PF7220A/37&scy=US&slg=AEN

i agree, you have to get it home to see the true size of the phillips. it is truly a monster. i had a ford f250 superduty with a cap measuring a 38" opening....but the box is 39". had to **** it a little to get it in. man, what a struggle. same thing unloading. but, i was rewarded with one fine tv. i retired a 10yr old 35" toshiba tube. the 50pf7220 definitly dwarfs the old tosh' . i set it up with a tw 8300hd box using the hdmi feature( thanks monoprice cable) . the tv sets up easily, but the 8300 can be a pain programing the codes. i had to use a philco number to get it to work as the phillips/magnavox numbers wouldn't work. didn't have a lot time to tweek it as yet as "24" was about to start. but i will get into it tonight. so, if anybody wants to share their settings i would appreciate it

No way dude. This Plasma will blow away your sony wega. I just got my philips 50 on my wall last night. I am in the break in period. This also is my first plasma and PC is damn good. Some Sd look great and some good to poor but what do you expect. You will here this with every PDP owner. Now I have to go home and deal with my wire mess before wife returns on friday!!!!

ah, thats good to hear. i am chomping at the bit, but it helps that i get to read about all of the experiences here...gives me something to look forward to.

No way dude. This Plasma will blow away your sony wega. I just got my philips 50 on my wall last night. I am in the break in period. This also is my first plasma and PC is damn good. Some Sd look great and some good to poor but what do you expect. You will here this with every PDP owner. Now I have to go home and deal with my wire mess before wife returns on friday!!!!


I'm glad to hear this expected improvement over a regular tube as well. I finally got Tivo recently and was very disappointed at how it affected the PQ on my Sony Wega (32 in). Do you suppose it will get any better with the 7220--both with SD feeds. Unfortunately, I imagine I will have to watch TV through a bypass of the TIVO box.

I'm planning on using a OTA antenna for HD channels. Any recommendations on where to get a good one, how much they are, or if quality really matters in this instance. I am going to put it in the attic.

Thanks,
Erik

In SD my Sony Wega XBR 36" tube blows away this Plasma. But when you go to HD it is no comparison.

But I turned down my brightness and contrast and now the picture is SUPER DARK. Not sure I can deal with this for a prolonged period of time.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Will tell you what type of OTA you will need. Then you have to pick one. antennas direct was mentioned by someone on a forum. I am sure you could pick one up at your local BB or CC as well.

A further update, and a little more disappointing:

I went through set up and turned off all enhancement-type features, then hooked up my progressive mode DVD player to test out my Avia calibration disk. First disappointment: the plasma won't use the full real estate of the screen to play back progressive mode via component cables with my DVD player. It loses 2" on the right (I get the whole image, but its compressed slightly). In interlaced mode via component, the screen rolls and rolls.

I hooked up my HD cable box via component, but the box got deactivated somehow and now I'm waiting for the reactivation to propagate through the network.

I also uploaded the new firmware upgrade, but I haven't been able to test for improvements. The best one I read is that it won't add all of the scrambled digital channels, which is a pain for me.

So as I wait for my cable box to reactivate, I ponder whether or not a monitor that cannot display two of its inches for dvd playback is worth keeping.

Brad

Anybody here previously own the Vizo 50" ??

I ask because the handshake problems of the Vizio still bugs me quite a bit. I'm considering returning it for the Philips. They have none in stock at my local Costco and for some reason the display unit is turned off.

HI guys,

I am going to be getting this Plasma tomorrow. I had a couple questions concerning component in.

If I connect a computer to the "Component Video in", will I be able to get true 1280x720 or 1377x738 resolution?
A sales person told me that component wasn't digital and if I connected my computer using component, I wouldn't be able to get a 720p resolution. I wasn't sure what to believe after he stated component was analog and S-Video was digital (but can't carry HD signals). I always thought SVIDEO was analog.. I aslo thought component was digital and would give me the true HD resolutions.

Thanks for your help.. I am sure the TV will be cool either way.

Thanks

I owned the Vizio P50 for a short time, but ended up returning it after about a week because it didn't work well for me without any sort of built-in tuner. I bought the Philips yesterday for my mom, and it's still sitting in the box. So I can't say much about it. I am reluctant to open the box, because I am contemplating taking it back for the Vizio.

I thought SD content on the Vizio was really quite good, and that's coming from a standard analog input into my Tivo and out to the Vizio via S-video. I am concerned from seeing the picture on the Philips at Costco and from what I've heard so far on this thread, that SD content isn't very good. I've only read a few posts regarding SD content on the Philips, though, and I believe most were from a digital cable box. So I hope more people post their experience with SD, in particular from the coaxial analog input. How bad is it? Also, what do owners of the 50PF7220a think of DVD picture quality? Certainly, everyone seems pleased with HD picture quality, but that's not surprising since HD feeds look pretty spectacular on almost any plasma.

As for the Vizio's handshake problems, I can't say that I know much about it. From reading a few of the 147 pages on the Vizio P50 owner's thread, it sounds largely confined to DVI-HDMI connections from the Comcast 6412 STB. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about the Vizio can clarify this.

I can tell you that my standard picture is very good. Just had a buddy leave my house and had is on standard and he stated how good that high def picture looked. I am veiwing the plama about 14 feet away. I have my dish 522 running into my 811 input and then running DVI-D HDMI into the PDP. I think a lot of it all depends on how good of feed you are getting into your house from your dish or cable. KiCK ASS SET no regrets. I was also looking into a vizio for about 6 months, but had philips in the past with no problem.

Any of you folks looked at the Sony SXRD sets and how they compare to this? I ask because I am looking for a 50" Plasma. I own a 42" Panny HD Plasma (excellent picture SD & HD). I've looked at the Vizio at Costco, it looks OK, the Phillips haven't done as much for me so far.

Based on the different environments in stores, it's great to hear the opinions of others.

Just wanted to give some brief feedback. Picked up this plasma at Costco on Monday. Overall, I'm happy with the picture quality... haven't had time to do any tuning yet. While I haven't tested OTA HD (Comcast is coming Sat) I have tested the following:
* Progressive Scan DVD
* XBox 360 in 720p mode
* ReplayTV via Component Inputs
* Standard Def Cable (looked good to me)

I was also able to download the firmware update from the link above and run the firmware utility without any issues. Out of the box I had firmware BX23U-1.0.8.0 which I upgraded to BX23U-1.0.13.0. Not sure if I notice any difference. Just wanted to thank you all for the insightful posts.

After tuning the set with my Avia disk (contrast, brightness, tint and color) the set looked ok with the test patterns and the color filters. But with real content, it was atrocious-- blacks turned brown, too much grey.

Worse, my HD cable box @ 1080i also has a black bar down the right side that I cannot make disappear. Not as pronounced as my 480p DVD player, but the screen loses about a half inch of real estate (not to mention burn in). So for my testing to date, so far the best picture, hands down, comes from the internal HD tuner on a 1080i channel.

Nearly certain I will be returning this television. I wanted it to work, but its not pleasing me. Now to figure out how to get it back into a box and back to the store.

Brad

Brad

so far my 7220a is great........sd is above average...........hd is superb......not one dead pixel...handshake with the 8300hd dvr is complete and amazing...tonight i will complete the setup adding a sony dav-x1 system. the dvd player is upconverting so i will see how that works out. i have to figure out having the tv sound run directly thru the sony. hopefully a cable from the tv to the sony is all that is needed. i will say that the sound from the tv itself is very good. also, i am going to wrap everything together with a 659 harmony remote. i do like all of the installation therapy i am receiving

Better update:

Well I had a chance to play with it for awhile last night. Here is my thoughts.

The first thing I am having issues with is the stretch mode. I don't blame this TV for the issues I am having but I figure ANY HDTV (16x9) will have this issue to some degree. When watching HD it is not an issue. But when I watch movies (off cable) I can't stand having black bars so I let the Philips do an auto-stretch. It looks ok on movies Tivo'd off HBO & Stars but not that great on SD material on local channels. I figure I will have to get used to this on ANY new TV I buy so I don't blame this TV for any of the problems. It is more of a HD in general issue that one has to accept and get used to.

So.. Besides getting used to all the difference between a 4:3 TV and a 16:9 Tv....

DVD: I watched a few DVD's and when left in widescreen mode (to avoid the stretch issue) it looked very nice. I am using a Sony DVD player. To be honest I am not even sure it has progressive scan or anything. I don't watch DVD's that often so it is not something I have put much time in reviewing and upgrading. Overall though I was very happy with the DVD Quality.

HD: Looks great. Even when you lower all the settings to very low levels to help with burn in the picture still looks crisp. The only thing I noticed is that all the shows I have seen so far in HD is that they seem very WARM. Now I did see a tad of Medium in HD and that show didn't feel so warm but every other show seems VERY warm. I am not sure if this is normal with HD on the shows I have watched (American Idol, Dharma chick show, How I met your mother) (Medium & 24 did not look so warm and were very dark)

SD: This is the one I am sure you all care about. Here is my background. I am coming from what i consider the BEST SD TV you can buy. (Sony XBR 36" Tube) The picture on that in SD is not good but great. Everything is sharp and solid and I was very happy with that picture. The Philips is another story. In 4:3 it looks ok. You see some artifacting or jaggies on certain images but nothing too bad. I also attribute this to a 50" screen over the 35" I was used to. Once again the strecth aspect comes into play and it is still tough for me to get used to. Since the settings on the TV are set super SUPER low the images on SD don't look optimal. I am sure if I switched the settings a tad then I would see a better picture for SD. But trying to wait it out for awhile before I do that. To be honest if I watched a LOT of SD stuff I would probably not be HAPPY with this TV or ANY 16:9 TV. I think the Sony SXRD, Pioneer Plasma, Panasonic, whatever would annoy me and I would prefer to stick with the Sony Tube I have.

Since I have TV upstairs my plan is to turn my Philips TV into a MOVIE, HD ONLY. Well not only but primarily. If I can maintain an 80% and above level of HD & DVD material than this TV should work out fine for me.

There are some other features overall missing but I assume that is the case for most budget 50" Plasmas. I will need two more weeks to really know my overall opinions on this TV. My problem is that if I returned it for the Visio or the Maxent or another 50" Plasma in the $3000 range I don't see fixing ANY of the problems I have with this TV. Maybe I get a few more features like individual settings per source and a prettier TV case but I still have the stretch issue and SD quality issue which imho will be on ANY 16:9 HD TV on the market.

Picked one up for the Costco price on Monday and for that price I am very happy. I have checked plasmas for the last 3 months and the quality is never the same. I have seen great Maxent's and crappy Fujitsu's but the display for the phillips 50" at Costco was good enough for me to buy on the spot.


Evaluation: Comcast HD box Component and DVI

SD programming varies a lot depends on the channel, garbage in and garbage out. The reality is that SD programming quality is no different on my RPG Mits 55”, RPG Panasonic 47” and Mits 62” DLP than on the Phillips 50” plasma. So all my complaints would stay the same with this TV. Grade C to B


HD programming on Discovery HD, excellent passes my eye test and has a edge on my other TV with a 3D on the Desert show. Its as good as it gonna get without breaking the bank. Grade B+ to A (depending on programming)

Tip. The Costo in Fair Oaks, Virginia (Fairfax) still has like 5 or 6 of these left. The Demo unit PQ quality is horrible and not adjusted so that is turning people off to this set.

So my pink vertical line problem has gotten worse. It is now a black strip about an inch and a half thick, running from the top of the TV to the middle part.
I called Philips, and they referred me to some local repair shops. Now I'm contemplating if I should just return it back to Costco for a new one.. or get this repaired.

Does anyone know if I can do an exchange? or do I have to do a return/rebuy? I'll need another coupon?

So my pink vertical line problem has gotten worse. It is now a black strip about an inch and a half thick, running from the top of the TV to the middle part.
I called Philips, and they referred me to some local repair shops. Now I'm contemplating if I should just return it back to Costco for a new one.. or get this repaired.

Does anyone know if I can do an exchange? or do I have to do a return/rebuy? I'll need another coupon?

This TV is big and to repackage it and haul it back to Costco be quite daunting. You could call the Philips contact and they would come by and check your TV and if something is wrong they would haul it to their shop for repair. Hope you have got a reference number from Philips to do this.

On the other hand if you decide to return the TV back to Costco and have it exchanged - make sure that Costco has another one available. I have heard that if Costco does not have this TV in stock and if you register with them in the store they would still honor the rebate during the rebate period.. Check with your local Costco.
Hope this helps

staufj22:

Since you just bought it I would return it to Costco. But make sure you tell them you are returning it because it is defective. If lugging it back to Costco is THAT big of a pain then call a repair guy out since under warranty.

Also I was told by Costco when you do a return you do NOT need the box. (they cut mine to pieces when I bought it so I don't even have mine. They just want manuals, remote and TV...

Worse, my HD cable box @ 1080i also has a black bar down the right side that I cannot make disappear. Not as pronounced as my 480p DVD player, but the screen loses about a half inch of real estate (not to mention burn in). So for my testing to date, so far the best picture, hands down, comes from the internal HD tuner on a 1080i channel.

Nearly certain I will be returning this television. I wanted it to work, but its not pleasing me. Now to figure out how to get it back into a box and back to the store.

Brad

Brad

Brad,
Try using the cursor keys to "nudge the picture around" Should allow you to get rid of the black bar on both inputs. Also looks like the new firmware posted may alleviate some of these issues.

Quote from Firmware Update Readme:
BX23U-1.0.13.0 01441
Fo l l owing pro blems are solved :
• improvement for selection for Secundary Audio Program on digital channels
• extra step in automatic installation to detect scrambled channels and unmark them in pre fe rred channel
l i s t , as a consequence the scrambled channels will be skipped when pressing CH+/CH- and are not
visible in the channel map
• default horizontal & ve rtical center value corrected on inputs where horizontal & ve rtical shift is allowe d

Does anyone have the height of this TV with the stand?

Thanks

Does anyone have the height of this TV with the stand?

Thanks
32.5"

Well, I went ahead and picked it up...while keeping the Vizio for comparison. So here's my mini-mini-review of the Philips as compared to the Vizio. Note...I've only had it for a day.

Feature-wise: The Philips seems to have an edge. The connectivity is abundant and I really like the addition of the RGB+HV connector...I mean the Vizio has a VGA connector...but my personal preference is for the RGB+HV connector. BTW...it syncs up the HTPC at 1366x768 no problemo. The addition of the ATSC tuner is huge in my book. I didn't think I'd use it since i have cable HD...but the reception is pretty good hooked up to my old attic antenna. It's actually super convenient to not have any STB boxes and just run the analog cable and the OTA HD coax cables straight to the TV.

Build Quality - It definitely feels like it is put together well...vastly superior to the Vizio. And NO FAN NOISE.

Picture Quality - Now for the bad news. It is clearly inferior the the Vizio. I spent an hour or so trying to tweak it and I'll try again today. This is on the HDMI input compared to the Vizio's HDMI input. The Philips color does seem a lot less vibrant and the blacks are nowhere near as dark...very grey-ish. As someone else pointed out before...it seems like you're watching it through a plastic film...it kinda has a hazy quality to it.

Anyhow...I'm in a real bind. I wish I hadn't compared them side by side, cause I bet I would've been happy with it. It has all the features I want and is made by a reputable (sort of) company. I think it's a kick-butt TV...until I glance over to the Vizio and see how much more impact the picture on the Vizio has. So I'm gonna give the Philips another day or so and try to calibrate it some more. Hopefully...I'll get the picture to match the Vizio...then I'll keep it. Otherwise, back to Costco it goes.

flynbw01,

Thanks for the tip! I was able to adjust the 480p and 1080i YPrPb inputs successfully with the joypad. Now the black bars are gone (plus a few bonus points for the Philips).

Tonight we're going to watch an episode of Lost from DVD and try to give it a thumbs up or thumbs down afterwards.

Brad

The more I watch this TV the more problems I am finding. But I have to wait till I get Directv setup with HDTV and not using the cheap antenna that can't keep a signal for more than 1 minute. I might just be blaming the TV for my signal issue since I am rather pissed off about it right now. By Super Bowl Sunday I will know if it goes back or not. Hopefully not.

NastasNJ,
Where are you located in NJ? I'm just north of Princeton and I picked up one of those cheap Silver Sensor antennas for less then 20 bucks. (I'm also a D* subscriber, and I'm waiting for their MPEG4 DVR to come out in a few months before I upgrade to HD). I thought my chances of getting ANY signal where I am were slim to none. But I just pointed the antenna out a 1st floor window towards NYC, and I'm getting rock solid ABC, CBS and FOX in HD. (No NBC). I'm shocked since I'm over 45 miles from the broadcast towers. The HD picture on the Philips is stunning, as you pointed out. Basically I'm very happy with the Philips built-in tuner picking up OTA HD channels.

So far, this TV is a keeper for me. I'm keeping the brightness and contrast turned down to about 50 for while.

I'm new here, and wondering if there is a calibration procedure that folks out there use to get the settings on a new plasma dialed in?

I am right near Cherry Hill. So I would be aiming for the Philadelphia Towers. (13-14 miles away from me)

I have my TV setup in the basement and the antenna I have doesn't seem to be working that great. I hooked up a longer cable to it last night and pointed it out my basement window and was still getting a lot of cut outs. Though the night before I was able to get most channels in fine. Not sure what the deal is to be honest.

The one thing I have noticed is that watching SD material on this TV is tough. If the scenes are bright or well light then it is doable. If the scenes are dark though it looks BAD. Half the time I can't make out anything. This is still the case with using one of the preset settings that have the contrast/brightness up.

I think the HD looks well enough that if I can make it work that I only watch HD on this TV then I should be fine. But I am just not liking watching stretched SD on it. Even unstretched SD material bothers me.

Monday can not come quick enough.

Well after watching two episodes of Lost on DVD (progressive scan), its fate is sealed. My wife and I looked at each other and decided we are going to return it.

We witnessed tremendous color banding and poor dark detail. I love the plethora of inputs, the included ATSC and QAM tuners, and overall size/design. I was even very pleased with the speakers for TV watching. The price seemed too good to be true, and in this case, it was.

Brad

I have the same concerns Brad. I tested some DVD's last night including Road to Perdition to check for how it handled dark scenes. Very little to no detail not to mention alot of video noise and bad color decoding. My wife wants to keep it to avoid the hassle of return but I am now thinking about a 42" toshiba from sears if they match the costco.com price. If i can lug that home and show her the difference she may agree with me.

Well, I went ahead and picked it up...while keeping the Vizio for comparison. So here's my mini-mini-review of the Philips as compared to the Vizio. Note...I've only had it for a day.

Feature-wise: The Philips seems to have an edge. The connectivity is abundant and I really like the addition of the RGB+HV connector...I mean the Vizio has a VGA connector...but my personal preference is for the RGB+HV connector. BTW...it syncs up the HTPC at 1366x768 no problemo. The addition of the ATSC tuner is huge in my book. I didn't think I'd use it since i have cable HD...but the reception is pretty good hooked up to my old attic antenna. It's actually super convenient to not have any STB boxes and just run the analog cable and the OTA HD coax cables straight to the TV.

Build Quality - It definitely feels like it is put together well...vastly superior to the Vizio. And NO FAN NOISE.

Picture Quality - Now for the bad news. It is clearly inferior the the Vizio. I spent an hour or so trying to tweak it and I'll try again today. This is on the HDMI input compared to the Vizio's HDMI input. The Philips color does seem a lot less vibrant and the blacks are nowhere near as dark...very grey-ish. As someone else pointed out before...it seems like you're watching it through a plastic film...it kinda has a hazy quality to it.

Anyhow...I'm in a real bind. I wish I hadn't compared them side by side, cause I bet I would've been happy with it. It has all the features I want and is made by a reputable (sort of) company. I think it's a kick-butt TV...until I glance over to the Vizio and see how much more impact the picture on the Vizio has. So I'm gonna give the Philips another day or so and try to calibrate it some more. Hopefully...I'll get the picture to match the Vizio...then I'll keep it. Otherwise, back to Costco it goes.
I will keep an eye on your posts. I’m thinking of swapping my Vizio for this set because of the HD tuner. I’m leaning to theVizio because of the jaw dropping PQ. I say jaw dropping because that is always the reaction of anyone who sees it for the first time. I just love standing and seeing people with their mouth open. :D

I did a search on the Phillips 50" at Costco and thankfully found this site. I too was there first thing Monday to buy the Phillips 50" going on sale. I got the last one in the store in Fredericksburg, VA. Just set it up on the new TV console I bought yesterday. I am waiting for our local cable company to arrive tomorrow and bring the HD/DVR box I need for it. However, my son-in-law hooked it up to the digital cable box I now have (no HD capability) and so far I am not real thrilled with the quality. When the TV first came on and started the Setup process, it said it would take about 30 min to find channels. When it finished the # of digital channels and the other one was still at 0. Don't know if that was right. I tuned into channel ? the one before 2. Don't know what that channel is because it didn't show up but I was then able to use my cable remote to change channels. I have a feeling (at least I hope) that something is not plugged in right because the words are blurry and the picture not clear like other Plasmas I have seen. I don't know anything about the HDMI, SD or other stuff in the manual and haven't tried to hook up my DVD player yet. I am hoping the cable guy will know what to do. My daughter and I did the shopping so we know what a good picture should look like. However, my husband didn't go along so he seems to think it looks fine but he also hates to take anything back. I did not have alot of time to fiddle with it last night so I am going to try some fine tuning tonight. If anyone can give me info on what cables to plug into what, I would really appreciate it. If things don't work out for the better after the cable guy gets here I am afraid I will be taking it back and hopefully get something better.
Thanks guys for any help.

SC :confused:

Rodger,

I think I may favor a 42" HD (or even ED) Panasonic. There's a roughly $1000 price difference between the two models.

Brad

sounds like you may not have an antenna hooked up. If you have an antenna handy connect to the coaxial input, do the channel search and hopefully (depending on your location) you may be able to receive over the air (free) HD. the hd channels are usually marked x.1, x being the channels primary number. keep in mind not all x.1 channels are true HD, most programs are up converted. if you can get PBS HD that will give a good idea of what the television can do. Also, read the plasma break-in sticky at the top of this page.

BTW, keep in mind alot of the comments are by people who have way too much time to obsess over the fine details (like me :) ). If you like the picture keep it

good luck

Brad,

I heard the toshiba 42" uses panny glass and toshiba electronics and heard good things about it. I am going to go to chandler sears this afternoon and see if they will price match.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Well, the Philips is going back. Another night of tweaking, testing, and viewing...and really the PQ just doesn' come close at all to the Vizio...which is a real shame cause the Vizio is a POS in terms of build quality. I think the Philips is definitely the safer route....but there's more reward with the Vizio.

Man...if only the Panny or the Pioneer would be this cheap.

Scurva:
You weren't supposed to do the channel setup if you're using a cablebox, HD or not. You're supposed to use the cablebox as your tuner. So, the coaxial cable from the wall attaches to the cablebox and then the cablebox gets attached to one of the video inputs on the tv (depending on what cablebox you currently have, that would likely be be s-video or component.

What Vizio model are you guys comparing it to?

What Vizio model are you guys comparing it to?
Vizio P50HD 50" Plasma

Thanks.. :)

Great TV. I was aprehensive reading some of the posts, but after playing withe the settings ended up with a great picture. I have Dish Networks (side note: avoid DN like the plaugue, can't wait for my 1 year to be up) and I connected through S-Video. Will hook up component Video as soon as I upgrade the DVD

Great Picture quality at about 35% less than the pioneer. My only complaint is the typical European type remote control; ie the "input" button becomes "AV+"

I highly recommend this set

I was ready to return the set when, on a fluke, and against everything AVS has taught me, I jacked up the contract to 75 or so and the picture looked very good (to the point where considering the price I would keep it). Problem is, does this shorten the life of the panel?

Anyone going to post their settings?

I am still waiting for DVE DVD. Once I get that I will post my results.

Also I played xbox360 hockey for 4 hours last night and no image retention at all. If there was it was going back. But I am in the same boat as many people for the price it is hard to beat. The TV isn't perfect or anything but overall it is a solid value which may keep me from returning it.

I'll post mine. I haven't yet used DVE either, and my dvd is hooked up via component. These are the results I obtained by using the THX tests on the Star Wars dvds. For a quick and dirty setup, they're great.

Contrast: 63
Brightness: 40
Color: 51
Sharpness: 3
Color Temp: Normal
Digital Processing: Pixel Plus (I don't know why people complain about it)
Dynamic Contrast: Minimum
DNR: Medium
Color Enhancement: off
Tint: 0

I'm sure these will change once I get hold of DVE, but until then, this tv looks wonderful. I picked up my first hd signal last night (Leno, Conan), and was blown away.

I can't wait for the Rangers/Penguins game at 10am. :)

Costco accepted my return without batting an eye. The door checker commiserated on the frustration of the return, and offered the advice that very few Panasonics get returned.

Brad

Can someone using the 7220A help with this question: I looked at the owner's manual on-line and it appears that the TV has no optical audio input, and also no analog audio inputs for the 2 HDMI connectors if you need to connect from a DVI output (on a STB for example) using a DVI to HDMI cord. If that is the case, converting DVI to HDMI with audio seems possible only once, by using the coax Digital Audio In on the TV (if the DVI device has a coax and not only an optical digital output). If a DVI device was connected that way (using the coax Digital Audio In jack) that would seem to prevent making a component-in connection at the Video 3 input that included audio. Am I correct that the TV has such limited audio inputs? For my immediate purposes, I need a TV that allows these types of connections because the equipment I want to connect either has only optical (and of course analog) digital audio out, and DVI but no HDMI, and where I'm putting it I won't have a surround system for quite some time so the TV speakers (as bad as they seem to be) mustl provide the sound for all the input sources. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks. John

Hi,

Where do you get the firmware update for this TV & how do you install it (probably the link to the firmware would explain it).

THanks,
Rich

Ahh, the channel search is just for the cable card? Skip it if your using a cable box?

Scurva:
You weren't supposed to do the channel setup if you're using a cablebox, HD or not. You're supposed to use the cablebox as your tuner. So, the coaxial cable from the wall attaches to the cablebox and then the cablebox gets attached to one of the video inputs on the tv (depending on what cablebox you currently have, that would likely be be s-video or component.

Hi,

Where do you get the firmware update for this TV & how do you install it (probably the link to the firmware would explain it).

THanks,
Rich

Check JPinAZ's post on 1/24 for the link to the firmware upgrade. I unzipped the update file to a compact flash card and plugged the card reader to the USB port on the left of the TV. Then on the TV select firmware update memu under set-up or installation.

I saw that one improvement of the new firmware is that the scrambled channels are automatically skipped. This does make channel surfing more enjoyable. However, I definitely can tell that some good HD channels available before the upgrade are now missing, and I don't see any apparant way to mannually set the TV to one of those channels. FYI I am plugging cable directly to TV without any cablebox. But before the firmware update I had some very good HD channels such as the HD of CBS and PBS which are missing now. Cablevision was completely useless because they told me that I should get one of their HD boxes. The firmware update also eliminated a bright line on the top of the screen for some digital channels. If anyone has a similar experience or can help with mannually adding a channel that will be greatly appreciated.

As far as picture quality, I am concerned by the negative reports in this threat. I am not an expert but I thought the PQ of this TV in store was very good. I throughly compared it with other plasmas in the 2 costcos. Contrary to others' reports, costcos in my areas actually set the PQ of this set fairly good. I have not been able to get as good a quality as that seen in the stores yet. Maybe it is due to the 50 contract I am using for burn-in. I agree with prior posts that the black is more grey in this set. I tried to calibrate with an older sound&vision hometheater tune up DVD. There is not a level of contrast which is clearly optimum but it seems that the optimum brightness is 40 and optimum sharpness is 3 or 4.

Can someone using the 7220A help with this question: I looked at the owner's manual on-line and it appears that the TV has no optical audio input, and also no analog audio inputs for the 2 HDMI connectors if you need to connect from a DVI output (on a STB for example) using a DVI to HDMI cord. If that is the case, converting DVI to HDMI with audio seems possible only once, by using the coax Digital Audio In on the TV (if the DVI device has a coax and not only an optical digital output). If a DVI device was connected that way (using the coax Digital Audio In jack) that would seem to prevent making a component-in connection at the Video 3 input that included audio. Am I correct that the TV has such limited audio inputs? For my immediate purposes, I need a TV that allows these types of connections because the equipment I want to connect either has only optical (and of course analog) digital audio out, and DVI but no HDMI, and where I'm putting it I won't have a surround system for quite some time so the TV speakers (as bad as they seem to be) mustl provide the sound for all the input sources. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks. John

This tv has no optical audio input, or output. It uses coax for digital audio in, and out (1 each). I'm somewhat confused by the rest of your post, but as I re-read it, I think your statement is correct. And the speakers aren't great, but they're not bad either. I've never had a tv with "great" speakers--external speakers are always the way to go.

Muskeg:

What I mean is other TV's I've seen have a pair of analog audio inputs for each HDMI input to connect the audio from a device with a DVI output instead of HDMI because DVI is video only whereas HDMI is both audio and video. Having the Video 3 Input as component video only seems dumb, especially when the only audio option is the Coax Digital Audio input because many devices, like the one's I have (older STB and DVD players), have component out but only analog and optical digital out for the audio. I won't have external speakers available where this TV is going so I conclude from your reply that the 7220A won't work for me because the STB and DVD player I will be using have component out but only analog and optical audio out, so it seems I would be able to connect only one to the TV with audio. Am I correct? Thanks. John

Hi,

I am having a few issues with my set (after playing with it until the wee hours of the night):

1. I am running my main HD using composite cables (into AV1), when i turn on the plasma, it defaults to "TV" which I have nothing plugged into, is there a way to make "AV1" the default when it starts up?

2. My "AV1" is the composite HD (as i mentioned) and I am unable to "format" the picture to anything but "auto" and "wide screen". I have a large grey bar on the left & right of the image (maybe 2-3" long on each side). I cannot choose autozoom as an option (only on this input). The channels I am watching are regular SD channels if that matters.

3. My "AV2" has my SD tivo hooked up to it. Can I have the TV change channels (regular basic cable channels) without it changing the channel on the cablebox itself (which Tivo is using). Actually, i cant figure out how to get the TV to change the channel on its own either.

4. The remote that comes with it has buttons for Cable, TV, etc, on the top, there doesnt seem to be any way to program them, what is the point of that?

5. There doesnt seem to be any way to have the Tivo remote change the "TV Input". Is there a valid Tivo code that would make this work?

Thanks,
Rich

Bump

I think (again I am by no means sure) that if you want to use the HDMI/dvi plug (I will be in the same boat), that if you can get the audio from the coax cable plug. DVI out of the cable box into the HDMI on the TV & then the Coax from the cable box into the "antenna". That might do the trick. At least if your own HDMI 1. I dont have the cables yet to test this (waiting on ebay).


Muskeg:

What I mean is other TV's I've seen have a pair of analog audio inputs for each HDMI input to connect the audio from a device with a DVI output instead of HDMI because DVI is video only whereas HDMI is both audio and video. Having the Video 3 Input as component video only seems dumb, especially when the only audio option is the Coax Digital Audio input because many devices, like the one's I have (older STB and DVD players), have component out but only analog and optical digital out for the audio. I won't have external speakers available where this TV is going so I conclude from your reply that the 7220A won't work for me because the STB and DVD player I will be using have component out but only analog and optical audio out, so it seems I would be able to connect only one to the TV with audio. Am I correct? Thanks. John

Muskeg:

What I mean is other TV's I've seen have a pair of analog audio inputs for each HDMI input to connect the audio from a device with a DVI output instead of HDMI because DVI is video only whereas HDMI is both audio and video. Having the Video 3 Input as component video only seems dumb, especially when the only audio option is the Coax Digital Audio input because many devices, like the one's I have (older STB and DVD players), have component out but only analog and optical digital out for the audio. I won't have external speakers available where this TV is going so I conclude from your reply that the 7220A won't work for me because the STB and DVD player I will be using have component out but only analog and optical audio out, so it seems I would be able to connect only one to the TV with audio. Am I correct? Thanks. John

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, you're right. Good catch to make (before you bought one)!

Hi,

I am having a few issues with my set (after playing with it until the wee hours of the night):

1. I am running my main HD using composite cables (into AV1), when i turn on the plasma, it defaults to "TV" which I have nothing plugged into, is there a way to make "AV1" the default when it starts up?

What do you mean it "defaults to tv"? TV isn't a source. Check your setup by going to menu/setup/source/AV1. Select HD.

2. My "AV1" is the composite HD (as i mentioned) and I am unable to "format" the picture to anything but "auto" and "wide screen". I have a large grey bar on the left & right of the image (maybe 2-3" long on each side). I cannot choose autozoom as an option (only on this input). The channels I am watching are regular SD channels if that matters.[quote]

I know that this happens when viewing a dvd hooked up via hdmi, but I haven't experienced this problem via component. Check your default in menu/settings/picture/picture format. I have mine on automatic.

[quote]3. My "AV2" has my SD tivo hooked up to it. Can I have the TV change channels (regular basic cable channels) without it changing the channel on the cablebox itself (which Tivo is using). Actually, i cant figure out how to get the TV to change the channel on its own either.

I have no idea on that one.

4. The remote that comes with it has buttons for Cable, TV, etc, on the top, there doesnt seem to be any way to program them, what is the point of that?

My Dad managed to get his 42" model (same tv other than size) to recognize his Toshiba vcr. I'm not sure how he did it, and when he gets back from Reno, I'll find out because I need this info too.

5. There doesnt seem to be any way to have the Tivo remote change the "TV Input". Is there a valid Tivo code that would make this work?

Thanks,
Rich

Not having Tivo, I don't know.

richtj99-
The channel search in the setup menu is not for cablecard, either. The search is for just direct input of the cable signal from an antenna or a cable connection (without a box or cablecard).

Interesting discovery: I don't have cable or Dish or DirectTV or anything. My house is wired for cable though. I've plugged the cable in, done a scan, and found the basic cable stuff, and one HD channel.

Today at Sam Walton's China-Mart, I picked up a Philips 45dB amplified indoor antenna for about thirty bucks. And this little sucker managed to pull in a few more HD signals (PBS and CBS). Only a few stations here broadcast HD-ota. Frankly, I was surprised it did this well. I thought for sure this thing would be going back.

Here's the interesting thing: Even though the tv has just the one coax-cable input, it's possible to use the tv as a switcher between the cable signal and the signal coming from the antenna. Here's how:

If you go to menu/installation and do an autoinstall for cable, and another one for antenna, it keeps the two separate. To switch from viewing the cable channels to the antenna channels, you can go back to the autoinstall screen, switch to antenna, but don't do the autoinstall. By simply choosing antenna on the autoinstall screen, without actually running the process, the tv switches from using the cable channels, to the antenna channels.

I thought this was neat. It would of course be easier if the tv had two coax cable inputs, but this is the workaround.

Well, cablevision (my provider) has HDMI boxes, but since they go with their DVR's, I would need to subscribe $10 per month for the DVR box (which I wouldnt use) to get the HDMI input.

So, I asked about the cablecard (my cablecard doesnt seem to work) & they said they have a specific cablecard (not what is used in the box). I need to spend $50 to have a tech come & plug the card into the TV. Then its $1.00 per month for the card. That seems like a nice option.

I picked one of these up at Costco today. For the price, specifications and Costco return policy it was tough to pass up. The built in tuner had no problem locking to all my local OTA SD and HD channels. I noticed some strange glitches which I'll hold off commenting on until after I update the firmware so there is no misinformation. I also watched a TFE superbit DVD @1080i from an LG DVD player using the component HD inputs. The DVD looked quite good but the image was shifted slightly to the left? I tested the same component input with a 480i (different) source and didn't see the left shift so I'm not sure its a display or source resolution input issue. I will explore further. I'd rate the picture quality of SD and HD material to be average to above average. One annoying thing for me is that in order to see the volume OSD bar, you are forced to keep the input staying on at all times, ie AV1 stays on top? I haven't made a decision yet whether to keep or return and will give it a couple weeks before making a decision.

RTK,
Try using the cursor buttons to shift the image. My brother had the same problem and that worked.

Hope this helps.

Can you use an ipod to update firmware?

Can you use an ipod to update firmware?

The Philips site doesn't list an available update for this model. My parents however have the 42" model (exactly like the 50"), and I tried to update theirs using my ipod. The tv would recognize that the ipod existed, but for whatever reason, it couldn't see the update file.

I then tried updating using a sandisk keychain usb thingie. Had the same prob.

Wondering if anyone in the forum have noticed a thin white flashing segment (1/4 (L)x 1/8 (H)) on the ABC(7.1) channel only on the upper right hand corner of the TV.

The HD relay is from an OTA antenna. No other OTA transmissions seem to exhibit this characterisitc on my TV..

I have installed the latest software upgrade obtained from the Phililp web site and the problem seem to be only on Channel 7.1

Wondering if this related to TV HD signal or my TV?

Thanks.

Muskeg:

I had the same problem. I had created a folder called Upgrades and put the autoupdate file.. however this did NOT WORK.

So I copied the update file to a USB key (autoupdate) on the root directory and ensured that I had nothing else on the USB. Turned off the TV and stuck the USB key into the TV port and turned in back on using the button on the right side of the TV. The TV found the software update and proceeded with the upgrade.

Muskeg:

I had the same problem. I had created a folder called Upgrades and put the autoupdate file.. however this did NOT WORK.

So I copied the update file to a USB key (autoupdate) on the root directory and ensured that I had nothing else on the USB. Turned off the TV and stuck the USB key into the TV port and turned in back on using the button on the right side of the TV. The TV found the software update and proceeded with the upgrade.

I also tried removing all other items on the usb key and just put the unzipped upgrade file on there, no folders, and it didn't work.

When you say you put it to the root directory, you mean like this, right?

h:/autorun.upg

I have a few questions. My cable guy came out (twice) and hooked up an HD/DVR combination box. He connected it to the back of the TV with some red, yellow, blue, etc connections. I read on the TV install paper that you are suppose to get the Best picture with an HDMI connection. I asked the guy about that and he gave me this DUH look. Got the tv channels working (I had to figure it out) on AV1 set at the Cable choice. Can someone answer me is this the best connection? I pay extra for some "HD premium channels" but if there is another cable I should buy to connect from the cable box to the TV (this HDMI slot whatever that is) then I want to try that. I have downloaded the updated SW from Philips and will try installing that tonight. I hope it doesn't lose some of my HD channels like another persons did. Our cable company only goes digital after you hit the 100 channels. So the PQ isn't that great up to there. I was orginally taking this TV back to Costco this weekend but decided to give it a more wait and see. I found our local HD stations and th PQ is pretty good. I messed with the contrast, etc and I think I screwed that up so I will fine tune with some suggestions from you guys. Thanks for any help you can give on what to do about this HDMI (I need to know what to go puchase to be able to use this).

Muskeg:
Yes.
Remember for my TV, I couldn't do the local update, the TV wouldn't recognize the software. I had to restart the TV with the USB key plugged in and only then it found the software update!

Hi-- I just upgraded the firmware w/ no problem using a USB drive-- don't know what it "fixed" yet. So far my husband and I love this tv.I've been waiting to buy a plasma and was considering a 42" until this tv was at Costco. I have a comcast HD box and I think it looks great. Of course we are coming from a 12 year old 32" JVC! I'm sure there are other tv's out there w/ better PQ but for the price and the features (inputs) this tv has, I'm sure we will be keeping it. Our wall mount is arriving today so we hope to have it mounted this week. Just my 2 cents, but like Gwen says
"I'm just a girl" :) l Christie

I have a few questions. My cable guy came out (twice) and hooked up an HD/DVR combination box. He connected it to the back of the TV with some red, yellow, blue, etc connections. I read on the TV install paper that you are suppose to get the Best picture with an HDMI connection. I asked the guy about that and he gave me this DUH look. Got the tv channels working (I had to figure it out) on AV1 set at the Cable choice. Can someone answer me is this the best connection? I pay extra for some "HD premium channels" but if there is another cable I should buy to connect from the cable box to the TV (this HDMI slot whatever that is) then I want to try that. I have downloaded the updated SW from Philips and will try installing that tonight. I hope it doesn't lose some of my HD channels like another persons did. Our cable company only goes digital after you hit the 100 channels. So the PQ isn't that great up to there. I was orginally taking this TV back to Costco this weekend but decided to give it a more wait and see. I found our local HD stations and th PQ is pretty good. I messed with the contrast, etc and I think I screwed that up so I will fine tune with some suggestions from you guys. Thanks for any help you can give on what to do about this HDMI (I need to know what to go puchase to be able to use this).

Scurva-

The red/blue/green connections the cable guy used are called "component". They only carry video, and it is analog. Instead of carrying the full video signal on a single cable, component hookups split the signal up, and the result is a better picture than if you used your s-video, rca or coax cable hookup.

HDMI stands for high-definition multimedia interface. It is a digital hookup, and provides the best picture quality. Your Philips tv has two hdmi inputs, and you should use them if you can. HDMI carries both video and audio.

If your cable box and/or dvd player has a hdmi slot, all you need is a hdmi cable. Check out monoprice.com, or any of the sponsors at the top of this page. Hope that helps.

To the folks who have upgraded the software on their 50":

The Philips site doesn't list an update as being available. What file are you using?

To the folks who have upgraded the software on their 50":

The Philips site doesn't list an update as being available. What file are you using?

Muskeg,
I sent you a private msg with a link to the Philips software update ver 13. I can't post it here since I'm still a newbie. Perhaps you can post it for me?

-Jeff

Yes. Please post link to software upgrade. I assume the one people are using is the one for the same TV but different model number.

Please post link or PM me firmware upgrade link. THanls.

To the folks who have upgraded the software on their 50":

The Philips site doesn't list an update as being available. What file are you using?

Thanks for your help Muskeg. I don't believe it is SW but I downloaded the updated file from JPinAZ's post on 1/24 (that is where the link to the firmware upgrade was).

http://www2.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?slg=ENG&cat=FLAT_TV_CA&sct=PLASMA_LARGE_32_42_SU&grp=TV_GR&session=20060113151834_66.35.226.228&ctn=50PF7220A/37&mid=Link_Software&hlt=Link_Software

I got my 50pf7220a last week. I am using my cablevision set top box using dvi/hdmi conversion cable as my primary source. I also have a progressive scan DVD player connected to AV1 using component cables. Live HD programming is amazing. Standard Def is so so. Here's my problem. When I set my personal settings using the HDMI input, then switch to component to watch a DVD, the setting always changes to "soft". Is this normal? Does anyone else have this problem? I have not upgraded my firmware yet.

Hi,

I have a HD Cablebox that is hooked into AV1 using composite. Then I have Svideo hooked out of my cablebox (other outputs) into the Tivo. Obviously I cant watch two different cable TV channels at the same time.

If I get a cable card, can I use both a cable card (for the TV input) (so I can watch movie channels without affecting the cable box) and also use a cable box (for AV1). When I spoke to the cable company, they said no one ever tried to do that (they couldnt figure out why I would want to do it.

Will that work?

I purchased mine on Saturday and set it up on Sunday after I got done tearing down my FPJ and screen. I had a Sony HS10 with a 102" Greyhawk screen, I'm selling both to my brother-in-law.

First impression: OMG, this thing is HEAVY! (during setup)

The next thing I noted was how nice it looked in the family room compared to the projector setup. Nothing hanging from the ceiling and no screen taking up an entire wall. Sure, I lost 52" of additional screen size, but my wife and I were getting sick of all the equipment all over the room. If I had a dedicated HT room, it would be front projection, no doubt, but for now we are happy to get back to a more decor-friendly setup.

We broke it in last night watching The Constant Gardner. Great movie. But probably not the best one for evaluating picture quality. It has a grainy, overexposed sort of look to it, kind of like Traffic or Three Kings did. Not a lot of color saturation. But in any case, I was happy with the PQ. I set the contrast at 50 and the brightness at 40. It was plenty bright, especially in comparison to my projector setup. Black levels were also a very nice improvement over the LCD projector. I felt that some low-light detail was missing, but I'm sure that can be improved with a proper setup.

I couldn't calibrate it, because my Denon DVD3800 won't play my Avia disc. That's another story, see the DVD player forum for that one. I'll probably hook up my other player tonight to get a basic calibration done, which should be good enough until I can either fix or replace my Denon. I'll probably replace it with a new player with HDMI outputs.

The only problem I ran into was that I had to watch the movie in SuperZoom mode, because in Widescreen mode there was a blank space and broken line at the top of the screen. It wasn't until I dug through the manual this morning that I saw that you can adjust the screen position with the arrow keys on the remote. I shifted the screen up a bit and the problem is solved. I understand that the new firmware changes the default screen positions, so this should be solved on future TVs. I saw the same problem on the display model at the store.

Used my ipod for the software update tonight and it worked like a charm. I don't know why I had problems with my parent's 42", but whatever.

RTK,
Try using the cursor buttons to shift the image. My brother had the same problem and that worked.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip, it worked just as you described.

I used a thumb drive and upgrading the firmware was very simple. All I did was plug the USB drive in, turn the TV on and the firmware update screen appeared automatically.

I spent some more time tweaking the picture tonite with both OTA HD and an upconverting DVD player. I haven't decided yet whether I like Pixel Plus or Standard. Some of the material I watched looked like PP was adding EE which isn't my preference. I'd like to know more about what exactly PP is doing. I tried connecting my PC to the screen via a DVI-HDMI cable. It was not happening. My guess is that the PC can't recognize the PDP. I'll have to hook up a second monitor and see if I can get Powerstrip to send the proper resolution. I'm also know just realizing the problem of no audio input because there are only HDMI inputs and there is no DVI input. I'm not in love with the menu system but thats a personal preference. I don't like the fact that the screen stretch format option are sometimes greyed out depending up what format it detects. Two of my local OTA HD channels often broadcast an image that is between 16:9 and 4:3 and there is no way for me to stretch it. I have no desire for burnin from the pillar boxes so for me this needs to be addressed in a firmware update. Overall the image quality is better than I first thought, I'd say above average for most material. My guess is that if fed its native resolution, the picture quality would be impressive. I would like to see the OSD improved in a firmware update but I have no idea if Philips is interested. I still find it incredibly stupid that I can't see some sort of graphical display of volume level without being forced to leave the source fixed on top of the screen. Does anyone from philips even use their own displays?

Bought the Philips 50PF7220A/37 at Costco on Sunday (Jan 29). I've gone through various levels of anger/frustration with this TV, but have since calmed down enough to write an objective review. Unless I figure out how to resolve the problems I have now, I’m going to return it and get a Pioneer or Panasonic. I’ve encountered quite a few issues, and they all point to the TV’s inability to process video very well. I’ve ensured my cable box settings are correct, updated the software and changed cables to no avail. Would appreciate any insight anyone has with respect to the issues I describe below.

No doubt this was the lowest price anywhere for a 50” plasma from a well known consumer electronics brand – it was $2599 – but my experience thus far is yet another reminder that you get what you pay for.

Here is a detailed description of my setup:

OLD SETUP
Service: Standard Cable (Limited Basic and Expanded Basic) with HD TV programming from Comcast

Like NatasNJ, I used to have what I consider to be one of the best tube TVs – 36” Sony Wega XBR HD-Ready TV (KV36XBR400). SD picture was great. HD picture was excellent. The only problem with the TV was its size (250 lbs and quite bulky), and watching HDTV with black letterbox stripes on top and bottom of screen.
NatasNJ, I am very curious as to what comments you might have after reading my feedback below.


NEW SETUP
Service: Standard Cable (Limited Basic and Expanded Basic) with HD TV programming from Comcast (no change)

I have four video inputs into the Philips 50” plasma:
1. TV: coax feed directly into the Cable/Antenna jack
2. AV1: S-video connection from my Standalone Series 2 Tivo box. Coax into the Tivo
3. AV3: component connection from my DVD Player (Sony DVP-C650D)
4. HMDI1: DVI-HDMI connection from my Comcast box (Motorola DCT6200). Coax into the Comcast Receiver

* No signal attenuation issue with the 3-way splitter used for 1), 2), and 4) – this is the same setup as I had with my tube, and there were no problems

1. TV
Ran the Cable installation program, and many channels were not recognized in the guide. Only captured information from Comcast on a couple channels…
SD quality: when I first turned it on, it was horrible and full of snow. After a few minutes, it got slightly better (ie, VHS EP quality), then reverted back to the original snow-filled picture. It doesn’t seem as if the TV knows what to do with the signal – it gets better, then it gets worse, gets better, etc. Worst case: full of snow, best case: it’s VCD quality. Appears that the issues are mainly with local channels. I do understand the dilemma with lower SD quality on HDTVs, but this was lower than lower...
HD quality: The local HD channels looked good, but not nearly as good as they did through my Comcast receiver.

Bottom line ---> this TV does a poor job with the direct coax feed. This is what drove me nuts when I first turned on the TV. I wasn’t planning on using this video input anyway, but the fact that it handled SD signals so poorly made me realize that perhaps this TV is not so good.

2. AV1: Tivo
SD quality: much better than the direct coax feed into TV, but much worse than my old tube. Like the TV, there seems to be an issue with the local channels. The quality is varies from good to bad, then back to good…For the non-local channels, the quality is consistent with VCD and tolerable.
HD quality: NA -- my Tivo doesn’t support HD

Bottom line ---> I’m marginally OK with this setup.

3. AV3: DVD player
When I play certain DVDs (U2-Rattle and Hum, U2-Slane Castle, both originals), the TV has some major issues. The TV craps out – the screen turns black, flashes with snow and jagged slices of the video, turns black again. I’ve never used the component out on my DVD player, so that could be part of the problem. But I truly don’t think it is since there are DVDs that play without these flashes…
On DVDs where the TV doesn’t crap out with flashes, the TV has a difficult time adjusting formats. The format setting is set to ‘Automatic’ but it’s constantly re-calibrating to 4:3, to widescreen 16:9, back to 4:3. Again, the TV doesn’t seem to know how to process the video signals.

Bottom line ---> This is not acceptable. I’ve played the same DVDs in the same machine on my tube TV with no problems.

4. HDMI1: Comcast box
SD quality: VCD quality. Better than TV source, but slightly worse than AV1(Tivo) source.
HD quality: Excellent, and I’m pleased with the picture. There just aren’t enough HD channels available.
Issue: whenever I switch from another video source to HDMI1, the screen displays a double image so you feel like you have double vision. And it’s not PIP. Changing the channel up, then back down eliminates this problem. This problem didn’t happen just once; it happens every time I switch to HDMI1 video source

Bottom line ---> HD quality is good, SD is I believe acceptable. But the issue with double image is a major problem for me.

I just read your review. Not sure where to start...
I can't comment on your Comcast feeds since I use Directv which in my opinion is a much better signal over Comcast.

I used to have Comcast on my Sony XBR Tube. The picture between non-digital channels was night and day between Directv and Comcast. The Comcast picture had better darks but was also much more washed out and almost looked a tad blurry. This happened on all channels like 3,6,10, etc... If you compared HBO between both sources Directv and Comcast was comparable but the Directv feed was still sharper but with less contrast than the Comcast feed.

On topic to the Philips.

My current setup now is a Directv HD DVR which is connected to both my Sat dish and a OTA. The Tivo unit is used as the tuner so I do not use the built in tuner on the TV. (Though I am tempted to split OTA feed so I can record two things at once and still be able to switch to LIVE local OTA if needed)

My Tivo is hooked up via HDMI. Which makes a huge difference on SD material. I had my old Directv SD model hooked up with S-video and the SD feed was barely watchable. The picture always looked fuzzy and colorwise a tad washed out looking. With the HDMI connection even SD looks better.

HD: This looks great on the Philips. Crystal clear, pretty and this is with my settings turned down low. (Contrast 55 and brightness 45 color around 37 I think) I have no problems with any of my HD shows. I plan to watch HD as much as possible on this TV.

DVD: Looks good as well. I am using an Sony DVD player which doesn't upconvert or anything. Hooked up via Componenet and looks good. I think I need to play with this more since I have only watched 5 minutes of Gladiator. I don't watch a ton of DVD's so this will take me this weekend to really test it and see if I run into any problems. But the little I did watch looked as good as my old Sony Tube TV.

Xbox360: Awesome. I had some issues at first with the screen. It would show these white liines at the very top but using the remote to adjust the screen would fix it. Since I upgraded my software on the TV and switch my xbox360 output to 1080i instead of 720p, it fixed that problem. Looks great. Can't imagine playing xbox360 on another TV. It looked good on my Sony Tube but the widescreen aspect ratio makes a HUGE difference.

So far the three sources above for me look good to great. No real complaints so far.

SD: Here is where you can easily complain about this set and the more HD TV's I see I don't think it is specific to this TV. Since I am coming from argubaly the best TUBE TV ever made I was used to probably the best SD picture you can ever get. Maybe this is blowing it out of proportion but seriously I think my old Sony Tube looked so good that the jump to HD is not as dramatic to me as some other people. I was used to a damn good looking picture. Just limited to screen size issues with that TV. (And it is HEAVY!) After using the HDMI cable which helped a lot for SD, and switching to the full screen fill aspect (which streches image but is recommend on plasma) it takes some getting used to it. I am torn here because I think I hate the side bars and the strecth equally. Both views make me crazy. But I think I lean towards a stretch image over the side bars.

I have done a bunch of comparisons between the local channels. Lets take CBS. I would watch the CBS Sat feed (SD) and it looked a little blurry and not super crisp. But watchable. Then I would swith to CBS OTA (SD show) it looks better than the SAT feed. Even though the show was not in HD the picture just looked sharper.

NOTE: I am colorblind. Not B&W only colorblind but I am can't see those numbers/letters in those color blind tests. So when I watch TV I focus on things that might be different from other people. I look for artifacting, pixelization, or just general focus issues more than anything. I want the picture to look clear and crisp. The one thing I noticed early on was the ALL THE HD feeds looked so damn warm and red. This was with the default settings I think or via some of the pre-built settings. This bothered me but was easily fixed by lowering the color and such.

Overall. The only thing that is currently an issue for me is that I don't get NBC in great via my OTA. (not a TV specific issue)

I like this TV. It looks better in my house than I thought. (reminds me a TON of the old Sony which was a decent looking TV) The HD is great. (setup only HD season passes on this unit and using bedroom to Tivo SD shows (On 27" Sony Tube non-HD) )

DVD's look good from the little I have played with it. So I don't see that being a problem. And having a 2nd HDMI excites me. I plan to use it for PS3 or new DVD player like Blue-ray or something. Hopefully the PS3 will manage to do both.

There are some gripes on this TV. One is When you switch between inputs if I have the label set to NONE it should skip it. Nope.. It doesn't. Or offer a skip option. The SD material is not great but I really don't expect any TV to do it that much better. I was thinking of upgrading to the newer Costco 50" Pioneer when they show up but thinking about it the picture might look a tad better in HD and maybe even in SD but is that slight better picture (to me) worth the extra $1500 or so? That is a tough cost to swallow for me.

I am also used to the SONY features. With the Sony you can adjust basically anything and adjust anything anyway. The Philips is really limited on this front. For example the picture and picture option. I still don't get it. Unless I missed it you can't change sources and are forced to only use two of them. And it just does a side/side versus a window and all. Since I don't EVER use PIP it doesn't mean much to me but I can see this being annoying to other people.

I think you have to have to be the right user to be 100% happy with this TV. You have to watch a high % of HD. (Which I plan to do) You have to not care or use PIP. You have to deal with the preset settings or use one universal picture setting since you can't adjust the setting for each inout source independently. You have to use a seperate speaker setup especially for DVD's and true 5.1 shows or anything that is loud and has a lot of bass because the TV speakers are ok for sitcoms but throw in an action flick and they don't handle it well.

Sorry. Just started babbling there. Anyway I plan to keep the TV for now. I did get some weird flashes yesterday when watching TV. I would get a random static when flipping betwen channels and such. It happened on Tivo recordings and live tv. I don't think it was related to the TV though. I since turned off the TV and after that I never saw the blueish static appear again. I hope it was a one time thing. Never saw it before.

I think this is a good TV for a good price (assuming you got the coupon deal). If I had to pay full price for it I would probably have spent the extra few hundred and gotten a Toshiba or Panasonic that everyone raves about but that is a pain since you can't buy them local at Costco. And the Visio scares me. Just the no name brand and the build quality of the set keeps me from going for it. Along with the numerous posts about burn in on it.

So far the Philips has NO image retention and I have played Xbox360 hockey for hours at a time. So that makes me feel good. I think if Costco did carry other models that are priced between the Philips and the Pioneer I would have probably jumped on one of those but since you basically have a few budget units (Visio, Maxent (never saw 50" in store), AKAI (No way)) and then you have the Philips then the next 50" Plasma that I have seen is the Pioneer which is a LOT more money. The Philips seemed to me the best bang for the buck.





Bought the Philips 50PF7220A/37 at Costco on Sunday (Jan 29). I've gone through various levels of anger/frustration with this TV, but have since calmed down enough to write an objective review. Unless I figure out how to resolve the problems I have now, I’m going to return it and get a Pioneer or Panasonic. I’ve encountered quite a few issues, and they all point to the TV’s inability to process video very well. I’ve ensured my cable box settings are correct, updated the software and changed cables to no avail. Would appreciate any insight anyone has with respect to the issues I describe below.

No doubt this was the lowest price anywhere for a 50” plasma from a well known consumer electronics brand – it was $2599 – but my experience thus far is yet another reminder that you get what you pay for.

Here is a detailed description of my setup:

OLD SETUP
Service: Standard Cable (Limited Basic and Expanded Basic) with HD TV programming from Comcast

Like NatasNJ, I used to have what I consider to be one of the best tube TVs – 36” Sony Wega XBR HD-Ready TV (KV36XBR400). SD picture was great. HD picture was excellent. The only problem with the TV was its size (250 lbs and quite bulky), and watching HDTV with black letterbox stripes on top and bottom of screen.
NatasNJ, I am very curious as to what comments you might have after reading my feedback below.


NEW SETUP
Service: Standard Cable (Limited Basic and Expanded Basic) with HD TV programming from Comcast (no change)

I have four video inputs into the Philips 50” plasma:
1. TV: coax feed directly into the Cable/Antenna jack
2. AV1: S-video connection from my Standalone Series 2 Tivo box. Coax into the Tivo
3. AV3: component connection from my DVD Player (Sony DVP-C650D)
4. HMDI1: DVI-HDMI connection from my Comcast box (Motorola DCT6200). Coax into the Comcast Receiver

* No signal attenuation issue with the 3-way splitter used for 1), 2), and 4) – this is the same setup as I had with my tube, and there were no problems

1. TV
Ran the Cable installation program, and many channels were not recognized in the guide. Only captured information from Comcast on a couple channels…
SD quality: when I first turned it on, it was horrible and full of snow. After a few minutes, it got slightly better (ie, VHS EP quality), then reverted back to the original snow-filled picture. It doesn’t seem as if the TV knows what to do with the signal – it gets better, then it gets worse, gets better, etc. Worst case: full of snow, best case: it’s VCD quality. Appears that the issues are mainly with local channels. I do understand the dilemma with lower SD quality on HDTVs, but this was lower than lower...
HD quality: The local HD channels looked good, but not nearly as good as they did through my Comcast receiver.

Bottom line ---> this TV does a poor job with the direct coax feed. This is what drove me nuts when I first turned on the TV. I wasn’t planning on using this video input anyway, but the fact that it handled SD signals so poorly made me realize that perhaps this TV is not so good.

2. AV1: Tivo
SD quality: much better than the direct coax feed into TV, but much worse than my old tube. Like the TV, there seems to be an issue with the local channels. The quality is varies from good to bad, then back to good…For the non-local channels, the quality is consistent with VCD and tolerable.
HD quality: NA -- my Tivo doesn’t support HD

Bottom line ---> I’m marginally OK with this setup.

3. AV3: DVD player
When I play certain DVDs (U2-Rattle and Hum, U2-Slane Castle, both originals), the TV has some major issues. The TV craps out – the screen turns black, flashes with snow and jagged slices of the video, turns black again. I’ve never used the component out on my DVD player, so that could be part of the problem. But I truly don’t think it is since there are DVDs that play without these flashes…
On DVDs where the TV doesn’t crap out with flashes, the TV has a difficult time adjusting formats. The format setting is set to ‘Automatic’ but it’s constantly re-calibrating to 4:3, to widescreen 16:9, back to 4:3. Again, the TV doesn’t seem to know how to process the video signals.

Bottom line ---> This is not acceptable. I’ve played the same DVDs in the same machine on my tube TV with no problems.

4. HDMI1: Comcast box
SD quality: VCD quality. Better than TV source, but slightly worse than AV1(Tivo) source.
HD quality: Excellent, and I’m pleased with the picture. There just aren’t enough HD channels available.
Issue: whenever I switch from another video source to HDMI1, the screen displays a double image so you feel like you have double vision. And it’s not PIP. Changing the channel up, then back down eliminates this problem. This problem didn’t happen just once; it happens every time I switch to HDMI1 video source

Bottom line ---> HD quality is good, SD is I believe acceptable. But the issue with double image is a major problem for me.

I finally got around to watching a movie on this tv. AWESOME! I am thrilled with this tv. Sure, the menus are kinda lame, maybe they'll fix that with software (I'll work up an email to them). But gosh darnit, if this isn't a great way to watch a movie. I find the tuner to be excellent--it's pulled in a bunch of stuff directly off cable (no box), and OTA.

I couldn't be happier.

Here is my new observations after some more time spent over the weekend. I only have two connections hooked up: cable tv coaxial to RF at back of TV (no STB) and DVD player component to AV1.

1. TV: both HD and SD have good quality. I tried the OTA receptions with an indoor Terk antenna and was able to see some HD channels but the feed from basic cable is much better. I reported before that after the firmware upgrade some HD channels were lost. I still can not find them at where they should be but found all of them at a different channels. So the firmware upgrade ended up working out OK. There was a "manually adjust a channel" function in the menu but I can't found it anywhere after the firmware update. Right now if I enter a channel number that is not in the preferred channels list, the TV doesn't go there at all. Is this what your guys see?

2. My DVD player is a progressive scan (but not upconverting) panasonic. Watched some 4:3 and widescreen movies. The picture quality is pretty good and no problems with screen format adjustment. The widescreen version of The Lord of the Rings was really great. However, there is a new problem: I can see that the darker skin color (such as a shadowy area on a face) have a greenish tinge. This problem is more visible in darker closeup shots. Adjusting the tone among normal, warm and cool doesn't help. Is this something that anyone has seen or dealt with? Do you guys think this kind of problem can be fixed by calibration?

HThere was a "manually adjust a channel" function in the menu but I can't found it anywhere after the firmware update. Right now if I enter a channel number that is not in the preferred channels list, the TV doesn't go there at all. Is this what your guys see?

I've never seen a menu selection like that.

When I updated the software the other night, as best I could tell, the only thing it did was add a cute little graphic (four circles, left to right, each one smaller) that would light up when updating something (channels, software, etc.).

Muskeg:

I totally agree with you. I have the same experience as you. I love this TV - a good one for the price considered.

I just got off the phone with Philips. I called to ask them to add a couple of items to a future software upgrade:

1. When the menu preferences are set at minimum, a giant menu covers 2/3 of the screen when a channel is entered, and it stays on the screen for a good 5 seconds or so. I asked them to reduce the unnecessary giant menu size and the time it stays on the screen.

2. When the menu prefs are set to normal (or maximum, I forget) and the channels changed directly, the channel number stays on the screen for at least a few minutes, maybe longer (I think someone here said 10 minutes). That's crazy, and I asked them to fix that.

Perhaps if a few other folks here could call them with the same suggestions, we can get these items fixed. They'll ask you for the model # (50PF7220A/37) and your serial number, so have those handy.

1-888-PHILIPS

If you do it online, they'll just refer you to call.

Just my 2 cents on the Phillips.

I think it is an amazing deal for what's included. HDMI, stand, speakers, tuners. I also have a panasonic 50PHD8UK sitting in front of me at work and the PQ of the philips is basically the same. Blacks look black to me at home in a dim room with backlighting behind the tv.

However I may have to take it back. As with the Panasonic, I see 'rainbows' or yellow flashes of light in high contrast scenes. With B&W scenes it's unwatchable. I'm hoping I get more used to them or find a setting which reduces them.

If you don't notice the plainbows, then I think this is a awesome bang for the buck.

NatasNJ,
Appreciate your feedback. Well, things have gotten better. I confirmed that the DVD player was the source of the problem with my DVD picture - the component connections have some sort of problem.

So I have two problems left, and if I can resolve them, then I'll keep the TV.
1. double-image when I switch from any video source to the HDMI1 source.
2. the video source name in the upper left corner
- does anybody know how to get rid of this? It's quite annoying, and will cause burn-in in the long-term


I just read your review. Not sure where to start...
I can't comment on your Comcast feeds since I use Directv which in my opinion is a much better signal over Comcast.

I used to have Comcast on my Sony XBR Tube. The picture between non-digital channels was night and day between Directv and Comcast. The Comcast picture had better darks but was also much more washed out and almost looked a tad blurry. This happened on all channels like 3,6,10, etc... If you compared HBO between both sources Directv and Comcast was comparable but the Directv feed was still sharper but with less contrast than the Comcast feed.

On topic to the Philips.

My current setup now is a Directv HD DVR which is connected to both my Sat dish and a OTA. The Tivo unit is used as the tuner so I do not use the built in tuner on the TV. (Though I am tempted to split OTA feed so I can record two things at once and still be able to switch to LIVE local OTA if needed)

My Tivo is hooked up via HDMI. Which makes a huge difference on SD material. I had my old Directv SD model hooked up with S-video and the SD feed was barely watchable. The picture always looked fuzzy and colorwise a tad washed out looking. With the HDMI connection even SD looks better.

HD: This looks great on the Philips. Crystal clear, pretty and this is with my settings turned down low. (Contrast 55 and brightness 45 color around 37 I think) I have no problems with any of my HD shows. I plan to watch HD as much as possible on this TV.

DVD: Looks good as well. I am using an Sony DVD player which doesn't upconvert or anything. Hooked up via Componenet and looks good. I think I need to play with this more since I have only watched 5 minutes of Gladiator. I don't watch a ton of DVD's so this will take me this weekend to really test it and see if I run into any problems. But the little I did watch looked as good as my old Sony Tube TV.

Xbox360: Awesome. I had some issues at first with the screen. It would show these white liines at the very top but using the remote to adjust the screen would fix it. Since I upgraded my software on the TV and switch my xbox360 output to 1080i instead of 720p, it fixed that problem. Looks great. Can't imagine playing xbox360 on another TV. It looked good on my Sony Tube but the widescreen aspect ratio makes a HUGE difference.

So far the three sources above for me look good to great. No real complaints so far.

SD: Here is where you can easily complain about this set and the more HD TV's I see I don't think it is specific to this TV. Since I am coming from argubaly the best TUBE TV ever made I was used to probably the best SD picture you can ever get. Maybe this is blowing it out of proportion but seriously I think my old Sony Tube looked so good that the jump to HD is not as dramatic to me as some other people. I was used to a damn good looking picture. Just limited to screen size issues with that TV. (And it is HEAVY!) After using the HDMI cable which helped a lot for SD, and switching to the full screen fill aspect (which streches image but is recommend on plasma) it takes some getting used to it. I am torn here because I think I hate the side bars and the strecth equally. Both views make me crazy. But I think I lean towards a stretch image over the side bars.

I have done a bunch of comparisons between the local channels. Lets take CBS. I would watch the CBS Sat feed (SD) and it looked a little blurry and not super crisp. But watchable. Then I would swith to CBS OTA (SD show) it looks better than the SAT feed. Even though the show was not in HD the picture just looked sharper.

NOTE: I am colorblind. Not B&W only colorblind but I am can't see those numbers/letters in those color blind tests. So when I watch TV I focus on things that might be different from other people. I look for artifacting, pixelization, or just general focus issues more than anything. I want the picture to look clear and crisp. The one thing I noticed early on was the ALL THE HD feeds looked so damn warm and red. This was with the default settings I think or via some of the pre-built settings. This bothered me but was easily fixed by lowering the color and such.

Overall. The only thing that is currently an issue for me is that I don't get NBC in great via my OTA. (not a TV specific issue)

I like this TV. It looks better in my house than I thought. (reminds me a TON of the old Sony which was a decent looking TV) The HD is great. (setup only HD season passes on this unit and using bedroom to Tivo SD shows (On 27" Sony Tube non-HD) )

DVD's look good from the little I have played with it. So I don't see that being a problem. And having a 2nd HDMI excites me. I plan to use it for PS3 or new DVD player like Blue-ray or something. Hopefully the PS3 will manage to do both.

There are some gripes on this TV. One is When you switch between inputs if I have the label set to NONE it should skip it. Nope.. It doesn't. Or offer a skip option. The SD material is not great but I really don't expect any TV to do it that much better. I was thinking of upgrading to the newer Costco 50" Pioneer when they show up but thinking about it the picture might look a tad better in HD and maybe even in SD but is that slight better picture (to me) worth the extra $1500 or so? That is a tough cost to swallow for me.

I am also used to the SONY features. With the Sony you can adjust basically anything and adjust anything anyway. The Philips is really limited on this front. For example the picture and picture option. I still don't get it. Unless I missed it you can't change sources and are forced to only use two of them. And it just does a side/side versus a window and all. Since I don't EVER use PIP it doesn't mean much to me but I can see this being annoying to other people.

I think you have to have to be the right user to be 100% happy with this TV. You have to watch a high % of HD. (Which I plan to do) You have to not care or use PIP. You have to deal with the preset settings or use one universal picture setting since you can't adjust the setting for each inout source independently. You have to use a seperate speaker setup especially for DVD's and true 5.1 shows or anything that is loud and has a lot of bass because the TV speakers are ok for sitcoms but throw in an action flick and they don't handle it well.

Sorry. Just started babbling there. Anyway I plan to keep the TV for now. I did get some weird flashes yesterday when watching TV. I would get a random static when flipping betwen channels and such. It happened on Tivo recordings and live tv. I don't think it was related to the TV though. I since turned off the TV and after that I never saw the blueish static appear again. I hope it was a one time thing. Never saw it before.

I think this is a good TV for a good price (assuming you got the coupon deal). If I had to pay full price for it I would probably have spent the extra few hundred and gotten a Toshiba or Panasonic that everyone raves about but that is a pain since you can't buy them local at Costco. And the Visio scares me. Just the no name brand and the build quality of the set keeps me from going for it. Along with the numerous posts about burn in on it.

So far the Philips has NO image retention and I have played Xbox360 hockey for hours at a time. So that makes me feel good. I think if Costco did carry other models that are priced between the Philips and the Pioneer I would have probably jumped on one of those but since you basically have a few budget units (Visio, Maxent (never saw 50" in store), AKAI (No way)) and then you have the Philips then the next 50" Plasma that I have seen is the Pioneer which is a LOT more money. The Philips seemed to me the best bang for the buck.

NatasNJ,
Appreciate your feedback. Well, things have gotten better. I confirmed that the DVD player was the source of the problem with my DVD picture - the component connections have some sort of problem.

So I have two problems left, and if I can resolve them, then I'll keep the TV.
1. double-image when I switch from any video source to the HDMI1 source.
2. the video source name in the upper left corner
- does anybody know how to get rid of this? It's quite annoying, and will cause burn-in in the long-term

My parent's 42" had the component video problem. It seems to be older dvd players that have the problem. They got a new one with hdmi and upconverting, and all is well now.

I wouldn't worry about the video source causing burn-in. I've gotta believe that it's something Philips will fix via software. Both the minimum and maximum OSD choices need some work (see my previous post).

Has anyone seen blueish static appear when you first turn your TV on which appears randomly but only for a short time? I don't get it on my XBOX360 but I do when I switch to HDMI1 which has my new Directivo HD-DVR on it. Seems to appear randomly for a few seconds at a time for a couple on minutes when I first turn on my set. Then goes away and I am fine. It does not affect the recording however as I can rewind and see the image as clear as it should be. It also happens on my OTA or SAT feed. So I assume it is either the input on the TV, the Diectivo receiver or the HDMI cable. It is bareable but very annoying.

Well, mine is going back to Costco- in a coffin. Watching PBS this morning and then POP!...couple of sparks and she's dead.

Here's my setup:

http://web.acsalaska.net/~goshrx/tv1.JPG

Yes. Please post link to software upgrade. I assume the one people are using is the one for the same TV but different model number.

Please post link or PM me firmware upgrade link. THanls.


Hi everyone...I downloaded the upgrade to a portable usb drive & it worked.

Question...My volume control on my remote does not display a volume bar on the tv when pressing +/-???

I missed the discount coupon by one week... :(

So far I really enjoy it.

Hi everyone...I downloaded the upgrade to a portable usb drive & it worked.

Question...My volume control on my remote does not display a volume bar on the tv when pressing +/-???

I missed the discount coupon by one week... :(

So far I really enjoy it.

Go into the internal menu and change the OSD option it will show. But so will the connection type above the volume bar for 10 or 15 minutes. :)

OK... So after an exhausting search for a good stand, I finally got the Philips in place and all my cables run for DirecTV SD Tivo and an inexpensive Toshiba upconverting HDMI connected to it. I also purchased the Yamaha YSP1 sound projector as the sound source instead of repurposing my old Bose 5.1 (yuck) and it sounds great. So here is what I am seeing and am wondering if any other users can comment what they are seeing.

OTA HD looks great and I am very pleased with the picture quality on that side. DirecTV SD looks really bad. Very grainy... Did not look like this on my Vizio 42 in SD. Played first DVD and quality is OK but not blow my socks off quality. Gonna try with some differentDVD's tonight. I am not sure if my settings are off or if I am just sitting too close to a 50" television (about 12 feet away). Do I spend more $$$ and upgrade to DirecTV HD and will I see a difference? Any comments or suggestions?

I'd like to know if there is a way to access the "service menu" on this TV, or if it has a "screen wipe" function hidden somewhere.

Anybody?

Initial report:

Turned it on, and after the cable scan, it found all of my analog channels and the 6 unscrambled hi def digital cable channels off the regular cable (no set top or cable card).

Since this is for my wife, I spent a lot of time in the analog channels, and my first thoughts were "take it back!" Pixelation, jaggies, pixel movement, color, all very annoying. But when I turned off a bunch of the enhancements in the menus, things got much better. If you notice, when you change channels, the enhancements kick in after a second. So now when I cruise, the initial picture is terrible, but after a second, it cleans up pretty sharp. The only jaggies I see are on the CNN scrollers.

Once I turned to the HD PBS channel, my remaining doubts began washing away. 1080i is stunning in detail and color (for my eyes). I do see pink and green tints in some greys (as I saw at the Cosco Home store), and in some faces, the tones are not ideal. Is this what they call "clay face"? This was nearly absent in HD -- CSI Miami looked good, but they exagerate their colors all around.

I have a slight buzzing, worse on bright/white scenes. Its actually better than my 42" daewoo EDTV, so I know I can learn to live with it.

The best feature that surprised me is the black bar detection. The screen automatically zooms to hide black bars as a burn in prevention. Standard 4:3 fair scales with a nice funhouse mirror, rivaling what my old Zenith DTV1080i set top would do (this is where the center is normal, but this sides stretch to fill the void). Letterboxed content zooms also. Even during a letterboxed commercial, the TV smoothly zooms in, then zooms out after the letterboxing is removed.

I can't wait to hook up my PhotoBridge and test out some 720p and other 1080i footage. All in all, 90% satisfied so far. I may end up returning it, but for now my impression is much better than my initial out of the box feelings.

Brad

I had the exact same experience as you. I am still having a hard time adjusting the green and pink. I either get too much green or too much pink and I have tried different settings everyday.

I also noticed that I can't get the coax and the composite settings to be equal. The coax is too dark and the composite too light I am still very disappointed with the color setting. The HD quality is very good, and the colors are less noticeable in HD, but when I switch to SD then the colors are pretty visible. I am sure a software update can give us more flexibility to adjust them. Let see if they provide us with that update.

I do also like the feature where the screen will expand when it needed eliminating the bars. I also love the USB port, to look at pictures and music. take a look at the pictures included on the CD, copy them to a memory stick. They are stunning. It is also great for updating the software without a service specialist.

Does anyone know the service sequence that allows me to get into the service menu, maybe I can fix the colors that way.

Go into the internal menu and change the OSD option it will show. But so will the connection type above the volume bar for 10 or 15 minutes. :)
I discovered the hard way that if you turn the OSD option on, it will display the volume and and input for 10 to 15 minutes. This is really bad for plasmas, they can burn out, since it will update every time you refresh anything, volume, channel, input, etc. I called support and they said they had fixed it on the latest version. I downloaded it and it did not fix the problem. They need and option to separate the volume and the input display.

I discovered the hard way that if you turn the OSD option on, it will display the volume and and input for 10 to 15 minutes. This is really bad for plasmas, they can burn out, since it will update every time you refresh anything, volume, channel, input, etc. I called support and they said they had fixed it on the latest version. I downloaded it and it did not fix the problem. They need and option to separate the volume and the input display.

I totally agree. :)

Hmmm. I was watching a movie last night on my DVD player hooked up with component cables to AV1. Three times during the movie, the TV picture and sound went out (black screen) for 5-10 seconds, then came back. I thought it was the DVD, so I replayed the scenes that I missed and they played OK. Anybody have a problem like this? I guess I'll check the connections and try again.

I discovered the hard way that if you turn the OSD option on, it will display the volume and and input for 10 to 15 minutes. This is really bad for plasmas, they can burn out, since it will update every time you refresh anything, volume, channel, input, etc. I called support and they said they had fixed it on the latest version. I downloaded it and it did not fix the problem. They need and option to separate the volume and the input display.

I also totally agree....

I use a cable card...But I am amazed that a $3000 TV has only one RF connection.

On my other sets I have two...One I always use for my outside HD antenna....Just in case my cable goes down ...I can still watch TV.

Now I have to hook up an A/B switch....

I have been getting a static blue image that appears ONLY on my HDMI port and happens when I first turn on the TV. It comes in and out but goes away after a few minutes. I am not 100% it has to do with the HDMI port but it never occues on my Xbox360 A/V input.

I need to determine if it is the HDMI port, the Directv HD box, or something else like the cable itself.

"062596 info"

You can turn on tvguide+

I am considering returning this unit, I am happy with most of it, however I can't live with color issues, I either get a pinkish tone on the faces or a green tone if outdoors. I have tried almost every setting, I noticed that it gets better when I disable the features and just use manual settings.. The other problems is that once I get my Component feed working almost right and I switch to cable, all bets are off, I have to reset them all over again. I was talking to a friend who has a 50 Pioneer and he tells me that his unit has separate controls for each input. WHAT A CONCEPT.

Does anyone have this same problem...! how did you resolve it ...?

I appreciate any suggestions, I do not want to go thru the hassel of returning it if I can fix this problem.

What does turning on the tvguide+ do? After enabling it I wasn't able to access any new features.

I would just like to know if there is a "screen wipe" function hidden somewhere.

tyoung88,

You need to store the setting before turning off the set to exit the service menu. I got my TV Guide to work (thanks Fritoguy). BTW it doesn't work with a cable box hooked up to the HDMI input.

tyoung88,

You need to store the setting before turning off the set to exit the service menu. I got my TV Guide to work (thanks Fritoguy). BTW it doesn't work with a cable box hooked up to the HDMI input.

Are you guys talking about the TV Guide+ that I get on channel 16 from Adelphia or something else??

Thanks

Hmmm. I was watching a movie last night on my DVD player hooked up with component cables to AV1. Three times during the movie, the TV picture and sound went out (black screen) for 5-10 seconds, then came back. I thought it was the DVD, so I replayed the scenes that I missed and they played OK. Anybody have a problem like this? I guess I'll check the connections and try again.

There is alot of discussion going on in the 42'' Philips thread about this. I'd like to find a way to escalate this within Philips support so perhaps a firmware upgrade can solve it. When I called, they told me to call a service tech, which other owners have done, but as reported here the tech couldn't find a problem with the TV.

Are you guys talking about the TV Guide+ that I get on channel 16 from Adelphia or something else??

Thanks

No, this is a built in TV Guide feature that you can use without a cable box. I haven't played with it yet, but it provides channel listings out to 8 days. This improves upon the built in tuners simple channel numbers.

No, this is a built in TV Guide feature that you can use without a cable box. I haven't played with it yet, but it provides channel listings out to 8 days. This improves upon the built in tuners simple channel numbers.

OK...Is this in the owners manual or the CD manual that was supplied with the TV or Fritoguy's post??

Thanks

OK...Is this in the owners manual or the CD manual that was supplied with the TV or Fritoguy's post??

Thanks

No. This is a feature that is not documented by Philips. Maybe the panel used in the Philips (Samsung I believe) is common to other manufacturers that choose to document and (and provide warranty support) for the feature.

"062596 info"

You can turn on tvguide+

How & where do I find this "062596 info"

Thanks

How & where do I find this "062596 info"

Thanks

You just punch it in on the remote (use the info button). I tried it when I went home at lunch just now, and it brought up a warning screen that said something like "SERVICE MENU: USING THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY! TURN TV OFF TO CANCEL, OR PRESS RED TO CONTINUE."

I chose to turn it off. I'll let someone else be the guinea pig.

How & where do I find this "062596 info"

Thanks

Using your remote, press 0 6 2 5 9 6 info button

You should then enter the service menu where you can scroll down and select the TV Guide option. Scroll down again and select store. Then power off the TV to exit the Service menu. The next time you power on, the TV guide will automatically start up and guide you through the set up process.

You just punch it in on the remote (use the info button). I tried it when I went home at lunch just now, and it brought up a warning screen that said something like "SERVICE MENU: USING THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY! TURN TV OFF TO CANCEL, OR PRESS RED TO CONTINUE."

I chose to turn it off. I'll let someone else be the guinea pig.

I did it......Hell....... running the TV Guide IS NOT like hacking into our National Security!!

Using your remote, press 0 6 2 5 9 6 info button

You should then enter the service menu where you can scroll down and select the TV Guide option. Scroll down again and select store. Then power off the TV to exit the Service menu. The next time you power on, the TV guide will automatically start up and guide you through the set up process.

Hum ....can I use this service option to also adjust colors on the TV...?

What other options are available in the service panel

So I was able to "store" the setting for the TVGuide+. After going through the setup...1) Zip Code 2) Cable 3) No Cable Box it's been 24 hours and it still shows "No Schedule Data." Has anyone actually gotten the TVGuide+ to work?

I did it this evening as well. What does turning on the tv guide actually do? I didn't see anything different. I too did a re-install of the channels....

So I was able to "store" the setting for the TVGuide+. After going through the setup...1) Zip Code 2) Cable 3) No Cable Box it's been 24 hours and it still shows "No Schedule Data." Has anyone actually gotten the TVGuide+ to work?

same here. the data is supposed to be uploaded when the tv is off, but nothing yet.

I got mine to work with cable connected to the RF input, no cablecard. It didn't find the HD channels automatically since the HD channels on my cable system all have subcodes, but when I manually entered them, it updated properly. I really like the system. It makes it much easier to scroll through the channels. I would not recommend changing any other settings in the service menu. Now I need to decide if I want to keep my cable box.

For those that can't get the TV guide to work, did you load the latest firmware upgrade first? I thought I read in the release notes that there was an upgrade for Gemstar (TV guide).

On more thing on TV guide. The unlabeled silver button on the upper right side of the remote is the "Guide" button. Pressing the Guide button will open the TV guide screen.

For those that can't get the TV guide to work, did you load the latest firmware upgrade first? I thought I read in the release notes that there was an upgrade for Gemstar (TV guide).

i have the latest firmware and i have a similar setup as you. cable connected directly to tv, no stb, no cablecard.

i have timewarner cable.

how do u manually enter channels for tv guide?

i have the latest firmware and i have a similar setup as you. cable connected directly to tv, no stb, no cablecard.

i have timewarner cable.

how do u manually enter channels for tv guide?


I have cablevision. Maybe TW blocks the channel info? You can edit the channel numbers from the scroll bar on the top. i don't think this is your problem since you should at least be getting the channel info on the basic channels (2,4, 5, 7, etc.).

Looks like there's another software update:

http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=50PF7220A/37&subCat=PLASMA_EXTRA_LARGE_GT43_SU_US_CONSUMER

Edit: nevermind. It shows a new date, but it's the same firmware as before.

Looks like there's another software update:

http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=50PF7220A/37&subCat=PLASMA_EXTRA_LARGE_GT43_SU_US_CONSUMER

Edit: nevermind. It shows a new date, but it's the same firmware as before.

It seems that they deleted the software history for version 8 to version 12. Hmmm.

Are all of you satisfied with the colors and contrast. As I switch inputs, I have to re-adjust the colors and contrast from cable to AV or HDMI mostly, however I also get large discrepancies between channels on my Dish Network channels. I get either a noticeable pink tone or if I adjust the tint the other way, I get a green tone.

If this is just me, I would like to exchange it.

Can you all let me know if that is the case..?

Are all of you satisfied with the colors and contrast. As I switch inputs, I have to re-adjust the colors and contrast from cable to AV or HDMI mostly, however I also get large discrepancies between channels on my Dish Network channels. I get either a noticeable pink tone or if I adjust the huge the other way, I get a green tone.

If this is just me, I would like to exchange it.

Can you all let me know if that is the case..?

I too get fustrated with constantly having to change the settings (brightness and contrast) when switching between the on board tuner and my cable box on the HDMI input. I have never needed to adjust tint as you suggest. I think this is normal for this TV since it does not have independent settings for each input.

I have cablevision. Maybe TW blocks the channel info? You can edit the channel numbers from the scroll bar on the top. i don't think this is your problem since you should at least be getting the channel info on the basic channels (2,4, 5, 7, etc.).

yeah, i figured it might be a TW thing. i'll try some things later.

thanks anyway.

can anyone who has calibrated share their settings.

Are all of you satisfied with the colors and contrast. As I switch inputs, I have to re-adjust the colors and contrast from cable to AV or HDMI mostly, however I also get large discrepancies between channels on my Dish Network channels. I get either a noticeable pink tone or if I adjust the tint the other way, I get a green tone.

If this is just me, I would like to exchange it.

Can you all let me know if that is the case..?


I have the same problem. I have dish network and I have had the set since the first day of the sale at costco. The problem is not so much the Philips as it is Dish network. Every channel you are going to get different Picture quality. If you want a true picture quality go to your dish network cartoon channels I think 169 to 175. The cartoon channels are going to do the best at conpressing the picture so you can get a more true understanding what your set can do on standard TV.

yeah, i figured it might be a TW thing. i'll try some things later.

thanks anyway.

update: after a couple of days, the tv guide listing updated itself.

nice.

:D

Has anyone else used this TV as a PC monitor? The only resolution I can get it to work full screen with is the 720 one (1280x720 I think). Is that all it can support?

I have my DVD player hooked up to AVI using component cables. When watching Star Wars III last night, every time I went to the Intro screen (where you select PLAY to start the movie) the TV would lose picture (black screen) and sound for 5-10 seconds. Then picture and sound would it come back for 5 seconds and go out again. It seems to me that the Intro screen is very bright with lots of orange. Can someone who has Star Wars III confirm if this is a problem with my TV only?

Thanks!

update: after a couple of days, the tv guide listing updated itself.

nice.

:D

I have been waiting for at least 3 days......And I am getting all the Channel Listings.....But NO Program Listings, etc.....

I am using Adelphia Cable Card...so am I doing something wrong or can you only get TV Guide+ with the cable box??

Thanks

I have been waiting for at least 3 days......And I am getting all the Channel Listings.....But NO Program Listings, etc.....

I am using Adelphia Cable Card...so am I doing something wrong or can you only get TV Guide+ with the cable box??

Thanks

i have timewarner and no cablecard, no cable box. i don't think it works with a cable box.

so, i'm guessing it is adelphia or the cablecard. would u be willing to pull out the cablecard to see if that works?

i have timewarner and no cablecard, no cable box. i don't think it works with a cable box.

so, i'm guessing it is adelphia or the cablecard. would u be willing to pull out the cablecard to see if that works?

Yeah..That would be no problem...I used to pull them out in my old DLP Set...
Hell ... In past experiences...I know more than Some of these Adelphia "Cable Card Tech's"..that the company has sent to my house!!! :D

I've read that there are alot of issues with TV Guide and cable all across the country. If it works, great. If not, you're out of luck. OTA works fine. This may be the reason why Philips chose not to document this feature.

I've read that there are alot of issues with TV Guide and cable all across the country. If it works, great. If not, you're out of luck. OTA works fine. This may be the reason why Philips chose not to document this feature.

Good Point!!

I have the same problem. I have dish network and I have had the set since the first day of the sale at costco. The problem is not so much the Philips as it is Dish network. Every channel you are going to get different Picture quality. If you want a true picture quality go to your dish network cartoon channels I think 169 to 175. The cartoon channels are going to do the best at conpressing the picture so you can get a more true understanding what your set can do on standard TV.
Hi Docg

Thansk for the suggestion (Great idea), I am not sure the problem is Dish Network, I have tried many inputs such as cable, DVD, I also tried over the air HD channels, and even thouse, which are not compressed at all, will have the pink or green tint. I do agree that Dish Network is not consisten between channels, which make the problem worse, Cable does the same thing. My problem is that my 51 projection TV does not have that problem as visible, using the same out put side to side. I noticed the problem is very noticeable on skil shades, as a example. during a close up on a dark skin face, I get a green tone shadow, and on a lighter skin, I get a pink shadow.

I have my DVD player hooked up to AVI using component cables. When watching Star Wars III last night, every time I went to the Intro screen (where you select PLAY to start the movie) the TV would lose picture (black screen) and sound for 5-10 seconds. Then picture and sound would it come back for 5 seconds and go out again. It seems to me that the Intro screen is very bright with lots of orange. Can someone who has Star Wars III confirm if this is a problem with my TV only?

Thanks!
I have also experienced the same problem but not just on my DVD input, it also happened on my AV1 and AV2 using Dish Network and cable. I have a tivo, and I thought it was the tivo unit, however once the image come back, I was able to rewind the parts that I thought did not display, which tells me that it is most likely the TV.

I have my DVD player hooked up to AVI using component cables. When watching Star Wars III last night, every time I went to the Intro screen (where you select PLAY to start the movie) the TV would lose picture (black screen) and sound for 5-10 seconds. Then picture and sound would it come back for 5 seconds and go out again. It seems to me that the Intro screen is very bright with lots of orange. Can someone who has Star Wars III confirm if this is a problem with my TV only?

Thanks!

My parents experienced this with a few dvds. They headed out to Costco, got a new dvd player (one with hdmi), and the problem went away.

Old dvd players don't work so well with new tvs via component.

service manual for anyone interested

http://www.pcrescueoc.com/philips.htm

service manual for anyone interested

http://www.pcrescueoc.com/philips.htm

Thanks Fritoguy!

First, thanks to everyone for providing their inputs.

Has anyone experience pixelation and sound cut-offs? Both occur randomly for a couple of seconds. The pixelation looks like a string or patch of colored boxes. Saw them at different areas of the screen when it happens. The sound cutting off is like muting for a couple of seconds.
I am using component cables to AV1 from the Cablevision STB (SA4200HD). These problems did occur on multiple channels via the STB. My other TV did not experience the sound cut-offs.

First, thanks to everyone for providing their inputs.

Has anyone experience pixelation and sound cut-offs? Both occur randomly for a couple of seconds. The pixelation looks like a string or patch of colored boxes. Saw them at different areas of the screen when it happens. The sound cutting off is like muting for a couple of seconds.
I am using component cables to AV1 from the Cablevision STB (SA4200HD). These problems did occur on multiple channels via the STB. My other TV did not experience the sound cut-offs.

I get random sound cut offs also. I thought it was my cable service. I too have cablevision and the SA4200HD. I connect to the digital (coax) input on the tv and run rca cables from tv audio out on the tv to a AV receiver.

Is there anyway to adjust h-size and v-size on this set? I'd like to fix the 5% overscan I have.

I have looked through the service menu and the service manual but couldn't find anything.

First, thanks to everyone for providing their inputs.

Has anyone experience pixelation and sound cut-offs? Both occur randomly for a couple of seconds. The pixelation looks like a string or patch of colored boxes. Saw them at different areas of the screen when it happens. The sound cutting off is like muting for a couple of seconds.
I am using component cables to AV1 from the Cablevision STB (SA4200HD). These problems did occur on multiple channels via the STB. My other TV did not experience the sound cut-offs.
Check my comments above, someone else asked that same question and I answered "YES" I also experienced it and believe it is the TV.

service manual for anyone interested

http://www.pcrescueoc.com/philips.htm

Noticed that the link is for

# 50PF7320A/37
# 50PF9630A/37

The 50PF9630A/37 has Pixel Plus 2 HD while the 50PF7320A/37 only has Pixel Plus. I'm a Plamsa TV novice... what is the difference between the two technologies? Are we talking about different upconverting chips or is this just a marketing thing.

I tried turning on the TV Guide and nothing happens. I enter the code and hit the info key which gets me into the menu and i select options and tv guide ON. than i shut the TV and restart and nothing. What am i missing? I have the latest firmware.

I tried turning on the TV Guide and nothing happens. I enter the code and hit the info key which gets me into the menu and i select options and tv guide ON. than i shut the TV and restart and nothing. What am i missing? I have the latest firmware.

You need to Store the setting before turning off the TV. Scroll down the service menu until you see STORE. Select it. It will say something like "settings stored". Then you can turn off the TV.

I've had mine set up since last Friday, and it hasn't found anything yet. I guess my cable company doesn't subscribe.

I have had my PF7220 for about 3 weeks now.

I have 2 questions.

First, an interesting thing happens daily. At precisely 10:01 each morning we would hear our unit make a couple sets of clicking noises. They sounded like the usual electronic switching of this TV when we turn it "on" with our remote. This is always by a second set of 2 clicking noises that sounded like the electronic switching of the unit when we turn it off with our remote. Interestingly this happens unprovoked. The unit is off and no one touched the TV nor the remote. It just does this daily. When I do hear this noise, I'd look quickly to see if the green power indicator light is on or not, and it never is.

I have tried to reproduce these 2 sets of noises by trying to turn on the unit with my remote and quickly turning it off. It would not do it.

I seems that once the power button is pressed on the remote it takes a while for the unit to power up. The green light does come on immediately with pressing of the power button on the remote along with the same clicking ( the"on") noises that we'd hear when our TV doese its own curious thing each morning. Then there is, what I presumed, is the usual pause of maybe 7 seconds before the picture would come on the screen. But during this powering up cycle the unit would not repond to any further input from the remote ie, such as pressing the the power button again to try to turn if off before the power on cycle is complete. So, I cannot reproduce this rapidly linked 2 clicks of "on" noise followed by the 2 clicks of "off" noise.

Has anyone else experince this interesting phenomenone? Is there some sort of internal clocking mechanism and its doing something daily that I'm not aware of? I have not try to do anything particular with the "clock" button" on the remote. I'm not sure of what the "clock" button is suppose to do anyhow. Does not seems to do anything when I press it.

2nd question. This may be a dumb question but how do I get the PIP fucntion to work?
Everytime I pressed the PIP button, I'd see two screens with the left screen showing what I've been watching and it's highlighted. But when I the highlighted the "blank" Right screen and entered a channel number (any channel number that I know we get good reception of) - that second screen always response with phrase, "channel not available". No picture is displayed on that second screen. How do I get this PIP to work? Is there some sort of programming for the Rt. screen before I can use it?

Thanks.

You need to use the RF input on your TV and a cable box (or Satellite receiver) to use PIP. I have a 2 way splitter before my cable box that I feed directly into the RF input. My cable box is hooked up to HDMI1.

the "clicking" was discussed on the 9630a/37 model thread. I don't know if the question was ever answered. One theory was related to cablecard use and tvguide info updates. Do a search in that thread.

the "clicking" was discussed on the 42pf9630a/37 model thread. I don't know if the question was ever answered. One theory was related to cablecard use and tvguide info updates. Do a search in that thread.

Folks

I Jumped ship. I went to Best Buy and stood in front of the Philips right next to the Pioneer 50 inch plasma. It was very evident that the quality was noticeable. The Pioneer was about $1K more. So I decided to go to COSTCO and see what else they had. They now sale the latest Panasonic HDTV ready panel. WOW what a difference for only $200 more. The colors were consistent, the brightness and sharpness was excellent. It had more inputs than the Philips and they only feature I would miss is the USB port.

I kept saying that this Philips was great for the price, I was wrong. The Panasonic is an excellent unit and the price is right.

For $200 less, I would have stuck with the Philips, which I have found to be an excellent tv, and it has an ATSC tuner as well. But if it makes you happy, that's all that matters!

I've been meaning to post my settings, so here goes:

Contrast: 52
Brightness: 54
Color: 64
Sharpness: +1
Color Temp: Normal
Tint: 0
Pixel Plus: On (it hardly matters)

Folks

I Jumped ship. I went to Best Buy and stood in front of the Philips right next to the Pioneer 50 inch plasma. It was very evident that the quality was noticeable. The Pioneer was about $1K more. So I decided to go to COSTCO and see what else they had. They now sale the latest Panasonic HDTV ready panel. WOW what a difference for only $200 more. The colors were consistent, the brightness and sharpness was excellent. It had more inputs than the Philips and they only feature I would miss is the USB port.

I kept saying that this Philips was great for the price, I was wrong. The Panasonic is an excellent unit and the price is right.

Does it have a cable card slot??

TV Guide feature: It took me over a week to realize that my tv wasn't really turning off at all. I just realized it this morning. I went into the service menu, turned off the tv guide, and voila. Also, I noticed a bit of screen burn-in that matched up with the tv guide menu. Luckily, I ran some other video for a few minutes and now it's gone.

Be careful out there.

Does it have a cable card slot??
No it does not have a cable card slot ...however I have head bad things about the cable cards. My cable company will even go as far as advising not to use it.

I do not miss it, since I have Dish Network. I have had the Panasonic TV now for almost a week. The best extra $200 I have ever spent. The quality of the panasonic sames the Philips. The Only thing I miss is the USB port. I thought I was going to miss the PIP, but it only works in HDMI. Also I did not like the idea of having speaker, but not been able to use them with HDMI

I heard that the HDTV version of this Panasonic unit was rated #1 of all 50 inch Plasmas

I get random sound cut offs also. I thought it was my cable service. I too have cablevision and the SA4200HD. I connect to the digital (coax) input on the tv and run rca cables from tv audio out on the tv to a AV receiver.

I'm getting the same problem. When playing DVD, the screen comes up with swowy and then bars across for about 5-10 sec. then comes back on. This happens very often. Anyone figured out what's wrong?

I want a reasonably priced non-tilting wall mount that fits the 50PF7230a and has less than 1.5" protrusion from the wall. These two seem to fit the bill for less than $100:

Solidmounts UF-60
Ergotron WM Large Display Low Profile Wall Mount

Anyone have experience with these? Will the mounting holes match the phillips? Other suggestions for low profile mounts? While were at it, any ideas on why bent sheet metal typically costs $200+ dollars when it is being used to hold up a flat-screen TV?

No it does not have a cable card slot ...however I have head bad things about the cable cards. My cable company will even go as far as advising not to use it.

I do not miss it, since I have Dish Network. I have had the Panasonic TV now for almost a week. The best extra $200 I have ever spent. The quality of the panasonic sames the Philips. The Only thing I miss is the USB port. I thought I was going to miss the PIP, but it only works in HDMI. Also I did not like the idea of having speaker, but not been able to use them with HDMI

I heard that the HDTV version of this Panasonic unit was rated #1 of all 50 inch Plasmas

I'm thinking of making the switch to the Panasonic. Do you notice a better Standard Definition picture on the Panasonic?

I absolutely love this TV and am getting used to different aspects etc. I have one issue. (I do have the latest firmware)

Some channels have black strip on the right and left sides I would say like 1 finger thick???? :(

Most channels use the automatic expand and works great but not sure why these channels show black strip on sides? Any idea? Thxs

I'm thinking of making the switch to the Panasonic. Do you notice a better Standard Definition picture on the Panasonic?
YES

The quality overall is noticeable everywhere

YES

The quality overall is noticeable everywhere

COSTCO is now offering the Panasonic Professional Series Model 50PHD8UK. Which one do I choose?

I also tried removing all other items on the usb key and just put the unzipped upgrade file on there, no folders, and it didn't work.

When you say you put it to the root directory, you mean like this, right?

h:/autorun.upg

Automatic upgrade only works if you are installing a newer version than the one you already have.

You can force a manual update through the menus.

moneyfool-
Are you using a cablebox? If you're using one from SA, you need to tell it that you're tv is 16:9 and which signals it accepts. Also, you probably want to tell it to passthrough the signal. Those might relieve your problem.

mlandau

i am not using any cable box. i am connecting the tv directly to cable outlet. when this happens the only choice i have is 'automatic' or 'widescreen'. and does not matter what i select i still get like 1 finger thick black band on sides....i think this started happening after the firmware upgrade.

got me???!!

I recently purchased the Philips 50PF7220A from costco and noticed a new Vizio 50" which
advertised a new long panel life technology with about 60,000 hrs. I couldn't find anywhere
where the philips 50" lists its panel life.

Does anybody know the average panel life of the 50PF722A.
Thanks

i have timewarner and no cablecard, no cable box. i don't think it works with a cable box.

so, i'm guessing it is adelphia or the cablecard. would u be willing to pull out the cablecard to see if that works?

another update:

got a timewarner cablecard installed a couple of weeks ago.

tv guide works! although it took about a week for the listings to update.

also, the hd channels don't have listings.

another update:

got a timewarner cablecard installed a couple of weeks ago.

tv guide works! although it took about a week for the listings to update.

also, the hd channels don't have listings.

I found that I needed to update the channel number to include the sub channel for all my HD channels. My HD channels are on 2 or 3 digit main channels with a 3 digit sub channel (something like 110.704). You can edit the channel numbers and use the dash "-" on the remote in place of the period.

mlandau

i am not using any cable box. i am connecting the tv directly to cable outlet. when this happens the only choice i have is 'automatic' or 'widescreen'. and does not matter what i select i still get like 1 finger thick black band on sides....i think this started happening after the firmware upgrade.

moneyfool,
Doesn't sound like a problem with the TV. Seems that you are watching a HD channel (indicated by only having Automatic or Widescreen options available). The HD channels you are watching are transmitting black video information as sidebars, therefore since the automatic mode detects active video it won't stretch the picture because it is "seeing" active video black.

COSTCO is now offering the Panasonic Professional Series Model 50PHD8UK. Which one do I choose?
I am sure both will have the same quality, I think the profesional does not include as many inputs, and if it is anything like my 42 inch TV, It was a pain to order and add components to it. I would not get the profesional for that reason.

I found that I needed to update the channel number to include the sub channel for all my HD channels. My HD channels are on 2 or 3 digit main channels with a 3 digit sub channel (something like 110.704). You can edit the channel numbers and use the dash "-" on the remote in place of the period.

yeah, that used to work before i got the cablecard.

with the cablecard, time warner maps cbs hd to 1102. which can't seem to be entered into tv guide.

yet another update: ok, last night the hd channel listings updated. woohoo. although a couple of channel listings are still missing. maybe those will come later.

flynbw01

thanks for update....seems that way for sure since only hd channels have the issue.

I noticed that when using my Comcast Cable Box hooked up to HDMI1 input that when turning off the TV it always defaults the auto picture setting to "Soft". I have to manually toggle it to the personal settings each time I turn the TV on/off or change inputs. Has anyone else seen similiar behavior? I'm thinking that this is a software/firmware bug.

Update - Saw that others on this thread had similiar posts so I guess it is a firmware/software bug. A very irritating one at that! Hopefully it will be fixed in the next update, otherwise I need to seriously consider returning the TV... to have to readjust the picture EVERY time I turn it on seems unreasonable for a $2500+ TV.

I noticed that when using my Comcast Cable Box hooked up to HDMI1 input that when turning off the TV it always defaults the auto picture setting to "Soft". I have to manually toggle it to the personal settings each time I turn the TV on/off or change inputs. Has anyone else seen similiar behavior? I'm thinking that this is a software/firmware bug.

Update - Saw that others on this thread had similiar posts so I guess it is a firmware/software bug. A very irritating one at that! Hopefully it will be fixed in the next update, otherwise I need to seriously consider returning the TV... to have to readjust the picture EVERY time I turn it on seems unreasonable for a $2500+ TV.
this bug was mentioned I think in the 42" thread.
If you set the HDMI label to STB folks have said it always reverts back to soft so just change the label to something else and it sounds like the settings will then stick.