Philips 42PF9630A HD Plasma

[ccjgil]

I thought I would start a thread on this new plasma since it seems to have established a new low price for an HD brand name plasma from a major B&M. It is currently listed on CCs website for well under $3k. Below are the specs.

Picture/Display
Aspect ratio : 16:9
Brightness : 1,500
Contrast ratio (typical) : 10,000:1
Diagonal screen size (inch) : 42
Diagonal screen size (metric) : 107 cm
Display screen type : HD Plasma panel
Picture enhancement : Pixel Plus 2, Digital Crystal Clear, Progressive Scan, Active Control + Light sensor, Jagged Line Suppression, Widescreen Plus, Pixel Plus 2 HD
Screen enhancements : Anti ageing circuit, Anti-Reflection coated screen
Viewing angle (horizontal) : 160
Viewing angle (vertical) : 160
Panel resolution : 1024 x 768p

Ambilight
Ambilight Features : Auto adaptive to video content, 2 Channel Left/Right control
Color Settings : Full Multi Colour
Dimming Function : Manual and via Light Sensor
Preset modes : 2 Preset & 1 Personal color, 4 Active Adaptive modes

Supported Display Resolution
Computer formats : 640 x 480, 60Hz, 800 x 600, 60Hz, 1024 x 768, 60Hz, 1366 x 768, 60Hz
Video Formats : 640 x 480i - 1Fh, 640 x 480p - 2Fh, 720 x 576i - 1Fh, 720 x 576p - 2Fh, 1280 x 720p - 3Fh, 1920 x 1080i - 2Fh

Sound
Sound Enhancement : Auto Volume Leveller, Digital Signal Processing, Dynamic Bass Enhancement, Graphic Equaliser, Smart Sound
Sound System : Virtual Dolby Digital
Output power (RMS) : 2x15W

Loudspeakers
Built-in speakers : 2
Loudspeaker types : Front Speakers

Convenience
Ease of Installation : Automatic Tuning System (ATS), PLL Digital Tuning, Plug & Play
Ease of Use : Backlighted side controls, Channel list, Delta Volume per preset, Smart Picture Control, Smart Sound Control
Electronic Programming Guide : Gemstar, TV Guide On Screen
Remote control type : RC4308
Teletext : Closed Captioning Full Text
Remote Control : Universal and Learnable
Remote control : TV, VCR, DVD/R, SAT, CBL, AMP
Screen Format Adjustments : 7 Widescreen Modes, Auto Format, Subtitle and Heading Shift
Clock : Smart Clock
Child Protection : Child Lock+Parental Control
Picture in Picture : HDMI-Component PIP

Multimedia Applications
Digital Content Management : Digital Media Reader
Memory Card Types : Compact Flash, Compact Flash type II, Memory Stick, Microdrive, MMC, Secure Digital, Smart Media
Multimedia connections : USB 1.1 memory class device
Playback Formats : JPEG Still pictures, MP3, MP3-pro, Slideshow files (.alb)

Tuner/Reception/Transmission
TV system : ATSC, NTSC
Video Playback : NTSC
Aerial Input : 75 Ohm F-type
Cable : Digital Cable Ready CableCARD, Unscrambled Digital Cable -QAM

Connectivity
Ext 4 : VGA PC-in
Other connections : Cable Card Interface, G-link (TV Guide link), Monitor out, CVBS, L/R (cinch), SP-DIF in (coaxial), SP-DIF out (coaxial)
AV 1 : (1, 2, 3Fh autoranging), Audio L/R in, Component Video in, CVBS in, RGB+H/V, Y/C, YPbPr
AV 2 : Audio L/R in, CVBS, Y/C
AV 3 : YPbPr, S/PDIF digital coaxial
AV 4 : HDMI
AV 5 : HDMI
Front / Side connections : Audio left/right in, CVBS in, Headphone out, S-video in, USB 1.1

Power
Power consumption : 426 W
Standby power consumption : <2
Mains power : AC 110-120V (+/-10%)
Ambient temperature : +5 -/+ 40 C

Dimensions
Product dimension (WxDxH) inch : 48.8 x 26.8 x 4.1"
Product weight in lbs : 92.6
Carton dimensions (WxDxH) inch : tbc
Weight incl. packaging in lbs : tbc
Color cabinet : Pearl White Sliver 11092

Accessories
Included Accessories : CD-ROM with software + manual, Table top stand, Wall mounting bracket

I am dying to read any review on this set.

[ntc432]

I saw this set as well, trying to decide, this or the 37" HD Panny? I looked at them both at BBY and they both looked good, seemed like the contrast was better on the Panny but the color saturation was better on the Philips, the Philips also has two USB ports, PC input, PIP, 2 HMDI, Ambilight. I am really starting to like the Philips especially for the price, but I also want to see and in depth review for it first before I choose this one over the Panny 37".

[Casey Jones]

The specs are missing a few important points I would be interested in knowing.
Is the panel rated at 60000 hours to half life? What about the number of colors it can display and the shades of graduation? Anyone know???

[Macfan424]

Originally Posted by Casey Jones

The specs are missing a few important points I would be interested in knowing.
Is the panel rated at 60000 hours to half life? What about the number of colors it can display and the shades of graduation? Anyone know???

This model is brand new, originally announced to be released in July, so maybe more will come out later.

I doubt you'll see a half life spec, as most manufacturers seem loath to publish them, probably for legal reasons. (Philips has rated their Ambilight lamp at 60,000 hours, though. ) However, 60,000 hours is pretty standard for plasma glass now, so I wouldn't expect less from Philips. I believe they use LG glass, and LG claimed a 60,000 half life in a press release about a year ago.

They didn't list shades of gradation on the 2004 models' spec sheets, so it's no surprise not to see them listed on the 2005's either.

The specs they do publish are pretty impressive for an <$3000 HD plasma, though. (e.g. 2 HDMI inputs, CableCard, PIP, electronic programming guide, auto brightness, etc.) I'd sure give them a long, hard look if I were still in the market.

Too bad the 1366 x 768 resolution advertised by BB was (I assume) a typo. Now that would really have been spectacular.

[redleaf12@usa.ne]

I'm also dying to read a review from anybody anywhere about this set. I'm ready to buy it over the Panny 42-PX50U.
The Philips has more inputs, speakers on the side (where they should be) and PIP. The Philips also has a very nice and comprehensive menu system.
The Panny has sweet black levels, which are important, but that's about it.
I was at CC today playing with the Philips to try and get it to match the Panny black levels, but it was impossible.
Still, I just got home from BB, where I was staring at both sets like a lunatic. I'm leaning towards the Philips.
Mark

[jrock65]

Don't LG and Phillips share the same panels?

[jjsf]

Don't mean to debate lcd vs plasma, but what are people's thoughts this one vs the upcoming costco 42PF9996?

[DieselClown]

does it depend on your zip code? I plugged in a NYC zip and came up with just a bit under $3k, not well under.

[redleaf12@usa.ne]

I know this is mainly a Panny board, but has anyone seen the Philips 42PF9630A at Circuit City or Best Buy?
If you have seen it, what are your thoughts?

[Macfan424]

Originally Posted by redleaf12@usa.ne

I know this is mainly a Panny board...

Not by design, it just has turned out that way.

You will find lots of discussion of other brands if you look for it.

[rdb001]

I saw this set today at BB. Nice looking set. It certainly looked good next to the panny HD, although I didn't have time to thoroughly evaluate it.

[mlandau]

Saw this set today at CC. It is far and away the best plasma made in Belgium. Kidding aside, it has several of the features the Pannys are missing (dual HDMI, meant for pc compatibility, PIP). You can read the owners manual on the Philips site. http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/d...LARGE_32_42_SU
One other interesting thing - it comes with a CD for its firmware and Philips will upgrade (and has already), providing fixes in this manner (that is one purpose of the USB port) I think that is a big positive.
If you check out things, you can buy it at a "double discount" making it more than competitive with Panasonic consumer lines.
I haven't hooked it up to an hd box yet. The picture is OK for SD through an SA4250 of Cablevision.

[rkelly89]

Anybody have any more updates on the new Philips 42PF9630A Plasma HDTV?

[Casey Jones]

I'd still like to know the number of colors it can display as well as the shades of graduation. What about ambilight 2?

[mlandau]

It doesn't use ambilight 2 (where left and right lighting can act independently).

[Macfan424]

Originally Posted by Casey Jones

I'd still like to know the number of colors it can display as well as the shades of graduation.

Philips hasn't shown much inclination to publish these specs in the past, so I wouldn't hold my breath. While I'd recommend basing a decision on what your eyes tell you, not specs, that's up to you. You might be able to make some educated guesses by checking LG's specs, as the Philips seems to share a number of characteristics with LG. No certainty though, as Philips has its own processing chip which could alter those specs.

[usg]

Philips site has a much better specification 42PF9630A/37 than the specification published in the first post (same as BB and CC). Which one is the correct specification? Does the /37 make it a different model (BB & CC models are simply 42PF9630A w/o /37) ?

[mlandau]

When you go to the product spec sheet from the Philips site, the specs are different than the specifications on their site (your link). brightness is 1500 vs 1100 and contrast ratio is 15,000 vs. 3000. The manual that came with the plasma doesn't give the info.

I purchased this item from CC two weeks ago. The sticker on the box is 42pf9630a/37.

[ccjgil]

The published specs in the first post came straight off the phillips website. Someone with more knowledge might be able to clarifiy differences between the webiste and the spec sheet.

[usg]

Originally Posted by mlandau

I purchased this item from CC two weeks ago. The sticker on the box is 42pf9630a/37.

So, what is your take on this plasma? How does it compare with PX50 and similar ones? One thing you should be able to find out if the USB is 1.1 or 2.0. The 1.1 would not be able to play a HD video with reasonable bit rate. Looking forward to your review!

[Macfan424]

Originally Posted by ccjgil

The published specs in the first post came straight off the phillips website. Someone with more knowledge might be able to clarifiy differences between the webiste and the spec sheet.

No specific knowledge, but it's a safe bet that the spec sheet was much more carefully reviewed and proofed than the web age, so the former is more likely to be correct.

[rkelly89]

I purchased this set from Best Buy on Saturday (they only had one unopened box). I'm not quite as technical savvy as some of the rest of you but as soon as I get it set up (I'm mounting it on the wall) I'll give you some feedback. I just painted the wall yesterday.

[mlandau]

To me, the set is very good and the picture is generally equal to the Panny - but I have done no sise by side comparisons nor have I Avia my set. I'm currently using DVI from an SA4250 to the HDMI and it does wonders for the SD channels. I'm waiting for Cablevision to come back and to try to install the cablecard (they messed up the first time). Besides having more features than the ps50u (e.g. 2 hdmi), Philips did a very smart thing,. you can use the USB port for firmware fixes. I am uncertain if the USB port is 1.1 or 2.0 because it differs depending where you read it.
As I said before, this is the best plasma made in Belgium.

[rkelly89]

According to the manual, the USB port is a 2.0 and it appears to be.......

[jes1955]

For months I have been planning to get the Sony KDF-E42A10 LCD projection when it comes out next month. However, this Philips has caught my attention. I looked at the 50 inch model at CC last night and it really seems to have a good picture. I also like the USB port and the ability to read Sony Memory Stick. I saw no motion blur (like some other plasma models). Seems like Philips put a lot of thought into the quality and design. I noticed that it even includes wall mount kit. However, I am not familiar with Philips track record for quality and warranty service. Still debating what to get. I hope others post to this forum with their opinions and knowledge about Philips and this model.

[mlandau]

I don't think it includes a wall mount kit. There was some confusing mention in some spots that it does. On my 42" it only had the bolts, not the mount.

[rkelly89]

Same here; no mount, just bolts. Here are some of my first impressions of the new Philips 42" plasma. Right now, the only feed I have coming thru it is Adelphia SD cable into the NTSC antenna jack (not component, & no HD yet, will be installed this afternoon). The line has also been split 3 times before it even gets to the plasma so the image I'm getting has been compromised somewhat. I'll comment later on the picture quality of SD & HD after I have a dedicated line installed today. The functionality of the plasma is great. It has seven screen modes including 'automatic' where it will automatically re-size the screen depending on the input coming to it (widescreen, 4x3, etc). I was watching NBC when "Medium" came on Monday night (it's in widescreen) & within 3 seconds the plasma adjusted for it & the black bars were gone). I used two types of camera flash cards and it read them perfectly (though the skinny stick card was a little difficult to get back out). You can do a slideshow with them or view them individually (and rotate them if you took a picture sideways with the camera). The picture quality on these were great. The Ambilight 1 feature of the plasma really does enhance the viewing experience. Puts out a pleasant glow against the wall. I believe there were five different modes ranging from relaxed to action. If you do stand to the side of the plasma with this feature on it will seem very bright (especially when white is the predominant color). You can turn this feature on & off with the remote. Ambilight 2 is available on higher priced models but this is more than sufficient. Will be getting the Samsung HD-941 upconverting DVD player. I believe the plasma's native resolution is 768 and the Samsung has 768 as one of its upconverted output modes, so I think this is a perfect fit (if I'm missing something here, please LMK!!!). The remote is solid & programmable. The audio on the unit (15x2) is definitely better than the 32" Toshiba it replaced. There is no audible humming coming from the unit. It takes about 3-5 seconds to come on. So far, I have found nothing wrong with it. I've learned Adelphia Cable (in the Southern California area) uses HD boxes with Component & DVI output only. Will have to see which looks better during installation. I'll post another message after the install.

[rkelly89]

By the way, I set both the contrast & brightness to just under 50. Should I think about going lower???

[Plasma George]

Originally Posted by Macfan424

Not by design, it just has turned out that way

Playing "follow the leader" usually has predictable outcomes. (ie. designed)

[Macfan424]

Originally Posted by rkelly89

... I believe the plasma's native resolution is 768 and the Samsung has 768 as one of its upconverted output modes, so I think this is a perfect fit (if I'm missing something here, please LMK!!!)...

You might want to check the owner's manual. Many plasmas will not accept input at their native resolutions. Of course, most will accept 720p and virtually all take 1080i, so the Samsung will still work, but possibly not as you had hoped.