Official Philips 47" 1080p LCD 47PF9441D Thread - Page 2

One thing to remember is that if bought online there's no tax. So even if there is shipping you can weigh that against the tax costs of buying it in the store.

Also, as I wrote above, I called Philips and was told by a tech (and their supervisor) that the Philips DOES accept 1080p inputs.


----- EDIT ------
Take that back, guess you are charged tax

Umm, if a company has a physical presence in your state, you will be paying sales tax, whether you buy at the store or online. Costco is in most states far as I know, so you will have to pay sales tax.

The fellow below you is right about tax

But I am as hopeful as you that they are correct about the 1080p issue.
Problem is I spoke to them on the phone as well and received the opposite answer.

This wouldn't be the first time reps, technical or otherwise, have no clue what they are talking about. So lets keep hoping for good news from an AVS member who can verify this

I have purchased from Costco.com and there is sales tax. Someone should call Philips again today and ask for a supervisor or the technical dept. and get a traight answer to these questions so that we can make an educated decision on this tv.

Did you tell them that that is not what is written in the spec on their website? Should be easy enough to fix and is quite an oversight if it were true that the Phillips could accept a 1080p signal. That is quite a selling feature to some people, although there still aren't many that can take advantage of it unless they have a 1080p source to feed it.

I did ask a few times, but she sounded like she didn't speak english all too well, so I talked to her supervisor and he said it will take a direct 1080p input. I may call again just to see if I get the same answer. I'm still not 100% sure about it either.

The number I'm calling is 1-888-PHILIPS (1-888-744-5477)

Also, just was looking on their website, and found there are 2 models...
47PF9441D/37
47PF9441D/37B
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Ok just called

1. Turns out the 37B means refurbished model (so watch out for that)

2. The guy I talked to now said that it only accepts 1080i per the documentation on the web. He couldn't give me any more info than that. I told him I spoke with someone yesterday that confirmed it would take 1080p input, but he couldn't verify it, all he had was the same info we do on the web. When I asked to speak to someone more technical, his response was to call the same number again and hope you get someone else lol. Guess it's going to be trial by fire with this one.

Just read some of the specs on this TV following kyeo138's link. Apparently this supports firmware upgrades through the USB port which is a feature that I always thought was great to have.

I have been completely set on the Vizio 47 and have been waiting for it to be on sale from Costco on Monday. But after reading this thread, I'm starting to have second thoughts. The Vizio doesn't say that there is a way to upgrade its firmware which kind of tips the scale towards Philips for me.

Need more info on this Philips though to make a better decision. (Does it really take in 1080p?, How is the PQ?, etc)

The Vizio definitely does not allow for firmware upgrades by the user. It would seem that the Phillips should allow this, however, you would think that they would state that in their specs and they don't. So I won't assume that it does. I agree that this is a very important feature. Isn't it just amazing how poorly all of these people are trained about their own products. I too, would prefer the Philips, all things being equal. But how the heck are we supposed to make an educated decision when we can't get basic information from either of these companies?

You may have to be more specific ...that is " will it accept 1080p signal without any scaling for this input (HDMI, DVI, or component) ". It's not inaccurate to say it will accept 1080p signal even though it may down-convert , process and upconvert back to 1080p, right?

The Vizio has a service port, the Phillips has a USB port. Neither are stated to allow the customer to update firmware. Don't count on ever getting a revised firmware update on either of these.

(EDIT: The Phillips DOES allow updates through USB as pointed out in later posts)

Unfortunately the first level support at companies in general are not trained so well anymore. I don't believe anything they tell me, any more than I would believe something said at BB or CC. Most people do not understand the technology well enough to support it, or even talk intelligently about it. If you are lucky enough to get an engineer on the line you might get some relevant information.

The best information comes from other users. It has been pointed out by various users that the V47 does accept 1080p over composite and HDMI. We can be fairly certain that the Phillips does not, as it is not stated in the specs and no one has claimed being able to do it.

If 1080p input is important or if VGA input (DE-15 connector) is needed, this Phillips is not the panel to buy.

Actually, Philips web site already has updated firmware for this TV as well as procedure for performing firmware upgrade in the user's manual!!!

I stand corrected then. I found the link. Thank you for the correction!

If the manual is correct, they specify two ways to connect this model to a computer. You can use a VGA to RGB H/V cable and connect to AV1, or you can use a DVI to HDMI cable and connect to one of the HDMI ports. The restriction on the HDMI port :

The HDMI IN connector allows the following TV and monitor display modes:
HD Standard Definition TV (SDTV) 640x480i
720x480i
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) 640x480p
720x480p
High Definition TV (HDTV) 1920x1080i
1280x720p

PC VGA 640x480
SVGA 800x600
XGA 1024x768

I also checked the firmware update software, and the download is the the first software release according to the history. If it has been updated, then they have not updated the procedure. Version listed is 2.71.5.0.03481. The update download is dated 11/27/2006. This would seem to indicate a newer version, but until you load it, I guess there is no way to tell.

Let me tell you this, I have Philips 37" lCD, one of the several different ones they have and it does support firmware updates over the USB connection. You just put the file you download from the Philips support website, then turn on the TV and it upgrades by itself. It is a great feature, I was ready to return thr TV for the black screen problem until they released the fix and then no more problems for me.

here is an example to where to download the firmware from:
http://www.usasupport.philips.com/pr...SU_US_CONSUMER

I really love my Philips so if I ever get a 1080P I hope is a philips too. PQ is great, sound is just ok but the good thin is it does audio pass thru from every input and not just from the tuner, so you can connect the TV to a receiver/hoome theater thru coaxial, it even takes digital audio in and then you can assign that audio to any input you want. anyway its got a lot of nice features, so I am guessing this 1080p will have the same or even more.

looking forward to get my hands on one.

The ability to upgrade firmware by the user is extremely important. I also currently have atv that allows user upgrades. Not only can you fix problems, but the manufacturer can actually add new features and change the menu items. This should be on all tv's at this point.

I agree, great feature. Not only TV's but all devices that are rushed to market before all the bugs are worked out. Nothing worse than plopping down a chunk of cash for something that has bugs. I suppose someday all devices will hook to the internet and down their own upgrades as required.

If you're at all interested in ambilight (the dynamic back-lighting philips offers on some sets) you may want to read this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7....html?tag=blog

Also, check out this westinghouse article... 4 HMDI inputs, and 6.5ms on the 52"!
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7....html?tag=blog

But the question is, can I wait until April or June!?

Anybody seen one of these yet?

They are online at Philips.com and at Costco.com

just came back from costco and they said that it should be in store in Feb.
Could not give me more details as price or other technical questions.

they mean in person or some review

February, huh? Darn, not in time to overlap the coupon Costco is offering for the Vizio 47 incher. To buy or not to buy.....

I'm in the same boat. If I buy the Vizio right now and then find out that the Philips is a much better one, then I have to deal with the return and exchange hassle.

But I might do it and then wait for a better model by the end of this year.
Was dead set on the 52 sharp or the 46 Sony (XBR or V) but then clouds and banding turned me off. I like the Mitssubishi LT-46231 but it is double what I would pay for the Vizio.

I have to make up my mind soon.

The Philips is only going to be available online at Costco.com, not in the warehouses.

I'm not a videophile, and not a techie, so bear with me. Since the firmware can be upgraded, can that make it capable of 1080p inputs in the future? Can that be upgraded through firmware?

I'm deciding between this and the Vizio. I don't need 1080p now since no one broadcasts in that. I probably wouldn't notice the difference anyway, but I don't want to feel that I'm not getting all that I should get from my TV once networks are broadcasting in 1080p. So that's definitely a sticking point for me, as I want this TV to be my main TV for several years.

There was a difference of opinion as to what the price will be at Costco. Was that ever settled and if someone knows for sure could they please PM me. You need that to decide vs. the Vizio. Thanks.

suggested is 30 bens , i dont think anyone really knows the price

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