Philips 42PF9986 review

What you need to know

Reviewed by: Kevin Miller

Reviewed on: 8 October 2004

Tags: Philips, Philips 42PF9986, satellite, inputs, LCD

We like:

Attractive high-tech look; accurate colour decoding; solid black-level performance for an LCD flat panel; Ambilight looks cool

We don't like:

Extremely expensive; no independent memory per input; Ambilight adversely affects onscreen colour perception; scales 720p sources incorrectly

You might also need:

HDTV source; DVD player

CNET UK judgement:

This extremely expensive set includes a unique backlight, but its picture quality was the most pleasant surprise

Full review:

Although it looks just like many other 42-inch flat-panel TVs in stores today, Philips's 42PF9986 has two characteristics that should make its £4,000 price tag seem more palatable. One is that it uses LCD technology, joining a choice few sets such as the Sharp LC-45GD1E to challenge plasma for big-screen flat-panel supremacy. The other is Philips's unique Ambilight feature, which consists of a pair of customisable fluorescent lights that illuminate the wall behind the TV. During testing, we discovered that the 42PF9986 performed surprisingly well in some key areas, but at the same time, it lacks a couple of features that keep it from earning our highest accolades. Continue Reading...