Plasma HDTV Reviews

Philips 55PW9363 55″ Widescreen HD-Ready TV Lower the lights, then fire up the 55-inch Philips 55PW9363 rear-projection TV for a full cinematic experience in your own home. This HD-ready set produces 1080i display conversion, regardless of source, and offers a variety of Philips’ advanced video features, including APAC (automatic phosphor aging compensation) and Eye Fidelity. It also features a dual-tuner picture-in-picture, color temperature control, DVI input for optimized high-definition video, and Dolby Virtual surround sound capability.

Stationary images, particularly black bars that outline 4:3 programming on a widescreen TV, can eventually leave an after-image on the screen. The 55PW9363’s APAC feature automatically shifts the image, just enough to blur after-image retention, thereby reducing the effect of stationary images. The Active Control Plus function continually adjusts picture settings over 60 times per second, compensating for changes in ambient light and ensuring that the viewing experience is always optimal.

Philips’ Eye Fidelity line-doubling feature gives you the choice between progressive-scan (480p) or a line-doubled (1080i) picture when viewing non-HD broadcasts. The interlaced mode provides a doubled-line interlaced display of progressive, which helps smooth out jagged lines seen on curved and angled edges.

With the dual-tuner picture-in-picture, you can tune to a program in the main window, and scan other channels in the PIP window. From a single antenna or cable input, signals are separated into two signals within the television, so no external splitter is required. Other features include a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, a three-line digital comb filter, three color temperature settings (warm, normal, cool), a digital histogram, and 7-inch liquid picture tubes (red, green, and blue). The protective screen filter helps prevent accidental damage to the delicate front lenticular screen. This filter has been formulated for HD displays to give the best picture and still protect your investment.

This set has a built-in 181-channel tuner, though you will need an HDTV tuner to receive high-definition broadcasts. The two 10-watt RMS speakers feature Dolby processing circuitry for enhanced surround sound effect that creates the sensation of Dolby Pro Logic without the hassle of additional rear speakers. Other audio features include a sound leveler system and adjustments for volume, bass, treble, balance, AVL, headphone, and bass boost.

The 55PW9363 has HD DVI and component inputs, 3 S-video inputs (1 side), 3 composite A/V inputs (1 side), 1 A/V output, 1 standard component input, and a headphone jack.

What’s in the Box
55PW9363 55-inch TV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, and printed operating instructions.
Customer Review: Piece of Junk
Ordered this TV two years ago from Amazon. Free Shipping, Great Price. Delivery was OK. 1 Guy showed up so I helped him take it to the viewing room. Got everything hooked up. Realized Cable Box wasn’t HD ready so got another one ($10/month extra). Got it all hooked up, great picture for about a week. Then I noticed big yellow splotch. Called Amazon said to call Philips. Ok, must use authorized service center. Called them, supposed to show up in the morning, showed up at 1:30. Said he needed to order a part. 3 weeks later brings out part, wrong part and doesn’t show up on time. Orders the new part another 4 weeks. No TV because he took out another part so he could put it all back together and bring it back out. Finally got it working after another week. Doesn’t show up on time. Going good for about a year then noticed the blue/red would not stay converged. Messed around with it about once a week. Kept getting worse until I would fix it as best I could and an hour later it would be messed up. Called Service Place. $200 to look at the problem and they took the TV. Probably $500 if they can fix it. $800 if they need a new part from Philips. Should have got the extened warranty on this one. Based on other reviews not holding out much hope.
Customer Review: Utter Garbage
I bought this TV 2 years ago (December 2002) for $2300 from BB. I did a lot of research and found this to have the best value for my needs. Well, 6 months into ownership I started having a lot of problems with the TV. I was getting color bleed (not just a little, a lot!) I was getting image ghosting from any input and any resolution, so it was not device related. I called Philips and they sent out one of their “approved” HDTV repair contractors. They came out in July, ordered a part from Philips then returned in August. Philips sent the wrong part. Re-ordered the part, it came late August. We tried to put the part in but it did not fit tight enough to make the connection work AND the part was a “refurbished” part. Re-ordered a new part. The part finally came in September, but the repair contractors could not come out until October because they were so busy. They come out and install the new part. Voila! No change. Repair man leaves cause they are so busy and we have to reschedule. He comes back out later that month, decides to order a new part. Part comes in November and we replace it in November, still no change. Keep in mind also, that every part that was sent to the repairman was a “Refurbished Part”. The repairman is confused, and Im very pissed. Ive taken over 8 days of vacation and dealt with this issue for over 5 months. I call Philips customer service and get connected to someone over in India/Pakistan. I can hardly understand them. In any case, they refuse to replace the TV under teh Lemon Law because I did not have the service done at each interval with a minimum of 30 days between each repair…..!!!!! WTH? So Philips not only does not honor their warranty, their TVs are garbage (BTW, I also bought a Philips progressive scan DVD player at the same time and I have had to replace that within a year as well), and their repair folks can not even repair their own equipment. I strongly recommend avoiding any Philips product. Luckily I had an extended warranty on that TV and was able to get a very nice 55″ Mitsubishi as a replacement via the Ext. Warranty company. I could not be happier with that Mitsu set. It is like night and day vs. the Philips. If you buy any Philips product, beware the product and customer service. Its so much headache dealing with them. It makes you wonder how companies can stay in business doing things like this.

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