| The 30PW850H's 30-inch Real Flat, high-definition widescreen picture tube affords today's best home cinema viewing when used with a progressive-scan DVD player or an outboard digital set-top box for DTV reception. Picture enhancements include a sophisticated 3D Y/C digital comb filter, which improves quality of incoming interlaced video signals by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped t-shirt). Eye Fidelity provides the choice between different line doubling and scanning techniques--progressive or interlaced--so you can reduce motion artifacts like jagged edges and stair stepping, viewing material in progressive scan (480p) or a line doubled (1050i) picture. Velocity-scan modulation improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. A shadow mask is a thin sheet of perforated metal behind the screen that restricts electron flow, each hole in the sheet corresponding to a single pixel. An Invar mask uses an alloy that's especially resistant to the high temperatures generated by the electron beam, allowing in a brighter, clearer picture. Further, a feature called Active Control continuously analyzes incoming signals and optimizes picture color, sharpness, contrast, and digital noise reduction 60 times per second. The set offers stereo reception with 10 watts power per stereo speaker, and onboard Incredible Surround processing simulates surround sound from any two speakers. Two sets of high-definition component-video inputs (1080i/480p) accommodate a set-top box/HD satellite receiver and a progressive-scan DVD player, while side and rear composite- and S-video inputs accommodate other hardware. Rear-panel audio/video outputs make it a cinch to hook the set up with your home theater surround receiver for a truly immersive AV experience. A 0.125-inch headphone jack lets you listen in private. The set includes an NTSC tuner for standard TV reception and comes with a universal remote control. What's in the Box
TV, a universal remote control, remote batteries, operating instructions, and warranty information. |
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 Becoming a TV addict... |
| Review Date: January 13, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Jay Kay, Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States |
| I have had this set for about a week. I gave a Samsung similar model back in exchange for this one. It is a stunning set with lots of features and an absolutely high-value performance. The picture is rock-solid and has an assortment of modes to view it in...i.e. - movie, custom, etc. It doesn't bloom when the picture suddenly gets brighter and the set offers several ways to view the picture, 16:9, 4:3 and various modes in between. I have always been a fan of Philips' sound. That goes right back to their Philetta table radio from 1954 that I still listen to once in a while. Their speakers are always very clear and pleasant to listen to at any volume. The set offers several sound selections to go with the type of program that's being watched. This is true particularly when one activates the "Incredible Surround Sound" feature that the set has. The TV holds the aspect ratio setting that the user selects. That means if I watch a standard broadcast show with a 4:3 setting and I turn off the set, when I turn it on again, the setting remains at 4:3 until I choose to change it. The settings I find very thoughtfully placed in the menu. The most common or frequently used ones are right at the top level. All-in-all, I find this set a great buy. I only question why they put the volume and channel select control (yes, it is combined) on the top of the TV. However, the remote is convenient and I just thought I'd question that item. From the past, I assume that should I need Philips technical support for this HDTV, I know I can get it. |
Save your time and money -- Get this HDTV!!!
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| Review Date: January 13, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| If you're in the market to buy a HDTV and don't have a lot of knowledge about the technology or money to spend, the Philips 30PW850H is the answer! I have done a lot of research on the Internet about the different HDTV models out there before purchasing the Philips and, needless to say, it was the best decision I've ever made. My main objective is to get a HDTV to replace my old analog TV and be able to watch DVD movies in widescreen format. The picture is so much sharper now even when I watch a regular programs and, if you have cable that broadcasts programs in High-Definition, it would truly makes you wonder how you could go without a HDTV this long! Real-to-life image is all I can say! And for less than $1,000 (I got mine at Bestbuy for $899) is a steal! In conclusion, if you want to save yourself from a lot of hassle figuring out what HDTV model to get and/or get more bang for your money, do yourself a favor -- Get this HDTV now! |
4.5 stars
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| Review Date: February 3, 2004 |
| Reviewer: JDB, VA |
I recently decided to upgrade my tv viewing experience but I did not want to go crazy in the wallet nor buy a product that may be outdated relatively soon. After seeing this tv advertised rather reasonably around town and online, I did some further homework and went through a refurbished company which also involved me getting some additional information. Costs may continue to go down but as of this date, getting a 30" widescreen, flatscreen, HD ready with a fine picture and a quality manufacturer starting under $1,000 (and likely to find considerably less) with more than enough connections for the average user - this is a steal!
First glance (upon plugging it in) I was overwhelmed and to know that I can use this for HD as well was the icing on the cake. Plus, the features (6 screen sizes) and sound options make it more enjoyable for each user and their respective programming.
With technology heading more and more in the direction of digital and widescreen formats, and without having to take up an entire portion of your living room, if you do not want to go overboard but still want the advantages of today's televisions, then this my friend is the place to start.
Truly satisfied and look forward to football season next year.
(opinion may be somewhat above average due to reviewer never owning more than a 19" tv set prior to this one) |
You get what you pay for, in this case it's a lot!
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| Review Date: December 2, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Futahaguro, Minnesota |
Like many other reviewers I wanted to research as much as I could before I bought a new TV set, especially online. I found a website that offers refurbished Phillips products at beyond bargain basement prices so I decided to go with them. It was shipped to my door almost 1 year ago and I love the TV so far. It is indeed a heavy piece of equipment but then again, what tube television this large isn't? In fact, like RCA's I shy away from big TV's that are light because I tend to think they are not built well, and when I saw one opened I did not like what I saw. I have not used the HDTV signal yet since I really don't need it that badly but soon I will try the HDTV antenna with an HDTV box. Remember, as other reviewers have said, this is an HDTV "ready" TV so you will need an external HDTV decoder to view HD signals.
With the TV hooked up to my basic cable the picture looks fine, not great, not bad, but that is all because I am viewing an analog signal on basic cable. It will never be that great coming from an analog source but with that said, it is still a quality picture that I have no complaints about so far.
I have my DVD player hooked up with some quality component video cables running into the HD input. My DVD's look excellent but for those of you who are not too familiar with them the aspect ratio can be different. There is anamorphic, which is usually 2.35:1 and then the widescreen, which is 1.85:1. If we do the math you will see that the anamorphic will not fit perfectly in ANY mode, 21.15:9, whereas the widescreen 1.85:1 will fit pretty well on 16:9, 16.65:9. There was one reviewer who complained about the screen chopping it off, well, that is why, so blame it on the movie industry:) The one time where I saw HD quality TV was when I was watching some extra features on Sea Biscuit. All I can say is, WOW! Well I can say some more actually, it was a phenomenal picture especially when you are used to analog cable! One last note on adjustment, you have the ability to adjust the picture up and down when viewing an analog signal in a widescreen format. This way you can have it cut off the top and bottom equally so it really isn't bad to watch 4:3 TV in a widescreen format without much stretching.
Now, about the options of the TV. For the most part I am very happy with the remote and the adjustability of the TV, but there are a few little annoyances. One is the fact that you cannot directly choose which input you want to use. If you are watching TV and want to watch a DVD for example, you must cycle through Input 1, Input 2, and then you will get to the CVI. Then to go back to TV you must cycle through Input 3 and Input 4. I have learned to push the button 3 times in a row so it will go directly to the right input but it is an oversight on their part. The remote works fine and I have yet to find the need to use the buttons on the TV itself so I can't comment on those.
So, in the end I am very happy with my TV. It is a widescreen TV with a great picture at a great price. Just remember, this is an entry level HDTV so it might not have the up-converting, built-in HD box, etc., but what you do get is a great TV at a great price. I would always suggest that people looking to buy this TV should visit some showrooms to see it in action before buying. |
Great Bargain!
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| Review Date: March 7, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| Get this TV! It has excellent picture quality - you will not be disappointed. It is true that you cannot adjust the tint when in HDTV mode, but you really don't have to. The picture is sharp and crisp. We actually thought we had a problem initially as all of the HDTV signals came in looking green. However, our cable company gave us the wrong cables! Once we replaced them with the proper component cables, the picture was perfect. DVD's look great. You will definitely ask yourself how you ever "survived" with your old TV set... |
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