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Schaden6 · 09-29-2008, 07:19 AM

I'm using my PS3 with a 19" LCD monitor but I'm getting sick of the stretching. So I'm looking to buy a 32" 16:9 LCD TV. My budget is around $500. I was looking at the low end brands, sanyo, vizio, insignia, etc..

But I came across a brand new sealed phillips 32PFL5403D for under $500 from a local liquidator.

Online this TV costs between $600-700 plus shipping. From my research, this appears to be a better TV than the $500 budget models I was considering. WhatHiFi gave it a respectable review, noting a great HD picture quality with deep blacks etc.. but not so good with SD material.
http://whathifi.com/Review/Philips-32PFL5403D/

For my purposes, this seems like a good bet. But then while googling, I came across a thread in this forum where some people trashed Phillips pretty bad. The thing is, I ran across the same type of comments regarding Vizio. Lots of people at AVS forum etc. saying they're junk and spend a bit more and get a decent panny or toshiba etc. My budget of $500 is pretty strict. Even with a good deal, it appears I'd be paying over $600 after shipping for an entry level "name brand".

I looked at a 32" Vizio in walmart and IMO the picture looked washed out compared to the other more expensive 32" TVs on display. Also I know Walmart sells the stripped down "VW" vizios, but the pq would be the same compared to the vizios sold at costco, right ?

I understand that Phillips has stopped selling HDTVs in N. America. That's probably why I found this one for so cheap. Target still has it listed on their website for $800. I'm going to see if they have one on display so I can check out.

Right now, I'm strongly leaning towards this Phillips over the other $500 range 32" LCDs I've seen. But I wanted to hear more about why people think Phillips is so crappy ?

In comparison to the 1st tier stuff, is the pq not as good while costing as much, or is just bad period ? Would you still recommend against Phillips even with such a good deal ? After tax, I'd be paying more for a 32" VX or VO Vizio over the 32PFL5403D Phillips, which going by MSRP, is a much more expensive TV.

What do you think? If you had $500 to spend, what would you buy ?

09-29-2008, 07:19 AM	#1
Schaden6 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 20	Why not Phillips ? I'm using my PS3 with a 19" LCD monitor but I'm getting sick of the stretching. So I'm looking to buy a 32" 16:9 LCD TV. My budget is around $500. I was looking at the low end brands, sanyo, vizio, insignia, etc.. But I came across a brand new sealed phillips 32PFL5403D for under $500 from a local liquidator. Online this TV costs between $600-700 plus shipping. From my research, this appears to be a better TV than the $500 budget models I was considering. WhatHiFi gave it a respectable review, noting a great HD picture quality with deep blacks etc.. but not so good with SD material. http://whathifi.com/Review/Philips-32PFL5403D/ For my purposes, this seems like a good bet. But then while googling, I came across a thread in this forum where some people trashed Phillips pretty bad. The thing is, I ran across the same type of comments regarding Vizio. Lots of people at AVS forum etc. saying they're junk and spend a bit more and get a decent panny or toshiba etc. My budget of $500 is pretty strict. Even with a good deal, it appears I'd be paying over $600 after shipping for an entry level "name brand". I looked at a 32" Vizio in walmart and IMO the picture looked washed out compared to the other more expensive 32" TVs on display. Also I know Walmart sells the stripped down "VW" vizios, but the pq would be the same compared to the vizios sold at costco, right ? I understand that Phillips has stopped selling HDTVs in N. America. That's probably why I found this one for so cheap. Target still has it listed on their website for $800. I'm going to see if they have one on display so I can check out. Right now, I'm strongly leaning towards this Phillips over the other $500 range 32" LCDs I've seen. But I wanted to hear more about why people think Phillips is so crappy ? In comparison to the 1st tier stuff, is the pq not as good while costing as much, or is just bad period ? Would you still recommend against Phillips even with such a good deal ? After tax, I'd be paying more for a 32" VX or VO Vizio over the 32PFL5403D Phillips, which going by MSRP, is a much more expensive TV. What do you think? If you had $500 to spend, what would you buy ?