Why not Phillips ?

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 ?

SMT · 09-29-2008, 08:13 AM

You can get the Vizio VU which is the same set as the VO, just a different style bezel and lacks PIP. for $529 at Sear's or Circuit City which is a step up from the VW.

But the VW if you go to the store and play with the settings and drop the brightness and increase the color settings you should notice a more pop to the screen.
But yeah check out the Vizio VU, it's right in your price range.

**PFC5** · 09-29-2008, 12:23 PM

Philips is exiting the North America HDTV business. That could be an important consideration for NOT choosing that TV, as it may be hard to get parts for at some point.

zip2play · 12-08-2008, 12:18 PM

The stores still seem FULL of Phillips LCD's as Christman approaches.

Codes20 · 12-08-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip2play

The stores still seem FULL of Phillips LCD's as Christman approaches.

They have to get rid of remaining inventory somehow.

Personally, I would not buy a Philips.

BeeF · 12-08-2008, 06:18 PM

I think Vizio's are a great "budget" brand. If that's what you want to call them, I call em' good tv's for less money. And I know their nothing compared to Sony, Panasonic or Toshiba, but for the price they have excellent quality IMO.

newtodef · 12-08-2008, 07:31 PM

I have a philips 42" lcd and I love it, I bought it prior to knowing they were not going to sell their own product in the US anymore, but funai is going to be distributing philips tv's in the us. I also owned a philips 1080i crt before my recent purchase and that was a really good tv. I like philips and my tv looks good and performs well. I know people may disagree but thats your opinion, I hope funai keeps up with the philips name and reputation but that is yet to be seen. Philips still has control of the tv line in other countries but they are letting funai take the US market, that might be the saving grace.

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 ?

09-29-2008, 12:23 PM	#3
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,057	Philips is exiting the North America HDTV business. That could be an important consideration for NOT choosing that TV, as it may be hard to get parts for at some point. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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09-29-2008, 08:13 AM	#2
SMT High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 306	You can get the Vizio VU which is the same set as the VO, just a different style bezel and lacks PIP. for $529 at Sear's or Circuit City which is a step up from the VW. But the VW if you go to the store and play with the settings and drop the brightness and increase the color settings you should notice a more pop to the screen. But yeah check out the Vizio VU, it's right in your price range.

12-08-2008, 12:18 PM	#4
zip2play TV...INDISPENSIBLE Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 244	The stores still seem FULL of Phillips LCD's as Christman approaches.

12-08-2008, 06:18 PM	#6
BeeF R.I.P. Impreza Legend Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 486	I think Vizio's are a great "budget" brand. If that's what you want to call them, I call em' good tv's for less money. And I know their nothing compared to Sony, Panasonic or Toshiba, but for the price they have excellent quality IMO.

12-08-2008, 07:31 PM	#7
newtodef High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 278	I have a philips 42" lcd and I love it, I bought it prior to knowing they were not going to sell their own product in the US anymore, but funai is going to be distributing philips tv's in the us. I also owned a philips 1080i crt before my recent purchase and that was a really good tv. I like philips and my tv looks good and performs well. I know people may disagree but thats your opinion, I hope funai keeps up with the philips name and reputation but that is yet to be seen. Philips still has control of the tv line in other countries but they are letting funai take the US market, that might be the saving grace.