Philips 21:9 Cinema 56PFL9954

[marctwo]

Does anyone have one of these? Has anyone seen one / could offer some opinions?

[Plotloss]

They are extremely good, probably one of the best, if not the best, LCDs that has ever been made.

[marctwo]

Plotloss said:

They are extremely good, probably one of the best, if not the best, LCDs that has ever been made.

Wow, really?? (You know it's not a Panasonic, right )

I was planning on getting a projector but I only have about an 8 foot throw and there would have to be quite a lot of correction as it would have to project down from above the sofa.

There's a new 3d version of the Philips but I am not convinced by 3d yet. Do you think this would be a good buy for £1500?

[Legend83]

Plotloss said:

They are extremely good, probably one of the best, if not the best, LCDs that has ever been made.

But that's not saying much, eh Plotty.

[oola]

They're fantastic and far better value now than they were at launch. We specced and installed one on a project last year when they were first launched. The client didn't fancy a projector or a 'bog standard' TV so we recommended this. A really stunning picture!

[tobybmw535i]

I have just got one it's awsome and the Ambi light thing is cool.

[JustinP1]

You know what, when this came out there were a lot of naysayers saying this was a gimmick.

In a few years time, when 3D has started to take off I can see more and more of 21:9 sets coming out.

The reason being for me is that when I have tried 3D on a 16:9 set the shortcoming is the lack of 3D effect through half of my very letterbox shaped field of vision. That lost the immersive quality a bit for me as the effect abruptly stopped at the sides.

It will be a slow process as it has taken a good 8-10 years to get people to accept widescreen as the norm over a 'box'. There are already 21:9 films out there, but, if broadcasters and filmmakers can find a way of making them compatible with both, then I'm sure it would take off.

[mp3manager]

In 4 or 5 years time when I come to replace my Kuro, I'd like a 21:9 format panel but only if picture quality has caught upto and surpassed the Kuro.

[marctwo]

Well I took the plunge and got one. I spent ages comparing it to various LCD / LED / Plasmas in the shop and, for a screen that size, it compared very well. That said, everything else looked terrible with the default settings. Personally I think Philips got it right, I'd much rather watch a 42" 16:9 TV picture and a 56" 21:9 Blu-Ray picture than the other way around. Who wants to see 56" of Bargain Hunt?

[headcase]

Those speakers look just awefull!!!

[anonymous-user]

headcase said:

Those speakers look just awefull!!!

They go quite well with the rug

[anonymous-user]

So when you watch normal 16:9 broadcasts you simply "lose" the ends of that screen leaving a 42" 16:9 box in the middle?

I do like that!! I'm just about to start planning my self build and was thinking of having a plasma and a projector with drop down screen in the living room. This might be a more elegant solution - although having a big screen still appeals.

[marctwo]

garyhun said:

So when you watch normal 16:9 broadcasts you simply "lose" the ends of that screen leaving a 42" 16:9 box in the middle?

Yes. I really like the idea of having a smaller screen for TV and larger one for films. A bit like Imax when the adverts finish and the screen expands for the main feature. I originally wanted a projector but the room is really too small for this kind of setup to be practical. I think this should be a good solution. I haven't got it yet but I'll report back when I do. There are very few left in the country now so if you want one be quick!

[anonymous-user]

marctwo said:

garyhun said:

So when you watch normal 16:9 broadcasts you simply "lose" the ends of that screen leaving a 42" 16:9 box in the middle?

Yes. I really like the idea of having a smaller screen for TV and larger one for films. A bit like Imax when the adverts finish and the screen expands for the main feature. I originally wanted a projector but the room is really too small for this kind of setup to be practical. I think this should be a good solution. I haven't got it yet but I'll report back when I do. There are very few left in the country now so if you want one be quick!

I won't start my build till the new year so I have a year to get sorted Enjoy it when you get it!!

[marctwo]

garyhun said:

I won't start my build till the new year so I have a year to get sorted Enjoy it when you get it!!

Thanks, and good luck with the build. Very very nice car by the way.

[marctwo]

For anyone who has one of these I've started an owners thread over on AV Forums:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/lcd-led-lcd-tvs/133...

[marctwo]

I finally got it yesterday and I'm very impressed. I am particularly fussy when it comes to picture quality and this is very good indeed, even when stretching out a 16:9 image. Avatar in 1080p looks incredible.

I am going to need a new HDMI cable though as the £1.50 job I have isn't up to doing 1080p and I am getting sparkles / drop outs.

Also, does anyone have any advice re wall mounting? I am putting it on a plastered brick chimney breast and don't want 35kg of TV falling off.

[cjs]

marctwo said:

I finally got it yesterday and I'm very impressed. I am particularly fussy when it comes to picture quality and this is very good indeed, even when stretching out a 16:9 image. Avatar in 1080p looks incredible.

I am going to need a new HDMI cable though as the £1.50 job I have isn't up to doing 1080p and I am getting sparkles / drop outs.

Also, does anyone have any advice re wall mounting? I am putting it on a plastered brick chimney breast and don't want 35kg of TV falling off.

If it is a brick chimney then just use good 3" screws or coach screws and the appropriate plugs, you will know if you have a good fixing when you screw them in.

Not sure how this TV connects up but you may need to space the TV off the bracket a bit to fit all the connections in.

[marctwo]

cjs said:

If it is a brick chimney then just use good 3" screws or coach screws and the appropriate plugs, you will know if you have a good fixing when you screw them in.

Not sure how this TV connects up but you may need to space the TV off the bracket a bit to fit all the connections in.

Thanks. The bracket does leave a decent gap behind the set to I think I'll be ok with cables, I just wanted to make sure I got the right kind of screws / bolts for the job.

[Plotloss]

If you're using the shipped bracket you're constrained by it in terms of fixings.

Just use the biggest ones you can, which will be plug based as I remember rather than anchors as there isn't the clearance.