Phillips 36" flat HD ready TV $899 at Frys

[nexialist]

Looks like an excellent picture and I got all fired up. Then I measured and found it would not fit in my Entertainment center. It has:

Component video inupt for 1080i and 480p
3D com filter
Auto aspect ratio adaption
(4:3, 4:3 expand and 16:9 compress)
20 watts audio.
no PIP

It's model 36PT832...funky looking cabinet...not sleek like the 36RF82S

Is this any good?

Dan

 

[Jen]

wish fry's was closer i am looking for a good quality picture

 

[conjur]

This is the closest I found to that model.

Is it 4:3? It's not just me but I'd pass on a 4:3 HDTV. Why not go 16:9?

 

[tajdtj]

Apex GB-4308 43" Projection TV $399 at Amazon plus shipping

 

[Tab]

Is their that much of a difference between 4:3 and 16:9

I measured by little place that would hold a TV. It measured out to be a litte over 36" I measured it diagonally. Did I do it right?

 

[Wag]

You need to find out the dimensions of the TV itself. Even though the tube might be 36" diagonally, the cabinet is usually much larger.

That's a good price on that TV btw. You'll get a nice sized 16:9 picture on 36" tube.

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: conjur
This is the closest I found to that model.

Is it 4:3? It's not just me but I'd pass on a 4:3 HDTV. Why not go 16:9?

Because of money. You could maybe find a 30" 16:9 tube TV for this price, but the 30" 16:9 would have a picture about as tall as a 27" TV, which is smaller than most people want. Since the vast majority of programming is still 4:3, and will be for a few years, I think in regular tube HDTV, 4:3 isn't too bad. And back to the money issue, a 34" tube 16:9 would probably cost around $1500 if you were lucky. Keep in mind that a 34" 16:9 is probably about as tall picture wise as a 30" TV, so with 4:3 format, the overall picture would be significantly smaller than this 36". So the 36" 4:3 TV is going to give you lots more picture space, at least until everything goes 16:9.

I agree with the other guy, 16:9 isn't going to look too bad at this size of standard format TV.

As for reliability, I don't think Phillips has ever been at the top of anyones list. If I was buying, I would probably pay more and get: Toshiba, Hitachi, JVC or Sony, in that order. I'm not sure, but maybe Samsung.

 

[nexialist]

That's the TV that's running in the Fry's ad, but the TV they are selling looks different. The Strip across the top of the screen seem to be broader and it is taller and clunky looking.

I think a 4:3 36" TV is the way to go for now and (who knows how long) expecially if you watch a lot of regular TV. My wife hates the 16:9 when we watch DVD movies.

I would rather have Toshiba but am considering Samsung.

 

[superflysocal]

I know the deal is dead now but did anyone jump on this? To me this is a much better deal than the samsung 27 and 32 in. "modded" HDTV sets, if you have the room. The philips retails for $1800 and go only as low as $1400 on the internet. I am surprise it got only 7 replies vs. 77 for the samsung. Btw, this has an RGB/VGA port which I have never seen on a tube HDTV set (I don't even think Sony has this). Theoretically, you can use this for HTPC (may require a software called Powerstrip though to tweak the display). has anyone tried this with this set yet?

reason why I am bringing this up is that chances are Fry's will probably put it back on sale soon so if you jumped on this please post your experience.

 

[LDegrelle]

FYI, Zenith has an HDTV monitor with RGB input as well - dont know exacts, but here is the link.

Wish I had the scratch to jump on some of these deals. Enjoy!

 

[Linker8]

Originally posted by: superflysocal
I know the deal is dead now but did anyone jump on this? To me this is a much better deal than the samsung 27 and 32 in. "modded" HDTV sets, if you have the room. The philips retails for $1800 and go only as low as $1400 on the internet. I am surprise it got only 7 replies vs. 77 for the samsung. Btw, this has an RGB/VGA port which I have never seen on a tube HDTV set (I don't even think Sony has this). Theoretically, you can use this for HTPC (may require a software called Powerstrip though to tweak the display). has anyone tried this with this set yet?

reason why I am bringing this up is that chances are Fry's will probably put it back on sale soon so if you jumped on this please post your experience.

Personally, I think 4:3 36inch HDTV is the best transition TV to the true HDTV age (5 years later). $899 is extremely hot as the other brand or other cost easily $400 or $500 more. The review on Philips TV is not that bad. Someone compares it to SONY and decided to go to philips because Picture quality. I will jump on it if I can have someone pickup my old 36 inch Toshiba.

 

[Linker8]

Widescreen (16:9) looks fancy nowaday, but most programming is still in standard format (4:3). Here are some interesting data
36" (4:3) = 33" (16:9) $900
34" (16:9) = 27.8" (4:3) $1500

 

[Oaklap]

I've had bad experiences with Philips tvs.

 

[bigpow]

Originally posted by: Oaklap
I've had bad experiences with Philips tvs.

YMMV?

I've no problem with my cheapy 27" Philips (knock on the wood)

 

[osiris3mc]

If there is anyone interested in a 36" flat screen, I just got one of the few remaining JVC AV-36F703 models left. They are being discontinued for an 803 model, which is identical (maybe even inferior sound). I got mine for about 700 bucks and it has the 16:9 compression. I HIGHLY recommend it. It has component input and s-video input on the back, and one input on the front. If you guys want any specs on it, it's still on amazon and the like, just OOS. If you look around, there are probably still some left at Best Buys and Circuit Citys and even online.

Sorry about all that, just thought I would let you guys know about this...

 

[Linker8]

With price that cheap, I am throw in $130 for 4 year in-home service gurantee. No worry for 4 years and still very cheap.

 

[osiris3mc]

Sorry I didn't mention it...it came WITH the 4 years in home service protection for that price. Call em' up and see if it's still in stock.

 

[Linker8]

This JVC model is not HDTV.

 

[bbkat]

Originally posted by: Linker8
Personally, I think 4:3 36inch HDTV is the best transition TV to the true HDTV age (5 years later). $899 is extremely hot as the other brand or other cost easily $400 or $500 more.

I agree. I got the 36-inch Panasonic Tau for $899 at Fry's in a similar deal posted here a little over a month ago and I love it! Definitely worth the money while waiting for newer technology to drop in price. 'F' all the 16:9 nazis!

 

[Linker8]

Price of this unit is back to $1799. This is ridicules, $1799 to $899 to $1799. Conclusion, shopping Fry's only if it's shows on paper.

 

[JETninja]

I've got a 55" Philips 16x9 RPTV I got late last year. I love it. HD is here now depending on where you live. The current programming is here: Programing Schedule What's on nitely is here: www.hdtvgalaxy.com

Mine is on from 5am to 12PM (got 4 boys and late nite wife) We watch all programming in 16x9, the Philips has great stretch options, as well as anti burn technology. Currently you can get HD over the air in the UHF band (simple antenna and $300 box), Sat, and the long term (has by far the most bandwidth) choice, Cable. I currently have CBS-HD, NBC-HD, Discover-HD, ESPN-HD, SHO-HD, and HBO-HD. On the way (Cox is working out details) HDNET and HDNET Movies, Bravo, IND-1 & IND-2, and of course the other HD Locals ABC-HD, WB-HD, PBS-HD, and end of year FOX-HD. I get NFL, NBA, and Baseball in HD, Primetime shows, Movies, and Discovery HD is addictive. Unreal. And no matter what you think....even a 36" TV can not give you real movie impact. And HD comes with 5.1 sound also, coupled with a nice Home Theater system, even the Football sounds are wild! Cost...I pay $7 more for the HD box over what the regulat Digital box cost, and the ESPN/Dicovery are in a HD Tier..$9.99.

My TV was on sale at Good Guys last week for $1500, plus there are always 10% off Coupons and free shipping and no tax. (when I got it at BB it retailed for $2200...though I paid about $1700 at the time.)

And never base a TV purchase on what you see on the showroom. The brightest one is the newest outta the box. All TV's sold are set too bright on purpose at the factory...makes for wow factor to the masses in the showroom. Also washes out all faint and subtle details, shadows, etc...use a good setup DVD like Avia and tune your TV...can make a HUGE difference in any TV. (Projection sets need it done yearly) And with a Digtal (HD) Set, get a good progressive scan DVD player....makes a big difference in your movies.

It makes watching regular programming tough....HD is brilliant, detailed, and 3D looking....regular tv is often washed out and no detail in comparison.

 

[nexialist]

Yep,

I saw it today too for $1799. Before driving out to look at it last Saturday when I made my original post I called Frys in San Marcos........they said they had 40 in stock. The San Diego store had 8. I think these will go on sale again. The front of this TV is just massive.

Sams Club has Toshiba 36" HDTV capable for $1279. That's the one I want. They only had the floor model left so I passed. It was a special one time buy.

Dan

 

[zsir]

And never base a TV purchase on what you see on the showroom. The brightest one is the newest outta the box. All TV's sold are set too bright on purpose at the factory...makes for wow factor to the masses in the showroom. Also washes out all faint and subtle details, shadows, etc...use a good setup DVD like Avia and tune your TV...can make a HUGE difference in any TV. (Projection sets need it done yearly) And with a Digtal (HD) Set, get a good progressive scan DVD player....makes a big difference in your movies

Interesting point...I tend to pick the brightest best looking one on the floor............I went to CC and I liked the Panasonic PT537w53 53" $1800 I don't know if it's a good buy or not ...........I'll look into the phillips you mention......It's confusing as h@ll.........I'm going to use it with cox cable ......Thanks for the informative post

 

[Staples]

Still waiting for a Fry's to open around here. I see tons of good deals and dammit, I am not open to them.

 

[JETninja]

The place to learn is at the Link I have above....AVSForums....always like 1300+ online there...go there and learn. Know that Philips is not well known here...The've been innovators in Europe like JVC in Japan. These a re solid good looking sets. I think most any of them are capable of a good picture....the Tech is very similar among them. The Anti Burn feature is very nice, a small worry with Projection sets....

If I'd based my purchase on the Philips I saw in BB, no way I woulda bought it! Was green looking as hell!