Philips unveils new smart 3D TVs

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SINGAPORE--Philips has just launched a new line of 3D TVs just in time for the coming Christmas holidays festivity. All models will feature the latest smart TV functions (click here for our hands-on) and are based on either 3D Max or Easy 3D technologies.

3D Max requires active shutter 3D goggles to display 3D content in full-HD resolution, while Easy 3D uses the lighter and low-cost passive equivalents. Flicker-free 3D playback is another key advantage for Easy 3D, which is also known as Cinema 3D utilized by passive LG 3D TVs.

cinema 21:9 gold
Philips Cinema 21:9 Gold with a new multitview function.
(Credit: Philips)

The Cinema 21:9 Gold is possibly the most anticipated new entry with its ultra-wide screen. This delivers the closest cinematic experience at home by eliminating the black bars on widescreen TVs when viewing movies. Other special functions for this LED-edgelit Easy 3D TV include:
  • Mulitview: Splits the screen into two windows for displaying videos and a Web browser.
  • Two-player fullscreen gaming: Enables two players wearing 3D glasses to game on the same TV, while displaying the graphics in fullscreen for each person. An optional 3D gaming kit is required to use this function.
  • Ambilight Spectra 2: A two-sided version of Philips' LED ambient lighting system, which detects the onscreen colors and emits the corresponding shades of light around the bezel. According to the company, this reduces eye strain and provides a more immersive viewing experience.
However, it is the top-of-the-line 46PFL9706H that caught our attention in terms of picture quality. This 3D Max TV has an LED-backlit panel with local dimming to output inkier blacks, as well as a blazingly fast 1,200Hz perfect motion rate (PMR) feature promising the smoothest pictures in the 2011 Philips TV range.

That said, the firm did not clarify how this PMR rating was derived--the actual screen refresh rate was not given. The 46PFL9706H can be further differentiated by the following extras:
  • Motheye constrast filter: A proprietary anti-reflective surface designed to improve the image contrast.
  • Ambilight Spectra XL: An upgraded three-sided iteration of Ambilight.
Also available are the 52PFL9606H, 40PFL8606H and 47PFL7606H, which share common features such as dual-digital tuners, Wi-Fi and DLNA support. Refer to the table for more information together with availability and pricing in Singapore. We did not receive further news on Asia-wide launch details.

Model Cinema 21:9 Gold 46PFL9706H 52PFL9606H 40PFL8606H 47PFL7606H
Design
Screen size 50-inch 46-inch 52-inch 40-inch 47-inch
Panel type LED-edgelit LED-backlit LED-edgelit
Resolution Full-HD
3D technology Easy 3D 3D Max Easy 3D
2D-to-3D conversion Yes
PMR 400Hz 1,200Hz 1,000Hz 800Hz 400Hz
Smart TV Yes
Ambilight Spectra 2 Spectra XL Spectra 2
Motheye N.A. Yes N.A.
Mulitview Yes N.A.
Two-player full screen gaming Yes N.A.
Wi-Fi Via optional USB dongle Integrated Via optional USB dongle
HDMI inputs 4
Price S$4,999 (US$4,016.55) S$4,799 (US$3,855.86) S$4,459 (US$3,582.68) S$3,199 (US$2,570.30) S$2,999 (US$2,409.61)
Availability Now Mid-November Now

Philips is also offering free augmented reality apps for iOS and Android devices to help users visualize how these Philips 3D TVs will look in their living rooms.
Philip Wong
About the author

Philip Wong is an A/V, PC, photography and gaming enthusiast. Besides spending countless days and late nights fiddling with his home theater system and watercooled PC, he also hits the roads frequently on his iron horse to sweat it out. Now, who says geeks don't work out?

Philip Wong, Associate Editor

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