When I bought my Philips 46PFL9704H over three months ago the set was not yet available in the UK. Now it is, I gather from the What Hi-Fi 5-star review. I am now positive that the Philips offers picture quality equal/superior to that of Kuros. At the time of purchase I had an opportunity to compare them side by side, and easily chose the latest technology package offered by Philips. Any comments from other owners ?
Philips 46PFL9704H v. Pioneer Kuros, any comments ?
- Thread starter admin_exported
- Start date
It is not the size which is comparable to Kuros. It is the picture quality. I do not have an opportunity to compare them side by side again but I have seen a Kuro very recently. OK. But only OK. I also suspect that the Ambilight will now be indispensable to those who have seen it for longer.
Any owners in the UK ?
Any owners in the UK ?
No. I just think that both Philips and Pioneer are excellent but, in my (perhaps strongly biased) opinion, Philips has a slight advantage. Philips is, after all, a more recent technology. Further, it is a matter of taste and the "beauty is in the eyes of ".... Kuro/Philips owners. I would very much like to hear from a Philips owner/s.
i used to have a samsung lcd and was very impressed with its perfomance , and have also seen various philips t.v's (very impressive)
when you 1st view a kuro or any plasma for that matter you dont get that inital WOW factor that LCD seems to offer , i upgraded to a kuro because of the trust i had with a local sevenoaks ,who assured me it was the best,
after a few weeks / months of getting used to it and living with it you cant look at an lcd in the same way , all the reasons your eyes are drawn to them initially become the reason you wouldnt want one , the over blown colours , washy grey's , over sharp edge definition ,
i'm sure the new philips are very good ,but nothing could replace my kuro now , and if im ever in doubt that it cant hold its own against new models etc i just put on bbc life blu-ray and laugh at the sheer detail it digs up and the accurate colour reproduction, its a thing of beauty, like looking through a window !
when you 1st view a kuro or any plasma for that matter you dont get that inital WOW factor that LCD seems to offer , i upgraded to a kuro because of the trust i had with a local sevenoaks ,who assured me it was the best,
after a few weeks / months of getting used to it and living with it you cant look at an lcd in the same way , all the reasons your eyes are drawn to them initially become the reason you wouldnt want one , the over blown colours , washy grey's , over sharp edge definition ,
i'm sure the new philips are very good ,but nothing could replace my kuro now , and if im ever in doubt that it cant hold its own against new models etc i just put on bbc life blu-ray and laugh at the sheer detail it digs up and the accurate colour reproduction, its a thing of beauty, like looking through a window !
hnery:
It is not the size which is comparable to Kuros. It is the picture quality. I do not have an opportunity to compare them side by side again but I have seen a Kuro very recently. OK. But only OK. I also suspect that the Ambilight will now be indispensable to those who have seen it for longer.
Any owners in the UK ?
The Kuro you saw was definitely not set up correctly then
It is not the size which is comparable to Kuros. It is the picture quality. I do not have an opportunity to compare them side by side again but I have seen a Kuro very recently. OK. But only OK. I also suspect that the Ambilight will now be indispensable to those who have seen it for longer.
Any owners in the UK ?
The Kuro you saw was definitely not set up correctly then
I have seen quite a few high end philips lcd's in my time and most of the pioneer plasma's, I think alot comes down to what size you want because there's not that much between them.
I quote from the What Hi-Fi review:
Local LED dimming
But Philips asserts its so-called LED Pro technology compensates by delivering the best possible picture, because it allows for independent local dimming of segments of the LED panel as the image dictates, leading to significantly better contrast.
It also ensures superior backlight uniformity: LCD TVs can suffer from 'hot spotting', where light is brighter towards the centre of the screen and dimmer on the edges, but a full-array LED panel has uniform light output throughout.
The result, claims Philips, is a formidable 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio....
As you'd expect from a Philips, it's laden with picture processing technology too: thanks to the powerful Perfect Pixel HD engine, upscaling is excellent with Freeview broadcasts, the '9704 working hard to cut down digital block noise and other off-air undesirables.
Simply sensational images
Motion-handling with Blu-ray is exceptional too ... and the fast 1ms panel response time, enabled by 200Hz Clear LCD technology, ensures minimal smearing and motion blur ...
As for the biggest selling point of all - contrast performance - it's just as fabulous as you'd hope it would be, the Philips generating pictures that get close to the dramatic depth and punch of Pioneer's remarkable (and now unavailable) Kuro plasmas. [bolded by hnery]
... and Philips' remarkable Ambilight Spectra 3 system (which projects lights from both the sides and the top of the TV to enhance your viewing) and you've a complete TV. The Philips 40PFL9704 isn't cheap - but it is wonderful. ...
I agree with every word. The picture is sensational !
Local LED dimming
But Philips asserts its so-called LED Pro technology compensates by delivering the best possible picture, because it allows for independent local dimming of segments of the LED panel as the image dictates, leading to significantly better contrast.
It also ensures superior backlight uniformity: LCD TVs can suffer from 'hot spotting', where light is brighter towards the centre of the screen and dimmer on the edges, but a full-array LED panel has uniform light output throughout.
The result, claims Philips, is a formidable 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio....
As you'd expect from a Philips, it's laden with picture processing technology too: thanks to the powerful Perfect Pixel HD engine, upscaling is excellent with Freeview broadcasts, the '9704 working hard to cut down digital block noise and other off-air undesirables.
Simply sensational images
Motion-handling with Blu-ray is exceptional too ... and the fast 1ms panel response time, enabled by 200Hz Clear LCD technology, ensures minimal smearing and motion blur ...
As for the biggest selling point of all - contrast performance - it's just as fabulous as you'd hope it would be, the Philips generating pictures that get close to the dramatic depth and punch of Pioneer's remarkable (and now unavailable) Kuro plasmas. [bolded by hnery]
... and Philips' remarkable Ambilight Spectra 3 system (which projects lights from both the sides and the top of the TV to enhance your viewing) and you've a complete TV. The Philips 40PFL9704 isn't cheap - but it is wonderful. ...
I agree with every word. The picture is sensational !
bigboss
Moderator
- Mar 25, 2009
- 6,436
- 1,374
- 27,570
If you agree with every word, why this question then? The review clearly says (highlighted by yourself) that the Philips TV comes close to the Kuro, which means that it's not beaten the Kuro. It'll be interesting to see if any of the 2010 models beat the Kuro...........a Kuro beater is long overdue!!
I started this thread over 3 months ago when I bought my system being guided by the 2009/2010 EISA awards. Obviously, I knew about the Kuros and went to several Pioneer dealers, and even had an intention to buy a Kuro. One of the dealers already had a sample Philips 46PFL9407H and a Kuro properly installed side by side. I ordered the Philips.
The EISA list seems to have worked well. After a similar delay, the What Hi-Fi has to-day published a 5star review of LG BD390. I deliberately did not go for anything better than BD390 (EISA also recommended Pioneer BDP-LX91 as an expensive alternative) and, instead, decided to upgrade it, if necessary, in the future.
However, it strikes me that the EISA list was/is not too bad at all. Let's see the current frequency of some topics on this forum: mostly LG BD390 and Denon 2310. So I thought that perhaps there are already a few friendly Philips 46PFL9704 owners on the forum so we could share some opinions.
I have nothing against Kuros. If I did not researched the Philips I would most likely be now a Kuro owner.
The EISA list seems to have worked well. After a similar delay, the What Hi-Fi has to-day published a 5star review of LG BD390. I deliberately did not go for anything better than BD390 (EISA also recommended Pioneer BDP-LX91 as an expensive alternative) and, instead, decided to upgrade it, if necessary, in the future.
However, it strikes me that the EISA list was/is not too bad at all. Let's see the current frequency of some topics on this forum: mostly LG BD390 and Denon 2310. So I thought that perhaps there are already a few friendly Philips 46PFL9704 owners on the forum so we could share some opinions.
I have nothing against Kuros. If I did not researched the Philips I would most likely be now a Kuro owner.
theres a store near me , selling a brand new (display model) pioneer kuro lx6090 , with stand , and speakers , and 1 year warranty , for , ready , wait now , is the suspense killing you e1500 ....
ive tried everything to get the money , but i cant (bloody recession) what a price , im sure half of you will either think im mistaken or lying , i would if someone else posted it .... its true ....
ive tried everything to get the money , but i cant (bloody recession) what a price , im sure half of you will either think im mistaken or lying , i would if someone else posted it .... its true ....
hnery:
I started this thread over 3 months ago when I bought my system being guided by the 2009/2010 EISA awards. Obviously, I knew about the Kuros and went to several Pioneer dealers, and even had an intention to buy a Kuro. One of the dealers already had a sample Philips 46PFL9407H and a Kuro properly installed side by side. I ordered the Philips.
The EISA list seems to have worked well. After a similar delay, the What Hi-Fi has to-day published a 5star review of LG BD390. I deliberately did not go for anything better than BD390 (EISA also recommended Pioneer BDP-LX91 as an expensive alternative) and, instead, decided to upgrade it, if necessary, in the future.
However, it strikes me that the EISA list was/is not too bad at all. Let's see the current frequency of some topics on this forum: mostly LG BD390 and Denon 2310. So I thought that perhaps there are already a few friendly Philips 46PFL9704 owners on the forum so could could share some opinions.
I have nothing against Kuros. If I did not researched the Philips I would most likely be now a Kuro owner.
You are happy with your TV - great. So what is the point of this thread?
I started this thread over 3 months ago when I bought my system being guided by the 2009/2010 EISA awards. Obviously, I knew about the Kuros and went to several Pioneer dealers, and even had an intention to buy a Kuro. One of the dealers already had a sample Philips 46PFL9407H and a Kuro properly installed side by side. I ordered the Philips.
The EISA list seems to have worked well. After a similar delay, the What Hi-Fi has to-day published a 5star review of LG BD390. I deliberately did not go for anything better than BD390 (EISA also recommended Pioneer BDP-LX91 as an expensive alternative) and, instead, decided to upgrade it, if necessary, in the future.
However, it strikes me that the EISA list was/is not too bad at all. Let's see the current frequency of some topics on this forum: mostly LG BD390 and Denon 2310. So I thought that perhaps there are already a few friendly Philips 46PFL9704 owners on the forum so could could share some opinions.
I have nothing against Kuros. If I did not researched the Philips I would most likely be now a Kuro owner.
You are happy with your TV - great. So what is the point of this thread?
Andrew Everard:Ah, the EISA awards.
ok , hold on , were googling.....
when we should have been reading the other posts
ok , hold on , were googling.....
when we should have been reading the other posts
Wouldn't bother: you need to have gone on a few major press launches where there are two classes of attendees - EISA judges and everyone else - or have sat in late night hotel bars on just such press launches being bored stupid by an EISA judge telling you how many expensive trips they've been on so far this year, etc., etc..
EvilWolf:You are happy with your TV - great. So what is the point of this thread?
Simply - to share opinions. This is what fora like this are for. I understand that some Kuro owners are very sensitive about their TVs. However, I am chiefly addressing the Philips owners.
Andrew: It is your colleagues from the What Hi-Fi that found the Philips so good and not just EISA, numerous Continental reviewers, Continental fora gurus, specialist dealers, home cinema enthusiasts and ... me
Simply - to share opinions. This is what fora like this are for. I understand that some Kuro owners are very sensitive about their TVs. However, I am chiefly addressing the Philips owners.
Andrew: It is your colleagues from the What Hi-Fi that found the Philips so good and not just EISA, numerous Continental reviewers, Continental fora gurus, specialist dealers, home cinema enthusiasts and ... me
hnery:
EvilWolf:You are happy with your TV - great. So what is the point of this thread?
Simply - to share opinions. This is what fora like this are for. I understand that some Kuro owners are very sensitive about their TVs. However, I am chiefly addressing the Philips owners.
Andrew: It is your collegaues from the What Hi-Fi that found the Philips so good.
slightly off topic , but , its funny how people want others to like their purchases , and like talking them up (i dont mean you hnery , just people in general)
my friend has a ps3 , and was constantly telling me that it was as good a blu-ray player as any , because its digital , and they are all the same (his views)
so one night a few weeks back , we were watching a movie in my house , using my sony bds363 , that id recently bought , having sold my ps3 , and he said , na , i think the ps3 was better , i said , how ?? arent they both digital
EvilWolf:You are happy with your TV - great. So what is the point of this thread?
Simply - to share opinions. This is what fora like this are for. I understand that some Kuro owners are very sensitive about their TVs. However, I am chiefly addressing the Philips owners.
Andrew: It is your collegaues from the What Hi-Fi that found the Philips so good.
slightly off topic , but , its funny how people want others to like their purchases , and like talking them up (i dont mean you hnery , just people in general)
my friend has a ps3 , and was constantly telling me that it was as good a blu-ray player as any , because its digital , and they are all the same (his views)
so one night a few weeks back , we were watching a movie in my house , using my sony bds363 , that id recently bought , having sold my ps3 , and he said , na , i think the ps3 was better , i said , how ?? arent they both digital
hnery:Andrew: It is your colleagues from the What Hi-Fi that found the Philips so good and not just EISA, numerous Continental reviewers, Continental fora gurus, specialist dealers, home cinema enthusiasts and ... me
My remarks were aimed at the EISA awards; I made no comment about the Philips TV.
My remarks were aimed at the EISA awards; I made no comment about the Philips TV.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram