Phillips 40PFL9704 or 42PFL9664

[admin_exported]

Hi, this is my first post and I hope you can help!

I have had my heart set on a 42PFL9664 , and now have moved house and have the money (1300)

I have taken a look at the 2010 models announced and have though perhaps its best to wait (although potentially Q3 is a long wayaway!)

I have now had the 40pfl9704 brough to my attention (full LED) although this is £1800.

I relaise the benefits being better contrast ratio and slightly faster response time and ambilight 3.

The thing is the 42pfl9664 looks so good I cant see how it can get much better (I have not seen the 40 yet)

Any recommendations form owners of either set?

I just dont want to spend 1300 and feel im left miles behind once the new range are released and conversley I dont want to spend £1800 when in a few months 'potentialy cheaper' models will look as good/ better.

Thoughts and ideas and discount codes welcome!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Anonymous]

do you have to buy now ?? its such a bad time , with so many new tvs iminent , also , philips may have great tvs , but their pricing for the top models is very steep imo , both the 9664 and 9704 are likely to be around for a good while yet , if you give it 6 weeks or so , your £1300 -£1800 budget should give you great choice , £1800 may just get you a 50in panasonic 3d plasma , ok , maybe 3d doesnt interest you , but the kuro tech used in the new pannys might ?? sony have new led lcds coming too , and samsung , the 9664 may be bettered by these , maybe even the 9704 will be beaten by them , in 6 weeks , you should now whats the best choice for you ...

 

[Andy Clough]

If money was no object I'd go for the 9704 (I speak as a 9664 owner). BUT - as Maxflinn says - all the new 2010 ranges are about to be released and you might want to consider new features such as Freeview HD and 3D, which the current Philips sets don't have.

Check our Blogs channel for details of the forthcoming Philips, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiiba ranges. + More on the 2010 Samsung range in our News story.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah point take,

Im keen to see how Panosics do with Pioneer tech.

I am not interested in freeview hd as I have sky and 3d ill take or leave.

I think i will hold on although I have now found the 42 for 1200 with 5 year warrenty.

The largest tv I can get in the room is a 42 as I have moved to a terraced house (ie narrow room!)

Any further comments?

 

[Anonymous]

well , if 42in is your max , you may want to consider one of the new panny 3d sets at that size , as of yet they are not certain to be released ,(they will decide when they see how the bigger screens are selling) but if they are it wont be till late summer afaik , also , sony and samsungs 40in 3d tvs will have their top tech on board , meaning the best 2d picture , these are likely to drop below the rrp of £1800 soon enough you would imagine ...

id assume a saving of £300-£400 on any of the top 40-42in models without 3d , taking you back to the 9664 price range , maybe lower ...

 

[Anonymous]

looks like im gunna be better off waiting on this one.

Only thing I cant handle is having sd sky and xbox in the bedroom when im paying for sky hd!

(via a trailed hdmi cable and 2x2 matrix splitter )

 

[Anonymous]

Will the 40 be 3d compatible due to its mhz or will it be 2010 models exclusivly?

 

[Anonymous]

afaik , no current tv is 3d compatible , but some of the 2010 range will be 3d ready , meaning you can buy a 3d processing thingy and glasses at a later date ...

 

[Anonymous]

oh ok, are there any small tvs for under 200 recommend (for the bedroom while im waitin on the main set)?

 

[Anonymous]

you can pick up a 32in samsung for about £300...

 

[Anonymous]

this is a 32in samsung £269.95...

 

[manuelcabral]

Take a good look at the models you've mentioned before you decide. Both show wax faces. The new Sony models, especially NX and HX series, are amazing and will cost you much less. Besides, there's no wax, smear or smudge picture.

 

[Anonymous]

Wax faces? My viewing of the 42pfl9664 didt pick that up!
I have one final question.
Would you put the 37pfl9604 above 42pfl9664.

A 37 would be big enough for the room, I'm curious as it has a slower response time and only 100 h but I'm keen to know your opinion please

 

[Anonymous]

If you are set on Philips I would really wait. New 9705, 8605 and 7605 with new UV2A panels are around the corner and they would blow away current models.

 

[Anonymous]

im not sure about the around the corner bit ?? the 9704 is only available a few months in the uk , i doubt it will be replaced for 6 months ...

 

[Anonymous]

I think I might just wait, any ideas tho between 37plf and 42 plf?

Also do we know likely release dates for these set?

 

[Anonymous]

Besides, the amount of complaints about quality of recent Philips (even in this forum) makes you think twice whether it's worthwhile all the troubles. And this is coming from the ardent Philips fan. 9664 in particular is fitted with rubbish LG displays, which breaks down left and right. 9704 has different supplier, but why would you spend 1800 now only to find in 3-5 months significant discounts on the same model.

 

[Anonymous]

Actually Chris I would seriously recommend you auditioning latest Panasonic LCDs TX-37LG10 or 15. They have 37 and 42 inch, with deep black IPS-alpha and normal IPS panels respectively, allowing for a very wide viewing angle. Blacks will not set the world on fire for G10 models, G15 could be an improvement, but the pictures are as crisp as Philips. Motion is very nice as well and price wise they are really moderate. By the time you will be done with it, you can purchase second TV , beloved Philips, with all current issues hopefully sorted out.

 

[Anonymous]

hazarin:Actually Chris I would seriously recommend you auditioning latest Panasonic LCDs TX-37LG10 or 15. They have 37 and 42 inch, with deep black IPS-alpha and normal IPS panels respectively, allowing for a very wide viewing angle. Blacks will not set the world on fire for G10 models, G15 could be an improvement, but the pictures are as crisp as Philips. Motion is very nice as well and price wise they are really moderate. By the time you will be done with it, you can purchase second TV , beloved Philips, with all current issues hopefully sorted out.

thanks for the advice,

Iv had a quick look, when are the 3d panosics due. idelaly im looking for a 40" set, , im a bit dubiouse of the viewing angles on the plasmas thou.

ANy particular model reccmedations around 42", also i do not require freesat but happy to have it.. in reality my number 1 factor is picture quality, i really want the best picture possible!!

 

[Anonymous]

I personally would not even bother with 3D unless you are dying to wear another set of glasses . TX 37 and 42LG10 are already on the market , G15 are already in some places as well. Just to make sure - they are LCD and not plasma. 40 inch is Sony and new Philips range territory. As for plasma viewing angles you would not need to worry as they are the best you can get.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok I see, I am really struggling, I cna only see that the 42 g15 plasma is the top dog. what is the flagship plasma and how soon is it due to be replaced. I have no preference toward 3d sets!

 

[Anonymous]

You see your particular choice of TV is strongly dependent on a couple of factors. Among them

- Viewing time (if you dont have dedicated home cinema room)

- Will you be only watching TV or do some gaming

- Viewing material ( movie, sports, etc)

- Electrical costs

If you visited a couple of shops already, you probably noticed that LCDs are much brighter, juicy and generally sharper then Plasmas which also has some glass reflections problems. Though it is during day time. Come evening the picture is a bit different. Plasma will shine more and more, and give you what generally prescribed as "more accurate" colours (whatever that means). Though they do have better blacks and contrast, which you just dont see during day time. So coming back to the beginning of the post, if you describe as accurate as possible what you want to do and watch, and at what lighting conditions, then it would be possible to recommend you something which suits your particular needs.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks hazrin,

I will be using my xbox 360 evening as and weekend,

mainly fifa and mw2,

I watch football and movies again at weeked and evenings.

 

[Anonymous]

The way I see it you more need all-rounder working equally well day and night so I would personally zoom in the LCD direction.

Especially for World Cup when there would be lots of games broadcasted in day time.

So you have a choice of Sony W(Z) 5500 or 5800 (their price should go down now) and you can try new KDL-40EX503(£900.00)

Already discussed TX-37(42)LG10(15) from Panasonic

And if you want to play Korean gamble then Samsung LE40B550 , I personally not a big fan of their design but it is personal choice.

And of cause if you want to try your luck with Philips then 42PFL7404 would give you all you need for half a price of 9664. They do have the same panels just a bit different circuitry.

THough what I would really recommend you is to find a shop where you can see a TV of your choice , play with TV remote and compare TV sets side-by-side using CINEMA picture pre-set. Bying TV based on reviews is really recipe for disaster as nothing beats personal audition.

 

[Anonymous]

id forget last years models , this years range should give you plenty to choose from , you are an avid gamer , and watch tv and movies in the evenings , a panasonic plasma would be perfect , no gaming lag , nice natural picture , and this year , possibly the blackest blacks of any tv , a 42g20 shouldnt break the bank either , when they first come out , id guess £800-£900 ..