32in LCD TV Picture Sound Features Usability Value The Philips 32PF9731D offers what is arguably the best all round 32in LCD package on offer today, at a price ... Overall 1,366 x 768 pixels HD Ready

Reviewed: 8 January 2007

The Good

Fabulous colour reproduction, detailing, sharpness.

The Bad

Price is high.

Design

The 32PF9731D is one of those screens that stands out without trying. Understated looks are more than compensated for by a quality of finish and a design sophistication that oozes class.

Features

	Details Screen size & shape: 32in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound system: Nicam Resolution: 1366x768 HD Ready: Yes Contrast Ratio: 1700:1 Brightness: 550cd/m2 Weight: 23kg OTHER FEATURES: Pixel Plus 3HD processing, ClearLCD technology, Ambilight technology SOCKETS: 2 HDMI inputs, 3 scarts, composite video input, S-video input, PC input, Ethernet jack, 2 USB inputs, Multi-format card reader

2 HDMI and 3 scarts are what you expect from a modern flat panel screen these days, but what is less common is a multi-format card reader and an Ethernet port which allows you to stream content from a PC. In addition, two USB inputs allows the playback of files stored on USB devices.

Two new innovations unique to Philips are Pixel Plus HD picture processing and ClearLCD which has been designed to overcome problems with black levels and motion smearing.

Performance

The good news for potential purchasers of this screen is that the two main picture enhancing innovations work, and work well. Pixel Plus 3 builds on Pixel Plus to provide more detailed and colourful pictures, while ClearLCD with its scanning backlight system with an accelerated (via higher voltage) LCD panel improves black levels and removes blur from moving images.

The clarity of moving pictures on the 32PF9731D is nothing short of astounding. Black levels are hugely impressive for an LCD, and colour reproduction looks deep and supremely natural. The ambilight system far from being a passive bystander adds great impact to scenes.

A concern with many LCDs that seem to be overloaded with technology is that they suffer negative side effects from the extra processing impact. Not the case with the Philips 32PF9731D, each and every one of the innovations employed have there place and are instrumental in creating a superb overall picture.

Conclusion

If you set up the picture of the Philips 32PF9731D well (and that means not relying on the frequently over-the-top preset picture modes) by using a little common sense, then the 32PF9731D is possibly the finest all round LCD on the market.