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Philips launches 42PF9831D Ambilight Full Surround LCD TV (1/6/2006)

Ambilight Full Surround promises the ultimate viewing experience

The 42PF9831D Flat TV is the first set to feature a host of new Philips technologies, launched to demonstrate that LCD truly can claim to offer the ultimate viewing experience. The 42PF9831D is Philips' first LCD TV to feature the revolutionary ClearLCD system, Ambilight Full Surround to totally immerse you in the onscreen action, and Pixel Plus 3 HD processing to deliver unrivalled image quality.

Traditionally, LCD screens have been brighter, sharper and whiter than equivalent plasma sets. Now thanks to the combined impact of ClearLCD, Pixel Plus 3 HD and Digital Natural Motion, Philips LCD TVs also set the standard for motion playback and black levels. And with the addition of Ambilight Full Surround, the Philips 42PF9831D takes the viewing experience to a whole new level.

The 42PF9831D is Philips' only FlatTV to feature Ambilight Full Surround, projecting light independently from all four sides of the screen, providing a continuous surround lighting effect. In utilising Philips' proprietary colour analysis software, the ambient light output matches dominant colours on the screen, extending the viewing field. Significantly, this use of backlighting is also scientifically-proven to reduce eye-strain, while at the same time improving perceived picture detail and contrast.

Blessed with an extremely chic design, the display is surrounded by an integrated canvas that concentrates the light effect around the set, also creating the impression that the screen is floating when wall-mounted. The canvas also offers unrivalled flexibility by allowing the consumer to mount the set wherever they desire - irrespective of the room colour scheme - and still benefit from the white surround that enhances the full impact of Ambilight.

In conjunction with Philips' powerful Pixel Plus 3 HD processing and Digital Natural Motion, the introduction of Clear LCD technology heralds a new benchmark for LCD picture quality.

Clear LCD introduces a number of innovations addressing the two common limitations of LCD technology - motion-blur and black level performance.

Motion blur is the result of the slow response of liquid crystals and the 'sample and hold' effect, where images are refreshed in 'steps'. Limitations of the human visual system in only being able to monitor objects by continual tracking, makes the 'stepped' images appear blurred.

Clear LCD uses two technologies to dramatically reduce motion blur: Overdrive Control and Dimmable, Scanning Backlight. Overdrive Control increases voltage to accelerate the reaction of the liquid crystals, and therefore a more rapid panel response time of 6ms.

Scanning Backlight technology uses new Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamps - rather than the usual CCFL - to mimic the scanning effect of a CRT. Rather than all pixels receiving the same amount of light, at the same time and for the same duration, Scanning Backlight allows for the progressive lighting of pixels for a far shorter duration. This removes the 'sample and hold' effect to produce razor sharp moving images.

The HCFL lamps can also be dimmed 30% further than CCFL lamps, so unlike current LCD TVs, dark scenes receive much less light than bright scenes boosting the overall contrast ratio significantly. Finally, Philips has adopted field rate conversion software to move the normal LCD screen refresh rate from 50Hz to75Hz, ensuring the picture remains flicker-free.

The 42PF9831D also benefits from Philips' latest generation of Pixel Plus processing - Pixel Plus 3 HD - extracting even greater detail, definition and sharpness from both HD and SD sources than any previous versions. The processing chain remains fully digital, without any A/D or D/A conversions ensuring there are no unwanted noise effects added. Considerable advancements have also been made to the LTI engine which has the power to interpolate and apply processing at 1366 x 768p.

Another significant technology that sets Philips apart from its rivals is Digital Natural Motion, which is imperative in reducing judder to video shot at 24 frames per second. Currently Philips is still the only TV manufacturer to successfully combine motion compensation with resolution enhancement.

An MPEG artefact meter accurately measures the quality of the incoming signal for artefacts and adjusts the level of processing required, which is especially useful for SD sources in ensuring they aren't 'over processed'.

To improve colour rendition, especially low and medium saturated tones, the 42PF9831D employs Colour Booster technology. Applied via luminance and skin tone preservation, colours are accurately saturated without affecting skin tones or white levels.

Ready for analogue switch-off, the 42PF9831D also features an integrated digital tuner, providing reception to the wide range of digital TV channels and radio stations available via Freeview.

Offering unrivalled multimedia support, you can enjoy digital entertainment directly through the 42PF9831D in a number of ways. Via (wired) Ethernet, you can access and enjoy photos, music and video stored on your PC, while USB support offers similar functionality, allowing you to play multimedia content from other USB-equipped devices through the TV. Supported formats include DiVX5, JPEG, MP3, MPEG4, MPEG3, MPEG2, XViD and DiVX3.11. Furthermore, a 7-in-1 memory card reader lets you view digital snaps on the 1,366 x 768p screen directly from your memory card. Other key connections include HDMI x 2, component video input, RGB Scart x 2 and S/PDIF (coaxial) in and out.

Expected high street price or the average selling price: £3,500.

www.philips.com