Philips' new Essence, FlatTV and Aurea LCD sets

While our primary drool allotment will be directed at Philips' new 8mm LCD concept, Philips also has some new for-realsies LCDs here at IFA potentially worth your time. Leading off the pack is the LED-backlit 42PFL9803 FlatTV (pictured), a 42-inch set with 128 segments of LED for a purported 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The set runs at 100Hz, has a 17-bit "Color Booster" for a wide gamut, and even does a bit of 2nd gen Ambilight for good measure. Essence (42PES0001) is another 42-inch, 1080p display, but stakes its claim on thinness, measuring 38mm (1.5-inches) deep, and has a single cable running to a connectivity hub which doles out the audio, video and power. 100Hz and wide color gamut are all here. Finally, Philips is doing up a new generation of Aurea sets with new 37-inch and 42-inch 1080p displays, which offer up "Active Frame" transparent frames to reflect the Ambilight surrounding the set. The displays also offer 100Hz, 30,000:1 contrast ratios and 2ms response times. No word on price or availability for any of these, which is starting to sound like the official theme of IFA 2008.

Gallery: Philips' new Essence, FlatTV and Aurea LCD sets

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[NHAnimator @ Aug 28th 2008 10:36AM]

Do you REALLY need to link to the story RIGHT BELOW this one?

[Richard @ Aug 28th 2008 10:36AM]

I know a lot of people call these tv's gimmicks, but seriously, I can not go back to watching a regular HDTV without the backlight. It just feels odd now. I love my 47'' Philips, hoping that whenever this one dies I can get something similar to replace it!

Not 100% on the Aurea's though. Almost seems like too MUCH ight, but I guess I would have to see it in person. Bottomline though, there's nothing like playing a game or movie and having the wall turn red when there is a splash of blood or seeing the green of the field during a football game.

[zargon @ Aug 28th 2008 12:10PM]

I would not worry about getting a TV with ambient light, you would be limiting your choices drastically.

Actually the best thing to do is to do it yourself. If you search there is a lot of information about this. There use to be a certain type (had to do with the color it emitted) of bulb people said to get, I can't remember what it was exactly and can't find it doing a quick search. However, just head over to AVSForum and do a search.

I did find a few people on AVSForum recommending a product from Ikea which one of its uses states this exact purpose.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119407

[Dee @ Aug 28th 2008 10:51AM]

The Aurea concept seems cool, but is way too distracting for viewing. Here's youtube clip to see what it looks like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5uPQBKgqzA

I wonder if a "might cause seizures" warning pops up if you turn it on, I'm assuming you can turn it off. I like the single cable with connectivity hub idea; makes mounting it on a wall and not having to deal with the connections behind it. I won't be getting one anytime soon, but it's good to know things are getting slimmer.

[Matt @ Aug 28th 2008 11:44AM]

On current ambilights you can adjsut how dynamic and bright the light is. I have mine set to a rather subdued reaction time.
On a side note, I thought Philips was giving up its TV business to Funai or something. Is this hope we will still see more ambilights in the future, cause I am like Richard. Now that I have one it is tought to go back to watching without it.

[OneLove @ Aug 28th 2008 12:00PM]

I get the "ambilight" effect on the cheap with this behind my plasma (it simply blends and rotates the colors) :

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119407

[Jacksplat @ Aug 28th 2008 11:30AM]

I have the old ambi-light tv in my living room and I do love it. it's only the left-right single color. I think I would like the 4-sided multi-color, but I'm not sure about that frame. I would hope it could be turned off in front.

But I thought philips wasn't shipping the bad boys stateside anymore? that domestically, philips sold the name to some other party and is only doing their true stuff elsewhere? Anyone?

[zargon @ Aug 28th 2008 11:38AM]

The Aurea feature is such a marketing gimmick to try to lure people into buying it since it is "cool" or "stylish".

I have seen these in action and they are rather annoying and distracting. True, ambient light is actually a commonly used, relatively low cost tweak that can enhance watching movies in dark lighting. But this is taking it to a point that is gimmicky.

[Sam @ Jun 13th 2009 6:11PM]

The design on the black philips TV model is copying the design on the new Sony bravia.....( i mean the glass between the panel and speakers)

very lame from Philips, why dont they use there own design?
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/08/1philips-ifa-tv-002.jpg


.....

[Poodles @ Aug 28th 2008 2:07PM]

There no glass in between it, the speaker can come off. I'm definitely getting this TV, I never use the speakers on my LCD and I like the single-cable-hub idea

[OneLove @ Aug 28th 2008 12:05PM]

They would've sold more if it was called the "Areola"

[Galley @ Aug 28th 2008 1:21PM]

Damn, she's beautiful!

[Jason @ Sep 1st 2008 2:34AM]

HD+freckles FTW!!!!

[yorkule @ Aug 29th 2008 6:42PM]

I have an older ambilight PhilipsTV and I love! It lights out from the left and right side, and since its actually 3 RGB tubes inside, you can change to whatever colour spectrum or brightness your tastes desire. It can also be tuned to be dynamic or static. It's not really that crazy-distracting bright in person. I think these cameras have a hard time picking up the lighting subtleties, and blowing the shit out.. Like Matt mentioned, I like mine more subdued. The setup gives my condo a nice ambiance, chicks love it, and totally gets me laid. Try it before you fry it..