Philips 32PFL3505D/F7 32-Inch LCD HDTV, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)This was meant as a 'bedroom' TV - replacing a 15 yr. old 27-incher; the 32" size was constrained by the size of our TV cabinet - and, so far, it fully met our expectations.
We made the initial decision to order this specific TV because it was on sale at the time (low price) and because I had a very positive experience with PHILIPS as a customer in the past. Since we set it up in our bedroom we liked it even more for its ease of setup and operation, high quality picture and sound (the context is the bedroom) and for its versatility/flexibility (many ports and options). The all-shiny-black, minimalist design, with all buttons invisible, hidden behind the frame is not too bad either.
So, let's get into some details.SETUP AND OPERATIONS
As I noted already, it's as easy as plugging it in and hooking it up to either an antenna (coax) or cable box. The first time you turn on the TV it's going to ask about your language - English, French and Spanish are supported - look for 'channels' and then do a very clever color setup test where all you do is answer which side (right or left) you prefer for the 5 or 6 pictures displayed. You're done.
Later on, you can personalize your color and sound preferences by setting up various parameters individually or by picking any of the pre-configured sets: standard, sports, movie, gaming for colors. You can set the sound parameters such as virtual surround, volume leveling, stereo/mono/SAP and you can pick form 'auto' sound or pre-set configurations such as movie, music or news.
Like any modern TV, this one is upgradeable too. If you really feel the need to do so, you can pick the latest software at the Philips site, loaded on a USB drive and your TV should update itself once the USB drive is plugged into TV's USB port. NOTE: the USB port is ONLY for upgrading, it CAN'T be used to display pictures or play home videos.
The small remote control is well laid out, uncluttered, with the most important functions - on/off, input source, sleep, picture format and, of course, channel and volume - accessible through dedicated buttons and the less frequently needed functions available through the 'menu' option.SPECS
This is clearly not a top of the line device and it's not meant to be so. At this size (32" to be used in the bedroom) we didn't care about 1080p so we saved by getting this good quality model at a great price. So, here's what you get:
- Picture: WXGA (1366x768 at 60Hz) - typically you'll be getting 720p if watching a Blu-ray video.
- Aspect ration: 16:9, also known as 'wide screen'.
- Viewing angle: 170 degrees. Really, no issues viewing the picture from whatever angle.
- Sound: 20W and supports virtual surround
- PC input: supported via HDMI
- Power: 120V, 60Hz (don't take it to Europe)CONNECTIONS
Quite impressive for a TV this inexpensive. Everything that might be possibly needed from coax to HDMI (3) ports is there. No TOSLINK (optical) port, it's true but I can't see why you would need one given the TV's tiny speakers.
Inputs:
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- Antenna jack (coax)
- Component video and audio (on the side)
- S-Video (on the side)
- Composite video
- HDMI ports (three ports, 2 on the back and one on the side)
- USB (for software upgrades only)
Outputs:
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- Analog audio
- Digital audio outputWARRANTY
The limited 1 year warranty covers everything other than accident (you drop it) or abuse and either the original purchaser or someone who received the item as a gift - proof of purchase still needed. It's worth noting that you will be responsible for shipping and shipping costs if there is a need to have your TV fixed so make sure that you save your receipt and the original box.
Since I mentioned on the first paragraph that I picked a PHILIPS because of a prior good customer experience, maybe it's worth sharing it because not all companies treat their customers with respect AFTER the sale. A couple of years ago my old PHILIPS monitor decided to stop working. It was covered by a 2-year warranty and 'I thought' it was still under warranty but I could not find the proof of purchase. To make it short, the Philips person established the date the monitor was manufactured from the serial number and, even if it was a little over '2 years ago' agreed to have my monitor repaired under warranty even though I could not produce a receipt. They added '3 months' to the manufacture date because they estimated it would take that long for a unit to be sold. I don't believe that many companies would do this much for their FORMER customers.MY RATING
It should be clear by now that it's a 5-star and it's so because it does everything a bedroom TV is expected to do: it fits inside the TV cabinet, it was inexpensive, it's easy to operate and, so far, it has delivered good-quality pictures reliably.
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>> Brush your teeth, it's the law!

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With vivid, razor-sharp images, HD resolution, innovative audio technology, and eco-friendly features, the Philips 32PFL3505D/F7 32-Inch LCD HDTV offers high-quality viewing in a size that fits virtually any room in your house. Incredible Surround audio technology immerses you in television and movie soundtracks, and Dolby Digital outputs connect the television to your home theater system. Additionally, inputs for HDMI and PC let you use this state-of-the-art HDTV as the monitor for your PC, Blu-ray player, game console, and more.
Vibrant, Sharp Image for a Cinematic ExperienceThe Philips 32-Inch HDTV features the Digital Crystal Clear package that digitally optimizes picture contrast, color, and sharpness levels for vivid, cinema-like images. With a widescreen HD resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, the HDTV uses progressive scanning, bringing you a smooth, flicker-free image with bright colors and sharp images.
Audio Technology Provides Surround Sound ExperienceEquipped with Incredible Surround audio technology, the HDTV uses innovative sound mixing to expand the virtual distance between its two speakers, giving greater depth and width to the audio experience. For additional audio options, a Dolby Digital output is handy for connecting to your home theater system.
Connection Options for All Your Viewing NeedsYou can quickly and easily connect to a cable or satellite box, camcorder, game console, Blu-ray disc player, DVD player, PC, and more with the HDTV's multiple inputs. Three HDMI inputs with Philips' EasyLink let you control connected devices with the same remote control as the TV, and because one HDMI is conveniently located on the side, you won't have to climb around furniture to plug and unplug.
Additionally, a convenient cable holder at the back of the TV keeps all your cables neat and easy to manage.
Customize the Picture to Your LikingDepending on whether you're watching movies, playing games, or using your TV as a PC monitor, you'll want to adjust your screen to fit the media. With five video display options and three options for use with your PC, you can choose between normal, wide, zoom, movie expand, and more.
Energy Efficient Features Reduce Power ConsumptionThe HDTV's power-saving features include Philips' dimming technology, which uses a built-in light sensor to automatically adjust the TV backlight for optimal picture quality and power efficiency, according to the light in the room. The Philips 32-Inch HDTV is also Energy Star compliant, meaning you'll conserve energy with its high-efficiency materials.
The Philips 32PFL3505D/F7 32-Inch LCD HDTV is backed by a manufacturer's one-year limited warranty.
What's in the BoxPhilips 32PFL3505D/F7 32-Inch LCD HDTV, table top stand, power cord, quick start guide, user manual, registration card, remote control, and batteries for the remote control.

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