[Tabasco]

Hi.

I want to buy myself a Hd-ready Tv to use with my Xbox 360.
But sadly, here in the EU, CRT Hd-Ready Tv's are as good as non-existant. The only way to get Hd here, is by buying a LCD / Plasma / Projector. (But it's the same thing in the UK I think) However, for a student like me, a LCD is too expensive. And, the quality still can't match that of a CRT imo. But times have changed, and it seems like I could get a HD CRT after all:

First I was intending to get the Samsung 32" HD Slimfit model.But while the Tv can display HD, it suffers severe geometry problems, like we all saw in the other topic.

While disappointed, I stumbled onto a Philips CRT, the 32PW9551. There has been quite a fuzz going on about this Tv here in Europe. All this is because the Tv has only 576 lines. However, it accepts 720p, 1080i on both 50 and 60hz and then scales it to 576p. But Philips has put some very nice technology into this Tv. (Things like pixelplus). And several tests and reviews claim that this Tv's picture quality is superior to about all HD-Ready Lcd's (The ones that truly show 720p). Here are some pics of the Philips in action with the 360, accepting the 720p signal: http://www.evo-x.de/wbb2/thread.php?...ac62e2c8ca330a. (scroll down the whole thread, more pics further down.)

I also found this on some German forum: (it's a reply from Philips tech support Germany to some guy who asked about the HD deal):

Wir teilen Ihnen mit, dass dieser Fernseher 625 Linien besitzt, davon 576 für Bild und 1024 Pixel pro Linie.
Die Pixel an einem Röhrenfernseher werden runterskaliert. In diesem Fall wird 1280*720p entsprechend runterskaliert.
Wenn Sie Pixel Plus aktivieren, hat das Bild 2048 Pixel und 833 (intepolierte) Linien.

Here is a babelfish translation:
We communicate that this television possesses 625 lines, of it 576 for picture and 1024 pixels per line to you. The pixels at a tube television are down-scaled. In this case 1280*720p is down-scaled accordingly. If you activate pixel plus, the fig. has 2048 pixels and 833 (intepolierte) lines.

If I am right, it means that the Tv normally only displays 576p, but the pixelplus makes it look like 883p. Or not? It would explain the good picture quality though.

So I'm realy leaning towards the Philips now. I mean, everybody says that the quality is so good, and it only costs like 600-700€. I would have to pay at least 1400€ for a 32" LCD screen. But still, I want your thoughts.

Thanks!

[Boris360]

I think it looks like a good bet!
Trouble is, when (if at all) is it going to be available in the UK?

[Eiji]

Hmm, I guess the reason the set is labelled "HD Prepared" is because it doesn't meet the 720 lines minimum for the "HD Ready" spec, rather 576 lines.

[Tabasco]

Originally Posted by Eiji83

Hmm, I guess the reason the set is labelled "HD Prepared" is because it doesn't meet the 720 lines minimum for the "HD Ready" spec, rather 576 lines.

Aye, but many people that went Tv hunting say that the Philips gives better image quality than most true HD Ready Tv's.

is there any way of importing one? or do we have to wait?

at the moment im considering ordering a samsung hd crt, but reall ynot sure due to one day seeing crappy pics and then the next seeing pics of the set working nice with no geometry issues.
I work at a retailer in derbyshire and we have one of the slimfit's on order, so ill see what its like then.
but this philips looks really nice.

[Tabasco]

I think the Tv is available now in Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. I don't know if/when it's coming to the UK. Be carefull with importing one as we have other power voltages here on the mainland.

[onkeh]

Originally Posted by Tabasco

I think the Tv is available now in Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. I don't know if/when it's coming to the UK. Be carefull with importing one as we have other power voltages here on the mainland.

I was wondering how this works, what happens if you just jam the plug into a socket converter?

[hamster]

Originally Posted by Tabasco

I think the Tv is available now in Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. I don't know if/when it's coming to the UK. Be carefull with importing one as we have other power voltages here on the mainland.

Its all 220-250V and is no problem. ALL sets are designed for much larger fluctuations in voltage!