Home > Consumer Reviews > Philips 42PFL7422D/37 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

I purchased my Philips 42" 1080p LCD HDTV from Costco in Oct. 2007. I had researched HDTVs since August and decided to purchase this one. I loved the design and the Standard Definition viewing was acceptable. I could not wait until DirecTv installed the HD satellite box. However, upon installation of the HD satellite box, for some reason the HDMI connection between the TV and the DirectTV H20-100 satellite box caused an "unsupported video format" message to appear on the screen along with cyclical picture drops whenever video appeared on screen. This puzzled the installer and as a result he had to instead use component cables to get a video feed on the screen. The installer advised that the HD box was brand new (right out of the box) and there must be a problem with the TV HDMI connection. The TV's onscreen HD picture looked good with the component cables, but I know the HDMI cable will produce the best HD picture. I later went on the Philips support website only to learn that there are video feed problems associated with the DirectTV model H20-100 HD satellite box when connected to the TV via HDMI. I called Philip tech support and was advised that the TV has compatibility issues with Direct HD box via the HDMI connection. The only choice is to connect the satelitte box to the TV using component cables instead of an HDMI cable.

Needless to say, I was blown away and very disappointed. I bought the TV anticipating using the HDMI cable because I have a 51" Vivitek DLP HD TV in the basement and it produces the best picture. How can a company make a TV with HDMI compatiblity issues? For this reason alone, I will be returning the TV to Costco. Otherwise, if you use a cable HD box, you will probably be alright. Or if using only component cables doesn't bother you, then you will be fine with the purchase. I really liked everything else about this TV. Now the search for another TV begins!

I have had this t.v. for about 3 weeks now and I am a little disappointed with the product. I expected a lot from a t.v. that costs me $1,300 but I don't see that much of a step up from my old flat screen t.v. The picture quality of my old Sanyo was almost as good. Of course when I watch a show broadcasting in HD, the picture is a little sharper, but not enough to make it worth spending $900 more for an idiot box.

That being said... for an LCD t.v. this particular product does work fairly well. Although there are a lot of programs that don't transmit in digital and the automatic size adjustment is a little irritating when the picture constantly upsizes to fill the screen and then when commercials come on the picture is smaller again, then upsizes again. This goes on over and over again... larger then smaller then larger then smaller, etc., etc.

I don't know if this is a flaw of my particular t.v., but it won't let me select from all of the choices offered for screen format, it only allows me to pick form 3 on the list (i.e., automatic, wide screen, and unscaled). Also, I went throught the automatic setup when I first turned on the t.v. and now I can't select any of the other standard settings for viewing and listening, it is like it is stuck or something.

Finally, I have this t.v. in a large living room/dining room combination room with high ceilings and the sound is terrible. I can't understand dialog at times. Other sounds on the t.v. drown out conversation and it sounds like I am in a cave at times.

If I had to do it over again, I would find the cheapest LCD t.v. I could find. I don't see that much of an improvement over my old analog t.v. to make it worth the huge price difference. This is a nice t.v. though.

This is a second 42" Philips we purchased from Amazon in last 2 months. It has a very slick design and is amazingly simple to set up. Thumbs up!

My friend told me never buy any electronics from Philips but I decided to trust this giant brand. After I got this TV, the nightmare began. First, the DVI audio input not function properly. Second, I really doubt this is a 1080p HDTV. The resolution was so horrible after I connect my computer to HDMI input on TV. Third, the color looks weird on red. It is even worse than my old Panasonic 720p TV. After couple hours adjustments, I had no choice but returned this TV. Right now, I feel such a fool not listening to my friend. Anyway, it is totally wasting of time and money.

I bought this display for 200 dollars less at a local wharehouse. I ordered a hdmi to dvi cable so i could hook the tv to my computer. This was the first chance to use 1080p. Played a movie for about an hour then screen went black. Will be returning for a replacement. For the two days i had the tv it was beautiful, couldnt have been more impressed quality was fantastic. Hopefully next one will work for more than two days.