0309wv13 Philips32PW9308TV

16/7/2003

12:42 pm

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group test

PHILIPS 32PW9308

32in widescreen Nicam TV

Pixel-perfect

Philips claims that Pixel Plus, already leader of the picture processing pack, just got better. Cue the 32PW9308, a TV with a great deal to prove
Unless youve been living in Outer Mongolia for the past couple of years, youll have heard of Pixel Plus. Launched by Philips amid a fanfare of hype and hyperbole early last year, Pixel Plus was Philips first attempt at a resolution-boosting technology. And it worked spectacularly well. So were very excited by Pixel Pluss second generation, as seen on the 32in 32PW9308. Can Philips improve on its original winning formula? And, more importantly, how will it fare against the Sony and Panasonic contenders in this group test? At least there is a set of front AV inputs hidden out of sight down the 32PW9308s side, but the lack of Scarts still rankles. Oh well, we guess cutbacks had to be made somewhere to hit that attractive 1,100 price point. If you have an RGB-equipped DVD player and a digital TV adaptor or digibox youll have to fork out for an RGB Scart-switching box. Happily, the 32PW9308s picture features have survived the cutbacks relatively intact. Inevitably, we start with the new Pixel Plus, and the appearance in the Picture menus of Movie Plus. This calls in swanky extra processing targeted at the shimmering halo effect around moving objects that was our only complaint about the previous Pixel Plus engine. Movie Plus works by seeking out portions of complex movement. When it finds some it temporarily adjusts the sharpness and reduces the effect of Digital Natural Motion (Philips motion-smoothing system) to compensate. Ordinary Pixel Plus is also available, as are Double Line and standard 100Hz options for footage that Movie Plus is not comfortable with. way and extent that its various digital picture processes work as well see, this can have a big impact. The 32PW9308 also boasts an upgrade to Philips clever Active Control system. AC automatically analyses an incoming signal and continually adjust a host of picture attributes for the first time including Tint and, critically, Motion Enhancement to make the picture look its best on a moment-to-moment basis. Other features worth a quick mention are multi-level noise reduction and dynamic contrast options, plus CinemaLink for intercommunication within a full Philips AV system, and Virtual Dolby audio processing. Before we get to performance, a quick word about the 32PW9308s operating system. It employs the innovative double-axis system used to good effect on Philips DVD decks and plasma screens. Our only criticism is that its a bit sluggish and long-winded. Then again, it does have to cope with a vast number of features.
Attractive, comfortable and well laid-out a good all-rounder

DESCRIPTION

Aesthetically, the 32PW9308 is the weakest of our high-definition triumvirate. Its not ugly; the entire fascia wears an unusual but futuristically appealing finish and the jutting sides are striking. But the other two TVs, especially the Panasonic 32PD30, undoubtedly deliver extra class. A glance at the 32PW9308s rear end requires a double-take to confirm just how few connections its got. There are only two Scarts, a stereo audio output and the RF input. And before you ask, yes, only one of the Scarts can take RGB. Bummer. If you want better connectivity, including four Scarts, you will have to step up to the new Dolby Digital-compatible Pixel Plus TVs.
It may not be a beauty, but wait til you switch it on.

OPERATION

Helpfully, the 32PW9308 lets you specify precisely what kit digital set-top box, DVD player, games console is attached to which input. The TV uses this information to make subtle adjustments to the

PERFORMANCE

In use, the 32PW9308 proves every bit as accomplished as the previous Pixel Plus TVs and then some. The resolution enhancements of Pixel Plus mean that footage of all types
Just two Scarts is not exactly generous
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Specification
FEATURES 32in 16:9 TV; Pixel Plus, Movie Plus, 100Hz Natural Scan, Double Line modes; Nicam sound; Virtual Dolby; picture/sound presets; multiple aspect ratio support; noise reduction; text/picture splitscreen; CinemaLink; child lock; on/off-timer; tilt correction; teletext subpage store; source-adaptive processing; dynamic contrast; Active Control; Digital Natural Motion; auto volume levelling; auto tuning; splitscreen Pixel Plus/Dynamic equaliser; contrast demos; zoom; 3D effect SOCKETS Side: stereo audio inputs; S-video input; composite video inputs; headphone jack Rear: two Scarts (one RGB); RF jack; stereo audio outputs DIMENSIONS 550(h) x 892(w) x 560(d)mm WEIGHT 60kg CONTACT Philips 9070 www.philips.co.uk TEST DATA Colour: superb. No bleed, edge tizzing, or edge softness and convergence is exemplary Geometry: excellent. No significant curvature Frequency response: excellent. Noiseless, clear detail to 5.8MHz

from all sources seems much more detailed and multi-dimensional. The effect is not quite as striking as with the Panasonic set, but the difference is minor. Colours are extraordinarily vibrant yet also pleasingly natural, while the black level is phenomenal. Given how much processing is going on, there are precious few nasty processing artefacts to worry about. Occasionally you get a smear behind a football or tennis ball, but most artefacts can be dealt with by switching between the digital processing systems. Crucially, the new Movie Plus option really does eradicate most though not quite all of our old shimmering-motion nemesis. We were initially concerned about some rather in-your-face glimmering over hard edges and a tendency to over-emphasise blocking artefacts inherent to digital TV broadcasts. But telling the TV what kit was connected to each AV input made a big difference, as did keeping the
contrast low and, much to our surprise, setting the Active Control system to Maximum. Our only real complaint is that the 32PW9308 can over-emphasise dotty interference over small colour patches on composite video feeds.
Every bit as accomplished as the previous Pixel Plus TVs and then some
Provided youve remembered to tell it that a DVD player is attached, the 32PW9308 is terrific with DVD playback, and is comfortably the best in this test. It combines ultra-sharpness, natural colours and, thanks to the new processing improvements, lack of shimmering around movement. DVD playback really shows just how good the new Digital Natural Motion/Pixel Plus combination is, with moving objects
and camera pans all looking almost eerily smooth and clean. The 32PW9308 isnt quite as assured sonically. Theres quite a bit of detail in the soundstage, as well as good left/right separation in the unusually well-controlled Virtual Dolby mode. Bass is delivered with plenty of aggression and attack, too. But theres not quite enough frequency response to avoid harshness at high volumes.

What we think

WHATS GOOD Picture; price; features WHATS BAD Lack of inputs PICTURE. SOUND. FEATURES. EASE OF USE VALUE.77777.77777.77777.77777.77777

CONCLUSION

With Philips 32PW9308, the best has just got better. Yes, the other sets in this triple challenge have better connectivity and sonics. But for sheer picture talent, the 32PW9308s improvements to Pixel Plus and Digital Natural Motion keep Philips on top of the high-resolution heap. And at this price its simply irresistible s

Verdict 77777

The best picture processing system just got better a spectacular set The front AV inputs are hidden round the side
September 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT 53

EHC32-050[Loewe Nemos].4

5/3/04

12:37 pm

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>>Reviews Screens

Key Features 32in 16:9 CRT 100Hz processing Analogue tuner Nicam stereo Virtual Dolby Surround Digital Motion Interpolation Fastext Auto aspect ratio switching Picture-in-picture Connections 3x Scart input (2x RGB) Stereo audio output S-Video input Composite video input Stereo audio input RF input Dimensions 900(w) x 610(h) x 530(d)mm

Loewe Nemos 32

This is the last new CRT television Loewe will ever make. Danny Philips watches and wonders
F THEY HAVE TVS IN PARADISE, CHANCES ARE LOEWE would make them. The German company is renowned for its classy and decadent tube TVs that look like theyd be more at home in an art gallery than a TV showroom. Take the Nemos 32, for example. Bravely eschewing the current trend for silver, this set's dark, distinctive looks are a real treat. The anthracite finish lends it a sophistication lacking in many widescreen TVs, while the screen, unusually, juts forward from the main cabinet. The cherry on this unfeasibly heavy cake is the circular, silver-trimmed power button beneath the viewing area a simple yet effective touch. A glance at the rear panel is just as pleasing. There are three Scart sockets, allowing you to plug in your digibox, DVD and VCR all at the same time, plus stereo audio output and an RF input. Composite, S-Video and stereo audio inputs are sensibly located on the side, as opposed to the front, so that cables don't intrude on the stylish fascia.
What we like about this screen Excellent pictures and sound Distinctive looks Lots of features
Tremendous pictures and sound
Newcomers to Loewes world will welcome the automated set-up procedure and onscreen manual. The latter comes in very handy indeed, as many of the menu options are far from selfexplanatory. The menu screens are yawnsome grey boxes but this makes things so easy to follow that you'll forgive this piece of overt German pragmatism. Alongside the basic picture adjustments, which can be stored, is a selection of aspect ratio settings (such as Panoramic, Cine and Zoom), but the automatic switching mode (AMD) means you don't have to worry about changing them. More advanced features include 100Hz processing, Digital Noise Control (DNC), which reduces picture interference, and Digital Motion Interpolation (DMI), which tones down the

50 ESSENTIAL HOME CINEMA

smearing effect that 100Hz processing can cause. The sound features list hosts all the basics Virtual Dolby, a Panorama sound widener, three presets and bass/treble adjustment. But if all this leaves you wanting What we dont like more, then Loewe's range of retroabout this screen fittable upgrade modules significantly Analogue tuner increases the flexibility. pictures There's plenty to admire about the Pricey Nemos' pictures. Movies such as Hulk are endowed with rich, natural colours, an astonishing amount of pin-sharp detail and an excellent contrast range. The latter lends the image a cinematic quality, and allows detail to be picked out during dingy scenes. TV pictures from a digibox share these qualities. Well-lit studio broadcasts, such as the ITV News, look fantastic the full-on blue of Trevor McDonald's virtual studio is faithfully reproduced, while captions are crisp and tightly contained. Also impressive is the fact that the digital 100Hz processing causes no artefacts, and DMI works extremely well demonstrated by the smooth, steady text rolling across the screen. Analogue tuner pictures are its only Achilles heel, as they look softer and far less vibrant than other sources. The Nemos certainly produces the goods in the sound department. It boasts plenty of bass, which helps give movie soundtracks the required oomph, while dialogue is clear and prominent. Virtual Dolby tries to throw effects a little wider, but ultimately adds little to the experience. The Nemos 32 is the set that has it all: tremendous pictures and sound, useful features and looks to die for. At 1,400, it's not cheap, but it's worth every penny.

HomeCinemaVerdict

Sales 465 Web www.loewe.de

Essential

REMOTE CONTROL At first glance the remote handset looks mysterious, but the multipurpose black dial in the centre makes it intuitive to use, and the coloured keys prove very useful.
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT The Loewe Nemos 32 is a great all-rounder, with top-notch pictures and sound, unique looks, and all the features and sockets you'll ever need. A superb set.

Overall

BEST RIVALS
Sony KD-32DX100U Philips 32PW9308 JVC HV-32D25EJW