Customer Reviews

Philips 19PFL3504D/F7 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

After my previous 13 inch Sharp LCD TV died recently, I was in the market for a new small LCD TV for the kitchen. After shopping around I purchased the Philips 19PFL3504D/F7 19 inch LCD HDTV from a B&M Target store; this is the same TV available here either from Amazon itself or sold through Amazon by target.com/ITC. IMHO this set competes with other 19 inch sets such as the Toshiba 19AV600U 19-Inch 720p Portable LCD HDTV, Black and Samsung LN19B360 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black, which cost $45 to $80 more than the price I paid for the Philips. (Due to reliability / customer service concerns I did not consider any of the numerous no-name or store brand TVs available.)

First things first, at present the Philips requires a firmware upgrade (available at the Philips website) to eliminate an annoying high-pitched hum that occurs when the TV is powered off. If you have a computer and a USB flash drive this is an easy fix. Hopefully this will not be required on future shipment of the TV.

Setup of the Philips was very straightforward, and includes a guided setup which displays several test images and has the user select their brightness / sharpness / color preferences. This appears to be a faster way to get a decent picture than having to manually guess what backlight / sharpness / brightness / color / tint settings are needed. Of course these manual adjustments are available if needed. After 20 minutes to initially scan analog / digital channels, the TV was ready to go. The QAM tuner was able to pick up all of the digital cable channels (SD and HD) present; due to the distance from broadcast towers I could not check OTA performance. Unwanted channels can be "skipped" via the Setup menu.

The HD picture was excellent, with a bright picture, saturated colors, and good contrast. The SD picture was obviously a step down, but analog and digital SD channels were reasonably good. There are several options to present SD content stretched to fill the screen, but I preferred to stay in Normal mode and leave black bars on the side for SD content. The sound of the unit is fine, even though I was surprised to see that the speakers are located on the bottom of the TV (the pictures on Amazon make it look like these are front facing speakers). I had no issue getting adequate volume out of the speakers, and the sound quality is good considering the small size of this TV.

The Philips tilts forward a bit and tilts backwards a bit more, which is useful if viewing the TV from above or slightly below. The horizontal viewing angles are very good, no real degradation of the image when standing to the left or right of the TV. Viewing from above is OK up to about 45 degrees. Viewing from way below can become a problem, so if mounting this TV high up (say on a wall mount) make sure you can tilt it down towards the viewer. (Note: most TVs I looked at locally exhibit the same issue when viewing from below - some at a much smaller angle than the Philips.)

The Philips includes 2 HDMI inputs, component input, S-video / composite input, and VGA input. There is both a digital audio jack (coax) and headphone jack. Other standard features include sleep timer, parental controls, and sound equalizer. The two features I wish this TV had was a channel label feature (particularly useful to label the myriad digital channels this TV now picks up) and some type of Favorites feature to quickly tune to certain channels; the Toshiba mentioned above has these features at a higher price. I also have some concern over the long term reliability of this TV, as older 19 inch Philips models have some reliability complaints on here. I'll update this review if needed (hopefully not).

In summary, after using this set for a while I would say that this is a fine TV for the price, particularly if you are able to get the unit on sale. It is missing a few features from higher priced Toshiba and Samsung offerings, but has fine picture and sound at a price competitive with the no-name brands.

I'll keep this short and sweet.

This TV is really great. It's worth every penny. If it works.

After having mine for about 8 months, I started having issues very suddenly. There was no power surge, no thunder storm, no dropping it or kicking it or anything of the sort. It just started not turning on. I called tech support and they told me how to fix it: hold down the power button for 15 seconds. Worked great...the first time. After that, I spent 20 minutes figuring out that I had to unplug the power cord for at least 20 seconds and then plug it back in before it would turn on again. I called Philips tech support again, and they told me they would send me a "new or refurbished" replacement. 8 days later, I received it, and opened it to find a horribly beat up, scratched and wobbly replacement. I immediately called Philips again and told them that it was absurd for them to send me a beat up replacement for my nearly-mint-condition TV (aside from THEIR manufacturing error with the power supply). I was told I would have to just live with it because Philips considered "cosmetic issues" unworthy of consideration, begging environmental conservation as their excuse. Why they can't just sell these crappy refurbished models to knowing consumers is beyond me.

Long story short, after 8 months of treating my property with care and consideration, Philips gave me the shaft and despite the issue being their own fault as a manufacturer, repaid my patronage with a shrug of apathy.

Being a college student I am always searching for great deals on electronics, recently I have been looking for a small TV for my bedroom and I came across this philips 19' refurb for $134. I was a bit skeptical and read the reviews, most reviews were negative especially on the refurbished models. I went and purchased the TV anyway since I have had success with refurbished electronics in the past. Well this was my first bad experience, the reviews were true to their word. The power for the TV stopped working and i was no longer able to turn the TV on or off with the remote and this was the third day i had it, the only way i could get it to come on was to unplug the TV from the wall for a while. I called philips and they offered me the same model refurbished i said no thanks, I returned it and purchased a samsung 19' for $170, this TV had the best ratings and the fewest problems it is a little more expensive and the TV must be sitting at eye level to see the best picture, but i would rather have a TV with a little bit of an obscure viewing angle then a TV that doesn't turn on.

My PHILIPS LCD TV died after giving hardly 3 years of service. I have been a victim of PHILIPS dubious customer service - please aviod PHILIPS if you want to avoid being a victim too. I am pasting my chat script with their customer support:


Please wait while we find an available agent
You have been connected to Sean .
Sean : Hello Aash, and welcome to Philips Consumer Lifestyle. My name is Sean. Thank you for contacting us.
aash: Well thank you too Sean,
aash: I have trying to reach Televisions (purchased before 2008)
1-888-744-5477 Monday - Saturday 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST
Excluding Major Holidays
Sean : I understand that you are looking for Philips contact information.
aash: this the customer Service Line for Televisions (purchased before 2008)

aash: yes ... I am looking for someone to help me locate a authorized Philips Repair Service
aash: or give me the manual for the MODEL: 37PF7320a/37
aash: a service mnaual
Sean : I am providing you with the link to the PHILIPS website to check basic troubleshooting instructions in the frequently asked questions, possible model upgrades or to download the instruction manual for your player.
aash: I have been trying to reach 1-888-744-5477 for the last seven days ...
aash: I have already done tha
aash: t
aash: What I need is a service provider that can fix the TV ?
Sean : Unfortunately, we do not have service manual online and apologize for any inconvenience that might have caused.
aash: Its a thousand dollar TV ...
aash: what do I do with it ?
Sean : Aash, we do not have Philips authorized service centers however you may contact our Consumer Care Center representatives with the help of the phone number provided in the user's manual.
Sean : One of the representatives will assist you to the best of your satisfaction.
aash: Can I get the number of the PHILIPS NORTH AMERICA contact person who can really help me ... and not offer apologies ?
aash: The cost of getting a quote from unauthorised service people in my area is around 150USD
Sean : Based on the information you have provided your product is out of warranty.
aash: I have been trying to reach 1-888-744-5477 for the last seven days ... I finally called another numbver ... and they also told me that ... they " apologize for any inconvenience "
Sean : Since you could not find related information on the website or in the manual, the next step is to have your TV evaluated by a television repair center in your local area.
Sean : They can best advise you of next steps and costs for repair. Please contact a local service center in your area to get your TV serviced.
aash: so out warranty ... a PHILIPS product is ....
aash: WHO IS THAT " local service center "
aash: is all I am asking of you ...
aash: is there a number
Sean : Please check your local telephone directory Yellow Pages under 'Television Service and Repair'.
aash: and why can I not know the error codes ... the TV is giving a long RED LED blink followed by four slow LED blinks
Sean : Please check your local telephone directory Yellow Pages under 'Television Service and Repair'. The repair center will determine the extent of your unit's repair needs, and provide you with an estimated cost.
Sean : If that location is not nearby, call them to see whether they can recommend a closer repair center.
aash: Is that some kind of top secret missiel technology ...
aash: The cost of getting a quote from unauthorised service people in my area is around 150USD
aash: I neeed to know ... if it is even worth repairing
aash: this piece
aash: I am reading on the blogs that people with same model are reporting issues like fire / explosion from the same model ...
aash: I need to know I am dealing with here
aash: why can't you just tell me what the error code means
aash: PLEASE !!!
aash: HOW ETHICAL IS WHAT PHILIPS DOING ?
aash: Mr.Sean Are you still there ?
Sean : Yes Aash, I am still online.
Sean : I would have been happy to furnish you with the requested information however we at online are provided with the information on Philips MP3 and Portable DVD players.
aash: but I am reaching PHILIPS beacuse nobody answers the line I am supposed to call and the one I reached offered me "apologies"
aash: Why is it that nobody even wants to listen ... there are people on the BLOG saying that this product does not lasts only two to four years ...
aash: others are reporting incidents like fire/explosion !!!
aash: PLEASE SEARCH ON GOOGLE ...
Sean : We receive consumer calls about our products and our company. All comments are reported to management as we continually look for ways to improve our products.
Sean : We assure you that the issue you are calling about will be forwarded to them for review as well
aash: Come on ... I have been trying to reach the line for Televisions purchased before 2008
1-888-744-5477 Monday - Saturday 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST
aash: for the last seven days ...
aash: and nobody even bother to pick up the phone ...
Sean : Please accept my apologies since I am unable to help you directly in this matter as we have information on Philips MP3 players.
aash: give it a try ... call the number
aash: can you give me a person I can reach ... who is responsible for Consumer Electronics TELEVISIONs at PHILIPS
aash: I mean someone who can do things other than "apologize"
Sean : We do not have access to call and I request you search Philips support page for contact information.
aash: ha ha ha .... PHILIPS support is a joke ... ONE LAST TIME ... seriously ... given all that being said on the BLOGs and what I am experiencing first hand ... I would advise you to escalate my request
Sean : Sure Aash, I will forward this issue from my end.
aash: TO WHOM?
aash: ok take my phone number ... have some one call me ... (If you care)
aash: Mr.Sean Are you still there ?
Sean : Yes Aash.
aash: So who are going to escalate this to?
aash: *So who are you going to escalate this to?
Sean : I will forward this to our Consumer Care Manager.
Sean : Is there anything else I can assist you with?
aash: I am not sure if there is someone with that title beacuse I tried in vain to reach someone at you Andover MA office today ... but anyway go ahead and will wait for until tommorow evening if someone gets back to me
Sean : Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sean : Thank you for contacting Philips. We hope we brought Sense and Simplicity to you today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thank you again. Have a nice day.
You have been using online chat support at Philips Consumer Lifestyle. You may now close this window.
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I bought this TV for my mother's kitchen for Christmas. Just 92 days later it died. Don't buy it.

I read the reviews before I bought it, including one from a reviewer that had the same problem. I had hoped he just bought a lemon. I tried the fixes but with no luck. It won't work.

I don't have much experience with the Philips company so I will suggest you stay away from this model. I don't think I will be gambling on any more Philips though.

BTW - The store warranty expired 90 days after purchase. This is too big for a paperweight.

I was looking fo a small, quality TV for my workshop. I also wanted one that would double as a computer monitor. This TV does both just fine. In my area, rabbit ears do not do very well, so I am using an outside antenna and I get a very good picture. The built in speakers are just that, speakers.

The price on here is such a good price. Other places sell for more. Shipping was super fast. This TV is good. I use it for my apartment away from home and it is the perfect size. It sounds small, only a little bit bigger than my laptop dimensions but I really like it. My apartment is small and this is just the right size. The picture quality is pretty good, not excellent, but good for the price. The sound quality is okay. Some channels can be louder than others. If you get extended cable, it has a tuner in it already which can pick up more channels that you ordered. I love it! I love how it looks! Very classical black, sleek, and organized. It is pretty thin, but not thin so that it looks fragile. I just really love how shiny black it looks. I don't understand what all the negative reviews are, perhaps people bought it refurbished. I bought mine brand new and I absolutely love it! I hope it will last me a while.

If you plan to use this TV for Over-the-Air broadcasts, be aware that this unit's tuner does an POOR job of locking on to stations.

I am 20 miles from numerous digital channels (UHF and VHF), and the tuner fails to capture an adequate signal. One second the signal strength is 90+ and the next second it is <10.

I have tried rabbit ears + multiple amplified indoor anntenna; none resolved the problem. Surprising my old DTV converter box (that cost $40) had a better tuner than this model.

I also have a Sony LCD TV that uses rabbit ears, and that unit does lock on to the local channels; hence I blame this Philips model rather than the antenna (or distance).

We have had this TV for a year and a half now and have never had a problem one with it. The picture is perfect and great sound. My wife used it at different locations for a year so it got moved back and forth a lot but still works great. Maybe we got the exception but I can't complain about this TV at all. Philips 19PFL3504D/F7 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

For 15 months this was a fine TV; picture and sound were good. Then it wouldn't start on the first click. Within a week it could take a half hour to light this thing. Philips support people were polite but refused to help. The technical support group did not admit to the problem and offered no advise. On line posts, and my suspicion, is a power supply problem. If you get the TV to start it works fine. It is extremely frustrating that this failure has been indicated by others and not recognized by Philips. Local service wants over $50 just to diagnose the problem. Philips offered to send a refurb for over $110 (I don't remember the exact amount). They also said to just put the original one in the trash. The TV only cost about $150. Financially or environmentally, this makes no sense. Even though it is a relatively small amount of money involved, it is enough to assure that I will not buy another Philips product.