Philips 44PL9523 44-Inch Cineos Widescreen LCOS Projection TV Monitor

by Philips

Product Details

Product Manual [4.70mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 130 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B0000970IZ
• Item model number: 44PL9523
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,102 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

It's not plasma, it's not LCD, it's LCoS, liquid crystal on silicon, a technology that lets the lightweight, slim-body Philips 44PL9523 Cineos TV deliver 44 inches of home-theater excitement from a body that's less than 15 inches deep. The 44PL9523 offers an HD-ready, flicker-free screen with perfect convergence, no visible pixel grid, and no risk of image burn-in. The set's native 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution and multitude of analog and digital inputs accept high-resolution pictures from DTV set-top boxes, PCs (inputs up to 1,280 x 1,024), DVD players, and other devices (up to 1080i HD resolution).

A host of technologies ensure great images from any input source. Digital Natural Motion renders razor-sharp moving images via processing that calculates motion trajectories of moving picture elements, while ActiveControl Plus+ automatically analyzes the incoming signals from the Tuner, AV1, AV2, and side video inputs 50 times per second and adjusts key picture settings accordingly. In addition to measuring picture noise, this feature uses an ambient light sensor to adjust the picture settings according to viewing conditions in the room. A 3-line digital comb filter gives you improved chroma/luminance separation over standard 2-line comb filters.

For viewing features, the set's double-window, dual-tuner picture-in-picture feature splits the screen into 2 independent halves, letting you do everything from watching two shows simultaneously to watching one while surfing the other, or scanning channels while keeping an eye on video input 1, 2, or 3. The TV also has single PIP (free positioning), as well as threefold and sixfold side PIPs. In addition, you get photo finish, freeze Main, and freeze PIP. Replay lets you playback the previous few seconds in a PIP screen--if you missed the action, replay it as many times as you want while your program continues in the other window.

The set uses 2-way stereo speakers with a 20-watts-per-channel sound system and also features an auto volume limiter to minimize drastic level changes between, say, a TV program and its commercials. A rear-panel subwoofer output makes it easy to hook up a powered sub for deeper-than-deep bass effects or low-end musical authenticity, while a choice of Virtual Dolby Surround and Incredible Surround processing produces the sensation of surround sound without the hassle or expense of installing additional rear speakers.

Other connections include 3 each composite- and S-video inputs, 3 component-video inputs (2 HD, 1 standard), a 15-pin D-Sub PC connection, and a DVI direct digital input for use with a compatible DTV set-top box or other DVI device. A set of audio/video outputs lets you integrate the set with your stereo or surround receiver, and a set of side-mounted AV inputs with a headphone output simplifies hookup of a camcorder, gaming console, or VCR.

What's in the Box TV, a universal remote control (RC2043/01B), remote batteries, a user's manual, quick use and setup guide, and a warranty registration card.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A lemon from which you can't make lemonade, October 9, 2004

By 

A Reader (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips 44PL9523 44-Inch Cineos Widescreen LCOS Projection TV Monitor (Electronics)

Because of the combination of the Philips name and the gorgeous picture quality of the floor model we saw at Bose, we purchased on of these from Bose. Two and a half weeks after it was installed, it flashed a message saying "replace lamp" (the lamps are supposed to last for 6,000 hours) and then it popped off, and we couldn't get it to turn on again.

We first contacted Philips, but their service center is in the Philippines, and the people know NOTHING about the products. On the second call and upon my insistence, they referred us to a customer service center in the US. That service center knew something about the product and thought perhaps the lamp was defective and sent us a new one (free, but only after some pointed comments about the fact that the TV wasn't even a month old). The replacement lamp did absolutely no good. We asked to have the TV replaced, but all Philips would do was to say we should arrange for a local authorized repair service to come to see what they could do.

At that point, we contacted Bose because we did not trust the long-term viability of whatever fix the repairmen might do, and the TV was too expensive to take the chance that it would break down two days after the warranty lapsed. Bose arranged for Philips to take back the TV and give us a replacement. But it seemed to us that Bose had to strong-arm Philips to stand behind the product.

The replacement worked for less than 24 hours before going into permanent stand-by mode. Bose agreed immediately to take it back and refund our purchase price. The only good aspect of our experience was the consummate professionalism and customer service of Bose.

I should add that on the day the second TV failed, Philips announced to the financial markets that it is terminating its rear projection TV line, citing market share considerations. My bet, the real reason is too high a defect rate on the product, based on our zero-for-two experience.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It's crap, and the customer service isn't any better (UPDATED), August 27, 2005

By 

YaraelPoof980 "Disgruntled Jedi Master" (Madison, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips 44PL9523 44-Inch Cineos Widescreen LCOS Projection TV Monitor (Electronics)

First the one good part: There's some nice quality when you watch TV, and it goes great with surround sound.

Now the bad parts.

First, the screen scratches VERY easily. By two months it was almost impossible to even look at the screen without staring at these white little smudges.

This TV worked fine for about six months. I was watching TV one night and I got this warning message that went something like "please replace lamp." I figured I had some time to order a new lamp because your TV lamp is supposed to last for 6000 hours, and once you get this message you have 1000 more hours to enjoy your TV and then it goes blank and you need a new lamp. At first I was confused because I certainly didn't use my TV for 5000 hours since I got it, so I shouldn't have been getting this warning.

Two hours after I got this warning my screen went blank.

Usually, when you turn on the TV a little orange light goes on, which turns to green when the screen goes on. It was now flashing red. The TV wouldn't turn on. I realized something was wrong with the TV since it only gave me 2 out of the 1000 more hours it was supposed to give me.

I contacted Philips and ordered a new lamp. They said it was going to be delivered in about a week. I was leaving for Italy in a couple days for a week's vacation, so I figured my new lamp would be waiting for me when I get back.

It wasn't. So I called up customer service and asked them where my lamp was. They told me--"It's on back order! No one told you? Oh, I'm so sorry!"

So, my new lamp was on back order and I was stuck without a TV. They said allow one more week for shipping.

I waited a week and a couple days, and my lamp still wasn't delivered. So I called up customer service again and they told me it was still on back order.

After a month of it being on back order I requested to talk to the executive level of customer service. The more high-authority workers told me if my lamp is on back order for 20 days or more, I could request a total refund of my crappy hi-definition TV. (I was on vacation a lot so I was told this when I got back) And that's just what I did.

A day after they confirmed my refund, my TV magically started working again.

It was very confusing, and I can't figure out why it suddenly started to work after one month of it not working.

Philips is still going to pick up my TV and give me a refund, because I'm NOT keeping this TV.

I used a tape measure to measure my TV room and this time I'm going to get a nice 100 inch TV that doesn't have the name PHILIPS on it.

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. IN THE WORDS OF MY TV, CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.

UPDATED October 6, 2005--I do not have this 44 inch TV. I have the EXACT same model in a 63 inch version.