Philips don't stop making 21:9 TV's

[bluevoice]

I planned buying the 'Cinema Gold' in the not too distant future and was a bit upset by Philips plans. The main question is: Will Philips keep developing new firmware software and enhancements for the 50pfl???

Best regards,

Andreas

@ Andreas Willershausen: looking back to Philips's update history, I expect there will be new firmware releases but only to solve minor bugs. But don't expect to see any new valuable features like USB recording without the use of internet coming to the 2011 range. For that you'll have to buy a 2012 or later TV.

Anyway I think at this moment Philips managed to fix most annoying bugs for the 2011 range:
- Random crashes
- CI+ module no image bug
- PNM always on bug
- Local dimming bug (doesn't apply to the Gold model)

So if you're satisfied with the current features of the Philips Cinema Gold, than buying this TV is a good choice. You'll get a good price for a cinematic format TV, that works great for both movies and television broadcasts.

There is still one major bug to be taken into consideration with the 2011 TV line and that is the incompatibility with other Philips's high end sound devices (HTS's and Soundbars) when Easylink is active. If you want to read more about this, then take a look here: http://www.supportforum.philips.com/...50PFL7956H-12) Philips says they can reproduce this problem but there's no fix yet.

So expect we might see 1 or 2 more software updates for the 2011 series after all but nothing too fancy.

[Makmut]

I live in the capital of Sweden and I must say that I'm very disappointed the way Philips has marketed the Cinema brand here. It's incredible difficult to find a store that can demonstrate the cinema TV and if you have the luck to find any Cinemas it's then IMPOSSIBLE to find a salesman that can show you the features and answers the questions "everybody" :-) is asking ... How about subtitles? Will it work with an Apple TV? Will it work on demand boxes? How about old recorded stuff on a dvd-recorder with subtitles? If you use the built in digital tuner - Can you watch and record at the same time using a stand-alone recorder like the Panasonic DMR-EH65? Sony KDL-V5500 cannot ... And plenty more questions! One guy didn't even find the remote control! WHEN YOU TRY TO FIND HELP ON THE INTERNET YOU FIND SO MUCH CONFUSION, RUMOURS AND INCORRECTNESS THAT YOUR PLANNED PURCHASE ENDS UP IN NOTHING ... And now the rumour says that Philips will stop making Cinemas. Should I believe it? Is it a trick, just to emty the stock before announceing the new models? (now I may have created a rumour, sorry). I won't buy the 58" just on pure CHANCE, Philips. YOU CAN DO THIS BETTER!

[stevejuk]

I have watched hundreds of blu ray films on my 21:9 tv and everyone of them shows immaculately. I bought starwars, lord of the rings and the matrix on blu ray and watching them on my 21:9 tv is the best you can get at home. The ambilight feature makes viewing even better. I bought mine for £1000 and at that price it is the best tv I've ever had. I could not go back to a 16:9 tv the width of a 21:9 56" isn't overpowering in my living room. Please carry on making them !!!

[elroy]

21:9 TV is GREAT!

The only have to build a new platform which supports the common Screen resolution 2560x1080p, and not the TV550 platform

[scape]

If they would build a 21:9 TV with nativ usable screen resolution, this would be a reason for me to buy a new one immediately!

[dozer]

Just bought the PFl9956 here in Norway, and I am blown away from the viewing experience. Absolutely fantastic!! I get the best from both worlds I think.

[Leon Vet]

Now pricing finally has come down to a more affordable level i finally jumped the gun and bought the 9956. All i can say is that i love it. I understand a 60" 16:9 has more screen real estate, but it's such a big ugly slab on the wall. The cinema series looks great even when switched off.

Pleas Philips, don't stop producing this format and keep on developing the firmware.

Regards,

Leon