Philips PFL98x3 (2008) Series

The 42PFL9803H is very expensive for a 42in TV. It's also at times fussy as hell to use - so much so that it could well take you hours of experimentation before you fully understand what does what to different types of source material.

Unique style ; Ambilight and DNLA functionality ; solid, detailed black levels ; broad colour palette ; impressive Freeview tuner

Comparatively expensive ; not the three-dimensional feel to HD images you get with the very best TVs

Undeniably high standard across the board, coupled with some advanced technology and a fine finish – but you have to pay for it

Amazing black levels ; Stunning contrast ; Motion is smooth as silk

Expensive

Unusual silver design, deep blacks, lively and blur-free images, detail, Ambilight lightshow

Must be set-up carefully, erratic click wheel on remote control

Fiddly, but worth it, the 42PFL9803H is a versatile beast offering cinematic brilliance across the spectrum. A whizz at upscaling DVDs and even Freeview pictures to fit its Full HD screen without any video nasties, the 42PFL9803H is also fitted with...

A genuinely brilliant television let down only by some minor motion-handling issues and that price tag

A genuinely brilliant television let down only by some minor motion-handling issues and that price tag

Deep black with LED Lux; HD picture quality; Picture quality; 4 HDMI inputs

Default picture settings; Halo effect due to LED Lux; Navigation wheel on remote; HD Natural Motion has input lag

High contrast-ratio., Low power consumption., Powerful speakers., Hybrid tuner for DVB-T/DVB-C

Automatic LED-adjustment introduces artifacts., Judder in 24p signals., User cannot change picture-format for HD signals., Lack of separate backlight setting

Philips takes a step forward with new “Local Dimming” LED-backlight technology, but the system produces artifacts more noticeably than competing models. Home-theater fans will grimace at the inaccurate 24p playback, which many other devices handle...

This is a great TV, make no mistake. Ambilight is impressive, but it's the addition if the LED backlighting array that really makes this set stand out. Sure, the 42PFL9803 has its quirks - the remote and the difficulting of going beyong the default...