Have your say & ask the experts

in the philips 42"9664 'what hi fi' review they state that the 'quality of materials and construction are miles ahead of the rest'. is that a true statement or line filling in the review ? it also mentions slight ghosting which surely other tv's don't have and I am unsure how this can happen on a tv getting a review that claims it is the best tv for ages. the samsung 40B7000 got 5 stars and yet the 40B8000 got 4. The 46B8000 got 5 stars, but surely components have not changed in the viewing experience just a bigger screen. They claim that the 40B8000 has 'imperfections against the competition'. I wonder if the 40B8000 should have been and is a 5 star tv.I wonder if they are comparing it against the philips 42" 9664 and thats why it got 4 ? if thats the case every tv will now be a 4 star tv until they all up the ante and get on par with the philips. what do you think and can 'What hi fi' give there reasoning

brettweir:

in the philips 42"9664 'what hi fi' review they state that the 'quality of materials and construction are miles ahead of the rest'. is that a true statement or line filling in the review ? it also mentions slight ghosting which surely other tv's don't have and I am unsure how this can happen on a tv getting a review that claims it is the best tv for ages. the samsung 40B7000 got 5 stars and yet the 40B8000 got 4. The 46B8000 got 5 stars, but surely components have not changed in the viewing experience just a bigger screen. They claim that the 40B8000 has 'imperfections against the competition'. I wonder if the 40B8000 should have been and is a 5 star tv.I wonder if they are comparing it against the philips 42" 9664 and thats why it got 4 ? if thats the case every tv will now be a 4 star tv until they all up the ante and get on par with the philips. what do you think and can 'What hi fi' give there reasoning

I got lost just looking at the post! All that 'number crunching'!!

You have two other threads on TV's. Reviews are a guide and should not be regarded as the gospel truth. It does help in eliminating the bad choices from the good - but in the end, it's your money.

So, buy the best value you can for your money and be happy with it.

I have read What Hi-Fi for 25 years, from when I was an aspirational spotty teen till now. I hope I'll still be reading it during my retirement years, also 25 years from now. In that time, I have NEVER had cause to doubt the veracity of the What Hi-Fi team, or their competence, and I still don't today. In all those years, I've never once come across any disgruntled former contributor to  What Hi-Fi anywhere, speaking of their behind-the-scenes lack of competence over there, or their suspect morality when it comes to reviews (especially as was thrown around during the recent Oppo slug-fest, and over which I still find myself brooding, having largely avoided the debate but paid keen attention to those who did contribute), nor their ability to articulate an idea clearly.

I suspect I never will, but thanks for asking.

brettweir:

in the philips 42"9664 'what hi fi' review they state that the 'quality of materials and construction are miles ahead of the rest'. is that a true statement or line filling in the review ?

Yes, it's a true statement. I should know - I've been using a Philips 42PFL9664 for some time, and like many of Philips's latest sets, it's beautifully made. We don't "fill" reviews with untrue statements.

And as we've stated many, many times on these Forums, performance of TVs within a specific manufacturer's range - even at similar screen sizes - can vary enormously. Just because one B8000/B7000 model is excellent doesn't automatically mean the next one up or down the range will be. We've noticed considerable variances within both Samsung's and Sony's ranges this year, hence the different star ratings.

brettweir:

if thats the case every tv will now be a 4 star tv until they all up the ante and get on par with the philips.

Not necessarily, as we review on a value-for-money basis so hence the LG 42LH5000 is our Best Budget 40-42in TV while the Philips is the Best Premium 40-42in. But for the moment, yes, the Philips does set the benchmark in that size category, which is why it's our Product of the Year.

And as for the slight ghosting on the 42PF64, the review puts that in context:

"But given how much more detailed the Philips is – and the gap is remarkably wide – that’s a small price to pay.

The Philips has even more neutral colours, too, which means Harry’s face is as youthful as Dumbledore’s is leathery."

Very good post Andy Clough

gel:

Very good post Andy Clough

 

We're actually very fortunate to live in a country where the journos can call a EDITED BY MODS

Live in @Merica for a few years and read their reviews.  Most of them are sycophantic to the point of nausea, either because the journos (or their bosses, or both) would get their EDITED BY MODS sued to hell if they dared criticise anything, or are just re-hashed press releases compiled by lazy hacks who probably haven't even seen the gear they're supposed to be reviewing, let alone heard it!

I've used the mag as a buyers' guide for 20 years and I'd give WhatHifFi? four and a half stars ('cos there's always room for improvement guys!).  My main criticism is you tend to go a bit Oz Clarke (sp) and Jilly Goolden in some of the prose - no I can't hear a hint of blackcurrant or smelly socks in my hifi!

Darren Heal:

My main criticism is you tend to go a bit Oz Clarke (sp) and Jilly Goolden in some of the prose - no I can't hear a hint of blackcurrant or smelly socks in my hifi!

If that's the worst we're guilty of Darren, I think I'll live! 

Darren Heal:

....no I can't hear a hint of blackcurrant or smelly socks in my hifi!

There are two DIY methods of 'bunging' reflex ports on speakers. Bundles of drinking straws or rolled up socks. It is important to wash and dry both before experimenting - if they have been used beforehand - otherwise you will get more than just a 'hint' of blackcurrant or smelly socks from your hifi.

Andy Clough:

Darren Heal:

My main criticism is you tend to go a bit Oz Clarke (sp) and Jilly Goolden in some of the prose - no I can't hear a hint of blackcurrant or smelly socks in my hifi!

If that's the worst we're guilty of Darren, I think I'll live! 

Well......

You could make sure the covers match the contents a little more often......