Philips 30PW850H 30" Widescreen HDTV-Ready TV
Great TV BUT....
I looked at all the 30in wide screens including Toshiba, Samsung and the Sony models. I decided on the Philips model 850. Best Buy had it priced on sale at a steal, $799. It is being replaced by the 862 which comes with PIP @ $1299...ouch. Consumer reports gave the 850 higher marks than the 862 model as well as the Toshiba and Samsung models. I have regular/digital cable and most channels come in extremely clear with good color thanks to the Active Control and Eye Fidelity features. The sound is good as well but the Sony model is far better. A draw back to this TV is with the component inputs (AV4). The Active Control feature doesn't work and you do not have access to the Sharpness or Tint features. Use S video instead. With that said, my TV did have a defect. Watching DVD movies with component ultra high monster cables, 5 vertical bars at different widths can be seen causing skin color and light colors to change green. Less noticeable with the S video input but still there. So I went out and bought the Sony $1399 but that screen had a defect that is noticed on even the floor models in different stores. You will see a very thin thread like black horizontal line if looking close enough. Only viewable during light back grounds. I didnt like watching a line through Dan Rathers head so it went back. I have ordered another Philips and waiting for it to arrive to exchange. Hopefully with no defect. If so, I will be extremely happy!