Philips 50P8341 50-Inch Projection TV

ImageMax combines multiple stretch technologies, CTI, and tint correction, responding to signals by adjusting saturation and correction levels, while a technology called Multipoint Digital Convergence (MDC) automatically ensures color reproduction and crisply defined edges. The 50P8341's three-line comb filter further enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped t-shirt). Double-window, two-tuner PIP lets you watch two programs side-by-side, even without a VCR. Two separate tuners (each with its own RF antenna input on the set's back panel) make it possible to select two shows and display both in windows of equal proportion, or you can watch one show in one window while scanning channels in the other.

A component-video input grants optimum connection with a compatible DVD player, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. You can choose between a set of rear AV inputs and a set of side AV inputs for extra convenience when hooking up a camcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output (including both fixed- and variable-level RCA audio outputs) lets you hook the set up with a surround receiver.

Twenty-watts-per-channel stereo speakers are built into the set's base, and a feature called Incredible Surround employs psychoacoustic methods to widen the perceived stereo spatial image for full-impact home entertainment--especially helpful if you're not using surround speakers. The set also features a trilingual onscreen display (English, Spanish, French), closed-caption display, V-Chip parental control, a sleep timer, auto-off, and a universal remote control.

Enter the 50P8341. The price was fantastic since it was on close-out for $898 at [local store]. I bought it, not knowing what was in the box! (Yeah, I took a huge gamble on this one.)

I also purchased Sound & Vision Magazine's Audio/Video calibration DVD. (A must!) I spent a half-hour tweaking the picture's color and tint setting. Once setup, it was time to watch movies. Cable TV is a low quality signal source, so the TV's picture is a bit of give and take here. But it's clear unlike HD TV's digitally stretched images. DVD playback is breath taking! Very much like being at the movies. As with any rear-projection TV, brightness drops off center. But it's not to bad with this set. The size is a bit more than I need for my 13 foot viewing distance. Bottom line, it's a keeper!


Very nice   July 6, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Just bought my 50P8341, set it up a few days ago. Real nice picture, easy to set up, grest sound as well. I'm pretty impressed. Good for cable TV and awesome DVD watching. Real shweet deal for the price ! I'm happy.


Incredible   September 25, 2002
Mary McKinley (Laguna Woods, CA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This TV is incredible. The picture is beautiful and the sound is movie-theatre quality. It was exremely easy to set up. I would recommend it to anyone.


VERY HAPPY!   May 16, 2002
BTaylor (Florida)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have owned this TV for a little over two months now and I'm very satisfied! I looked at a lot of projection TVs and was disappointed in the picture quality of all of them. I decided to buy a 36" tube TV and then I spotted the 50P8341 in a showroom. I thought at first that it was a HDTV, that is how good the picture was! It surpassed every other TV I had looked at. I sit about 7 feet away from it and the picture is almost perfect. Dark or bright room, it doesn't matter. It has more than enough hookup jacks for whatever you want to do. Regular cable looks ok, some stations are better than others. I hooked up a Panasonic DVD player to it and was blown away! I added a Home theater system to it and it is BETTER than going to the theater. The sound coming from the TV itself is really good too if you don't have a surround sound system. The menu is pretty easy to operate also. This is an excellent buy!