Philips Magnavox TP2785C 27" TV

The built-in stereo sound system includes an MTS/SAP decoder with dbx noise reduction to eliminate hiss and high-frequency interference. The pair of 5-inch full-range speakers deliver cinematic sound. SmartSound Plus instantly optimizes the audio of all your favorite programs and broadcasts with four different custom settings (movie, music, voice, and personal) and bass, treble, and balance combinations. SmartSound also keeps consistent volume levels between programs and commercials, and from one channel to another.

The Philips TP2785C has an eight-channel surf memory so you can scan your most-watched stations instead of randomly flipping through the channels. The set also has an S-Video input, and three sets of audio-video jacks, which allow fast and easy connection of external video sources, such as a VCR, camcorder, or video game system. You can also label the audio-video inputs with their respective source names (VCR, DVD, SAT, Game, A/V 1). Other features include closed captioning, muting, a programmable sleep timer (240 minutes), a universal remote control (with batteries), and V-chip parental control.

Philips Magnavox provides a warranty of one year on parts and 90 days on labor.

Product Description
Philips Magnavox's TP2785C 27-inch TV incorporates a flat dark-glass picture tube, black stretch circuitry, a patented comb filter (R-Y, B-Y BiMOS circuitry), and SmartPicture technology for an enhanced, realistic picture with customized color settings. The 181-channel tuner supports picture-in-picture viewing, as well as trilingual (English, Spanish, and French) onscreen setup and programming.The built-in stereo sound system includes an MTS/SAP decoder with dbx noise reduction to eliminate hiss and high-frequency interference. The pair of 5-inch full-range speakers deliver cinematic sound. SmartSound Plus instantly optimizes the audio of all your favorite programs and broadcasts with four different custom settings (movie, music, voice, and personal) and bass, treble, and balance combinations. SmartSound also keeps consistent volume levels between programs and commercials, and from one channel to another.The Philips TP2785C has an eight-channel surf memory so you can scan your most-watched stations instead of randomly flipping through the channels. The set also has an S-Video input, and three sets of audio-video jacks, which allow fast and easy connection of external video sources, such as a VCR, camcorder, or video game system. You can also label the audio-video inputs with their respective source names (VCR, DVD, SAT, Game, A/V 1). Other features include closed captioning, muting, a programmable sleep timer (240 minutes), a universal remote control (with batteries), and V-chip parental control.

As for the picture quality, I can't tell since I don't have a DVD player. TV and VCR signals are pretty noisy to begin with. I tried hooking my computer up to it via the svideo port, but the picture quality was awful and gave me a headache after a few minutes of use. If you are a quality fanatic, note that this is a "Comb Filter" model, which supports 600 lines of resolution, not a "Digital Comb Filter" which supports 800 lines.

The universal remote can control my cable box, but, as others have noted, the Philips remote is awkward so I use the cable remote. PIP and other channel features are useless because the TV channel is always on channel 3 for the cable box.

The sound leveler is not very useful---it just reduces the dynamic range of the sound. No settings beyond on or off. Doesn't do anything fancy like detect commercials.


Great Television for Movies & DVD's   March 28, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This television also replaced a Zenith 27" color television that was put to rest after a houseguest watered my hanging plant over the back of the television-you can guess what happened. Anyway this Philips television plays dvd movies and cable tv movies with a great picture and sound. But it seems the reds are more like pinks, and the color does not stay the same from channel to channel. But I can live with it.


Big disappointment   January 8, 2001
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

This product looked good on paper. The unit received isn't. The problems are two: the flat screen produces a great deal of glare. Second problem is the remote. The overall size is large, but the buttons are much too small. Further, the button placement is illogical. We have to fetch our glasses to "read" the buttons. Worse is the response time from the remote to station change.Always slow, often not correct. Had we seen this in action in an electronics store, we'd never even consider it. This is a kitchen-located set now; soon it will be relegated to a seldom-used guest room. A disappointment.


Outstanding TV for the Price   December 5, 2000
Stan (Pennsylvania)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I went looking for a 27" TV at a good price. I brought home a Sanyo and hated it as soon as turned it on. The picture was ok and it had all the bells and whistles as this P.M., however, it had an annoying buzz whenever there was text on the screen or if the scene was bright. I took it back and spent the extra [money] for the TP2785C. All I can say is that you get what you pay for! The P.M. has both excellent picture and sound. The picture gets even better when I play DVDs thru the S-jack. I would rate this TV's picture second only to a Sony Trintron in the category home personal tv's, (my mother has a Trinitron). The only thing I dislike is the remote. The channel and volume buttons are too small and out-of-position, and all remotes now should employ the "lighted" style. Otherwise, I highly recommend this TV.