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Product Survey: 40'' to 49'' TVs >
Philips 40PFL9704H
Screen size 40 inches (101 cm)
Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
HD compatibility (1080i/720p) Yes
HD Ready certification Yes
Brightness 500 cd/m²
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Contrast ratio 5000000:1 (Dynamic)
Viewing angles (H+V) 178 ° / 178 °
Response time 1 ms
Sound level 2 x 15 Watt RMS + Subwoofer
Connectivity VGA • HDMI (x5) • SCART (x2) • Component • S-Video • Composite
Dimensions (LxHxW) 987 x 682 x 260 mm
Weight 27.40 kg
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Vincent Lheur
Test date: October 12, 2009
This model is the 40'' version of the 46'' TV that we tested in our labs, the Philips 46PFL9704H

Everything we said in the original article holds true--the only thing that's different is the size! 

The only exception is that some manufacturers fit different sized televisions with panels from different sources.  In that case, our comments are only valid for the panel that we originally tested.  Contrast, black levels, colour handling and ghosting are all subject to change from one panel to another.

Manufacturers who do fit the same panel in all of the TVs in a range can expect the same results across the whole range.  The only factor which could be prone to slight variation is the brightness, producing slightly different contrast.  According to our own tests, and assurances from manufacturers, the results of one TV can accurately be applied to others in the range.

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Sound quality

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Stylish design

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Contrast

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Five HDMI inputs

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Ambilight, if you enjoy having a gentle light beside your TV

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Some display problems at the start of a new clip (especially when changing video format)

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LED backlighting only of limited interest

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HD Natural Motion filter degrades image quality too much

Philips deserves congratulating for the quality of the sound on this TV, which is once again ahead of the rest. But LED backlighting is no magic bullet, as this PFL9704H proves. Occasional Home Cinema fans will probably be able to tolerate the problems it causes, but an expert will only be able to see the weaknesses.
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