Adapted to HD with its “Full sized” or 1080p panel, the 42PFL7603D has a certain weakness: the lack of an HD compatible TV tuner.  This characteristic is indicative of the “D” suffix attached to its reference number.  The PFL7603H series is identical in every way but has the advantage of integrating a digital tuner that is compatible with HD.  It goes without saying that this is something we prefer and implies a readiness for HD cable that will arrive in France in October 2008.  Moreover, you should properly verify the last letter in the name when looking on the Internet.  Many online price-comparers do not include it and indiscriminately mix D and H models.

For the rest and the fact that the two series are identical, you can read this article and then consider the advantages of the HD tuner equipped version.

We also noted the presence of ''parallel'' models on the market such as the PFL7623, sold only at Pixmania, and appears identical to the PFL7603.  This practice, common with computer manufacturers, enables retailers to be the only ones to sell specific models and thus limit price comparisons.  Of course, we cannot permit ourselves to extrapolate our test results for these ''parallel'' versions.

Design and specifications

The design of the frame comes from the new series that appeared in Spring 2008.  Its black finish is covered with Plexiglas which extends along the edges of the frame.  The base pivots to better position the screen.  The remote is rather basic and doesn’t have the rotating dial found on the 9603 and 9703 series – and this is nothing bad given the previous difficulties we found in mastering it.  In terms of connectivity, note the presence of 4 HDMI, 3 on the back and one on the side.  Finally, the PFL7603 is equipped with a version 2 Ambilight system.  For those that do not like watching movies in the dark, they can activate this function for a light source that is adapted to the movie on the screen.

Another limitation compared to the 9603 is that the 7603 loses the 100 HZ function. It does however keep the DNM (Digital Natural Motion) which increases fluidity in movies.  On the other hand, the notable improvement in fluidity is accompanied by the presence of very visible artifacts around objects in movement.

Avoid the default settings

As usual, default settings are quite mediocre.  After some modifications with a change to Movie mode, deactivating all filters and setting color temperature to Warm, the situation is better.  Moreover, the display improves considerably more than other new Philips we have tested since this Spring.  In addition, the 7603 is the only new TV that does not modify the gamma curve once it has moved into Movie mode.  As you can see below, there is then a nice balance of gray levels along the entire scale.


Otherwise, we find the same downsides common to other Philips TVs such as slightly smaller vertical viewing angles and a lack of depth in black that negatively affects real contrast.

At any rate, the image is still pleasant and well into the average (it doesn’t rival the current best TVs).  HD is rendered better than SD as there is some room for improvement in rescaling.  Note however that we are still far from the catastrophic results produced by almost all HD TVs last year.
Finally, sound is pleasant and above average.  Once again, this is in relation to other TVs and is of relatively poor quality compared to a home cinema system.