Satisfying but a fault that can grate (Philips 28PW6515)

Member Name: plodder

Product:	Philips 28PW6515
Date:	10/01/02 (1113 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: picture, sound, ease

Disadvantages: slight distortion, tube reliability

I bought the TV without a stand and placed it on top of an existing wooden cabinet. It looks good and the picture is noticably bigger than the 25inch 4:3 it replaces. Of course it is wider on the outside but otherwise not much taller or deeper than the old set i.e a bigger picture without taking up too much room and dominating the room.
For the £470 I paid to 24x7electrical the sound it very good, the set is easy and intuitive to use. I have never heard real Dolby surround sound with extra speakers, and I expect the three built in speakers are a far way from the real thing, but the simulated Dolby when switched on can make a difference worth having.

The picture is better than I expected except there is sometimes a slight distortion on the right hand side when panning left to right. I only noticed when another reviewer did and I sometimes look for it. It could grate with some people. Otherwise the picture is very good.

Since wrting the above almost 3 years ago the telly developed a faulty tube. For the first time I bought an insurance; Philips own 3 year tube insurance for £20. The tube starting flickering and I had it replaced under a parts only guarantee (I paid £78 labour). The new tube does not have as much distortion mentioned above as their is an adjustment kit now available. The repair shop said widescreen tubes are not as reliable as ordinary tubes, and this one cost over £420, but Philips were no less reliable than other manufacturers. So, good to see the tube fault can be fixed but Philips were dishonourable in letting clearly faulty televisions out. Also, buyers should consider insurance even if they do not normally as a faulty tube is porbably not worth repplacing if all at your expense.

Summary: