Washington, D.C. (November 24, 2006) -- Philips is investing heavily on its new Ambilight flat-panel set, which surrounds the display with complimentary lighting. The company is featuring the new technology in a series of commercials starring the green-morphing sci-fi character, The Incredible Hulk.

But is the set's picture out of this world as well?

PC Magazine recently reviewed Philips' new 42-inch Ambilight 42PF9831D/37 LCD and found that the display is not exactly incredible.

"The Philips Flat HDTV 42PF9831D/37 grabs the viewer's attention with its colorful (Ambilight) surround lighting system, but this HDTV's image quality was mediocre compared with other similarly sized displays I've seen," the magazine's reviewer said.

On the plus side, the publication said the flat-panel set showed little image smearing while displaying fast motion programming. It also liked the Ambilight feature.

But it said the set had "weak video-noise reduction.... Banding (posterization) noted in fine gradients; and video inputs lack discrete picture settings."

The magazine gave the set 2.5 stars out of a possible five. The Philips 42PF9831D/37 can be purchased online at prices starting around $2,400.

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