Best 3D TV Philips 46PFL9705
Out of its depth? The awful Philips 46PFL9705 3D TV
• Type: Active shutters
• Size: 46-inch LED
• Price: £2,500
• Extra glasses: £250 for 3D glasses and receiver kit (though sometimes included free)
3D Pros: None
3D Cons: Terrible ghosting, poor depth, grey colours, 3D options buried in menu system, glasses reflect light, 3D kit sold separately
The 3D picture on this expensive Philips TV is truly awful, but Philips reckon this is down to a fault with the first few models of the 9705 (avoid anything with a serial number below 1037). You may be able to fix some of the issues with a software download from the Philips Consumer Support website (http://www.p4c.philips.com). If that doesn't work contact the Philips Consumer Care line on 0800 331 6015. However the patch hasn't worked on our test sample, and the two subsequent models we've bought don't look any better. Philips 46PFL9705 full test.
3D picture
Whether it's down to a fault or not, the 3D picture is simply awful. Shocking amounts of crosstalk (a ghost image caused by an overlap of the images flashed rapidly to each eye) in both background and foreground images make it virtually unwatchable. Sport and fast motion sequences suffered the most, but both 3D Blu-ray and 3D Sky material were affected. Poor depth, murky colours and an unfocussed feel, add to the overall effect.
Problems don’t stop with the picture. Some crazy menu options and duff software upgrade kit make it a real pain to use too. For instance, switching to 3D mode can take up to 30 thumb wearing button pushes on the remote.
The software to make it work with 3D isn’t actually on the TV, but comes with an accompanying USB stick, which has to be loaded onto the set. Unfortunately our TV didn’t recognise the files, and it was only after much to-ing and fro-ing on the Philips customer helpline that we managed to get it to work.
3D Glasses
Not only is the 3D picture the worst we’ve seen, but the 3D glasses are the worst we’ve worn. Light is too easily reflected onto the lens, distracting from the picture on screen. None of our viewing panel found them comfortable to wear for any period of time.
The 3D glasses and wireless receiver were sold separately from the model we bought (despite the 3D ready claim). We also couldn't buy extra glasses in their own right (we need more than two pairs to test), and instead we had to buy the wireless receiver kit plus glasses kit again!
This TV uses active shutter glasses that synchronise the TV via an infra-red signal and rapidly blink on and off, playing back full 1080p images to the right eye and left eye at a rate of 50 frames per second.
Full test
Regardless of its 3D performance we recommend you take a full look at the Philips 46PFL9705 full test.
