Philips' Eco TV: Its Last Hurrah?

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Easy to Use

Philips takes its slogan of simplicity seriously. As with its previous models, the company includes neat software, called Settings Assistant, that lets users choose between two images during initial setup to optimize key picture settings, such as color temperature and sharpness, to their tastes.

The picture may not be the best, but purists can dig into the menu to perform further adjustments. The software is an innovative way to help people through the process without making them muddle through complicated menus or have to pay a calibration expert. Advanced HDTV users should note, however, that the Eco TV does not offer the ability to set the inputs to favorite color schemes for a particular device. The focus on ease of use extends even to the labeling of the inputs on the back of the set. The company attaches a nearly 2-ft.-long cheat sheet that helps those uninitiated to HDTV decide between "best, better, and good" connections.

In a green box on the label, new owners learn that the best connection for high-def signals delivered via cable or satellite set-top boxes, Blu-ray DVD, and PlayStation 3 game consoles are the three HD multimedia inputs. Another box—this one yellow—notes that users can opt for "better" viewing with two component video inputs for products that do not have HDMI outputs. And in red, you learn you can get a "good" picture with the single composite or S-Video input for older equipment, such as VCRs. The company even includes a link to its Web site to purchase necessary cables.

On the side is a second AV input with composite and S-Video, a USB port to display digital photos and play MP3 music files via the TV, and a headphone jack.

Not Much "Noise"

So how did the picture look? The Eco TV does quite a nice job with high-definition images. I hooked up a Panasonic Blu-ray player and was impressed during the scene in the movie There Will Be Blood in which the oil well explodes into a conflagration. The fast-moving images and fire could generate a lot of "noise," or jagged edges, in lesser sets, but I saw none of note in the Eco TV.

Regular DVDs also looked pretty good when upconverted to the set's native resolution. I was less impressed with standard-definition programming from a DirecTV feed of Bravo's Top Chef.

Even so, people looking to save a few bucks on their electricity bill, or do their part to save the environment, should take a look at the Eco TV. While its size and features aren't the best for someone who wants a home-theater experience, it's a great choice as a second set or for smaller rooms, such as dorms and bedrooms.

Edwards is a correspondent in BusinessWeek's Silicon Valley bureau.