Philips has been teasing us with the promise of the 58-inch 3D capable Platinum Series Cinema 21:9 TV since IFA 2010, but the company finally looks set to deliver. Showing off the new set at IFA 2011, Philips revealed plans to launch the cinema-proportioned TV in September. The Platinum series boasts an ultra-wide 21:9 (2.39:1) aspect ratio and 2,560 x 1080p pixel resolution panel.
Calling the Platinum series display the fastest LED screen in the world, Philips has given it a 1200 Hz "Perfect Motion Rate" with 0.5 ms response time, along with a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 500 cd/m2 brightness and local dimming LED backlight. There's also Philips' Ambilight Spectra 3 that projects a glow of light matching the color and brightness of the onscreen image from the sides and top of the TV onto the wall behind it.
Philips is also touting the Cinema 21:9 Platinum series as the first cinema proportioned Smart TV, with integrated Wi-Fi providing access to online content. It also lets users stream content from a tablet, smartphone or PC over Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, Multiview lets content from multiple sources be displayed on the ultra wide screen at the same time - watching TV while surfing the Web, for example.
Philips' 3D Max technology uses active shutter glasses and an integrated 3D Max transmitter to offer Full HD 3D with a 180-degree viewing angle. Additionally, Philips says its Perfect Natural Motion engine can process two billion pixels per second to ensure sharp and smooth motion in 3D.
The company is also introducing real-time 2D to 3D conversion across its range of TVs and the Cinema 21:9 Platinum series is no exception. Philips also adds the ability to customize the depth effect of the 3D once the content has been converted. Through the use of the Philips 3D gaming kit, two players can also enjoy full screen 2D gaming on the one screen at the same time using 3D glasses.
So how much can you expect to pay when the Cinema 21:9 Platinum series LED TV becomes available in Europe this September? Around EUR4,200 (approx. US$5,950).
Gold Series
If that's a bit out of your price range then Philips has also updated the Cinema 21:9 Gold series. Sporting a 50-inch, 2,560 x 1,080 pixel resolution 400Hz panel, it is edge LED backlit and boasts a 2 ms response time, 450 cd/m2 brightness, and 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The Gold series still sports integrated Wi-Fi, Multiview capabilities, real-time 2D to 3D conversion and two player full screen gaming, but uses passive 3D glasses technology. Ambilight Spectra 2 projects light from only the sides of the Gold series TV.
The Philips Cinema 21:9 Gold series is priced at EUR2,200 (approx. US$3,117) and should arrive in Europe in the next few months. At the moment, Philips isn't expected to release its Cinema 21:9 Platinum or Gold series outside Europe.
