Ambilight Full Surround technology headlines the 2006 Philips FlatTV lineup

Ambilight Full Surround features a dramatic color effect on all sides of the screen to draw consumers into the action. In addition to Ambilight Full Surround (four-sided model), the Ambilight revolution continues to grow with the addition of Ambilight Surround (three-sided models). The new Ambilight line, with sizes ranging from 37- to 50-inches, demonstrates the power of Ambilight technology to dramatically enhance the cinematic experience. With Philips' new Ambilight range, consumers are rewarded with an even more immersive viewing experience that changes the way they watch television.

'Since we first introduced the concept of Ambilight, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response and feedback we have received from our customers,' said Khalid Tuer, General Manager of Philips Consumer Electronics, Middle East & Africa.

'Ambilight Full Surround simply takes the immersion effect of ambient lighting to the next level with surround color and light. The result is a captivating, life-like environment that redefines the home entertainment experience.'

Ambilight technology and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)

Ambilight technology made its debut at CES in 2004 as a unique innovation emitting ambient light along the sides of the FlatTV display. Utilizing Philips' proprietary color analysis software, the ambient light is blended to match dominant colors on the screen, extending the consumer's viewing field. This use of custom backlighting reduces eyestrain, improves the perceived picture detail, contrast and color and creates a deeper, more immersive viewing environment. The addition of an Ambilight display also enhances the design element in any room.

Ambilight's innovative benefits gained the recognition and support of SMPTE. According to the organization, the optimum level of ambient light should be less than 10 percent of the peak white output of the television. The use of such backlighting allows for an optimum-viewing environment, while relaxing the iris and reducing eyestrain. The Ambilight television provides this ideal light level, never impeding or disrupting on-screen action, only enhancing it. In line with SMPTE's recommendation, Ambilight technology allows the user to choose a static warm or cool white effect. For customization, consumers can select the active mode where the software determines the color of the light or can choose from a color pallet to have the ambient light personalized to their taste.

Ambilight Full Surround - Complete Immersion with Four-sided Color

Ambilight Full Surround, the most advanced generation of Ambilight technology, not only revolutionizes the way consumers watch television, but also is a designer's dream. Ambilight Full Surround is an industry first that features dynamic lighting effects on all sides of the display, providing a continuous band of light to fully immerse the viewer.

The new design surrounds the entire display with an integrated canvas that makes the screen appear to be floating when hung on the wall. This canvas, combined with four sides of intense ambient backlighting, produces a dramatic effect of saturated color for the ultimate viewing experience. The addition of the canvas frees consumers to place the set wherever they desire, regardless of the color or surface of the wall.

Complementing its unique design, Ambilight Full Surround boasts a complete surround-sight effect with light emitting from the left, right, top and bottom of the screen. Ambilight Full Surround allows consumers to enjoy a visual extension from all sides of the screen bringing the picture to life in the comfort of their home. Additionally, by reducing eyestrain Ambilight Full Surround creates a proper viewing environment for a relaxing entertainment experience.

Ambilight Surround - Broader Ambient Effect for the Cinema Lover

With light surrounding the on-screen picture to the left, right and top of the screen, Ambilight Surround makes consumers a part of the experience, rather than just viewers. The set fully immerses consumers in the viewing experience by relaxing their vision and drawing them into the action. Ideal for movie watching and large rooms, where a wall can be dedicated to the TV, Ambilight Surround adds a new dimension to watching television.

Ambilight 2 Channel - The Original Innovation Improved with Stereo Lighting

Expanding the viewing experience through independent colors, Philips' Ambilight 2 Channel technology creates a stereo, two-sided lighting environment. Designed with the consumer in mind, the light mode can be customized to blend colors to match on both sides of the set or feature different coloring on each side. The Ambilight 2 Channel feature has increased light output, as well as new software that ensures a strong match between colors on the screen and light displayed throughout the room.

Picture Quality Performance - HDTV, ClearLCD™, Pixel Plus 3HD technology

Touting a wide range of high-definition televisions (HDTVs), Philips research indicates that picture quality is a leading factor when consumers are purchasing TVs. Recognized as the highest quality format in digital television, HDTV provides improved transmission, better resolution and color and superb surround sound. It offers up to five times sharper picture quality than current standard definition TV sets and can be compared with 35mm movie quality on widescreen in cinemas. HDTV also is the first complete digital 'end-to-end' solution.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) forecasts that 30 percent of US households will receive HD broadcasts by 2007 - the year the government has mandated that broadcasts to the entire nation will be 100 percent digital.

The new ClearLCD display is a major advancement in Philips' goal of achieving maximum picture quality in its LCD TV products. ClearLCD technology addresses two common limitations of LCD TVs: motion artifacts in fast moving pictures and reduced contrast in rooms with low ambient illumination. ClearLCD provides razor sharp moving images, dramatically increased black levels and contrast, and a much wider viewing angle.

The result is considered a major breakthrough for the television industry and adds to the long list of achievements of a company that is a world leader in lighting and consumer electronics.

Pixel Plus 3HD technology enhances content from multiple sources, including HD and DVD material, to provide viewers with the next step in picture sharpness, true natural detail and increased depth impression. Each pixel of the incoming picture is altered to better match the surrounding pixels in a true natural picture. Pixel Plus 3HD also creates the next step in brilliant and vivid colors while preserving white tones and natural skin tones.

Consumers also will appreciate reduced blurring effects that result in smooth, natural motion. In addition, the special artifacts within highly compressed multimedia content are detected and reduced - ensuring a clean and razor-sharp picture.

Philips' entire range of Ambilight FlatTV sets are high-definition and feature Pixel Plus 3HD technology. Additionally, Philips' HDTV sets include Nexperia semiconductor system solutions that improve picture quality.