The 42PFL5604 is a compelling choice as an entry level Full-HD 42″ monitor. Large format, entry-level monitors are only capable of displaying screen resolutions of 1024×768, and carry a price tag similar to that of the 42PFL5604. Most TV’s, even Full HD ones, can only display VGA video at resolutions no higher than 1368×720, but Philips are different in this respect, it can natively display VGA at the Full HD resolution of 1920×1080. To get similar results, you would need to spend over  £1400 on a Full HD capable monitor, and you wouldn’t get built-in speakers or the same diversity of inputs.

First impressions

In the box you get a manual, CD manual, remote control and table-top stand.

First impressions of the set is that it is well built, but only as solid as a plastic trim can be. The styling and the bezel is similar to that of a BenQ monitor or even a Sharp LCD TV, nothing spectacular. The curved piano black plastic bezel is fairly chunky, but then it does need to hold a sizeable LCD panel in place. The unit has none of the high-end Philips features such as Ambilight or advanced video post processing.

The back of the unit has only a basic set of inputs, which should be sufficient for most applications, these include VGA, 3 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component, USB and composite. The table-top stand is sturdy and heavy, and provides solid support for the TV set and allows for the set to be pivoted on the base over a reasonable arc.

Usage tests

After powering on the unit you are run through a set-up menu, which is notably, err, prettier than most set-up menus, in fact it is better than most TV sets we have worked with. The same smooth graphical style reappears when the TV provides feedback on remote control commands (volume, input selection, etc). The set-up process also includes basic image calibration process which anybody can complete.

Our tests centred on typical ‘TEA London’ usage scenarios which is almost exclusively computer generated video – Windows Media Centre  et al, so although this is a TV, we have not conducted intensive testing on its tuner capabilities – and given that over half of the FreeView channels are highly compressed, there seemed little point to test this as our viewing would invariably settle on the best, BBC and the worst, Viva/ITV/Five.

VGA output is clear, well defined and sharp. Using standards Windows applications are displayed legibly at our test distance of 3 metres away from the screen. There is a slight softness to text and hairlines, so the display output is not as well defined as a professional monitor, such as the Panasonic TH-42PF11 series plasma monitors, so this monitor is perhaps not the best choice for the display of text based video output, such as spreadsheets, high resolution charts and small text.

With graphics applications it is certainly is comfortable size to be working off. The TV’s settings give you quite a number of display calibration settings, and with some work you can get accurate colour reproduction on the screen, although I would not go so far as to recommend that professional photographers, publishers and graphic designers would use the 42PFL5604 as a primary reference, but if you don’t have the cash for a monitor, this is the next best thing you can buy, although to any professional I would always recommend they spend their £850 on a high-end sub 26″ monitor instead.

When it comes to video, this is where the 42PFL5604 starts to shine. The TV did need some image calibration, the out of the box settings are not bad, but the image can be greatly improved by applying some manual tweaks to the settings applied by the set after running the initial Philips Image Set Up routine. No matter what video we threw at the monitor, it produced an excellent images, that is well defined and shows no strong or visible motion blurring in fast moving scenes. The set smooths out lower resolution video cleanly, and shows pin-sharp definition with HD content such as blu-ray movies. In fact we can find very little wrong with the 42PFL5604’s performance considering its price point, you would be hard pressed to find something with similar performance for the same money.

So what we have is a TV set that is capable of being used as a monitor which opens up a number of possibilities at this very compelling price point. To put it simply, no TV can match the sharpness and brightness of a professional monitor, nor would a TV be flexible to reliably display resolutions other than its native resolution. The build quality of professional monitors is far better than any entry to mid-high level TV, the monitor will have a glass front, normally uses a higher quality display panel and is engineered to have a very long lifespan – so please do not take this review as an endorsement that a TV should be chosen over a monitor for computer generated video, but the Philips 42PFL5604 does provide you with a compelling choice for an entry level large format LCD display.

We currently recommend Windows 7 based machines for these purposes, and with that in mind this article specifically mentions equipment that has been used and tested on Windows based PC’s. It is likely these PC’s are compatible with other operating systems such as MAC OS and Linux, however we suggest you check with the manufacturer and supplier first before making any purchases based on our recommendations.

Key features

We have been building, installing and support HTPC’s for over 5 years now, and in this time we have tried and tested a number of wireless control systems, i.e. keyboards, mice and remote controls. We primarily assess the suitability of these controllers for simple and accessible media control; after all the MCE PC is more often than not going to be used for the playback and control of media such as videos, photos and music, so there is little point in a keyboard not having buttons to control volume, playback, and so on.

The next, and perhaps the most important feature the controller needs is its wireless range. Most wireless keyboards systems have very limited range, most on the market are limited to only 2 Metres or less, despite what the manufacturer may claim. Most wireless are designed to work within a limited range for a number of reasons, the most obvious being that generally speaking keyboard and mice tend to be placed on a desk, and are normally very close to the wireless receiver, some manufacturers put the controller’s receiver unit onto an extension cable, so you can place the wireless receiver within inches of the keyboard and mouse. The advantage of this should equate to lower power consumption and therefore a longer battery life. The practicalities of the same principles being applied in the front room however is less than ideal. For one you want to have complete freedom of movement where you can be within 1 metre of the wireless receiver or 5 metres away from the receiver. You do not necessary want any wires dangling out of your AV storage unit underneath your TV, nor do you necessarily want a cable to be pulled from the TV/PC to the back of the so you can ensure you are with range of the wireless receiver. Using a keyboard with a limited range can be an incredibly frustrating experience, where if you move a keyboard only a few inches to the left or right, the keyboard may very well go out of range, or worse only some of the keys you press are received by the computer.

It is because of this, above all else, that the range of the wireless keyboard/mouse/controller is perhaps the most important consideration. As a rule of thumb, the more office orientated, and certainly the less expensive the keyboard, the less suitable it will be for the task. We have found that keyboards that use radio frequencies (RF) in the 2.4GHz band tend to work very well, and there are a few on the market that run at much higher frequencies than this; these theoretically should give a longer range and more reliable transmission of commands.

That said, we can now move onto our brief review of our two current favourite wireless keyboard and mouse combinations.

Logitech Dinovo Mini

Dinovo Mini

The Dinovo mini has been a favourite of ours for a few years now, I personally use one on my HTPC. There is very little not to like about the unit, and when it is demonstrated to prospective clients, it is always met with great approval. On the plus side it connects using Bluetooth connectivity, the Dinovo comes with a Bluetooth fob which plugs into any USB port in your computer. We have found that it is better to insert this fob into, if you have them, the front USB ports of the computer. We have had some erratic results with the range of the keyboard when inserting it into one of the rear USB ports, we can only assume that this is because there is far more electronic noise or interference at the rear of PC than there is at the front. Although you are bringing the receiver closer to the keyboard, this is only by a foot or two, but we have found that the overall workable range of the keyboard increases considerably. We found in some scenarios the range of the keyboard was only 2-3 metres when inserted in the rear of the PC, but this increases to well over 6 metres (more than ample for the average front room) when using a front USB port.

The unit comes with its own rechargeable battery and power supply. We found that through standard use of the keyboard,, the battery lasts over 2 weeks between charges, sometimes longer through light use. The unit does conserve power automatically, and tends to put the keyboard in standby when its lid is shut. the unit does indicate when the battery is running low, it does give plenty of warning when it needs charging, further you can use the keyboard when it is plugged into its charger, so you do not have to wait for the unit to charge up in order to use it. You can use it whilst plugged in with ease. We have not measured the charging time, but it is fairly long, over 4 hours would be our estimate, so being able to use it whilst charging is handy if you accidentally let the battery run completely down.

In essence this is a keyboard you would hold in the palms of your hand, and you would type with your thumbs. A process which may sound a little odd, but is surprisingly easy to do. This is obviously not the ideal keyboard for those of you who intend doing  a lot of typing on your HTPC, such as responding to emails on a regular basis, and so on; but for those of you who merely need to do the odd internet search, or type in the odd bit of information here and there, this is an ideal choice for the front room.

Its has a neat compact design that would allow it to find in with any front room’s décor. It certainly looks less obtrusive than the average remote control. It features a lid that neatly protects the keyboard, so if it slips off a sofa’s arm and ends up in between the cushions, the unit is quite well protected from accidental damage, and accidental key-presses.

One of the nicest features of the keyboard, is its integrated touch-pad mouse. It responds accurately to the tracking performed with your right thumb. it works just as well as a standard mouse. This touch-pad has a dual personality, where is can also acts as standard navigation keys, i.e. left, right,up and down, making it ideal for navigating through menu systems such as Windows Media Centre. You can switch between ‘mouse mode’ and ‘navigation key mode’ by toggling a switch that is located very close to the touchpad; it is close enough for the modes to be selected using your right thumb, and thus all navigation tasks can easily be performed by just the one digit of your hand.

The keyboard features a full set of media controls at the top of the keyboard, so you will be able to control the playback of media easily. The top media controls also include volume and mute controls. The left side buttons enable easy channel changing in Media Centre.

The only real niggles we have found with the keyboard, is because of its very compact size, not all keys are present on the keyboard. So certain buttons have to be accessed using the keyboards FN key. To, for example, press CTRL-SHIFT-ESCAPE you have to press 4 keys simultaneously, which on such a compact unit feels like you are performing a Vulcan nerve pinch; if you consider the keyboard is designed for thumb typing, this means you have to use more than just your thumbs to perform certain keystrokes. The keyboard also lacks function keys… so calling for help or doing a page refresh is no longer a simple, single keypress.

At around £80 this is not a cheap keyboard, and niggles aside, it is almost the perfect keyboard for the front room. Having used one for some years now, I can vouch for the reliability and build quality of the Dinovo Mini. No problems have been experienced with it, and the battery still seems as strong as it was from the start, so from first impressions to long term use, this unit has never failed to impress

Gyration Air Mouse Go Plus

Gyration wireless keyboard

The Gyration Air Mouse Go Plus is a keyboard and mouse suite that follows the more traditional looking approach to a keyboard and mouse combination. In fact the keyboard is fairly unremarkable looking in many respects. Just a small compact keyboard with a removable lid, that clips neatly underneath the keyboard so you don’t have to contend with it lying around or going missing.

What makes the Gyration suite good is the mouse, which we will come to shortly. Firstly we will talk about the keyboard. Despite appearances the keyboard is of a rugged design, but is still lightweight and compact enough to sit comfortably on your lap or sofa arm. There is a nice feel to the keys, where each press is definite and responsive. The keyboard has a single indicator light, which lights up with each key press. this is very useful feedback it not only tells you whether you did hit a key properly, but provides you with feedback that the keyboard is working (i.e. batteries are not flat) and key presses are being sent.

There are a full set of media controls at the top of the keyboard as well as user definable shortcut keys.

The primary reason why we recommend the Gyration keyboard is its range… it is just phenomenal. the manufacturer states that the range is up to 30 metres on this model, with other models achieving much further distances. Given what the average size of a room is in the UK, it is likely you could type from several rooms away if it were practical to do so.  There are few others on the market that can achieve these distances with the reliability of the Gyration keyboard.

The keyboard uses two standard AA batteries. You can opt to install rechargeable batteries, but there is no means of charging these batteries whilst they are installed in the keyboard. We have found through extended use that bog standard Duracell batteries last well over 4 months with standard use. In some areas where the keyboard performs lighter activities, such as boardroom and presentation applications, the battery life has exceeded a year – proving that despite the incredible range of this keyboard, it is still incredibly energy efficient.

Gyration air mouse

Gyration comes into its own, and the brand name makes more sense when you take a look at their mouse. The Gyration mouse behaves and functions like any other ordinary optical mouse, where it can be used on any suitable flat surface and tracks movements with good accuracy. It is however not designed to be used exclusively as a traditional mouse, can also be use in the ‘air’ in a similar fashion to a Wii controller. The mouse has a ‘trigger’ button on the underside of the mouse, which when engaged activates its ‘gyration’ function. Simple arm movements can then move a mouse on screen.  It takes a little getting used to, but after a few minutes of use, you do get the hang of it, and you are able to control mouse functions as well as a normal surface based mouse. The fact that the mouse can be used in the air is useful from a front room perspective… no need for a flat surface to be found in order to use the mouse, just pick it up and wave it around.

The mouse does include a rechargeable battery and a charging dock. The battery life is nowhere near as good as the keyboard. The mouse sadly loses charge if you leave it off it s dock. We have have foudn that the mouse can discharge itself without use only after a week or two. So this means that it is safer to leave the mouse on charge when not in use. This is our only real critcism of an otherwise great product.

The Gyration suit is ideal for those of you who need a normal keyboard for typing in the front room. It is compact enough to be tucked away neatly, but large enough for it to feel and function as well as a standard keyboard does. The mouse’s air function makes it perfect for the front room too, where you are no longer constrained to work from a flat surface.

At a retail price of around £89, it is similarly priced to the Dinovo Mini, so you decide which is better for your needs.

remember you can always use these in conjunction with a Media Centre Remote control (or universal remote control) so for the Gyration option ijn particular you can keep it tucked away for those lengthy typing and mouse controlled applications, and use a remote control for typical media control. We like the £20 Compro K300 remote control, which includes the all important Media Centre compatible USB infra-red receiver fob.

A bit of coax

For those of you who aren’t familiar with coax cable, this is normally the black, white or brown cables that are run from your TV aerial and/or satellite dish into your home, and can be find behind most TV sets and all set-top boxes. It essentially delivers broadcast TV signals to your TV, receiver or set-top box.

Here at TEA London we are often called upon to look at other installer’s cabling systems, post installation, to either upgrade, enhance or troubleshoot AV and IT systems. More often than not our client’s original supplier fell out of favour some time back, which although unfortunate for the client, we are at least given the opportunity to survey their past supplier’s structured cabling, and offer our impartial advice to address their new requirements or ailments. In a lot of the cases the original cabling system is adequate in addressing the then needs of the client, with little thought to how the client’s needs may change in the future, anything from a few months time to several years later.

We have found an alarming number of cases where custom audio visual installations have been installed without any coaxial cable at all to TV points, or too little cable has been run throughout a site, or worse, the rooms likely to accommodate a TV (if not immediately, but perhaps in the future) has no coaxial cable at all. This short blog will hopefully emphasise the importance of using coax cable in any modern and forward thinking AV installation.

Bad cable perceptions

Very recently a new client of ours informed me that he was advised 7 years ago, by his then Architect and specialist AV installer, that no coax cable was required to any of the 5 TV positions in his home. He was advised on using exclusively CAT5 cabling for the delivery of video throughout his home. The rationale of the AV installer was, ‘It is all digital now, you don’t need coax, because network cabling is digital’, the ’specialists’ used buzzwords like digital, modern, future to convince the client that CAT5 cabling can exclusively address all of his AV requirements in his home.

The worst statement they made during their pitch is that coaxial cable would be obsolete in a matter of years. The client being a sensible, forward thinking man, followed their advice; why install something that will end up only being obsolete? Unfortunately this was incredibly bad advice, and has severely limited his AV options in his home.

If anyone tells you that coax cable is obsolete, or will be obsolete, or is not required, or is ‘an old cabling system’, ignore them, they clearly do not know what they are talking about – it will be a case of a little knowledge doing a lot of damage; whilst it is possible to get away with not running coaxial cable throughout a home, the alternatives of using CAT5/6/7 cable exclusively is:

• It is considerably more expensive to apply Video distribution systems from a central hub utilising CAT5/6/7 cabling exclusively
• it will actually reduce the features, functions and options each of your TV sets will have, by not allowing each set to tune into the airwaves independently
• prevents you from taking advantage of a great number of electronic appliances that need TV signals delivered through coax
• eliminates the opportunity for you to distribute infra-red and video signals through a coaxial cable network

The virtues of coax cable

So what are the benefits of coax cable? Well for one, it is inexpensive. When you look at the overall costs of installing a custom AV system in a modern home, coax cabling would be one of the least expensive materials used, costing less then 50 pence per metre. We always advise that at least two coaxial cables are run to each (potential) TV position, and we further advise that it should be CT100 equivalent or better coaxial cable.

CT100 cable is capable of handle many different signal types, and all TV signal types, i.e. satellite, terrestrial TV and cable TV. The two cables at each point will give you many options at at each set, such as the support of satellite and terrestrial TV, support for PVR devices or the ability to send a return signal back to your distribution point.

CT100 cable is rated to handling bandwidths in excess of 2GHz, where Category 5 cable can barely delivery 200MHz worth of headroom; even Category 7 cable rarely exceeds 1Ghz, which is half the headroom of a coax cable. Because of this high headroom, dense signals, or even multiple signals can be distributed through a single piece of cable.

By installing coax cable through your home, you will have the ability to not only take advantage of the video and audio distributed by your centralised AV distribution system, but you will be able to independently view and change channels using your TV’s own satellite, or terrestrial TV tuner. If you make use of media devices, like media centre PC’s or certain games consoles, these devices too can support a TV tuner – which almost always a pieces of coax cable to be plugged into the back of it in order for it to reliably receive a TV signal.

HD TV services are currently only available on satellite services, in the near future FreeView will begin HD TV broadcasts, and both broadcast systems require the delivery of their signals to a tuner utilising coax cable. This is the future, not the past; and shows that coax cable is here to stay for the foreseeable future, with no real end to its usefulness or purpose in a modern home in sight.

If you ever been advised or told that coax is obsolete or will become obsolete, then my advice would be for you to look for a different consultant immediately; they clearly do not understand the virtues of different cable types, and whilst they may seem to be forward thinking, one can argue if they really understand the virtues of other cable types as well, such as Category 5/6/7 cable, speaker cable, video cable or audio cable. It is always good to be forward thinking in terms of installing a modern cabling system, but never discount the value of so called ‘traditional’ or ‘old fashioned’ cabling. When obsolescence is used often in a sales pitch, let the buyer beware.

Timothy Francis

TEA London