This Philips technology enhances the TV and the viewing environment itself by projecting background lighting built into the rear of the TV onto the wall behind the set. This creates a more relaxing experience and blends the TV perfectly into the living room decor. Also the picture quality is better perceived in terms of contrast, colors and detail.

The Ambilight can generate any color and level of light intensity to perfectly match consumers' viewing preference. Via the remote control, lighting levels can be personalized for custom color choice and brightness, or selected from four fixed presets and two special active preset modes which automatically change the color intensity based on the content on the screen.

Furthermore, when the set is switched off, Ambilight can be used to provide a unique ambience for the room

Ambilight technology is also coupled with an external light sensor, determining how much light there is in the room, and controls the TV light output accordingly.

A dark room will trigger less light whereas a bright room will drive more light output. Ambilight technology dramatically reduces glare and reflections on the television screen by screening light sources that strike the front of the set. The light also reduces eyestrain thus providing a more relaxing viewing experience for consumers.

Developed jointly by Philips' Research, TV and Lighting divisions, Ambilight is the result of detailed consumer insight into how people watch television at home.

Consumer testing of Ambilight revealed that a large number of consumers found lighting around the TV set contributed to a more relaxing viewing experience and a better perceived picture quality in terms of contrast, depth and color vividness. Colored Ambilight made an even bigger difference.

To further enhance the ergonomics of the FlatTVs with Ambilight, all three sets of the 9986 series, also feature discrete NXT(R) speakers built into their innovative flat design. Invisible Flat NXT speakers with 'surface-sound' technology have a flat membrane to create a better propagation of sound in the room. The unique design of these speakers also diffuses the sound field, improving the directionality and quality of the sound.

Philips is also combining its lighting innovation in all three models of the '9986' series, with the addition of the unique ease of use feature, the Magic Tech top control. A motion sensor automatically triggers blue backlighting to the controls when a user is approaching the set.

The Philips 32PF9986, 37PF9986 and 42PF9986 FlatTV sets will be introduced in Europe from the second quarter of 2004 onwards, as well as the 42PF9966 and the 50PF9966 plasma TVs.

Consumers are invited to visit www.philips.com and select from the Philips Consumer Care options for online, e-mail and local telephone contact.