In Europe, Philips is a household name and in general their stuff is more expensive but good quality. I started working for the Philips Analytical X-ray division in 1994 and they sold it off a few years later and is at present called PANalytical where I still continue my job in Portugal.
I am NOT biased in any way, in fact I have never owned a Philips TV, but I have bought almost all other of their household electrical equipment and still continue to do so for 2 reasons: They are pleasing to the eye so my wife likes them and secondly their build quality is sound.
The big CRT in my living room is a Sanyo and NOT a Philips because when it comes to CRT my preference is Sony. Both the Sony and Philips TVs were SO expensive that my finances did not allow that, besides, I had just got married and there were other priorities...
In all these years since 1994, the Sanyo has served me well and on one occasion there was a little problem with the picture but to MY dismay I managed to fix it just as the wife was being mentally prepared for a new LCD!!
At any given moment, should my CRT fail, there are already 2 or 3 well researched and personally preferred 40 inch models to show to my wife and to listen to her views ( liar!! ) before buying.
For me Philips is the best for 2 reasons: the motion is handled very well and their top of range 3D has a matte screen. The price however is outrageous and the optional 3D kit makes it (almost) unaffordable.
Sony and Samsung for me are so neck to neck that I cannot decide which one to choose
from their 3D LED offerings. I already have a 32in Samsung LCD in a HT setup in the sanctuary of a bedroom, and am pleased with its performance. However their flagship Tvs are not to be found everywhere, just like the Philips. The BIG put off for me is their reflective glass screens, Price wise, the entry level 3D LEDs from all 3 manufacturers ( 4 including LG ) are well priced, but they do not meet MY matte screen criteria.
compete on a