Upside
We've longed for plasma televisions to include built-in HD tuners and this year Pioneer has finally delivered in both the AU$6,499 50-inch PDP-507XDA and its AU$4,999 42-inch sibling, the PDP-42XDA.
Image quality improvements include a thin layer of magnesium -- something Pioneer labels the Crystal Emissive Layer -- inserted between the plasma glass and individual pixels, which produces better contrast. In addition to more detailed blacks, Pioneer claims that this magnesium layer allows each phosphor-filled cell to be charged and discharged faster, so lighter areas appear brighter, too. It also makes the panel more energy efficient, with power consumption rated at 350W.
With its Direct Colour Filter, Pioneer has optically bonded a layer of film directly to the plasma glass to reduce ambient light reflections which improves colour accuracy and contrast in daylight or brightly lit rooms. It you like to watch footy in the afternoon, there is also a Sport Mode that sharpens colours, particularly the greens of the pitch.
Speakers are fitted underneath the screen and its 2 x 13 watt stereo amplifier has separate bass and treble controls.
Pioneer has always strived to offer one of the best customer services packages available in Australia, with its free delivery and installation service, and 5 year warranty. Added to the mix this year is the optional service of an ISF-certified professional calibration. Once the television has been 'run-in' for 150 hours, a technician trained in ISF (Image Science Foundation) standards will customise the levels of contrast, tint, colour level, gamma and other parameters to optimum levels for your specific viewing environment. Two ISF settings, one for bright daytime and one for evening, are then locked down on the set so that they cannot be inadvertently altered when changing picture settings.
CNET.com.au first saw an ISF calibration demonstration at the Cedia Expo (coincidentally on a Pioneer commercial plasma display) and can attest that the improvement in picture quality was startling. As slight changes in one parameter can greatly impact the optimal settings in all others, it is unfortunately not possible for a tinkering enthusiast to get the same result as someone fully trained to do the job properly.
Downside
There's no external tuner box to worry about any more, but the built-in HD tuner does make the screen slightly thicker (1224 x 717 x 115mm) and heavier (34.8kg) which may be a consideration if you're planning on wall mounting this panel.
The PDP-507XDA has 2 HDMI ports and is 1080p/24 HZ compatible to handle Blu-ray source material, but with a 1365 x 768 pixel resolution, it is not a "full" HD 1080p television. For that you'll have to take a big budget step up to the Pioneer PDP-5000EX, which sells for AU$14,999.
While CNET.com.au does recommend taking up the offer of custom calibration, there are currently only about 40 ISF-certified professionals in Australia at this time and the extra service will cost you between AU$250-$400.
Outlook
Pioneer's sole focus on plasma technology continues to pay quality dividends and with the addition of a built-in tuner and a top service package, the PDP-507XDA will be a tough act to beat.
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SupraBoy
23/01/2008, 09:09 AM
rating
10/10
I've owned mine now for almost a year. Nothing i can fault about it. Maybe the remote not ALWAYS working but that could be due to the batteries.
Anyone had theirs calibrated by the professionals?
Worth it?
Cons: angry girlfriend that didn't get her Chanel handbag.
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MovieFan
06/11/2007, 07:42 PM
rating
9/10
At the time a got this baby, it's full price was down to 4300 bucks, but I got it for 2850$. Now that should tell you how much you can bring the price down with these things :). About the Unit, it is a superb HD-Plasma. 1080i upscaling ability makes it great for its price. 1080p is a great picture however you are not going to see it unless you are sitting within a 1-2 metres to your TV, which none of us do other than the 5-6 years old. As a few other people have commented, it will take a good 6-7 years for all the broadcasts and rental systems go that direction and possibly there will be some other technology out there by the at that time. I am very happy with my purchase.
Pros: Great value for it's price. Superb picture. Great look
Cons: Speakers... But hey, go get a surround sound system like I did :)
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ollie
04/09/2007, 03:42 PM
rating
9/10
Don't bother with an expensive av amp which upscales to 1080. I got an Onkyo TX-SR875 which does absolutely nothing!
The Pioneer does its own upscaling.
Pros: Fabulous
Cons: Not any technical detail about the tv scaling its inputs to suit its screen...
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AudioPhile
29/08/2007, 03:57 PM
rating
9/10
Just bought it, love it, couldn't be more in love.
Pros: Because the 08 version has just come out, I managed to buy the 07 model for $2899 (last one the shop had in a box). Tidy price for a good bit of kit. Colour and contrast are amazing, and in my brightly lit living room there is no washout
Cons: Not a true 1080p - bit of a shame that it is necessary to trade off colour and contrast (not to mention price) to an LCD TV just to get 'true' HD, but Hitachi has just released a true HD plasma (although picture quality not in the same mould as the Pioneer IMHO)
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sean
16/05/2007, 06:28 PM
rating
9/10
Hi gang. I posted back in February about this set and now that I've had it a while, I want to say that I do not regret buying this TV. S-DVD and HDTV look amazing on this set. I wont go into the nuances except to say the picture quality is absorbing to say the least . It really pulls you in. Live sports broadcasts, though, tend to suffer from grain and mild motion blur around objects but that 's easily forgiven. I actually find if you watch sport on HD even if it's not broadcast in it, the picture appears slightly better anyhow.
I'm yet to jump on the HD-DVD wagon, but I cant wait to see how it turns out on this baby. I know it's not full HD, but by the time that takes off and is standard, it will time to replace the set anyhow. Right now I love it and really get a kick out of watching TV, sports and especially movies.
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Mr snuffelufagus
16/04/2007, 07:22 PM
rating
10/10
my mum and dad baught this tv after months of research and i have to say that it is my dads pride and joy. it has the best picture and looks like the missing piece of our house. it looks best on the wall
Pros: great picture, stylish, durable
Cons: none
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Matias
12/04/2007, 02:13 PM
rating
9/10
Great TV. Best DVD to showcase on this set is Star Wars Episode III with its pure digital transfer, after seeing this you will wonder how much more HD can offer...But the main thing that made me happy about this set was no burn-in!! Have had the set for 6 months now and there has been no image retention of any TV logos which is one of the biggest complaints from most plasma owners.
Pros: 7th generation plasma seems to have solved the image retention problem. Great contrast and brightness, stylish design.
Cons: Expensive compared to other plasmas of same size. Not a true 1080p HDTV.
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Sean.
22/02/2007, 06:37 PM
rating
9/10
Just got my set this morning. The servcie person was fantastic and showed me thorugh every detail. With all new tv's I buy, I pop in Star wars ep4. WOW. What a picture. Saw more of Star wars in detail and picture than i've ever seen before. And I thought my loewe 102cm Aconda was good?
Pros: Wonderful big screen that really brings out the best of DVD. Haven't really watched any HDTV yet but am looking forward to that.
Cons: Just getting used to plasma I suppose after being with a top end CRT for so long, but Im glad I bought it.
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miscorANT
31/12/2006, 12:46 PM
rating
9/10
stylish and sexy!
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Erik The Viking
14/12/2006, 10:58 AM
rating
10/10
As good as it gets, for a fair price.
Pros: Great picture, great colors, great sharpness. I love the new black design with the black stand.
Cons: Only "almost" full HD (with its 1080p @ 24Hz). But given that it will take another 5-6 years until such content becomes popular and affordable, it will be time to buy a new TV anyway...
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