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 This review is featured in the latest podcast from The HT Guys http://www.htguys.com/archive/2007/December18.html Pioneer Elite Pro-950HD 42" Elite Kuro Plasma TV (MSRP $3200, Street $2500) We recently did a review of the Pioneer Elite PRO-150FD 60" Plasma TV back in November so when Pioneer offered us the 42 inch model we weren't sure that we wanted to review a TV that was so similar. Since the TV was 720p we decided that it was different enough to warrant a review. For this review it was setup in Ara's Master Bedroom and calibrated the same as the 60 inch we reviewed back in November. Then it was dialed in for the room. We are including the calibration settings at the end of the review. The TV had a DirecTV connection without OTA. Some critical viewing was also done with a Blu Ray player. The TV measures 40-15/16" (~104 CM) x 26-3/4" (~68CM) x 4-1/2" (11.5 cm) (WxHxD) and weighs 66.9 pounds (30.3 kg). As far as looks go it is as stunning as it's 60 inch cousin. The bezel is smaller on the sides as compared to the 60 inch model. The speakers on this model are on the bottom of the screen. Like all the plasmas in this years line the panel is very black. Be prepared to do a lot of dusting. Main Features:
Movies played back smooth and had an amazing amount of detail, even in dark scenes. The TV did a great job with the night scope scenes of Blackhawk down. It was easy to see the detail that other TVs miss. Standard Definition looked very good (well as good as SD can). It was the best looking SD on a HD set we have seen. While watching SD the TV can auto size the picture so the black bars are removed or it can change the black bars to gray. This is done to prevent burn in. Regardless of what plasma manufacturers say, we see burn in all the time. Not so much from gaming but more from people watch mostly 4:3 content. With that said, by taking proper precaution you should be able to game and watch TV without burn-in issues. Just be careful. About the only issue we have with the panel is the resolution. Since the TV has 1024 horizontal pixels the TV must scale all incoming images. But this is an issue with many 42 inch 720p plasmas. You still see everything its just that some resolution is lost. Odds and Ends: Conclusion: Calibration Settings (Use only as a starting point. Your results will vary):
Posted by The HT Guys, December 18, 2007 7:30 AM Reader Commentary Since when does 1024x768 = 720P?... Technically speaking 1024X768 is not even HDTV according to the ATSC. The resolution 1024X768 is considered HD by the (Consumer Electronics Association) CEA for obvious marketing reasons. It is even called "HDTV Plasma" in many circles. While we are actually incorrect in calling it 720p. We did this to specifically bring attention to the fact that the panel is not 1080p. In the end, the panel does display 720 horizontal lines drawn on the screen progressively. We regret that this may have actually caused more confusion. Ara Derderian... But in the end, for many people (especially when you can only use a 42) with an HD signal, it is still going to look very good, and very much like HD. Especially when a resonable distance away. 42" at this resolution has been called HD for years now. And no one has filed any class action suits. So choosing to quibble if this is truely HD or not is somewhat late - and fruitless. Heck, I have a 15" 4:3 that's probably only 800 x 600 that shows an HD source and while small, it's a good picture as I look across my office. Function over label would be my decision process (not recommending it be sold as HD though). And, the Kuro sets are very functional!... But in the end, for many people (especially when you can only use a 42) with an HD signal, it is still going to look very good, and very much like HD. Especially when a resonable distance away. 42" at this resolution has been called HD for years now. And no one has filed any class action suits. So choosing to quibble if this is truely HD or not is somewhat late - and fruitless. I could ALMOST buy that argument if it was 1366 x 768 - at least that would have more pixels than a 1280x720 HD signal. Just because some (or even many) people are ignorant to the differences doesn't make it ok to igore technical accuracy.... To me, you are preaching to the choir. While I can rationalize the situation(s), I still take all advertising and marketing hype as first fraud and manipulation, and secondly as an information source. I am total agreement that calling 1024 wide - HD is wrong. But, alas, it's pervasive. I have an instinct that to reduce the cell size to make denser 42" sets is an expensive tooling problem - and again for normal distances it wouldn't be noticed so much so maybe not so economically viable. Thus that is why we see what we do in 42".... I think a lot of it has to do with using pre-existing sub assemblies that were probably made for computer monitors to keep costs down.... Man, you guys need to get over the 720p thing. I have a 42" 9UK in my bedroom, which looks very nice,especially when compared with your average LCD "true 720p" display. Resolution isn't everything!... unless you happen to be looking for it... and that is the deception that has ticked us off since HDTV marketing began!... Man, you guys need to get over the 720p thing. I have a 42" 9UK in my bedroom, which looks very nice,especially when compared with your average LCD "true 720p" display. Resolution isn't everything! I agree that you guys are WAY OVERFOCUSED on the native resolution factor when determining whether a TV is capable of processing an HD signal well. Remember that the factors that determine PQ are contrast ratio (linked to black level), color saturation, color accuracy and then -- yes, fourth ranked -- resolution. A fixed pixel display with literally higher native resolution than another panel may process and display an HD signal in a fashion that a group of viewers would conclusively judge to be grossly inferior to the panel with lower native resolution. The higher native resolution panel may even fail a comparison on PERCEPTIBLE picture clarity or apparent resolution. How is this possible.? Firstly, on an engineering level, not all ... Resolution isn... More from The HT Guys
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