On test

42in Plasma TV Approx price: 2,100

Pioneer PDP-427XD

If Pioneers new seventh-generation plasma TVs can actually improve on its previous generation, John Archer might nd himself in home cinema heaven
hile other manufacturers may make the odd interesting plasma TV, when it comes to price or features, in terms of sheer, consistent picture quality Pioneer and Panasonic are more or less in a class of their own. So our expectations are stellar for the rst TV from Pioneers latest (seventh) plasma generation, the PDP-427XD. Things get off to a predictably good start as the set delivers more or less the same glamorous gloss-
360, three Scarts, a subwoofer line out, and two outputs that reveal the presence of a built-in digital tuner, a Common Interface slot for adding subscription services, and a digital audio output for shipping potential digital surround sound broadcasts to a suitable receiver. The rst thing that strikes us as we look for more differences between the new seventh and old sixth-generation Pioneer screens is that all the domestic models are
Domestic models are now one-body affairs, doing away with external processors
black nish and strikingly minimalist fascia thats fast becoming Pioneers plasma trademark. One interesting point to note at this stage is that the 427XD is, as its name suggests, a 42in TV, meaning that Pioneer has stepped away from the 43in size claimed for all of its previous TVs in this portion of the market. Connectivity ticks all the right boxes. Two HDMIs lead the way, especially as these are capable of receiving 1080p. There is a slight limitation here in that the 1080p signals accepted are 24Hz only, meaning the TV wont show upscaled 1080p/50/60Hz outputs from high-end upscaling DVD players. But crucially the 1080p/24Hz talents should be compatible, with the pure 1080p outputs looking set to become the transfer format of choice for Blu-ray decks. Other goodies include a D-Sub PC input, a component video input for analogue HD fodder like an Xbox now one-body affairs, doing away with the old external switching/ processing box seen with some of Pioneers previous top-end models. More signicant are the behind the scenes renements designed to improve picture quality. Working on the pictures brightness, contrast and sharpness are an enhanced Intelligent DRE processor; PureBlack Panel 2, which improves even more Pioneers already outstanding black level talents, and Direct Color Filter 2, an improved take on the revolutionary Pioneer panel design that dispenses with the heavy, duallayer glass seen on most plasma TVs (infamous for causing secondary imaging during off-axis viewing). When it comes to colours, Pioneer has made improvements to the phosphor elements of the plasma chambers, resulting in the production of nine per cent more of the colour spectrum than was possible on gen six screens.
The screens Intelligent Colour processing algorithms have also been tweaked to deliver even more tonal subtleties, and the Pureblack Panel 2 system also purportedly helps colours along. Hardcore tweakers, meanwhile, may appreciate improvements Pioneer has made to the 427XDs ISF calibration functionality. These mean that if you get an Imaging Science Foundation engineer around to professionally calibrate your TV, hell now nd an enhanced suite of picture processing parameters, and primary colour specic gamma settings. But when it comes to new features you can play with yourself, theres block noise reduction, extra colour exibility, and a new Sports picture preset. Sweet.

This 42in screen has plasma perfection written all over it

Test Data

TEST Colour Frequency response Colour temperature Contrast ratio Luminance Power consumption READING Excellent Good 6,100k 560:1 23fL 1W (stb) 250W (use)
For a full explanation of test data, please see page 86

performance

With bated breath we set about watching a variety of HD and SD stuff on the 427XD. And thankfully our considerable hopes for the TVs capabilities are amply realised. Lets start with arguably the most clear improvement over previous Pioneer sets colour. Trickily toned scenes like the opening of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (recorded in HD from Sky), where Gollum ghts in a clearing for possession of the ring, look stunningly natural and believable in their colouring, with the greens of the foliage, in particular, beneting from the 427XDs improved palette. Happily, this expanded, more natural colour range has not come at the cost of the vivid saturations enjoyed on Pioneers previous plasmas something that is particularly evident while playing

Details

FEATURES
Screen size & shape 42in 16:9 Tuner Digital/ analogue Sound system Nicam stereo Resolution (pixels) 1,024 x 768 HD Ready Yes Quoted contrast ratio 3,000:1 Screen dimensions (in stand) 1,040(w) x 679(h) x 115(d)mm Weight 29.6kg OTHER FEATURES: 75/100Hz switchable; 7-day EPG support, with timer setting and genre lters; PureBlack 2 screen system; PureDrive II processing suite; Direct Colour Filter 2 design; teletext; picture-in-picture facilities; picture presets; extensive colour management; Intelligent DRE; PIP/ PAP; PAL 32 Y/C separation; Dynamic HD converter

Subwoofer line out

A handy way to expand your bass performance just by adding an active subwoofer

PC input

With the convergence age upon us, more and more of us want our at TVs to double up as PC monitors.

Two HDMIs

These two (not shown) mean you can connect a SkyHD receiver and a Blu-ray deck

SOCKETS

Two HDMI inputs; three Scarts (2 RGB); component video input; composite video input; S-video input; D-Sub PC input; stereo audio output; headphone jack; stereo audio inputs; CAM slot; RF inputs; subwoofer line out; SR control out; digital audio output (optical)

CONTACT

www.pioneer.co.uk
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Also Consider >>

PANASONIC TH-42PX600 Around the same money and almost as ne a performer, plus you get an SD card slot. No 1080p capability. Reviewed: Issue 312
HITACHI 42PD9700 Offers full HD resolution of a sort, thanks to its ALIS technology, and is a solid performer to boot. Reviewed: Issue 308
42in plasma TV Built-in digital tuner HD Ready 1,024 x 768 pixels 3,000:1 contrast ratio vibrant games like Test Drive Unlimited on our beloved Xbox 360. Of course, vibrant colours arent just down to rich colour saturations. They also need help from a TVs black level response, and here again the 427XD is hugely impressive. Where pictures should look black, thats exactly how they look, with little, if any, trace of the tell-tale greying-over that still aficts many lesser at TVs. Even more profound though, is the amount of subtle detail and colour information thats retained in dark picture areas. The 427XD is even more assured in this respect than even its groundbreaking predecessors, ensuring that dark scenes or image parts look both credible and full of depth and scale, rather than like some empty black hole torn from the rest of the picture. Our Return of the King HD version also provides some startling examples of how phenomenally sharp the 427XDs pictures are. Shots of massed armies, in particular, look stunningly detailed, textured, threedimensional and crisp, with no trace of video noise or edge exaggeration to spoil the show. In fact, wed say yet again that, in this respect, this seventh-generation panel is a marginal improvement on its illustrious predecessors. Add to all this smooth, clean motion handling enough brightness to really drive the image off the screen, impressive suppression of room reections, an image that looks equally solid, rich and sharp even from quite acute viewing angles, and unusually robust-looking and cleanly scaled standarddenition pictures, and its clear that Pioneer has again delivered a great plasma picture performance. Although the speaker strip built under the 427XDs screen looks unpromisingly small, the soundstage it produces is actually impressively powerful, combining plenty of raw power with an expansive frequency range, rich vocal tones, full but controlled bass, and bags of the little treble details that bring a good soundtrack to life. Our only complaint about the 427XD, in fact, might be that it doesnt deliver the same quantum leap forward in performance that the sixth-generation screens delivered over the fth. But then since the sixthgeneration screens were arguably the nest group of plasma TVs ever made, instead of moaning we should rather take the view that its actually pretty amazing that Pioneer has managed to improve on them at all! Stunning stuff The 427XD boasts a raft of picture and colour-improving technologies

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
Picture quality; sound; design; connectivity; features

WHATS BAD

Erm, we guess a couple of hundred quid off the price might be nice
Feels a bit plasticky, but the layout is spacious and comfortable

Looks Layout Labelling

Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value

VERDICT

Another day, another benchmark Pioneer TV
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FIRST TESTS

Our experts come face to face with the latest crop of plasmas and LCDs to land on our test benches

FEATURES

HD-ready; digital and analogue tuners; 7-day EPG; quoted brightness: 1,100cd/m2; quoted contrast ratio: 3,000:1; PureBlack 2; PureDrive II; Direct Colour Filter 2; picture-in-picture; noise reduction Sockets Inputs: 2x HDMI; 3x Scart (2 RGB); PC VGA; component, composite and S-video; stereo audio; 3x RF aerial Output: subwoofer; SR control out; headphone jack; stereo audio; optical digital audio Others: CAM slot Contact www.pioneer.co.uk
Pioneers plasma TVs have always been one step ahead. This model is no different

Pioneer PDP-427XD

Despite cutting back an inch, Pioneer has produced the most rounded plasma TV ever

FLAT FACTS

I 42IN PLASMA TV I 2,100 I HD-READY: I RESOLUTION: I SPEAKERS: I TV TUNER:

1024 x 768 YES

DIGITAL AND ANALOGUE I SCARTS: 3 (2 RGB)
ith Pioneers latest line-up of plasma TVs just missing the deadline, we have the feeling that the accolade of Plasma of the Year given in our Awards edition (issue 31) may not be with the Panasonic TH-42PX600 for long. The reason for the unbridled optimism is Pioneers continuing improvements on its plasma screens so much so that nobody else has got close in terms of sheer picture quality. Thats not to say that Pioneer hasnt taken a leaf or two from the books of its closest rivals. As well as the PDP-427XD being 42in in size (Pioneers abandoned its unique 43in shape), Pioneer has also dropped external media boxes. While this TVs forebearer (the PDP-436XDE) could be wallmounted with only one cable to hide, the PDP-427XD, like all other mainstream plasma TVs, takes all cables into its rear sockets. The markets dominance of one-box TVs is a pity, but its no wonder that Pioneer has tried to steer clear from being labelled as a specialist TV manufacturer. Not that youd know from the advanced nature of this sets connectivity. We feel that having two HDMIs is essential for a HD-ready atscreen, but Pioneer has gone the extra yard by making each compatible
with 1080p signals. The PDP-427XD cant actually display 1080p sources pixel-forpixel (that requires Pioneers much more expensive PDP-5000EX), but this is a feature that no other straight HD-ready TVs at this price point have. Other inputs and outputs include a set of component video inputs, a PC VGA input, three Scarts, and some basic audio connections alongside a useful digital audio output. The PDP-427XDs digital TV tuner is supported by an obligatory (and legally required) common interface slot for the smartcard and CAM needed to access the Top Up TV pay-TV service. Top-level at TV makers are developing new technologies all the time, but Pioneers plasma TVs have always been one step ahead. This seventh-generation model is no different. Under the PDP-427XDs hood lies a PureBlack Panel 2, which is supposed to boost the already impressive black levels supplied by Pioneers TVs. Theres also an Intelligent DRE processor to tinker with brightness, contrast and sharpness of images, and a Direct Colour Filter 2, an update of Pioneers plastic screen cover that simultaneously reduces reections and widens the viewing angle.
In terms of colours, Pioneer again seems to be ahead of the pack. The companys engineers have improved the phosphor elements used in this sets plasma chambers, resulting in pixels that can generate a wider colour range than the companys sixth generation displays. Tonal subtleties have also seen improvements, and Pureblack Panel 2 system processing is on board too, to further improve colours. Predictably, there are more features on board, including block noise reduction, more colour exibility and a new Sports picture preset. So far, so Pioneer.

New generation wonder

During the PDP-427XDs testing it was really apparent that Pioneer has made signicant improvements in the colour departments. Watching a high-denition broadcast of Planet Earth from our Sky HD box (fed through an HDMI), we were delighted to see that trickily toned aspects of the picture are executed with natural colouring. The lush greenness of dense forests particularly benets from these improvements, retaining a more believable quality. Whats more, these colour improvements dont come at the expense of the vivid saturations of colour seen on previous Pioneer plasma
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Rival Buy
While this Pioneer cant show 1080i material without downscaling it, Hitachis 42in 42PD9700 makes a stab by using a ALiS panel. And you can pick one up for a few hundred pounds less

Let there be bass!

As well as having the nest speakers in the at TV world, the PDP-427XD has a subwoofer output for adding extra power to movies without the need for an expensive amplier

FIRST TEST

Pioneers seventh-generation PDP-427XD has outstanding picture and sound quality
screens, which is great news. Pioneer has put in a superb job in this department. Elsewhere, the manufacturer has not been idle. The black levels are tremendously impressive, resonating with richness, depth and not a sign of greyness around the gills. Subtle detailing and colour information also impresses in darker areas. The PDP-427XD also scores serious points for sharpness. As the roving camera eye of Planet Earth stumbles over a cave riddled with myriad insects, the sharpness of detail is staggering, with every limb, and speck fabulously rendered and 3D in feel. Pioneer hasnt put a foot wrong with the picture performance, particularly when you add smooth motion handling, great brightness, suppression of room reections on the screen, and a great standarddenition view to the equation. Sonically, the PDP-427XD is no wallower either, emanating plenty of treble, bass and
a cracking soundstage that enlivens any movie or TV soundtrack.

Late arrival

This is a phenomenal 42in plasma screen. Now, if it had arrived on our test bench a little sooner, the PDP-427XD would certainly have been crowned Plasma of the Year. I

RATINGS

PICTURE SOUND CONNECTIONS FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE
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Analogue video and audio connections back up the dual HDMIs

VERDICT #####

This is one of the greatest plasma screens weve clapped our square eyes on
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