WHV301.11_pioneerpdp436

18/10/05

3:07 pm

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On test set for Get

43in plasma TV G Approx price: 2,800

Pioneer PDP-436XDE

The manufacturer of the first mainstream HD Ready plasma TV is back. John Archer sees if Pioneers sixth-generation plasma TV is as cutting edge as its predecessors
he arrival of any new generation of Pioneer plasma TV is a cause for excitement.After all, as well as being premium performers, their plasmas are traditionally loaded with all the latest high-tech features. And happily it looks like the first of the new sixth-generation TVs, the 43in, PDP-436XDE, continues that trend.With knobs on.

looks & features

Despite an astoundingly long features list, the 436XDE is a surprisingly svelte, lightweight TV. And its gorgeous, too, thanks to the simple opulent elegance of
A sixth-generation construction innovation is the 436XDEs plasma chambers, built using a new Deep Waffle Rib structure.This design apparently reduces the potential for leakage of light and colour into adjacent cells. Also new is a Crystal Emissive Layer developed for the front of each plasma chamber. Pioneer claims this improves discharge stability, makes discharge response more efficient, and increases UV radiation resulting in deeper black levels, higher brightness levels, and more energy-efficient operation. Intriguingly, the 436XDEs native
From the very first seconds, the 436XDE was a complete, unadulterated pleasure
the gloss-black screen frame and unusually slender but well-built detachable speakers. The only catch for some may be this models use of an external AV receiver box. But this box is attractively designed in a high-tech kind of way, and means you only have to suffer a single AV cable going into the screen very handy for wall-mounters. The receiver box is very well connected, too. Highlights include not one but two HDMI inputs, a trio of Scarts, component video inputs, a CAM slot for adding to the TVs built-in digital tuner, an optical digital audio output, a subwoofer line out, a multimedia card slot and a 15-pin D-Sub PC jack. pixel resolution is 1024 x 768, a 4:3 ratio, even though the TV is clearly widescreen in shape.This follows Panasonics practice with its 42PV500 of an asymmetrical pixel structure, using elongated pixel chambers that permit the accurate reproduction of a widescreen image from a 4:3 resolution. The next layer of improvements for the 436XDE mostly comprises image processing systems included under Pioneers PureDrive II umbrella name.The key areas of advancement are: enhanced noise reduction, with less artefacting and MPEG NR that doesnt reduce sharpness; a boosted tuner thanks to improved handling of tuner noise; a multi-step 3D Y/C PAL filter for
boosting sharpness and clarity; exceptionally sophisticated colour management; enhanced digital colour transient improvement for clearer colour contours; and a wide variety of contrast-boosting measures including Dynamic Range correction, an automatic contrast limiter, and black level expansion. One final sixth-gen improvement worth a mention is a new I-Clear Drive system, which processes incoming signals more accurately to deliver subtler colour gradations and, as a result, a supposedly more three-dimensional picture. Other more general features of interest include the option to run pictures in 75 or 100Hz; a Pure Cinema setting for enhanced NTSC playback; 1080p compatibility; support for the Freeview seven-day EPG; and onboard facilities for professional Image Science Foundation picture calibration. Its also worth noting the software associated with the digital photocard slot is very sophisticated, even using scaling so that you can magnify parts of pictures without losing anywhere near as much image resolution as usual.
The external PDP-R06XE media receiver has two rear HDMI inputs

Details

FEATURES
Screen size and shape: 43in, 16:9 Tuner: Analogue and digital Sound system: Nicam stereo, with TruBass and SRS enhancements Resolution (pixels): 1024 x 768 HD Ready: Yes Quoted contrast: 3000:1 Quoted brightness: 1100cd/m2 Dimensions: 1076(w) x 632(h) x 92(d)mm Weight: 25.8kg Other features: 75/100Hz switchable; multiple progressive scan settings; digital photoviewing with scaled zoom; seven-day EPG support with timer setting and genre filters; PureBlack screen system; PureDrive II processing suite; Direct Colour Filter design; teletext; picture in picture facilities

SOCKETS

2 HDMI inputs; component video input; S-video input; 3 Scarts (2 RGB); VGA PC input; composite video input; subwoofer output; optical digital audio output; digital CAM slot; PC digital photo card slot; headphone jack; stereo audio input; RF loopthrough system; stereo audio output; 2 control ports; 1 service port

performance

We seldom use the word perfect during our reviews but theres no denying the 436XDEs pictures get seriously close.Their stand-out achievement is the black level response. Perceived by us as a slight weakness of Pioneers previous plasma screens, the black levels here are fantastic, plummeting convincing levels of black rather than bottoming out into grey, and

CONTACT

www.pioneer.co.uk

TEST DATA

For a full explanation of test data, please see page 102

Key connections

Scart sockets
Two of the three provided Scarts can take RGB
Test Colour Geometry Frequency response
Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent

Component video

Component video inputs are on hand for analogue HD sources

HDMI ports

The Pioneers external connections box hosts not one but two HDMI ports
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Also Consider >>
HITACHI 42PD7200 Not as good as the Panasonic or Pioneer models but best of the current sub-2k plasma fraternity Reviewed: Issue 294
PANASONIC TH-37PV500 Sensational looker and performer with full HD Ready specs. Not as suited to off-axis viewing though Reviewed (37in): Issue 296

Remote

Stunningly built, and effortless to use
The simple opulent elegance of its gloss-black screen frame makes this one gorgeous plasma TV plasma problems with fizzing noise/smearing over movement; grey/green pixel noise in dark areas; or colour banding.Also strikingly absent are grain, dot crawl, contour shimmering, colour moiring pretty much any sort of noise, in fact. Even the common plasma phenomenon of ghosting during off-axis viewing is done away with by the 436XDEs Direct Colour Filter screen design (which reduces the layers in the screen glass). Critically, the TVs exceptional freedom from noise is achieved without detriment to the pictures sharpness and fine detail. Indeed, HD footage looks arguably more textured and clear on the 436XDE than on any other plasma TV. Its not just HD footage that looks great, though. Pioneer has worked hard on its analogue and digital tuners, with both looking in a different league to anything Pioneers produced before. In fact, if theres another plasma TV that does a better job with such relatively low-rent sources, we havent seen it. The 436XDEs pictures are nearly flawless.The only negative point is that motion can look a bit stilted if you dont take care with the TVs many different progressive/scanning options. But is just a matter of setup, not an inherent, unfixable problem. Depressingly for the competition, the 436XDE is also a hugely talented audio performer.The finesse in the soundstage is outstanding, delivering audio subtleties with favourite DVDs. Meanwhile loud volumes cause no distortion or cabinet rattle, vocals sound rich and crystal clear, trebles never sound harsh, and bass levels reach extravagant (but always well integrated and controlled) depths.

Looks ##### Layout ##### Labelling #####

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
Picture; sound; design; price
containing terrific amounts of greyscale, gradation subtlety, and three-dimensional depth. Pioneers penchant for extremely natural but richly saturated colours continues with the 436XDE,only theyre given added radiance by the new black level profundity, and improved brightness output. Theres no trace of those old-school

WHATS BAD

Complex progressive options; some EPG services seem slow

conclusion

From the very first seconds of our test, watching the 436XDE was a complete, unadulterated pleasure. Colours, contrast, clarity and sharpness are all light years ahead of Pioneers previous generation. The 436XDE has leapt right to the very top of the current plasma pile. Simply awesome I

Fact file

Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value
##### ##### ##### ##### #####
I 43in plasma TV I Two HDMI inputs I HD Ready I 1024 x 768 pixels I PureDrive II processing I 3000:1 contrast (claimed)

OVERALL VERDICT

Quite simply the best plasma TV weve ever seen
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