WP9024 Pioneer PDP-504-HDE

17/1/05

Page 35

GROUP TEST

FEATURES
High-definition/progressive scan; pure drive processing system; MPEG noise reduction; picture-in-picture modes; contrast booster
Dispenses with the traditional plasma problems of dotty noise in dark areas
CONNECTIONS HDMI in; Scart x3; component video in; PC card slot; S-video in; composite video in; stereo audio in; headphones CONTACT www.pioneer.co.uk

Pioneer PDP-504-HDE

THE FLAT FACTS

I 50IN 16:9

PLASMA TV

I 6,500 I RESOLUTION

1,280 X 768 I DIMENSIONS W: 1,270 H: 737 D: 98 (mm) I SPEAKERS: YES I TV TUNER: YES I SCARTS: 3 (2 RGB)
ioneer is like a reclusive novelist: not a squeak for ages and then suddenly a gem appears. We proclaimed its last effort, the PDP-434HDE, as a king among plasmas, so its fair to say that we took delivery of the brands latest 50in model, the PDP-504HDE, with more than a tingle of anticipation. And this tingle only grew once we clapped eyes on the thing. It is absolutely, stunningly, outrageously gorgeous a vision in glossy black and metallic silver.

Digital dynamite

Connections come courtesy of a separate multimedia box and there are bags of them. The biggest highlight is undoubtedly the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), making the PDP-504HDE one of the very few screens to carry this up-to-theminute, utterly pristine digital video and audio input. As well, as providing top-notch images from a compatible DVD player, this connection means that the Pioneer should be able to display Skys high-definition service when it begins broadcasting in 2006. There are also Scarts and progressive scancapable component video inputs, plus a multi-format PC card slot so you can use the screen to view your digital camera pictures. The PDP-504HDEs healthy stock of features includes MPEG noise reduction for reducing digital blocking artefacts, a contrast booster and various picture-inpicture modes. Pioneers quoted specs
of 1,000cd/m2 brightness and 1,100:1 contrast also bode very well. At first, however, these specs dont seem to translate into particularly awesome pictures. The brightness levels are okay, but the black level response doesnt appear especially inspired. Thankfully, though, after a bit of judicious tweaking, we turned these so-so first impressions into very, very good ones. The most startling strength of the PDP-504HDEs pictures is their utter cleanliness. No other screen weve seen dispenses so well with the traditional plasma problems of dotty noise in dark areas, colour banding and trailing dots over motion. This works very well with the dark tones of Donnie Darkos action sequences such as when the aircraft engine crashes through Donnies ceiling, crushing his bed and destroying the house.
some of its contrast shortage with its amazing talent for eking out subtle colour gradations, no matter how dark their hue. The HDMI input warrants a mention too, since its all-digital signals really do help the picture look even sharper, with richer colours and more accurate edges. Pioneer is best known as an audio company, so its only fitting that the PDP-504HDE is no slacker sonically. Its not as assured as the Hitachi (see p29) perhaps, but still very fine thanks to a rich, rounded tone, decent amounts of bass and plenty of breathing room for action scenes. Although wed have liked a touch more black level and a slightly smaller price, the PDP-504HDE is unquestionably one of the finest, most attractive and most technically assured super-sized plasmas known to man. Theres a new king in town. WP

School daze

During daytime scenes from our test disc the Pioneers colour tone is excellent, giving terrific vibrancy to bright, colourful scenes around Donnies school prior to him scrawling they made me do it on the forecourt after the flood. And as Donnie sits in the hills staring at the time hole, the detail on show is amazing. Whats more, the longer you watch the PDP-504HDE, the less of an issue the black level response starts to become. This is because the screen makes up for at least

RATINGS

PICTURE.####$ SOUND.####$ LOOKS.##### FEATURES.##### EASE OF USE.####$ VALUE.###$$

VERDICT ####$

Despite slightly low black levels, this is a very desirable, high-quality plasma

ISSUE 9

WHAT PLASMA & LCD TV 35

0504wv27 pioneer 504

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FACT FILE
50in 16:9 plasma TV 1,024 x 768 resolution HDMI input 3 Scarts (2 x RGB)
Well labelled and easy to use

Pioneer PDP-504HDE

FEATURES 50in plasma display with external tuner box; 1,024 x 768 resolution; PureCinema, standard and ADV modes; four video preset picture modes with user setting; picture level adjustment; red, green and blue level adjustment; Pro adjustment colour management of red, green, yellow, blue, cyan and magenta levels; five preset colour temperatures and one manual setting; three MPEG NR settings; three DNR settings; Colour Transient Improvement; Dynamic Range Expander; Nicam stereo output; Pure Drive system; one billion colours; 1,024 greyscale; picture-in-picture and picture and picture; picture freeze; auto tuning; Focus audio mode; Front surround audio mode; individual PC picture level adjustment; energy save mode; sleep timer; Teletext; JPEG viewing with image rotation, slideshow and zoom; image position and clock adjustment; multiple aspect ratios; sleep timer; 1000cd/m2 brightness; 1100:1 contrast ratio; dimensions: 1270(w) x 737(h) x 98(d) mm; weight: 38kg SOCKETS HDMI input; component video input; Scart x3 (two RGB); S-video input x 2; composite video input x 2; stereo audio input x 2; subwoofer line out; RF input; control input; control output; PC card slot; 15-pin PC input; PC audio input terminal; headphone input; i/o link TEST DATA Colour: excellent with no bleed from solid, defined edges Geometry: perfect Frequency response: excellent with perfect definition at 5.8MHz CONTACT www.pioneer.co.uk. TEST DATA

50in plasma TV 6,500

Thankfully Pioneer hasnt treated the 504HDEs sonics as an afterthought. The speakers deliver a well-rounded soundstage that has enough oomph to deliver a fair amount of bass, a rich mid-range and plenty of treble detail all at once. As you might guess, we rather like the 504HDE. Scratch that: we LOVE it. Although Panasonics PW6 range pushes it hard with lower-grade material, the 504HDEs enhanced AV friendliness and astounding HDMI and high-definition pictures make it currently the most downright desirable plasma TV on the planet. John Archer
In our January issue we fell in lust with Pioneers PDP-434HDE plasma TV, proclaiming it the current king of the plasma world. And now the king is back, with one crucial difference: its 7in bigger. Which is just fine with us. As with the 434HDE, the 504HDEs connectivity is provided by an external multimedia tuner box containing AV and PC inputs galore. And these inputs include the AV worlds next big thing: a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) jack. This delivers uncompressed digital video AND audio streams from any compatible kit, improving image quality by doing away with fuzz-inducing digital to analogue (and vice versa) conversions. We talked about the 504HDEs reams of other impressive cutting edge features and specs in our 434HDE review, so if you dont mind well just cut straight to the chase here: does the 504HDE maintain the dazzling standards of its smaller brother?

Colours are vibrant and well saturated too - albeit with slightly soft edges - and fine detail levels are first rate. As for the contrast, that facility to deliver 1024 scales of grey really does compensate majestically for the slight shortage of actual black level response. Interestingly the Pioneer arguably reveals more detail and depth in dark areas than other screens that simply paint dark areas blacker. Amazingly, the above prowess was recorded just with tuner footage and RGB Scart feeds. Stepping up to progressive scan DVD improves things
Currently the most downright desirable plasma TV on the planet
but since the 504HDEs own onboard progressive processing is so damn good with non-progressive sources, the improvement is marginal. Using the HDMI input (using one of the few HDMI DVD decks currently available, the Pioneer DV-868i) delivers a breathtaking improvement, however. What little noise there was from other sources is almost completely removed, and image depth and detail levels increase exponentially. The result? Probably the best non high-def pictures weve ever seen on a plasma screen. Which is quite handy, since the 504HDE happens to deliver the best high-def pictures in the plasma world too!

WHATS GOOD

Picture, connectivity, looks, user system

WHATS BAD

Nothing. Really
PICTURE SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.

PERFORMANCE

Initially, we werent totally blown away. The screen looks neither especially bright nor especially rich in contrast. But some quality time later (and after careful tweaking of the endless picture options), the 504HDE had completely won us over. The chief highlight is the simple naturalism of the picture. Pioneer has done a simply awesome job of disposing of plasma nasties like grey dot crawl, colour banding and motion buzzing, leaving you with a fabulously direct experience.
PANASONIC TH-50PW6 Arguably still slightly better with lower-rent sources, but cant match the Pioneer with HDMI and high-def. Reviewed: Dec 03 FUJITSU P50XHA10ES Not a bad performer, but its overpriced and this Pioneer makes it look a bit dated. Reviewed: Aug 03

OVERALL VERDICT

To hell with the expense - the best things in life never come cheap.
102 May 2004 s WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV