Pioneer PDP-LX508G (50-inch plasma)

Print

Email

Bookmark

Share

Features

The Kuro PDP-LX508G is more than a mere incremental upgrade of the PDP-5000EX, centered on the company's 8th-generation plasma panel. Key refinements in this iteration include an enhanced Crystal Immersive Layer which enables the LX Kuro to deliver near-CRT blacks and revealing shadow details. Besides a future-proofed 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution, it boasts an industry-leading 20,000:1 contrast. The latter, regardless of whether it's a native or dynamic rating, is a substantial leap over its predecessor and other comparable 1080p plasma TVs in the market.

Another innovation is the light sensor-assisted Optimum Picture mode which tailors onscreen pictures on-the-fly by adapting to actual room lighting conditions and played back programs. It complements the optional but professionally calibrated ISF Day and Night modes (sometimes bundled depending on the individual country and promotion). According to Pioneer, this combination delivers the best of both worlds. They provide a hassle-free yet optimized viewing experience for most mainstream consumers, plus flexibility for indepth color tuning to suit videophiles.

Home Gallery function for onboard JPEG playback.
(click for larger image)

To value-add, there is a high-speed USB port for onboard JPEG playback a.k.a. the Home Gallery function. Probably a first for its flat-panel TVs, this allows digital photos to be directly displayed on the big screen via a variety of portable media. This ranges from inexpensive thumbdrives to direct digital camera hookup. Supported JPEG files are officially capped at 8-megapixel resolutions and can be previewed in a 4 x 4 thumbnail grid with companion image information. Provision for slideshows is also catered for, complete with full-screen/repeat modes besides playback order and intervals.

Pioneer has upped the connectivity options with three full-featured HDMI terminals. These have extensive 1080p signal handling compatible with not only the film-centric 24Hz mode but also standard 50 and 60Hz variants. Furthermore, there is HDMI-CEC that allows a single-remote operation of selected Pioneer A/V boxes interconnected via HDMI. Going analog, there are the 1080i-only dual component-video sockets, PC input and legacy S-video and composite jacks. It lacks digital audio output found on its peers but is offset by a bass-oriented subwoofer equivalent.

« Previous page | Next page »