» Pioneer Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 Plasma Review

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August 15, 2006

Pioneer Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 Plasma Review

Pioneer Electronics (USA) announced on July 12 that it would begin shipping the world’s first 50 inch 1080p, high definition plasma display – the Pioneer Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1.

Shoppers considering the $10,000 suggested retail price should factor in that the PRO-FHD1 is a display only . Unlike previous models, such as the Pioneer’s Elite PR0-1130HD which has an external media monitor, the Pro-FHD1 is not be equipped with any television tuning capability.

Pioneer Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 Plasma Display

To achieve the some two million pixels required for the displays native 1920 X 1080 native resolution Pioneer have produced the “world’s smallest pixels measuring .576 millimeters” A video scaler up-converts 480i, 720p, 720i and 1080i signals to 1080p, increasing the resolution.

Pioneer have introduced a new T-shaped electrode to prevent individual cells misfiring despite being half the size as previous generations. Pioneer market this as allowing them to maintain its sharp, bright accurate images when reproducing at a native 1080p resolution.

The display had carried over Pioneer proprietary technologies from previous models.

Deep Encased Cell Structure is an increased pixel cell depth with a corresponding increase in overall phosphor area for a brighter image. Pioneer case each cell with horizontal ribs to minimize light leakage from neighboring cells for sharper, more accurate images.

A Pure Crystal Emissive Layer has been included by Pioneer to improve both contrast and brightness while reducing power consumption. The layer is sandwiched between the plasma glass and the individual light cells to conduct energy more efficiently so that each cell is charged and discharged three times faster. The swift charge and discharge of individual pixels results in designed to give a smooth transition from color to black resulting in blacker blacks and more visible detail in darker scenes.

Advanced PureCinema is advertised by Pioneer as restoring films “unique, natural imagery which is lost in the transfer from film to DVD”.

Pioneers First Surface Pure Color Filter was developed to reduce the effects of reflected light on accurate color display. The optical-grade filter is bonded directly to the plasma glass front to eliminate refracted light.

The Elite’s ISF C3 capability allows for the optimization of the display for a particular viewing environment. Color calibration can be achieved using a detailed gamma selection with eight steps.Pioneer offer the optional service of a professional calibrator to adjust your plasma display using the ISF facility.

The Pioneer Elite PRO-FHD1 comes with two 14 Watt speakers with WOW patented sound technology by SRS Labs. WOW improves the dynamic audio performance of twin speakers by expanding the size of the audio image and improving the perception of low frequency sound (more deep rumbles for action flicks). To quote SRS Labs, “WOW accomplishes this by providing a panoramic three-dimensional audio image that extends the sound field in both the horizontal and vertical planes, and lowers the perceived bass response well beyond the low frequency limitations of the drivers.”

Another audio technology by SRS Labs included by Pioneer is TruBass - a signal processing technology for bass enhancement. To quote SRS Labs, “It uses psychoacoustics and speaker driver physics to increase the perception of bass while decreasing demands on the driver.”

When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for two years with Pioneer Elite products.