Audio Video News

On the market for half a year now, Pioneer's 43" Elite PRO-800HD plasma display is still among the best.

That's saying a lot in a market that seems to change by the day. The $12k flat screen panel specs "true native XGA level" of resolution at 1024 x 768 pixels and four screen modes including 4:3, zoom, full screen (16:9) and wide (expanded 16:9). The unit is the smaller sibling of the 50" Pioneer Elite PRO-1000HD, which sells for $17,000.

The 800's flatscreen is flicker free with a viewable angle of more than 160 degrees horizontally and vertically. A proprietary "pure color filter" is said to significantly decrease external light reflectivity to achieve higher levels of contrast even in direct light. The filter also greatly improves color reproduction. The PRO-800HD's screen is built with a deep encased cell structure producing 60% higher brightness than the previous 50" model. Making each cell deeper increases the phosphor area, and casing each cell with horizontal ribs prevents light leakage from neighboring cells. The result is purer color and better detail.

Contrast in dark areas, long a shortcoming with plasma screens, has been significantly improved by the introduction of Pioneer's advanced continuous emission display technology. Superb video quality is guaranteed regardless of the image's origin – both film and NTSC video are upgraded by Pioneer's PureCinemaII™ processing, which incorporates such features as 2:3 pulldown film detection and NTSC to 480p conversion. This enhanced circuit uses progressive conversion to boost the NTSC picture quality from sources such as DVD, LaserDisc, and satellite. To accomplish this, the processor first doubles the interlaced signal to a VGA level (640x480), then doubles the information content both vertically and horizontally, resulting in "an amazing increase in original signal density."

A glossy black "picture frame" dresses up the screen, and adds slightly to the horizontal and vertical dimensions. It can be removed if desired, revealing the gray metal bezel underneath. The PRO-800HD is only 4-1/8" thick and weighs almost 85 lbs. It can be wall-mounted or used on a table stand. Other important dimensions are its horizontal and vertical measurements: 43.75" W x 27.25" H with frame; 42.125" W x 24.8" H without the frame.

2002 was a breakthrough year for plasma displays. For the first time, consumer sales of the units began to exceed industrial sales. That trend will undoubtedly continue.