Reviews Of Plasma & LCD TVs.
Welcome
to screen-wipes.com Plasma & LCD TV reviews. We offer in depth
descriptions on the latest HDTV screens from many of the major
retailers and manufacturers.
Please remember all our articles are only our opinion and there is no
substitute for going to have a look (and a listen) to the screen you
are thinking of buying.
We can however guarantee that we have no bias or preference to any manufacturer or retailer.
Review List.
PANASONIC
TH-58PZ700B
LG
42PC55
PIONEER
PDP-5080XD
SAMSUNG
LE26R88BD
SAMSUNG
PS63P76FDX/XEU
PHILIPS
42PFP5532D/05
TOSHIBA
32C3030DB
SAMSUNG
LE40R87BDX/XEU
Sony
KDL-40W2000U
Panasonic
TX-32LXD70
Latest HDTV Review.
Pioneer PDP5080XD
I
thought for a change I would start with the sound. The sound on
this TV is lovely. It sports the SRS- XT sound system and louder
than normal, 34W RMS output. Clearly if you are after the
ultimate in home cinema you will need to invest in a separate sound
system. But the vast majority of users will find this built in
sound system, stunning.
With regard to the picture quality, the Pioneer PDP-5080XD is a bit of
a mixed bunch. This PDP has superb contrast and brightness
ratings giving really vivid and vibrant pictures. The problems
many large screen TVs have with very dark pictures will be greatly
alleviated with his TV. However, and it's a big however, the
Pioneer PDP-5080XD has a pixel resolution of 1024 x 768 and just to
make it absolutely clear this means that the set is not a 1080
HD. If you were to compare this TV, playing an HD. DVD up against
many cheaper models. You might find that some of the cheaper
models, which are 1080 HD compatible will actually give a better
performance than this set. This in my eyes is a bit of a downer,
especially as pioneer have priced this well over £2000
mark. But in fairness, it is still a great picture. And it
is true, that apart from the 1080 HD faux pas. This will give you
50 inches of glorious viewing.
With regard to the other features pioneer seem to have checked all the
boxes. I will run through the main ones now. It has auto
set up for easy installation. When you get home couple of buttons and
the job is done. It has teletext and digital text. A
seven-day programme guide. Digital video noise reduction is
present. This helps alleviate the problem that all big screen TVs
have when the picture is occasionally and slightly distorted by the
phenomenon of electrical interference on the cables leading to the
TV. As you would expect in this day and age this TV also has
nice, easy-to-use on screen menus,sleep timer and a very useful
child lock, to prevent little fingers, playing with the settings.
Connectivity on the Pioneer PDP-5080XD is good. There is a
component video connection, for use with the likes of the Xbox
360 and others. And s-video connection for older camcorders and
other accessories. Three AV inputs again for camcorders and older
games machines. No less than three HDMI connections. Which
is plenty so pioneer must be praised for this, what a shame though that
it would be pointless connecting an HD DVD player through one of these
HDMI connections. It is almost as if they were planning to make it
1080HD and then changed their mind at the last minute. There is
also a headphone socket.
So in summary, the Pioneer PDP-5080XD is a nice looking stylish TV with
a great picture. A sound system to rival almost any built
in. Sadly let down by the absence of 1080 HD compatibility.
Three cheers for pioneer, however, for leaving out any picture
enhancement technology.
So should you buy this TV? Well that would depend upon what you
really want it for. If you are a home cinema enthusiast and
intend to be playing the latest HD movies or intend to get one of the
newer HD broadcast services. Then, this TV is not you. If
on the other hand, you just want a stylish looking set with a great
picture for general use, then you could do a lot worse than to buy this
TV. Although it has to be said, you can get these features on
other makes and models for a bit less.
