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The
Full Review ofPioneer
PDP-5080XD
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 willl 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.
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