Review PIONEER 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.