Pioneer PDP-5050HD Plasma TV

Pioneer plasma display panels have proven their worth in a wide variety of professional and public display applications, and the PDP-505CMX offers an even higher level of quality than previous models. The PDP-505CMX is based on their 5th generation “glass,” which can also be found in the Pioneer PDP-5050HD consumer display. Pioneer has since released a 6th generation model, but only in their consumer line.

The overall fit and finish of the PDP-505CMX was excellent, however this being a commercial product, there were not many parts to worry about. Besides the display itself, the PDP-505CMX comes with a table mount, remote, manual, and power cable. The display also had two heavy-duty handles on the back, making mounting a bit easier.

The design is simple and elegant, with a small black bezel surrounding the display. As you might expect with a commercial model, there are no external speakers, but at least a table mount is included. The total depth mounted is approximately 5.1 inches, which is comparable to other commercial 50″ displays.

The PDP-505CMX has a 1280×768 resolution, which is slightly less than most other 50″ plasma displays. Other features include improved 10-bit video processing, called ACE III, that produces 1792 shades of gray steps for each “cell,” which results in well over 1 billion colors. The previous Pioneer model produced 1024 shades of gray. The PDP-505CMX has a 1-year warranty. Furthermore, according to Pioneer, the PDP-505CMX contains their First Surface Pure Color Filter, which uses one less piece of glass than in previous models, improving picture quality by reducing reflection and increasing black levels.

To try and prevent screen burn-in, there is an Orbiter feature, which changes the entire display position by one pixel every 8 minutes. There is also a Mask Control feature, which changes the position of the black bars on the sides of the screen (used in any 4:3 content) every time the displayed is turned on. These types of preventative features are common in most newer plasma displays.

The set performs very well displaying better contrast, color saturation, and especially image detail. It handles reds and greens quite exceptionally. However, there are some small issues with color accuracy out of the box with some slight pushing of orange and green hues, but these were fixed easily after a bit of adjustments.

Contrast and Black Level are the primary differentiators for plasma compared to LCD or any rear-projection television technology, and the PDP-505CMX does not disappoint. Overall contrast is very good, with plenty of punch to bring out light and dark details within the same image. Black levels and shadow detail are also improved, and while the PDP-505CMCX does not quite match the current industry leading Panasonic displays, most viewers will probably not miss the difference unless seeing the displays side-by-side.

Brightness has historically been one of the most significant weaknesses of Plasmas, but the top tier brands have not had any issues with brightness the past few years, and Pioneer falls in this category. While certainly not in the league of many LCD displays, the PDP-505CMX has plenty of brightness for low to medium-lit room environments and performed admirably even when blasted with direct light sources.

Pioneer’s newest 50″ plasma offers an even higher level of quality than previous models. In addition to Pure Drive technology and the unique cell structure, it incorporates a new color filter that enhances contrast and color performance in bright environments where professional PDP’s are generally used. Along with its unrivaled image accuracy and clarity, the PDP-505CMX offers exceptional expandability, reliability and functionality. You can be confident that the 505CMX is a sensible investment from day one to years down the road.

Sources:
http://yahoo-ssp-cnet.com.com
http://www.plasmaconcepts.com
http://www.amazon.com