[The News Bot]

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
Overall the KRP-500A displays the best possible picture quality I have ever seen from a consumer TV and the fact that this performance is available out of the box is remarkable.
Read the full review...

[lord-dudester]

wow, this really sounds like the screen to be watching now. excellent review phil. killer for me is i can't physically fit one in my viewing area, but im definitely gonna check this screen out - just to see for myself what it can do

[insideman]

can you connect to v+?

[lord-dudester]

yeah, you'll be able to connect it to the media box no probs.

[megson]

Phil

Out of interest, when you say it is the best picture you have ever seen from a consumer tv (and assuming size doesn't really matter!), how does it compare to the picture thrown by best consumer projector.

If quality of picture was your only concern would you go with a projector or one of the pioneer plasma's?

Regards

Megson

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by megson

Phil

Out of interest, when you say it is the best picture you have ever seen from a consumer tv (and assuming size doesn't really matter!), how does it compare to the picture thrown by best consumer projector.

If quality of picture was your only concern would you go with a projector or one of the pioneer plasma's?

Regards

Megson

Thats a rather unfair question as you are talking about two completely different displays. The Pioneer is by far the best consumer TV I have measured. The 60" monitor version we used as a reference for the production models was very nice and I could live with that size in my livingroom.

However when you start talking about a projector it is a completely different experience when viewing. The size issue as well as adding on things like anamorphic just gives you a completely different feeling in terms of scale and quality. A 2.35:1 projected image from a top quality projector is an experience, it is immersive and pulls you into the film. I can't quite sum up a TV in the same terms as there is so much difference.

Sorry I can't give you a straight answer to that question.

[megson]

Sorry Phil if you felt it an unfair question. Not intentional. I have an infocus 7210 in my small garage conversion projecting onto a 7ft screen and for some inexplicable reason I am trying to talk myself into having a top notch plasma as a replacement. Upgraditis I am afraid.

I fully take your point about the whole experience of a good projected image. I just remember an article I read some years ago, about the premiere of one of the Star Wars DVD's. It was was unleashed on the world by the people at Skywalker ranch, and they decided to show it to the assembled journalists on a Fujitsu plasma (with an M&K THX system) because the pure picture quality,in their opinion, exceeded that of the best available projector system. The article I read always stuck in my mind.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to reply.

Regards

Megson

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by megson

Sorry Phil if you felt it an unfair question. Not intentional. I have an infocus 7210 in my small garage conversion projecting onto a 7ft screen and for some inexplicable reason I am trying to talk myself into having a top notch plasma as a replacement. Upgraditis I am afraid.

I fully take your point about the whole experience of a good projected image. I just remember an article I read some years ago, about the premiere of one of the Star Wars DVD's. It was was unleashed on the world by the people at Skywalker ranch, and they decided to show it to the assembled journalists on a Fujitsu plasma (with an M&K THX system) because the pure picture quality,in their opinion, exceeded that of the best available projector system. The article I read always stuck in my mind.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to reply.

Regards

Megson

Yeah, one of our forum members actually set up that system for the DVD launch.
Projection technology has come a very long way in the last 5 years. I know I couldn't go from a 7ft screen to a 60" plasma. Indeed for the same money as the 60" kuro could get you one fine upgraded projection performance with stunning black levels.
Thanks.

[961]

Originally Posted by The News Bot

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
Overall the KRP-500A displays the best possible picture quality I have ever seen from a consumer TV and the fact that this performance is available out of the box is remarkable.
Read the full review...

Can you advise why I am getting "invalid" when I try to click on read full review please?

[Stuart Wright]

Apologies - my fault, now fixed.

[961]

Originally Posted by Stuart Wright

Apologies - my fault, now fixed.

Many thanks!

[dex85]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

review

hi Phil, i know you probably didn't have much time to play with media box but do you think it was possible to use it as a dvb-s stb for another tv. i mean would it output the same satellite signal to kuro via hdmi and to another tv via scart? and would it work if the kuro tv was turn off?

thanks for your response

[meansizzler]

Please give details on what media it supports when stream and maximum bitrates/res, i.e H264.MpEG2/WMV, what chipset does it use I.E SIGMA DeIsgns?.. which model?, also does the sat tuner support H264 Broadcasts?, is it DVB-S2 compliant?..

[micramda]

I wonder if Sharp's new 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio LCD will be better than the Pioneer 9G's?

[optimus]

Ahhh i really want one do you think i could get a loan for one? or maybe i should get someone to look over my accounts to budget for one? i hear if you stand outside halifa at the moment you can pick up a financial advisor, for next to nothing! the kuro plasma is slick!

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

Thats a rather unfair question as you are talking about two completely different displays. The Pioneer is by far the best consumer TV I have measured. The 60" monitor version we used as a reference for the production models was very nice and I could live with that size in my livingroom.

However when you start talking about a projector it is a completely different experience when viewing. The size issue as well as adding on things like anamorphic just gives you a completely different feeling in terms of scale and quality. A 2.35:1 projected image from a top quality projector is an experience, it is immersive and pulls you into the film. I can't quite sum up a TV in the same terms as there is so much difference.

Sorry I can't give you a straight answer to that question.

Hi Phil. Do you mind if I re-word his question?

Let's say you took said PJ and projected an image the same size as the plasma (don't ask why, it's a hypothetical question) and showed both in optimum conditions.

Which would be best?

Steve W

[Timbo21]

Originally Posted by micramda

I wonder if Sharp's new 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio LCD will be better than the Pioneer 9G's?

You must be joking.

Obviously don't want to get into a whole LCD vs Plasma debate (because LCD will lose ), but don't believe anyone who quotes 1,000,000:1 contrast. There are ways of measuring contrast. When watching real program material the contrast figures will be waaayyyyyy lower.

[Stuart Wright]

Originally Posted by micramda

I wonder if Sharp's new 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio LCD will be better than the Pioneer 9G's?

Here's a useful tip - *ignore* all the contrast ratio figures given by manufacturers. They can't be trusted. That's why we talk about *quoted* contrast ratio figures when discussing the specifications of displays. Only trust the figures given in tests by competent reviewers.
And the contrast ratio is important, but only one element of what makes a display good.

[micramda]

Nice one, thanks for the tip lads. Planning to get a Pioneer KRP-600A from when they were released anyway.

[jpisani]

=(

[mikeyb50]

Hi Phil,
I got my KRP-500A today and wanted to know if I have to just switch to pure mode or are there other settings to turn on off.

Thanks for your review which prompted me to get this beauty

cheers

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by mikeyb50

Hi Phil,
I got my KRP-500A today and wanted to know if I have to just switch to pure mode or are there other settings to turn on off.

Thanks for your review which prompted me to get this beauty

cheers

Colour space 2 and pure.

[The_Zizzler]

I'd like to see how this fairs up against the 46" X4500.

Well maybe thats a little unfair - 55" X4500 vs. KRP-500A will be the one to watch out for.

Originally Posted by The News Bot

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
Overall the KRP-500A displays the best possible picture quality I have ever seen from a consumer TV and the fact that this performance is available out of the box is remarkable.
Read the full review...

thank you for the review i have had my krp-500a for two weeks now very nice it is too but after the last freeview update from the bbc two days ago all the programe numbers are now wrong i/e film 4 is now number 53 instead of 32 not good for a new tv have you got the same problem with the 5090? from 44mag

[kd001]

Phill, firstly thank you very much for a very thorough and detailed review. I was just wondering, which blu-ray player did you use in that review? Am I also right in assuming that SD DVDs were upscaled by the DVD/Blu-ray player before being fed into the TV?

Thanks

[scrapbook]

Have Pioneer ceased production of 42" plasma's?

[Darshana]

Hi,

Was wondering whether Phil or anyone can comment on the question posed earlier : Which one is better Sony 46 (or 55') X4500 LCD or the KRP 500A ? Would apprecite some honest feed back..

Cheers !

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by Darshana

Hi,

Was wondering whether Phil or anyone can comment on the question posed earlier : Which one is better Sony 46 (or 55') X4500 LCD or the KRP 500A ? Would apprecite some honest feed back..

Cheers !

The KRP-A & M screens are the best TVs I have personally seen for accurate images that can meet the broadcast specifications. They could be described as a reference monitor/TV because of their accuracy for a consumer display. However there are people out there who for whatever reason do not like to see accurate images, they would prefer bright in your face images with loud garish colours. The Pioneer can provide such images by switching to one of the presets like standard or optimum, but in my opinion you are wasting your money buying a Pioneer to do that to it. The Pioneer should be about accurate, quality, as intended, images which it does better than any other panel on the market.
The Sony is a different beast as it uses a backlight and different technology. LCDs are capable of producing accurate images (broadcasters use 22" LCDs for master checking/editing during production - but obviously pro model costing many 10's of thousands.) The problem with the Sony is a lack of proper control over the image in calibration terms, it won't get as close as the Pioneer 'out of the box' with any presets like the Pios 'Pure' mode. Colours and images will also have a different look on an LCD when compared to a quality Plasma image, which is better is down to what you are looking for.

Go and demo both and judge for yourself, nobody else can tell you what looks good to you, we can only tell you if they are designed correctly and that they are capable of producing images that meet industry standards for accuracy of image - which is what all Home Cinema fans want to see at home, or should.

HTHs

[Darshana]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

The KRP-A & M screens are the best TVs I have personally seen for accurate images that can meet the broadcast specifications. They could be described as a reference monitor/TV because of their accuracy for a consumer display. However there are people out there who for whatever reason do not like to see accurate images, they would prefer bright in your face images with loud garish colours. The Pioneer can provide such images by switching to one of the presets like standard or optimum, but in my opinion you are wasting your money buying a Pioneer to do that to it. The Pioneer should be about accurate, quality, as intended, images which it does better than any other panel on the market.
The Sony is a different beast as it uses a backlight and different technology. LCDs are capable of producing accurate images (broadcasters use 22" LCDs for master checking/editing during production - but obviously pro model costing many 10's of thousands.) The problem with the Sony is a lack of proper control over the image in calibration terms, it won't get as close as the Pioneer 'out of the box' with any presets like the Pios 'Pure' mode. Colours and images will also have a different look on an LCD when compared to a quality Plasma image, which is better is down to what you are looking for.

Go and demo both and judge for yourself, nobody else can tell you what looks good to you, we can only tell you if they are designed correctly and that they are capable of producing images that meet industry standards for accuracy of image - which is what all Home Cinema fans want to see at home, or should.

HTHs

Thanks for the quick response Phil. Really appreciate it. Will demo both & see which one I would like the most.

Cheers !

[Phill1978]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Hi Phil. Do you mind if I re-word his question?

Let's say you took said PJ and projected an image the same size as the plasma (don't ask why, it's a hypothetical question) and showed both in optimum conditions.

Which would be best?

Steve W

I would say the plasma (60 vs 60) as it has better controlled black performance where as a PJ always has the issues of reflective light path, but having said that in a dedicated room with velvet walls and roof with a PJ projecting a proper 2.35:1 setup at lets say 120" you cannot compare.

Imagine looking through the perfect screen.. in fact imagine looking through a window.. one is a 60" bedroom window over looking a beautifull vista and one is a wider 120" bay window over looking the same view, any minor deficiences in quality will be outweighed by the vast expanse of view offered by the larger screen.

to add further, there are now some new ultra hi res pj`s in the business and dedicated cinema market that will eventually filter down to a more acceptable price shortly, it has taken an age to get 1080p plasmas of good quality to the market and still its only pioneer who are mastering it for consumers and at a price.
for example there are 3.145 million pixel (2048x1536) PJ`s out and even 4k projectors being shown at electronics shows which when viewed on a 60" may not look infinatley better vs 1080p but at 120" will take viewing to another level, not to mention some new tech with high refresh rates like 120/240hz and LED lifetime lamps.

basically Id rather put my money onto a projector unless I simply couldnt fit any larger than 50 or 60" in the room and wanted the best possible picture at that size then it would be a pioneer plasma.


just dont forget the added costs of getting the room right aswell