Pioneer Plasma Model Differences

Models: Pioneer PDP-4340HD, PDP-5040HD, PDP-433CMX, and PDP-503CMX Pioneer Elite PRO-910HD and PRO-1110HD

Reviewer: Phil Connor

Date: 02-20-04

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What are the practical differences between the Pioneer Plasma Models

Models: Pioneer PDP 4340HD, PDP 5040HD vs. Pioneer Elite PRO 910HD and PRO 1110HD. Also the professional broadcast models PDP433CMX and PDP503CMX (see bottom of review for lowdown on these models)

Small differences exist between the new Pioneer plasma consumer models but enough that we receive an endless stream of questions concerning the variations. The model numbers for the PDP regular consumer line of plasma product are defined as: PDP-Plasma Display Panel, 43 - 43 inch diagonal measurement for the display's actual picture, 40 - 4th generation product, HD - High Definition. For the Elite line the model numbers are consistent with Pioneer Elite products and therefore bear no immediate responsibility toward practical reasoning. Elite model numbers just are what they are as far as I have been able to gather.

Pioneer ELITE PRO1110HD Plasma TV

In realizing that the 43" models and the 50" models are the same in all respects except size and resolution, I will designate by using PDP consumer or PRO Elite line. Both models have Pioneer's latest internal circuitry, video boards, and outboard media receiver box connected to the plasma via included HDMI cables. Practical differences to the two lines follow:

Aesthetics - Both the PDP and PRO lines are exceptionally sharp looking and rank highly on my list on design concept. The PDP line features a large black bezel border framing the picture, with silver non-flush side speakers and a matching silver stand, which comes with the unit.

The PRO Elite lineup has a brushed gunmetal silver colored bezel, full length, flush black speakers, and the trademark black lacquer for the accompanying table stand, which is sold separately.

Speakers - Though both units come with side mounting speakers they are not created equally. Wattage is 13watts for both. The PDP line features non-flush side mounting speakers, which attach and remain slightly behind the bezel. The included speakers also give up 2 inches top and bottom to the plasma display - in other words, they are shorter in height measurement than the plasma itself.

The PRO Elite line includes flush mounted three-way speakers. These speakers contain a different sound design than the PDP and are made up of 3 separate drivers - a tweeter, mid- range and a woofer. The main difference between the two being the addition of the woofer and the size and flush mounting same height size.

Pioneer PDP-5040HD Plasma

Pure Vision Color Management - This extra feature on the PRO Elite models allows the owner/ user to adjust color information individually (for different colors) - ultimately giving more control to the user and thus more fine-tuning ability.

Pure Color Filter II - This involves conditioning on the outside panel/glass of the display itself. The outside color filter panel on the PRO Elite is purportedly conditioned for higher optical clarity and anti-glare properties. This extra conditioning supposedly allows for sharper color reception in detail and better. More anti-glare conditioning is of course better for brightly lit room conditions - especially from outside ambient light.

Warranty - PDP consumer line features normally a one-year parts and labor warranty (though they sometimes run specials with two). The PRO Elite line comes with two years parts and labor warranty.

ISF C3 - two more small differences, which Pioneer lists as benefits of the PRO Elite line, are a gold terminal on the media receiver for the PRO Elite line (why not go ahead an splurge on the PDP line as well?). And secondly, the PRO Elite line boasts an ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) C3 (custom calibration configuration). This feature provides a more feature rich menu to allow technicians to further calibrate your picture settings to your home environment.

The professional broadcast models PDP433CMX and PDP503CMX are dissimilar to their consumer counterparts in many ways. Model number nomenclature is defined as PDP- Plasma Display Panel, 43 - 43 inches diagonal viewing area, 3 - 3rd generation, CM- computer monitor, X- XGA resolution. Indeed these products are sometimes used as just computer or display devices, but they may also be used for home theater. Some people prefer them for home duty because they usually cost less, they have the same picture quality (or better because they are made for the broadcast market), and the consumer does not have to pay for unneeded speakers, or the outboard media receiver. Below are similarities and variations to the consumer models.

Similarities:

• Same plasma display panel glass
• Same internal scaling and conversion chipsets
• Same technology

Differences:

• Inputs plug directly into bottom of plasma display panel.
• No tuner (outboard media receiver) is included with the CMX models therefore signal must be tuned before input (read our article on TV Tuners)
• CMX models have an optional video processing board, the PDA 5002, which costs an extra $300.
• Optional speakers may also be purchased separately with CMX models ($300-$450).
• The bezel (frame) design is a 2 inch plain charcoal gray. It is made of hard coated plastic and is not as sharply appealing as the consumer models.
• Sometimes broadcast professional models have slightly better chip sets for conversion and picture quality
• The CMX models have BNC styled professional one screw inputs rather than RCA jacks
• Lastly, the CMX models will accept almost any computer input signal you can throw at them