HDTV Reviews

The Pioneer PRO-FHD1 is a 50-inch plasma HDTV on the higher end of the price range. The PRO-FHD1 has great colors and superb image rendering, features full 1080p HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 and great connectivity. The PRO-FHD1 is also the first 50-inch plasma to feature full HD. Cnet have taken a look at the 50-inch Pioneer and say at the bottom edge of the back panel includes a solid input selection. There are two HDMI inputs, although, as with all current HDTVs, they’re not version 1.3. There is also one DVI input that can handle digital computer signals up to 1,920×1,080 resolution, as well as HDCP-protected A/V signals from an HDMI source (adapter required). A set of five BNC style inputs can, using the included trio of adapters, accept component-video signals (up to 1080p) or RGBHV signals (up to 1280×1024) from computers or video processors.

Simply put, the Pioneer PRO-FHD1 is the best-performing HDTV we’ve reviewed in the last year. Its combination of extremely accurate color, deep black levels, and sharp detail outclass any of the plasma, LCD, or rear-projection sets we’ve seen recently.

Along with other Pioneer plasmas, the PRO-FHD1 is one of the only displays available to support the 72Hz refresh rate. An item labeled PureCinema in the menu system actually controls this function; when set to Standard, the set refreshed at the standard 60Hz rate, while choosing Advanced puts it into 72Hz mode. The supposed advantage of 72Hz mode is that you get a smoother picture with fewer artifacts when you’re watching 24-frame sources, such as the 1080p/24 output of the Pioneer and Sony Blu-ray players.