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Pioneer 50" HD Ready Plasma screen | 
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| Brand: Plasma
Category: CE
Buy Used: £1,970.00
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 106829
Media: Electronics
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Display Size: 50
Shipping Weight (lbs): 76.5
Dimensions (in): 48.2 x 28.2 x 4.5
MPN: PDP-507XD
Model: PDP-507XD
EAN: 4977729820638
ASIN: B000IYRUN8
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Mint Condition. Pioneer PDP-507XD Freeview 4 speakers, black, 5 scarts, as new
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| Features:
| • | HD Ready | | • | ntergarted Digital Tuner | | • | HD DVD & BlueRay compatible | | • | 180 degree Viewing angle |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Pioneer 507 XD 50" HD Ready Plasma Screen Television features twin HDMI inputs, integrated Digital tuner (Freeview), PC input and slim compact design.
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| Customer Reviews:
The Cat's Whiskers - But better at DVD than TV June 22, 2007
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I bought this TV to replace a 43 inch PDP-XDE model, which had given excellent service over the last two years. We tend to watch a lot of movies and wanted the larger picture size. This is better, but still not large enough for true cinematic experience. (my wife has just read this and snorted her disagreement. She says that if I buy a bigger one, I'll be getting a 'cinematic' experience all of my own. Guess I may just be speaking to the chaps here then). The 60 inch (607) is about the right size for real 'Wow' factor, but at around 5,000, is overpriced. At that screen size on this resolution (720p) picture flaws start to show anyway.
As far as the 507 50 incher is concerned, there are a few things potential buyers should know.
On the good side, picture quality on DVD is excellent, especially on modern or well re-mastered movies. For best results an HDMI equipped player and lead will deifinitely give the best results. It's worth spending out on the player too, if you can stretch to it. A screen of this quality calls out for a top range 1000 plus DVD, but it will work hard for you and produce fine result with much less.
The aesthetics are cool too, with the piano black frame far less distracting than the cheap silver stuff from panasonic et al. The stand is now available in black too, which does make the set look a bit like Darth Vader after he's swallowed something rectangular, but others may like its uncompromising minimalism. It certainly is not ashamed of what it is, anyhow.
In have never experienced the buzzing noise problems described by others, but then again I run the sound through a home cinema amp and a set of 5.1 speakers. Perhaps this solves it (?) Without sound connected from any source, there is no more than the usual hum that all plasmas produce. Heat is likewise an issue with all plasma screens, which is why they are so energy hungry. This set however uses less juice that the old 43 did.
On the downside, picture quality deteriorates sharply on TV, especially analogue. Even good reception DTV however exhibits pixellation, especially around moving figures etc. This is not good news if you want to watch sport - except perhaps on Sky. The dealer (Sevenoaks at Bristol) who is very reliable, says that this will ease after running in.
One person doesn't mind anyway. Our Cat, who has never been into TV before, has become an addict - especially wildlife programmes, so it can't be that bad. Every time Bill Oddie makes an appearance he has her undivided attention.
Picture colour is rather garish on the factory settings, but tinkering with the (incredibly complex) series of menus and sub-menus, produces fine results, although you will have to swap settings when you change media / disc to get the best results, as these vary from example to example. This will be tedious for some people... Contrast is excellent, and the depth of black is far better than any projector.
A word on the High Definition claims. Many TV manufacturers (including Pioneer) are claiming that their TV's are '1080p HD ready'. But be warned: for those of you who don't know, there are in fact 2 kinds of HD - 720 resolution and that at the (much superior) 1080 ('True HD'). Despite the claims, there are only 2 TVs is the world that can actually display a 1080p picture - Pioneer's own 5000EX 50 inch and a 65 inch offering from Panasonic. Both are at or above the 5000 mark. This 507 also claims 1080 HD, a claim that is really false. What it (and most others claiming the same) can really do is ACCEPT A 1080 SIGNAL. However, this is then scaled down to 720, which is what you actually see.
If you really want the best picture and can wait a few months, Pioneer will be bringing out a whole range of 'True HD' tvs sometime between now and Christmas. These will all be able to both take and display real 1080. Sizes will range from 42 to 60. This means that, with an upscaling DVD you will be able to improve on every film you've ever seen before, even if it is in 720. I know this from a friend in the trade who attended a sales event in Las Vegas. The new sets are stunning, as big a jump as DVD was from video and the thing to have if you want to pair it with blu-ray and get the best possible results.
So am I a mug for buying now? Well, I parted with my cash specifically because I watch a lot of movies. I use a high-end DVD, a separate amp and the full set of surround speakers. As such I am not disappointed. The image is bright (brighter say than a projector), and it handles most movies very well (although you will have to play around with settings every time to get the best results). In time I'll upgrade to a 1080 set, but by that time prices will have fallen. In the meatime I'm happy.
I have no hesitation in recommending Pioneer, definitely the make to go for if you want the best. However, a wait might be worthwhile....I hear that the first new unit will be unveilled in September.
 Pioneer PDP-507XD 50" plasma TV March 12, 2007
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I purchased this in October 2006 virtually as soon as it was released after hearing so many good reviews of the previous 06 model. I wished I'd been a bit more patient as within 3 months it had been reduced by over 1300, so I'll learn in future when its time for another purchase not to be so hasty and wait for a few months after a new model's release.
Overall, I'm pleased with the product, the sound and picture quality are excellent (the picture in particular significantly better than the much cheaper LG 50" plasma I had for only a week beforehand which luckily I was able to swap under the retailer's exchange policy) and I think its also the best looking model out there.
My only criticsm which has prevented me giving it 5 stars is the electronic hum noise from certain picture tones, which at normal listening volumes is acceptable, but is quite obtrusive say at night at low volumes. According to the manual this is quite normal, but disappointing in an apparantly high end product from such a respected manufacturer. If Pioneer can find a way round it, I think its serious enough to be without a TV for the short time it would take to get rectified.
Electrical noise is its Achilles' Heel February 25, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Having looked at all the reviews and owning Pioneer AV equipment, my expectations were quite high. Unfortunately electrical noise is its Achillies' Heel.
Everything is overshadowed by an irritating electrical buzzing noise from the rear of the set that gets worse with a whiter screen or when there's a lot of contrast i.e. simply looking at the TV menu with a black screen. It becomes unbearable using the PC input in a quiet room. It's not the sort of noise you'll notice this in the shop, but it becomes irritatingly obvious at home. I've now had two of these - manufactured several months apart and I think the second one is worse than the first.
Pioneer Technical Support hasn't been any help. I posted a query about this on the website two months back and there's been silence from Pioneer (the sort I wish I had on my TV)! I can only assume they want to keep it quiet - so to speak.
Apart from the noise issue, the TV is fairly impressive and has loads of features. The EPG is basic by current standards i.e. media type PCs of Cable/Satellite boxes. In certain light conditions the fabric grille on the external speaker does make it look like it was manufactured 50 years ago - the material is streched unevenly in certain places and can have a dusty worn out appearance.
With a TV this size you're probably at the mercy of the white van man if it goes wrong - endless collections, deliveries and phone calls because you can't simply dump it back in the shop where it belongs. At least that's my current experience with Dixons and it's sadly not over yet.
 An excellent television January 11, 2007
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
I've wanted a plasma television for years, but have always been put off by the price. This screen has dropped in price significantly for Christmas and I took the plunge and I have not been disappointed.
Installation: The most difficult thing about the installation was getting it on the wall, it weighs 36kg, so some drilling etc was required, once up it took only moments to get going. It tuned in all of the digital freeview channels in about a minute. One thing that may have been helpful is for Pioneer to have included the guidelines for running in the screen in the documentation, these are available on the chat sites and I have followed them.
Screen appearance: The screen is well designed and has a minimalist modern look with its black piano border. It takes finger marks easily, but these wipe off OK. The screen itself gives stunning images with vibrant colours and is amazingly bright. I haven't switched the brightness above 0 yet and their appears to be no need. When I have a few more hundred hours on the pixels I will set it up. The screen does show up the limitations of digital TV and signals, some channels sometimes appear pixelated and this is a function of the quality of the input signals and the amount of compression. The pictures from my old and cheap DVD player are breathtaking.
Other: I bought the optional side speakers and these sound great, they do restrict access to some of the controls on the side of the panel though, but there are so many underneath, this does not seem like a restriction right now. The remote control is well laid out and as the appearance of belonging to a high quality product. Teletext and the EPG are much faster than my freeview set-top box. Some reviewers have mentioned that plasma screens tend to buzz and get hot, I have experienced neither, I have also not seen any evidence of image retention on anything that I have watched.
Overall: An excellent television, 50" is a big television and you need a suitable sized lounge to suit. The size and picture are captivating, the images have an immersive quality that really draws you in. Although some may question five stars because of my quibbles, they are minor and not worth removing a star.
Fantastic TV !!!!!! December 25, 2006
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
Bought this tv afer sending an lcd back and the difference in picture quality is amazing. Even standard definition material is fantastic.
Would highly recomend this tv to anyone looking for a flat panel tv
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