Review: Pioneer 508XD
Introduction
This review has been translated from Danish and contains the introduction, measurements, pictures and a conclusion. Some sections have been excluded from the translation, however. Future reviews will be fully translated.
Pioneer presents their new generation of plasma TVs in 42, 50 and 60 inches. The line-up is called Kuro which means black in Japanese.
A lot has been improved since the last generation and Pioneer promises near-perfect blacks and an excellent shadow detail. That’s not all, however, and here we review the 50 inch model, 508XD, to find out if Pioneer is still the number one TV manufacturer.
Panel size: 50" widescreen (Plasma) Resolution: 1365x768 Response time: - Contrast ratio: 16000:1 Brightness: - Colours: - Signal processing: 8 bit for each colour Viewing angles(H/V): 180°/180° Dot pitch: - Panel number (Type): Plasma (Pioneer) Power consumption: - Wall mounting: Swivel: (also tilt)
Dimensions (HxWxD): 122,4cm x 71,7cm x 11,5cm (with stand) Weight 34,5kg Loudspeakers: (tilvalg)
Inputs: 480p/i, 576p/i, 720p, 1080i & 1080p (24, 50 & 60Hz) 1:1 pixel mapping: Inputs • VGA • DVI • Audio (type) • SCART • S-video • Composite • Component • HDMI • Other Outputs • Audio (type) • SCART • S/PDIF • Others: USB reader, DVB-T Guarantee: 2 years Pixel guarantee: - Etc:
Price and retailer:Our first impressions
I have to admit that I always loved the Pioneer TV design. The simple but yet stylish glossy finish looks gorgeous. The quality is good and I love that no loudspeakers are mounted. You can always buy these seperately if you want them.
The stand is robust and fits the design of the frame nicely. It also allows the user to swivel the TV and even tilt it if you need that.
All inputs are located on the back of the TV.
In the left hand side you find some additional inputs. These are suited for connecting a digital camera or an USB stick.Test tools
Our TV signal is DVB-S (satellite) and DVB-T (terrestrial). We also have an analogues TV connection.
Testing is done with the DVE (digital video essentials) and Peter Finzel test DVD. Testing is also done with DVD, TV, Blu-Ray and Mediacenter/PC.
We also use our own monitorTest . The software supports some of the traditional test patterns used to evaluate displays as well as some new and unique test patterns developed by the people here on Flatpanels.
Sony PlayStation 3 is our Blu-Ray player.Functionality
The remote:
Picture quality
This section has been abridged when translated. The graphs, pictures and tables have been kept in order to show the results from our tests. After this section you can find the conclusion which has been fully translated and extended. Future reviews will be fully translated.
Out-of-box picture parameters:
The graph says:
The number on the left is the delta value. Delta is a difference between two factors, here it’s the difference between the measured colour on the panel and the actual colour that we want; the target colour.A delta value lower than 2 results in a visible deviation from the actual colour. A delta value over 4 or 5 results results in wrong colours. A delta value between 1 and 2 results in precise but not perfect colours. A delta value lower than one results in almost perfect colours. The target is 0. Everything between 0 and 1 is barely visible to the human eye.
After calibration I used these settings:
Profile: Movie
Sharpness: -15
Contrast: 35-37
Brightness: 0
Colour: -1/-2
Picture detail: Everything off
Colour temperature: Warmer or RGB
CTI: Off
Colour space: 1
Noise reduction: All off
RGB:
G: -19
R: +13
B: 0
Gul: +3
Mag: -6
Cuan: -1
We have measured contrast; the ratio between brightness and the black levels: NB: This is the static contrast and no dynamic contrast has been measured.
| Out-of-Box | after calibration | |
| Black | 0,02 cd/m2 | 0,02 cd/m2 |
| Brightness | 75 cd/m2 | 70 cd/m2 |
| Contrast ratio | 3750:1 | 3500:1 |
Contrast: +/- 300
We have also examined the homogeneity of the panel. You can see from the picture below (click to enlarge) that the homogeneity is perfect and no backlight bleeding is visible. Nothing else to say.
PC og media center
Pioneer supports 1:1 pixel mapping through HDMI and D-SUB (VGA). The resolution is 1360x768.
Conclusion
Pioneer sets a new standard for flat screen TVs. It is a wonderful TV that has the best picture I have ever seen. Pioneer has made a dedicated effort in reproducing a good picture and it’s has paid off. I don’t believe Pioneer ever lost focus in the process of making the new Kuro series and that is the secret behind the astonishing result.
The TV supports 1080p24 and reproduces the lowest blacks I have measured so far. The shadow detail is good too, and even though the blacks aren’t perfect Pioneer is far ahead of any competitor in the TV market. The colour reproduction is very nice as well.
The design is simple but beautiful and the menus provide even the advanced user with comprehensive picture adjustments. The only bad thing is that the “out-of-box” result isn’t as good as on the Panasonic 50PZ700 that I recently tested. After calibration the Pioneer is better though.
I praised 50PZ700 for its very good picture quality but I have to say that Pioneer is simply just better in almost every aspect. It is more expensive, yes, but I think it’s worth it. It delivers an excellent picture.
Pioneer 508XD hereby is awarded with our Reference Award 2007 because of its extraordinary picture quality. It will serve as the reference for future TV reviews on Flatpanels.
Click on the Award to learn more.
| Pros | Cons | Target group |
| Best picture I have seen | "Out-of-box" settings | The living room |
| Best blacks measured | Home cinema | |
| Good settings options | ||
| 1080p24 support |
Price and retailer:
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