Pioneer announces its new range of ‘HD ready' plasma TVs whose sleek contemporary design is complemented by new innovations in TV technology; advances that create the purest viewing experience.

The ‘PURE Vision Black' displays come in 43 and 50-inch formats and maintain Pioneer's aesthetic design: the futuristic black glass frame is an eye-catching and graceful focal point for stylish interiors. And it integrates a range of new technologies to improve the iconic reputation for high-performance of Pioneer's plasma TVs – officially recognised by EISA * – that awarded Pioneer its coveted award of ‘ European Plasma TV of the Year' in 2004. *

Major advances in the new TVs include a unique PUREBLACK panel, and Pioneer's PURE Drive 2 HD technology. The PUREBLACK panel creates the perfect canvas for the richest pure blacks and an entire colour palette from shiny whites to vivid evergreens and true marine blues. And with the new Crystal Emissive Layer that supports the widest range of black tones and superior contrast, the TVs reach new levels of realism – capturing every fine distinction of every shot.

Image quality and performance is enhanced further by PURE Drive 2 HD . This combines the very latest breakthroughs in video processing, fully digital operation and digital noise reduction technology. The screens also include an innovative Direct Colour Filter that virtually eradicates light reflections from the outside of the panel (as well as from the panel itself) to dramatically improve contrast levels in bright environments. The result? A totally smooth, clean and razor-sharp viewing experience.

‘Plasma is the future of TV and these new “HD ready” TVs are at the cusp of innovation. Their clean lines and elegant form make an artistic impression in any room. A statement that's matched by a viewing experience which takes TV to a new level of performance that, with Pioneer's plasma TVs, is clearly superior to alternative flat-panel technologies. With seamless connectivity to our other digital products, consumers can be enveloped in TV and audio in its purest form,' says Jim Catcheside, Product Manager, Product Management & Technology, Home Entertainment Division, Pioneer GB Limited

The new screens accept both industry standard ‘High Definition' video formats (1080i and 720p) – perfect for watching the latest HDTV and high definition movies. They also provide HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) – this enables users to connect easily uncompressed digital video and audio signals over a single cable – to produce perfect full-digital video and sound without deterioration.

Audio performance

Pioneer's audio heritage ensures exceptional high fidelity and the speakers, developed in accordance with the design concepts of Pioneer hi-fi audio components, are an integral element of the pure entertainment experience.

Optional side-mounted speakers are available for both 43 and 50-inch models. The 43-inch model also has an option of ‘under-mounted' speakers.

With the XDE models, digital sound from digital broadcasts can be transferred to external AV components via the optical digital audio (Dolby Digital compliant) output.

Model options

There are four new models all with a new, more aesthetically designed receiver.

The PDP-506FDE and PDP-436FDE displays include an analogue tuner and all the key panel technologies that deliver the pure viewing experience complemented by HDMI connectivity. A classically styled remote control with standard functions is also provided.

The PDP-506XDE and PDP-436XDE models include a DVB-T compliant analogue/digital terrestrial TV tuner for Free-to-Air digital terrestrial broadcast reception, along with two HDMI inputs, a PC input and subwoofer output. The XDE range additionally includes a card slot to display consumers' digital photography or an image of a master's painting. They further offer a stylish remote control (with an aluminium facia) that provides a series of pre-sets to manage controls for VCRs, DVDs and set-top boxes.

Installation options include standard and angled wall-mounted brackets, two floor stands and a swivel table-top stand and fixed table-top stand.

*EISA

The European Image and Sound Association - EISA - is the unique association of special interest magazines from 20 European countries with 50 magazine members. In June each year, the editors-in-chief from all EISA member magazines meet to decide which of the products analysed in their publications during the past year deserves the coveted EISA Award. The five categories under consideration are: Audio, Video, Home Theater, Photography and Mobile Electronics. The EISA Award is the most prestigious honour for a consumer electronics manufacturer to receive in Europe

About Pioneer Corporation
Pioneer Corporation is a global leader in electronics and audio/video products for the home, car, commerce and industry, particularly in the following core multimedia technologies – digital versatile disc (DVD), plasma display panels (PDP) and in-car navigation and AV systems. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: PIO), Euronext Amsterdam, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and Osaka Securities Exchange.