Pioneer Kuro PDP-LX5090 Owners

[admin_exported]

I am considering upgrading my Panasonic TH-50PX70B (1080i) for a Pioneer PDP-LX5090. I would like to know what you think of the standard definition picture quality with both Freeview and Sky and at what distance you sit for SD viewing. My viewing distance is 3.2 mtrs from the screen and I consider the Panasonic picture quality to be acceptable but not brilliant. How do you rate the picture quality on the Pioneer at this sort of distance? I know that picture quality is superb when using Blu-Ray but no-one seems to give any opinion on SD viewing. All my local dealers only seem to demonstrate Blu-Ray on their demo TVs as their SD signal feeds all their TVs at the same time thus giving quite a poor picture quality.

Also, does anyone have any criticisms they would like to make about the Pioneer?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'd say it's on a par with higher end 1080p models from other manufacturers. It really depends on the channel as (on Sky at least) they all use different bit rates and varying levels of compression. The fact is though that with a 1080p set the video processing has to work a lot harder. And the bigger the screen, the worse any problems are going to look. My last TV was a Pioneer 435XDE. Being smaller at 43" and only HD Ready (1024 x 768 pixels) most SD channels on Sky looked ok. With the LX5090 more of them look ropey.

Higher bit rate channels (BBC channels, Sky Movies) look very good though and I'd definitely recommend this set over anything else I've seen to date. I actually upscale SD through my amp, which improves things considerably. And I'm happy to trade a few dodgy Sky channels (most of which are ones I wouldn't watch regularly) for stunning looking DVD and HD images.

 

[pioneer7]

I second that, buy with confidence.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using Freeview SD only (apart from Blu Ray) at the moment and am very impressed with the PQ.

I had a CRT before this and was sceptical about getting a flat screen, but I have no regrets whatsoever.

I read somewhere that freesat imroves the SD on the Kuro's, so I'm looking at that next.

I don't think you'll be disapoined.

PS I sit approx 10 ft away.

 

[drummerman]

It's watchable. That's as far as I would go.

It's a great tv with HD. Issues? Best used in dimmed environment, it can buzz and the screen is a b...... to clean. A lot of adjustment options.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Picture quality will depend on the source - many Freeview/Sky channels are heavily compressed - the better quality ones can look extremely good.

 

[Anonymous]

Frank Harvey Hi Fi, thanks for reply. Have you been able to compare the KRP500A against the LX5090 as reviews seem to say SD picture is better than LX5090? If so, what is your opinion?