Pioneer PDP4280XD

[admin_exported]

Hi

I am looking at getting a 42inch TV and have always liked Pioneer.

Although I know they no longer do a 42inch TV, I have seen some Pioneer PDP4280XD's on the internet and apparently Costco are still selling some.
If this is the case, are they still worth buying if they are now defunct?

Also, have any other 42inch TV's caught up Pioneer in terms of the depth of blacks and smoothness of pans etc?

Your help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

David

 

[Sorreltiger]

I bought mine - one of the last - in August and I don't think that the situation has changed much, to be honest. ÿAs before, your choice will depend on your viewing preferences. ÿFor what it's worth, here are my thoughts on the 4280, having lived with it for 9 months.

I have Sky HD and watch quite a bit of sport. ÿThe picture is wonderfully natural and sharp and motion is handled beautifully. ÿI remember my dad's Panasonic LCD being sharper and more 'spotlit', but this is a better overall experience and closer to looking through a window on the action. ÿThe best programmes on Sky1 or BBCHD also look great, although you trade off a beautifully cinematic presentation for just touch of softness.

SD PQ is, in my opinion, the best I have seen on a set this size. ÿI wouldn't worry about any external upscaling as the Pioneer will match it. ÿThe same is true for DVD. ÿI've compared DVD player and Blu-ray upscaling and the panel just edges both.

Whatever anyone says, it's also worth investing in a Blu-ray player, even if you're sending a 1080p signal to a 768p TV. ÿAs before, I've seen LCD sets with sharper edge definition but, on the other hand, I don't think that the 'deep black' stuff is all hype! ÿ'The Dark Knight' looks unbelieveably good, for example. ÿThere's just so much detail and richness and it all looks - to use the same word again - so natural.

Part of me wishes I had one of the Full HD 9G sets, of course, but 50" would just be too big. ÿAt just under 3m, the 42" is perfect. ÿ

Hope that helps, Flossy. ÿI'd try to see for yourself if you can and weigh up the pros and cons. ÿIf you do go for the 4280, Google the forums which give you advice on the best set-up. ÿIt really makes a difference.ÿ