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Product Description
An experience like never before requires an uncompromising attention to detail. Introducing the revolutionary new line of Pioneer plasma televisions, designed to bring sight and sound together in the most extraordinary, beautiful and amazing of ways.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #76801 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: Pioneer
- Model: PDP-4280HD
- Display size: 42
Features
- 4 Independent HDMI Inputs (HDMI 1.3) with 1080p 24/60Hz Compatibility
- Fully Integrated Media Receiver with Dual NTSC and ATSC Tuner
- TV Guide On-Screen® Interactive Program Guide for easy navigation of TV program services
- ASIC video processing and scaling for the ultimate in Standard-Definition and High-Definition video performance
- New Optimum Video Mode with optical light sensor for automated adjustment of picture in both varying light conditions and by program content such as movies- news- sports- etc
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
The Pioneer KURO PDP-4280HD is a plasma television featuring an exceptionally bright and clear 42-inch screen. With a 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen, this television would be an ideal centerpiece for a home theater system in a medium-sized room.
Outstanding Video Performance
The PDP-4280HD sports a resolution of 1365 x 768 pixels (WXGA), and can display the 768p and 720p formats natively. The black levels on plasma screens are generally superb and this unit is no exception, with blacks that are an intense, deep black and a picture that has very high contrast as a result.
 The KURO PDP-4280HD has exceptionally deep blacks for a high contrast picture. View larger. View product details. |
 Connect a flash drive to the built-in slot and view photos on the large screen. View larger. |
An optical light sensor automatically adjusts the picture for optimal viewing depending on the ambient light in the room, compensating for night and day and for the content of the video, such as sports, movies, or news. The PDP-4280HD also has a film mode that eliminates motion judder and provides smoother playback of film content.
The PDP-4280HD is capable of remembering six picture settings for various A/V selections, with Movie, Game, Standard, Dynamic, and Optimum modes, as well as a user-defined preset. You can also set one of five aspect ratio presets in case you're watching standard-aspect 4:3 television. The television can also be set to auto-size when zooming is necessary.
Connections for all your Components
The PDP-4280HD has a large complement of inputs, including four independent HDMI 1.3 inputs (two with analog audio). Additionally, it has two component inputs, three composite inputs, and one S-Video input. There is a USB connection that can connect a storage drive for viewing of photos. A built-in CableCard slot enables the PDP-4280HD to work with cable services without an extra decoding box. An ATSC and two NTSC tuners are built in and fully integrated for use with picture-in-picture and picture-side-picture modes. The television has outputs for Dolby Digital/PCM, audio, subwoofer, SR+, and headphone. The TV Guide On-Screen programming guide is included as well.
Breathtaking Audio
The PDP-4280HD features a detachable bottom speaker with an integrated digital amplifier that improves the clarity and accuracy of the sound. The amplifier provides 17 watts of power for the two-way speakers and supports SRS WOW/FOCUS/TruBass surround sound.
The PDP-4280HD is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
Customer Reviews
An excellent TV - but take note of Amazon's incorrect info
I can't recommend this TV highly enough, especially after the price drop. It's definitely the best TV out there at this size and price. As long as you are sitting more than 6-8ft from the TV, the fact that this is 720p instead of 1080p is irrelevant. It will look better than other 1080p TVs of the same size due to Pioneer's superiority in overall picture quality.
There are some downsides, but they are too minor to list here and can be found in other online forums.
A couple of things to note since Amazon's information for this TV is wrong:
1) The native resolutions for the 4280 is 1024x768. It can display a number of resolutions higher or lower than this, but that is the native resolution of the panel. Therefore, it does not display 720p "natively", like Amazon says. Like all flat panels, anything other than the native resolutions gets scaled to the native resolution. Amazon incorrectly lists the resolution as 1365x768 in the product description. That is the resolution of the 50 inch Pioneer.
2) The speaker is not detachable on the 4280. It is detachable on the 5080.
3) The "Product Dimensions" under "Product Details" shows 16 x 47 x 33 inches ; 87 pounds. This is the size and weight of the TV in the box. The actual dimensions are correctly listed later as 4-1/2 x 40-15/16 x 26-3/4 x 69.6 lbs.
Ice up a cold one and hand me the remote!
I wanted to wait several months before I put my 2 cents in on this tv. I had been researching HDTV's for almost a year, and finally took the plunge. Bought a Sony KDL40v3000 LCD. (We have a smallish family room.) the Sony was a great tv, but personally, I could not get used to the ghosting/motion blur effect that is common to LCD's. -got headaches everytime I watched a fast action scene. Time for plan B. Returned the Sony and debated on a panasonic TH42PX75U, or the Pioneer. After agonizing for several days, settled on the Pioneer. Very glad I did. Not to say the Panasonic is a bad tv, It isnt. I just liked the features of the Pioneer better. I did 200 hours of break in with the tv. The key I think, is to turn down the contrast-and the other settings for the first 200 or so hours of watching. -The risk of burn in is due to people not following the break in period (turn contrast down) when the tv is new. (You'll have time to impress your friends later during football sunday) I found a web site that gave the recommended settings for this tv. After break in period set it to the recommended settings, and WOW.- Vivid colors, fantastic contrast and depth-almost 3D. I watched the car chase scene in Bad Boys 2, and no motion blur. I watched a college football game and could see the rain drops from the rain drizzle on the players helmets. (Yeah, Im starting to like this HDTV stuff...) So far, have watched a lot of football and other shows with logos, scores etc, and not the slightest hint of burn in. -Nothing. I was extremely paranoid abot burn in at first. (The main reason I bought the Sony to begin with.) Tv has 4 HDMI inputs, several component inputs, and PC input. More than enough for audiophiles or regular users. Sound is actually fairly good. Surround is of course better, but quite good sound from the attached speakers. Standard definition is not bad, better than Ive seen on other tv's. On some final observations, It has been reported in earlier Pioneer models about the fan buzzing noise. I can hear the cooling fan running on the tv after it has been on for some time but you literally have to have the volume off and be 2 inches from the tv to hear it. Maybe they did a better job with this years model, but I dont hear it unless Im right next to the tv. Also, I would not get too wrapped up in the 720P 1080P debate. This is a 42 inch set, and I challenge anyone to tell me the difference in picture quality of this set and a 1080P set at normal viewing distance. (9-10 feet) Since 1080P wont be available through the airwaves for many years,unless you watch alot of Blu Ray or HD DVD, its a mute point and marketing hype. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the cost, but it's a very well made tv. (And it can be had through Amazon a lot cheaper than the big box stores.) The back is metal, not plastic, and the panel is glass crystal not plastic like on the cheaper brands. Also assembled in USA! Hope this helps in your decision process. Definitely recommended.
Believe The Hype!
I totally agree with the thoughts offered by J.Franklin. I researched like a maniac for at least two months, spent a lot of time on the AVS Forum (highly recommended) and just going to all the big box stores and seeing for myself under the less-than-scientific conditions.
Now that I think of it, if you're serious about making a fair comparison between Plasma and LCD, the highly lit flourescent environment you'll find at these places could not be worse. I happen to prefer Plasma for all kinds of reasons that I'll spare you from here. You can a/b Plasma to Plasma in a store, but absolutely try to find a friend who has one to see what the tv can really do.
I was lucky in that I happened to stumble upon a couple of the 5080HD in a few social and business situations. Besides being totally blown away by the picture quality, black levels and transparency of the image, I took note that these were industry professionals who had chosen to purchase the Pioneer because they felt it was the best.
I absolutely recommend purchasing through Amazon, preferably directly when they have units available. I got a fantastic price at $1599, no tax and free white glove delivery. If you're interested in a smaller flat panel experience (given that 50 inches is becoming the industry standard and Pionner is dropping non-Kuro units smaller than 50") think about buying NOW. After several months of losing my mind doing all that research and viewing, I'm happily recovering and enjoying the tv experience of my life...
