50” PRO-FHD1 PIONEER ELITE PLASMA

PRO-FHD1 PIONEER ELITE PLASMA Pioneer's PRO-FHD1 isn't for everyone. As the first 50-inch plasma display to have a native resolution of 1080p--in other words, 1,920x1,080 pixels--it understandably costs a mint ($8,000 list). As a monitor, as opposed to a "true" TV, it lacks niceties such as built-in speakers, a tuner (ATSC or otherwise), or even an included stand. And as a member of Pioneer's "Elite" subbrand, it includes picture-centric features, such as user-menu color temperature and primary color adjustments, which most users won't know what to do with. But if you're willing to pay top dollar for the best 50-inch plasma on the market right now, look no further. Compared to the Panasonic TH-50PF9UK, the other current 50-inch 1080p plasma, the Pioneer delivers slightly better picture quality at a more-than-slight price increase. Although it's a bit too expensive to be considered our Editors' Choice in this category, the Pioneer PRO-FHD1 delivers the best picture quality of any television we've tested in the last year. Understatement is the order of the day with the Pioneer PRO-FHD1. The 50-inch pane of glass is set in the middle of a black frame that, unlike other Elite frames, isn't glossy. Instead there's a layer of dark-tinted plastic that extends slightly beyond the edge of the black on all sides, creating a subtle accent. The only other remarkable item on the plasma's surface is the Elite logo and small, nondimmable LEDs that glow blue when the power is on and red when it's off. The panel measures 50.5 x 29.5 x 3.8 inches (WHD) and weighs 87.7 pounds.