Pioneer PRO-FHD1
TVs Buying Guide
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December 3, 2006 03:06
4.5/5
I bought this panel for my father for his birthday as a way of introducing him to the world of HDTV. His idea of a big-screen tv was the kind with the wood box built around it from circa 1985. The point is, I had to make an impression in order to get him to make the leap, and this TV did the job!
Some thoughts that might help you make a decision.
First, this TV is EXPENSIVE. It is not for the consumer on a budget. Rather, it is for those who can afford to pay top dollar for the absolute best in picture quality. The reality is that you can get an excellent TV, with close to the same (but not quite) picture quality for half the price.
The picture quality in my personal estimation is second to none. Watching a blu-ray movie on this is incredible. With more and more 1080p content coming out in the years to come, I think that this will be important.
However, to be honest I could not tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p when watching a DVD on a Denon up-converting DVD player connected via HDMI. I of course could not watch side-by-side, but flipping back and forth the difference is extremely slight, if noticeable at all. Hopefully, when more content is delivered in 1080p and I decide to take the plunge into either hd-dvd or blu-ray (whenever that gets sorted out), the difference will be more apparent than it is on the up-converting dvd player.
Buyers should also be aware that this is just the panel- I know the description tells you this but when they say just the panel, they mean JUST THE PANEL. I did not find this to be a big deal at all because when hooked up to a cable box there is no need for a tuner, most people who buy this will hook it up to a sound system anyway (making speakers useless), and I was mounting it on a wall anyway so not having a stand was actually a plus.
However, be aware that the stand, and I am talking about the little piece of plastic at the bottom of the panel in the picture, is around $500 (at least at the store I bought at).
In short- this is for those who want the best of the best that plasma (or any other technology in my opinion) has to offer. If, they are willing to pay for it.
Finally, I have to say that my Dad is now hooked, and absolutely loves it. Believe me, if it can convert him to a believer, it is an exceptional TV.
Hope all that helps... -
August 15, 2006 01:44
5.0/5
Got it at Best Buy after returning my 60 inch sony kds.
Best Buy matched the price I found on ebay $7,260 +tax retail in the store was $9,995.
The color/picture is INCREDIBLE and I don't use that word very often about anything, in both hd and dvd movies. There is a red push depending on the source programming I only noticed it on one tv show with the people's skin tones in a dark bar scene besides that haven't noticed it on any other programming, I haven't gone into the settings to tweek yet just got it a week ago. Out of the box I went through the predefined color presents (DYNAMIC (defaulted I think, all the settings color contrast are sharpness are maxed out, picture will look amazing), GAME (reduced contrast and color), MOVIE (reduced contrast and color), PURE (no filters or upconversion just the source signal hence "pure").
Well worth the extra $3,000 I was going to pay for the older pioneer elite they had next to it on the wall, I can't wait for the 60 incher to come out. My buddy with his 60 inch plasma said he would my 50 inch Pro-FHD1 to replace is 60inch.
Still waiting for the hd dvd players to come down in price.
I don't say this very often but I am VERY SATISFIED.
P.S. I live in south florida with really severe power storms make sure you get a battery back up surge protector 1500va 850volts to help protect it. -
December 23, 2006 02:53
4.5/5
I've had my monitor for about 2 weeks now and I am still in awe over this monitor. It is just beautiful. The picture is simply amazing. Yes, it is a little pricey but the prices are coming down a little. I was able to haggle a little over price and the retails were responsive.
Let's put it this way,,,the wife even loves it and has not said a word about how much I spent on this monitor!!!! That speaks volumes in my world. -
March 23, 2007 01:31
4.5/5
I have this monitor along with a DVDO VP50, VA speakers, and a Pioneer Elite receiver. Stunning HD picture, OK SD (but, hey, it is SD). My kids like to play games and they look great on either the xbox360 or PS3. If you are worried about burn-in - which you should be!! - then turn the settings way down (particularly contrast and brightness) for the first 100-200 hours of break-in. There are some forums (AVS, for example) where break-in settings are posted. Enjoy! -
February 23, 2007 05:19
3.0/5
I have had my PRO-FHD1 for several months now. Initially it was awesome, but now I am very disappointed because I have noticed there is a lot of image retention (i.e. images burned in). The manual suggests playing a movie. I have not noticed an improvement. My next step will be to contact customer support. If there is a solution I will be happy. At this time I am not happy.
Regards,
John Angell -
April 2, 2007 10:57
5.0/5
I have owned several excellent TVs, but none compare to the Pioneer FHD1! First, I owned the Sony KV-32XBR100, the first XBR squared TV that sold for about $2800 in the late 1990's (one of the last TVs before the WEGA line). Then, I purchased the Sony KD-34XBR860, an outstanding 1080i CRT HDTV that one CNET's award for best CRT last year. Awesome TV; highly recommended.
However, a month ago, I bought the PRO-FHD1 and am enjoying it far more than any other television I have ever owned. Incredible picture and tremendous build quality.
My daughter said it best while we were watching a PGA Tournament, 'It looks like we are looking out a window at people playing golf, not like we are watching TV.' My son remarked last night during an MLB HD game, 'Wow, we could never get seats at a game that were this good!' -
February 25, 2007 05:57
5.0/5
I purchased this monitor about a month ago and I am perfectly happy with it. I bought it to replace my PRO-1000HD which I moved to the rec room; by the way, the PRO-1000HD is still a great monitor as well. Anyway, I bought this monitor to move up to Blu-Ray and HDMI, which are great. Along with the monitor, I bought Pioneer's VSX-84TXSi Receiver, which is a perfect match for the monitor. The receiver up converts all my component and S-video connections before transferring to the monitor. So I don't have the problems mentioned in the CNET review with 480p sources. That may be a problem for some, but it is not a problem for me. So, to sum up, if you can afford the price, this monitor is simply the best on the market. Oh, yes, notice that I reiterated MONITOR several times. The cons mentioned in CNET's review are somewhat specious since this device is a monitor, not a TV! And what self-respecting audio/videophile would want to listen to sound thru a TV? -
February 16, 2007 12:12
5.0/5
As my four years old Fujitsu failed again (power card third time ) and warranty expired spent 10 minutes to check all plasma
monitors in Best Buy, read CNET reviews, cheked two more stores and found, that nothing close PRO-FHD1. Easy to set up, no fan noise, nice remote. Three weeks and no problem only positive emotions. -
January 27, 2007 10:37
5.0/5
This TV and the high end Fujitsu are the best plasma TVs on the market. You can't go wrong with this one. Just make sure you have the right lighting for it. The picture on the Pioneer PRO-FHD1, is soo niiice!! I will enjoy it for years to come.
Updated
Also, this TV didn't come with speakers, but that was ok with me because I have the Paradigm Millenia speakers just for this plasma, like any true baller would have. . Baaaaalllin!!! -
January 6, 2009 03:07
5.0/5
I will buy 1 ASAP if a better/later model doesn't come out of CES 2009.
