They’re Japan-only products for the time being, but Pioneer have have announced a range of new PureVision high definition (HD) plasma televisions.
The models are: PDP-435HDL (43”, long speakers), PDP-435HDS (43”, short speakers), PDP-435SX (single body), PDP-505HDL (50”, long speakers) and the PDP-505HDS (50”, short speakers).
Plasma TVs are very popular in Japan, with an estimated market of about 450,000 units in 2004. HD broadcasting is well ahead of other countries, and is expected to grow still further as digital terrestrial broadcasting takes off.
The new TVs are capable of displaying 5.75 billion colours. This means, apart from I should keep my HP48 nearer my desk, that each of the 3.2 million RGB colours has a further 1,792 grayscale shades each. Pioneer call this, with no hint of hyperbole, the Advanced Super CLEAR Drive System C.
The TVs also incorporate the world’s first Direct Colour Filter, eliminating the need for a pane of glass across the front of the screen, resulting in improved contrast and focus. If you’ve ever had to lift a 50” plasma screen, you appreciate this the lack of glass panel also makes them considerably lighter – by about 5kg.
How long will they last? Plasma TVs generally are past their best after five years (bet they didn’t tell you that in the shop), but these screens are rated for 60,000 hours – so if you watch TV for five hours a day 365 days a year, expect them to last for 32 years.