Pioneer PDP-428XD / 508XD Expert Reviews

Near-perfect pictures, features galore, awesome audio, designer finish

Expensive versus most rivals

Pioneer's new 50-inch behemoth plasma TV is the best in the world - reviewers are unanimous.

None more black

Best black levels ever; Superb picture

No full-HD. Pricey

The best plasma there is, but purists may want to wait for the full 1080p version.

When we looked at Pioneer's 50in PDP-508XD plasma recently, we didn't just find it good: we found it positively revolutionary. So our expectations for the 42in version of the TV are understandably sky high

Superb pictures and black levels, Generous connections, Excellent sound

Expensive

The smallest of Pioneer's new 'Kuro' plasma screens is every bit as world-beating as its bigger brother

The Kuro's fantastic pictures are matched by its looks

Unprecendented black levels, Excellent colours, Impressive audio

Pioneer's PDP-508XD really is as uniquely good as it thinks it is, and were it not for its premium price, the competition might as well just pack up and go home. Project Kuro looks set to be a real success

Pioneer continues to show that its Kuro plasma screens are the new black.

The very worst thing that can be said about the 428XD is that its overall impact isn't quite as great as that of the 508XD. But we only say this because picture quality this good just looks better the bigger the screen you see it on; there's nothing ...

Flawless image quality across all modes, excellent speakers, integrated HDTV tuner, attractive design.

High price tag

The Pioneer KURO PDP-508XDA is easily the best plasma television we have reviewed thus far. Even though it is a little more expensive than other 50in plasmas on the market, it is money well spent.

pioneer pdp-508xda review: Pioneer's engineers went back to the drawing board to come up with a new plasma range that the company believes will set it apart in premium flat panel displays.

Prodigious black levels, Eye-popping pictures, Up-to-date features, Some minor flyscreen effects, Tuner images a little soft, You have to pay for one -- they don't give them out for free

Some minor flyscreen effects, Tuner images a little soft, You have to pay for one -- they don't give them out for free

pioneer pdp-428xda review: Pioneer has completely re-engineered this 42-inch plasma panel to produce a high performance TV that touts a 16,000:1 contrast ratio -- a spec triple that of competitive brands -- which should yield much deeper blacks and ...

Picture quality and black levels, Styling and build quality, Menu system, Sound, Connectivity, Picture can look a little soft with certain settings engaged, Price

Picture can look a little soft with certain settings engaged, Price

Need to know when to apply certain settings with different source ; material to avoid introducing artifacts ; Premium price

When you review products with an average shelf-life of 8 months, it's amazing how quickly what you write becomes obsolete, and comes back to haunt you. Just one month ago I declared the PDP4280XD as "the best flat panel television I've tested to date ...