Pioneer PDP-436XDE: Reviewed by Michael Sims
editor
My local Audio Visual dealer recommended the Pioneer PDP-436XDE to me, and after reading reviews in various magazines I decided to purchase.
Firstly I must say how great this screen looks. I have it fitted to the wall of my lounge, and the glossy jet-black frame really looks a class above any other plasma I have seen. The separate Media Box looks good, and even the remote control, which is easy to use, has the solid feel of a class product.
The advantage of having a separate Media Box is that everything plugs unobtrusively into the Media Box, which then connects to the screen. This saves having lots of wires running to the screen. Very important if the screen is to be fitted directly onto the wall.
I had the screen professionally installed, (I had nightmares about dropping the screen!) and although the installers ran through the set up with me, I found it very simple with easy to understand menus, and most would find the screen set up an easy DIY job.
The instruction booklet contains 79 A4 pages and looks a bit daunting, however I found it pretty well laid out, with a step-by-step guide for most operations.
One word of warning though, the factory picture pre sets were very poor. The picture was set up to (maybe) look good in a very brightly lit showroom, but it looked very poor in my home. It is necessary to reduce the brightness, sharpness, saturation and contrast to some degree, but when I had finished (it took about 10 minutes experimenting) the picture is just amazingly good. Roll on HD transmissions!
It’s even possible to set the screen up to have different brightness etc settings for watching DVD or HD as opposed to standard television.
I am really pleased with the sound quality from the optional speakers fitted either side of the screen. They are so good that I rarely bother to turn my HiFi on which is connected to the Media Box (obviously I would if I was watching the proms or similar, but mostly it is not necessary).
Do be prepared to experiment with the audio settings to be sure that you get the best set up for your room, they will almost certainly need adjusting away from the factory setting just as the picture does.
NOTE: If you don't like the speakers fitted to the sides of the screen there is the option of a long narrow speaker under the screen. This speaker will radically change the look of the screen, making it look narrower and taller than the side speakers. I suggest you look carefully to see which you like better. I haven't auditions one of these speakers.
One thing that is slightly disconcerting is that once you have pressed a button on the remote it often takes a couple of seconds for the screen to react. Don't panic! It will work, and you will soon get used to it.
There are lots of output sockets on the back, making it easy to connect various picture sources.
Both the Home Menu (where the set up and options are found) and the Freeview Electronic Program Guide are clear and easy to use.
If you decide to buy a DVD Recorder or PVR to go with this screen do remember to get one with an HDMI output to take advantage of the super picture quality of this screen.
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Pros + Classy looks, Terrific Picture, Great Sound, Easy to Use, plenty of inputs & includes a Freeview Tuner. |
Cons - Not cheap, but then class rarely is. |
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Overall Rating 
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22/3/2006 at 10:25:20am
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