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More…On image quality, Pioneer's PDP-4280HD tied for fourth out of twelve HDTVs in our November 2007 issue's roundup, even though it's a 720p model. To our juror's eyes, it produced great images across all of our tests. But its expected street price of $2700 renders it too expensive for a set that lacks 1080p resolution.
Pioneer PDP-4280HD
- Spec Navigator
- Screen Specs
- Broadcast Standards & Resolutions
- Dimensions and Weight
- Interface Connections
- Other Features
- Adjustments
- Aesthetics
- Included Hardware
Dimensions and Weight
| Width | 40.9 inches |
| Depth | 26.8 inches |
| Height | 4.5 inches |
| Weight | 65.9 pounds |
| Wall-Mountable | Yes |
Interface Connections
| Input |
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| Output |
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- Lab Tested
- How We Test HDTVs »
Pros
Better picture than most
great set of features
Cons
Outrageous price
difficult to set up
Bottom Line
This very expensive set's loaded with four HDMI 1.3 inputs, a CableCard slot, and a built-in amplifier and speaker outputs.
Pioneer PDP-4280HD
PDP-4280HD Review, by Lincoln Spector September 20, 2007
Still, it's a great set if you can ignore the sticker price. The PDP-4280HD has four HDMI ports, a CableCard slot so it can receive scrambled cable broadcasts without a set-top box, and a USB port to help you display photos and listen to MP3s. There's a headphone jack in case you want to tarry in multimedialand while your spouse sleeps. The set also has picture-in-picture, though using it is a bit tricky unless you consult the manual. Like all of the other TVs with PiP reviewed here, the PDP-4280HD doesn't let you view two shows at once, though you can monitor, say, a TV show and a DVD.
The Pioneer supports HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control, which Pioneer calls HDMI Control); this feature, too, allows you to control other components connected through HDMI with the TV remote. The PDP-4280HD comes with TV Guide Interactive--a superior on-screen guide for finding your favorite shows. And in case you're concerned about your carbon footprint, the Power Save options include screen dimming and the ability to shut off the TV automatically after 15 minutes without a signal.
The Pioneer is the only set here with an amplifier and external speaker connections, so you can upgrade from the built-in speakers without having to use an external receiver. On the other hand, since there are terminals only for right and left speakers and a subwoofer, you can't obtain true surround sound this way.
Setup is complicated by a design in which the coaxial and HDMI inputs face down; they're set unusually far back on this model, too, making them particularly difficult to work with. The on-screen menus aren't terribly friendly, with small text and some unclear instructions. Many of the manual's 100 English-language pages look crowded and difficult to navigate, though they are comprehensive. Like most manufacturers, Pioneer makes a PDF version of the manual available online (it's much easier to search than the paper one), but Pioneer makes you register at its site before you can use the electronic manual.
The Pioneer's remote is one of the best around--large but comfortable, programmable, and equipped with big buttons that glow in the dark.
Lincoln Spector
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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77
-
83
-
80
- See Complete Lab Results »
77
77
79
80Performance
| Brightness and Contrast | Good |
| Color Quality | Good |
| Detail | Good |
| DVD Image Quality | Good |
| High-Definition Image Quality | Good |
| Interface Tested | HDMI |
| Overall Quality | Good |
| Standard-TV Image Quality | Good |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: jamiesaben
Strengths: Sleek, black design.Excellent picture quality
Weaknesses: Underwhelmed with the non-HD signal pictures.Slightly more glare than anticipated with all views
Overall: I was not disappointed with his buy. After weeks of researching, reviewing, seeing the product in-store, I decided to purchase on-line to save $$ and I was happy I did. The product is one of the top of the line and it was delivered promptly. REaltively easy to set up, the connection interfaces on the back panel are intuitive.
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Reviewed by: mdw333
Strengths: Amazing picture, easy setup.
Weaknesses: None.
Overall: The picture quality is excellent--deep blacks, quick response. Looks great! The TV was very easy to setup, with handles on the back and easy connections for the wires. The remote is easy to use, and the product manual is very comprehensive and easy to understand. You don't have to be an expert to setup or use this TV, but you get the benefits of the highest quality TV.
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Reviewed by: tvHunterG
Strengths: The colors are vivid and bright. The black is so dark that the colors pop. The remote is easy. The speakers are loud enough that you only need to use
Weaknesses: Regular non-HD channels are as clear. Its expensive relative to others but you get the best.
Overall: I would recommend this TV to anyone. Colors are great. Its stylish. Speakers are good. If you want the best in the class this is the one but it may cost you a bit more.
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Reviewed by: HeadHancho
Strengths: great colorsself-adjustingready-to-go out of the boxlightweight
Weaknesses: The HDTV remote takes over the volume control from my DVR remote.
Overall: This is a terrific product and well-worth the extra $500-600 in cost versus a lesser product. This unit has everything I need for small home entertainment. A larger screen might be necessary for a larger home but for my 1-bedroom condo this 42" Pioneer reigns! Great color and very good sound. Gotta love the PIP features.
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Reviewed by: seabass614
Strengths: Realistic picture, nice looking frame, narrow stand and tv for tight places, has some of the ports on the side for easy access
Weaknesses: Expensive
Overall: The picture on this plasma is sharp and the colors accurate. I thought the picture was more accurate than the plasma offerings from panasonic and the high end lcd offerings from sony and samsung. I felt the premium price over the panasonic plasmas was worth it. The screen is only 720p, but don't expect to be able to notice a difference on a 42" when I get a blue-ray. The set does have HDMI 1.3, which is more important than 1080p for a screen of this size and should set one up for future devices. The room I have it in doesn't get a lot of sunlight, so I can't comment on how it looks in brighter rooms. Device and stand are narrower than competing products so easier to put in tight places.
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