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Pioneer KRP-500A Review |
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Reviewed: 20 January 2009
Design
Combine a depth of just 64mm with a smooth glossy black finish and in the KRP-500A we have a remarkably svelte like flat panel TV. The screen also comes in optional Limited Edition 'Briliant White' or 'Beige Grise' finish.
A separate AV receiver looks like it has been hewn from a glossy block of black granite and combined with the TV itself we have what is arguably the current last word in stylish home entertainment.
Features
The first indication that there is something a little different with Pioneer's KRP-500A is the lack of inputs on the back of the screen and the addition of a glossy rectangular box which works in conjunction with the panel itself.
Screen: 50in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: Extreme Other Features: . Sockets: 4 HDMI, 3 SCART, USB input, D-Sub PC port, 2 common interface slots, optical digital audio output, component video input, Ethernet port.
The little black box alongside the KRP-500A is actually an AV receiver and comes equipped with a whole host of connections. There are a total of 4 HDMI inputs, 3 Scart sockets, a USB input, D-Sub PC port, two common interface slots along with an optical digital audio output, component video input and Ethernet port.
Interestingly there is also a satellite connector available on the Pioneer's AV receiver. Although this connector cannot be used to pick up Sky signals you can access Freesat channels, although interactive features or the electronic programme guide are not available as the system is not Freesat certified.
Removing the connections from the main panel brings a number of advantages. For some the most enticing of those advantages is the fact that you can wall mount the KRP-500A and have just a single wire protruding from the screen (attached to the AV receiver).
With an 'Enhanced Optimum Mode', the Pioneer KRP-500A dynamically analyses the on-screen content and current lighting conditions, optimizing the picture for all viewing conditions.
Being DLNA-compliant the KRP-500A can be integrated into a home network to play content from connected media servers. This content is directly available through the screen's Home Media Gallery function, which has itself been integrated in a new Graphical User Interface. Alternately you can connect a storage device to the USB port on the side panel for the same funtionality.
The KRP-500A's Pure AV mode selection has been designed to reproduce images as faithfully as possible to the original source material, bypassing the usual picture enhancement processing.
Performance
Testament to their commitment in aiming for exceptional audio visual standards, with the KRP-500A Pioneer have managed to improve on what are already arguably the finest flat panels in existence. The improvement is not huge but once again Pioneer have managed to push TV performance boundaries.
The KRP-500A matches its sibling Pioneer PDP-LX5090 with its black level ability, illustrating once again just how accomplished Pioneer have become in this respect. With other manufacturers publishing ever greater contrast ratio figures, Pioneer simply state the KRP-500A's as 'Extreme'. No other TV can match the sheer depth of black on offer, coming as close to any we have tested to achieving true black.
The hugely accomplished black level performance creates an almost perfect canvass for on-screen colours. Pioneer have managed to take full advantage of the screens core strength by adding an almost faultless colour palette, if you are prepared to carry out a bit of picture tweaking. Your efforts will be rewarded with unmatched vibrancy and a fine subtlety with tricky areas such as skin tones which never look anything less than wholly realistic.
Where the KRP-500A pushes screen performance boundaries is with its Pure AV mode. AV Mode adds a touch more sharpness, a touch more depth and a touch more colour accuracy over the LX5090. It is worth experimenting with this option however as it seems to reveal a little more of the grainy noise which is associated with a Standard Definition source. Any High Definition material on the receiving end of AV Mode treatment produces one of the most sublime home cinema experiences we have witnessed. Few screens can come close to the detail, clarity and sharpness that the Full HD screen delivers - a truly involving experience.
Once again, Standard Definition (SD) performance from the KRP-500A benefits from that traditional area of strength for a plasma screen, motion handling capability. There is virtually no trace of motion blur on even the fastest on-screen action while pictures retain there fluidity and detail in virtually all situations. Like its PDP-LX5090 sibling, the SD picture is not perfect, with a miniscule amount of 'noise' with a poorer quality Freeview source, but for such a 50in screen the picture is quite remarkable.
Conclusion
With the KRP-500A Pioneer have managed to improve on what are already arguably the finest flat panels in existence. The improvement is not huge but once again Pioneer have managed to push TV performance boundaries.
Pioneer KRP-500A 
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