PDP - 503 CMX my story

[tviewer]

About 40 days ago I decided I needed a flat screen tv w/HD. Using my iBook (apple airport) I got on the web and did some searching. I had seen and because I am a large format photographer, it made sense to look into a flat screen - wall mounted image. Plasma - first word i used in the search routine on the web.

-jump forward- The Pioneer 503 is sitting on the floor (since 02-20-02) waiting for the ordered wall mount to arrive. In the mean time - the ibook with proper cables is not only acting as a computer with this 50 inch monitor but also as a DVD player. I am using my 25 year old Kenwood sound system.

Most of my knowledge has come from Jason Parson at the Pioneer - Southern California Office. He has been extreamly helpful - always answering my e-mails with useful information. Also the five different chat sites on the internet, reading and getting different opinions about HDTV.

I will add to this thread over time.

Having had the PDP - 503 - CMX w/video card for about 30 hours. I am enjoying the one DVD I have 2001 Tour de France. Have now seen stage 1 several times as I learn the remote control and the settings of the set. Yes, intentions to purchase better a/v equipment but starting out slowly

I purchased a DVD Panasonic RP 56 unit $229 at Fry's. Order a Samsung T-150 STB. expect this unit in by monday for sure March 4,2002.

The DVD run off the iBook worked great but a DVD run off the RP-56 Progressive Scan unit look even better. And once I have the STB up and delivering a signal from OTA of HD quality - well this should be the apex of HDTV..

2-25-02 Picked the exwife up and showed her the 503 and played a DVD. She said "I'm impressed" she was tough cookie! From my understanding so far it appears all that is needed for me 503 w/5002 card; the (Samsung T-150) HDTV Digital Television Tuner and an antennta. I hope I am correct here -thus I will have 1080i image of CSI from CBS on the CMX.

3-4-02 Finnaly got antenna hooked up - got great image (I believe 1080i it looks so good) but will need to bring in an knowledgeable hdtv viewer to express their opinion. Being in the East Bay I have pointed the antenna at the Sutro Tower ten miles away. what I receive via the T-150 is 7, 9.1,9.2,45. Not certain why I am not receiving 5 (cbs) - I think both 7 and 5 are located on the same tower.

Later in day I looked at Titantv.com and found what the channel #'s were for other stations. Went back to rabbit ears this is because my location is clear site to the sending tower. Now I get 10 or more channels and checking with titantv program guide I get certain hdtv programs which I can watch.

[tviewer]

The sound system is powered by a Marantz SR6200 which is driving B&W Speakers 602.5.
This sound system is impressive to me; from the marantz I can control -Plasma, -DVD, Tape, FM_AM. I want to try the component video out via/RCA plugs into the input BNC jacks on the 503. This is to see if I really to get a better picture. Will report back!

[tviewer]

Did not use the component RGB jacks. I have been using the SR 6200 for all pass through signals. Picture is great - The Master is on CBS while Martha was on CBS SD at the some time. From eBay obtain a remote -RC2000n which lights up in the dark - Now control all components from one remote. Now wanting Surround Sound and all I wanted to begin with was a flat screen so as not to take up too much room (things change).

[jlui]

i too am looking into the 503cmx versus the panasonic 50PHD5UY.
I like the 503cmx for the price but I think the panny is a bit better in performance.

I'd like to know how you like your screen so far. Did you buy an extended warranty? I'm not sure if it's worth the $800 for 5years.
Please advise on the warranty and your opinion on the 503cmx.

Thanks for reading!

[tviewer]

Did not get extended warranty.

With just a few hours of unit on a day at average; I have about 15 years before I notice any fade in Plasma. I think the unit is great. No problems and lots of internal control if you like to tweak.

I keep looking at other sets at the stores and I feel my 503CMX still out performs what I see.

Very pleased.

[jlui]

that sounds great. i just don't know how much it would cost to service the plasma. i know on rptv, a bulb is very expensive, so it's worth the $400 they ask for 5yrs.

The only thing that's stopping me from getting the 50" plasma is two things:

1. burn in problems since i watch a lot of 4:3 material
2. it's not capable of 1920 across which is true 1080i. I know, who cares, 720p is better, but hey, you never know. There isn't a standard yet.

So far I'm looking into the pioneer elite 53". But the plasma is soooo coool. it's worth the price because it's like buying furniture. you pay for this nice peice of art as well as paying to make your house bigger by saving on floor space.

I'm not sure how stable the stand is because my dog runs into the tv alot (wood floors).

Did you 503 come with a stand or did you have to buy one. I believe it comes with two feet as a stand.

[tviewer]

I use a Sansung Set Top Box which allows me to put the plasma in zoom screen effect - it appears very little distortion and this fills full screen. So I have have no real worry about burn-in. When a HDTV image in on I just switch back to full screen. Really no problem.

1080i is truely very fine. And as I said earler I work in large format photography and the resulation of 503 is OK by me.

My unit hangs on the wall, just like my photographs. 'I still have a room'

You know best between elite '53' and 503 or what you decide. I am pleased with my purchase.

good luck

[goherd90]

any problems with pixel burn out? I've had my Pioneer for a whole 2 weeks now and have 4...yes 4 dead pixels. I am in the process of trying to get the unit replaced.

[tviewer]

No pixel burn out and my 503 is about to be one year old and has been used by me a lot!

When I contacted Pioneer L A Office they were helpful to me, have you tried this source for help.

[goherd90]

I spoke to the high end tech rep at Pioneer and he said that the spec shows anything under 30 (which seems crazy) is acceptable? I told him of my 4 within 2 weeks and he said that is EXTREMELY rare (just my luck). He almost gauranteed that I would not have any further pixel issue's for at least several years. He said unless the pixel damage is cluttered or causes viewing issue's they would possible consider replacement. He suggested I continue to monitor and if the issue continue's they'd send a rep out to look at and make a determination. Even if it is less then 30 dead pixels. I will continue to monitor and push the issue with Pioneer if it persists. Other then me noticing it, you can't even see them. However, since I know where they are I always tend to try and find them..even from a distance where I can't see them? Just a mind thing!

I have mine set up with a Lifestyle Bose/Hughes HDTV/ and a progessive scan dvd....no external scaler or anything. I love the picture. My local hd's come in fantastic..

Any burn in issue's? You here that talked about quite a bit and I thought last night when I turned the receiver off I saw a ghostly ESPN logo down in the corner(got me scared) however this morning it was gone. I think it was because I was looking at the plasma (black of course still on) right after I turned off the receiver. It probably takes a few minutes for it to disappear?

I 'd appreciate any feedback or thoughts on your system.

[tviewer]

I try and keep my 503 in zoom or full 50 inch display about 90% of the time. This gets easyer as more hdtv programing comes on line. Yes, I have seen a ghost image once in a while but it all ways goes away after viewing in 16x9. The Raider game with the Jets was the best yet (16x9).

Just visited a couple of dealers showing off their many new flat screen displays (a couple I have never heard of) and yet the 503 I see is still the best. The new LCD's that I saw just don't have the punch that a plasma has.

[goherd90]

what about pixel burn? I have 2 that have gone out completely, but you cannot tell unless you have your nose almost up against the screeen. It bothered me at first, but now I don't even worry about it....

[tviewer]

No pixal burn and my set is about a year old. But then again I have not put my nose up to the screen!:p last night was a WOW HDTV night...:D