We've been very impressed with Pioneer's KURO line of plasma sets, and the new PDP-5010FD had us at hello. This 50-inch HDTV features some of the best black levels we've seen in a plasma model, and it provides a full 1,080p native resolution. This is top-of-the-line performance, and the PDP-5010FD has the price tag to match. While many 50-inch HDTVs can be had for well under $3,000, this model comes with a much heftier price tag.

However, if picture quality is your top priority, it is hard to beat the PDP-5010FD. While a number of 1,080p plasma sets offer very good performance, this one simply looks amazing. "Kuro" means black in Japanese, and the PDP-5010FD utilizes Pioneer's new cell structure and a crystal emissive layer to produce extremely deep blacks. This results in vivid colors that appear wonderfully lifelike. While some content has a bit too much of a green hue, this is a minor problem for an otherwise outstanding set.

With its 1,080p resolution, the PDP-5010FD can easily handle HDTV content from a satellite dish, cable box and high-definition disc players, whether they are Blu-ray or HD DVD. This set features x.v.Color support, and since this currently rare format is sure to become more prevalent in the next couple of years, you can rest assured that your HDTV is future-proof.

The PDP-5010FD offers an impressive collection of connectivity options, starting with four HDMI 1.3 inputs. There are also two component video inputs, an S-video input, three composite video inputs and a PC input. This set has a USB port for viewing digital photos, and it is Home Gallery-compatible. The outputs include a stereo analog monitor output as well an optical digital audio output, which is useful when you have multiple HDMI-connected components and only need one digital audio link to your surround-sound receiver. The connectivity options are rounded out by a subwoofer pre-amp output and a headphone jack.

If you're going to spend top dollar on a plasma HDTV, you want to be sure you can enjoy it at any time of day and don't have to worry about damaging the screen by watching certain kinds of content. The PDP-5010FD lays these fears to rest. For starters, it sports an effective anti-reflective screen that effectively reduces glare caused by excessive ambient light. It still can't match the low reflections of LCD screens, but you won't find much better among plasma sets. The PDP-5010FD also has multiple functions to eliminate image retention. Pioneer's orbiter process shifts the entire onscreen image just enough to reduce ghosting.

All of this technology and connectivity is well and good, but how the does the PDP-5010FD perform in the most important category: picture quality? In a word, exceptional. In addition to stellar HD performance, the PDP-5010FD does a great job displaying standard-definition content, something with which many other HDTVs struggle. This is accomplished through the ASIC video processing and scaling, resulting in a great picture regardless of the source. The PDP-5010FD appears to be designed with the movie purist at heart, as it features 3:2 pulldown and Pioneer's Advanced PureCinema 3:3 technology to combat judder that can occur when showing films on the TV screen.

The PDP-5010FD includes multiple picture adjustment options, as well as six A/V selection memory modes and six aspect ratio control settings. You can also select from any of four picture-in-picture position settings.

This sleek plasma set comes with removable speakers, and while the PDP-5010FD looks much better without them, the speakers are useful if you often tune into news or weather channels for quick updates and don't want to take the time powering up a home theater system.

The price is high, but you get what you pay for with the Pioneer KURO PDP-5010FD.


Pros: Extremely good black levels, does a great job displaying standard-definition content, four HDMI inputs, full 1,080 display, x.v.Color support
Cons: Expensive, some inaccurate colors

Warranty
1 year, limited, parts and labor