Pioneer SD-532-HD5 Rear Projection

Pioneer SD-532-HD5 Rear Projection 

DESCRIPTION

53" Rear Projection, High Definition Monitor - HDTV ready (1080i capable combined with HDTV tuner and source) - 7" Inverted HD Large Emitter CRT’s Imaging System - Picture-in-Picture - S2 Video x 3, x 1 front, Composite x 3, x 1 front - Speaker Ouptuts

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 36  
[Jul 13, 2002]
Chris Estereicher
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

crystal clear picture on dvd, reasonable price, tons of fuctions on remote.

I first picked this tv because it had the best picture out of about 30 big screens at this sale. The only other one that was comparable was the elite pioneer, probably because it is an identical television with a different trim. At a price difference of about $3000, I decided I did not need the high gloss black finish, or the tinted screen saver of the elite. I find the picture quality of this television absolutly incredible when watching dvds. The only flaw in picture quality comes when watching channels with poor signal. In this case, the edges become a bit rough between exteme colour differences as in cartoons. At first I thought this was just the way this tv was, but when I watched a cartoon on dvd, it was crystal. In my opinion you can't find a better television at this price. I can't wait until HDTV is more widespread and I can get the full potential out of this tv on cable.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 15, 2002]
andrewb773
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Colors, Depth of image, black levels, shadow detail, stretches 4:3 reasonably well

Weakness:

Severe edge enhancement, cannot disable SVM, locks ratio control when receiving a progressive signal, poor line doubler, scan line inconsistencies?? (see below)

Follow up to a review I posted earlier- still really like this TV- great image when fed a progressive DVD signal. Almost film like- would be even more film like if it were not for Scan Velocity Modulation causing unnatural edge enhancement and ringing around high contrast objects. The internal line doubler is very poor, and does not perform 2:3 pulldown, so you get a lot of artifacts and jaggies if you feed it an interlaced signal. My unit also has inconsistent scan lines that stand out over others, especially against light backdrops, in which they appear darker than the scene. It is very annoying , and I am not sure that I am adequately discribing to you what I am seeing. Perhaps a good AVS calibration would alleviate my problems. Otherwise this is a great unit. Beautiful colors, great black level- a 3d image with an external progressive source.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Mar 03, 2000]
Chris Lipton
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very bright picture with rich colors.

Weakness:

There has been no real weaknesses discovered as of now.

After observing and researching the Toshiba and the Pioneer High Def projection sets, I came to the conclusion that the Pioneer had the best overall value. This set is spectacular with its rich colors and very bright screen. Some great features that I enjoyed from this model is the 5 display modes. Also, it has a 72 point digital convergence, which makes for virtually perfect set up. It was very easy to adjust/converge the picture.
When comparing between the Toshiba TW56X81 and the this Pioneer, besides the great picture, a great deciding factor was the price. Baught from One Call; these guys have great pricing and service. The price on this set was much more reasonable when comparing with other models. This makes this set earn a high-value rating in my book.
If you have a chance, its well worth the time to try and check out this projection set at your local dealer.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 07, 2000]
Ivan Johnson
Audiophile

Strength:

Extremely bright and detailed picture which has a wide viewing angle unlike other HD-capable sets,5 picture modes,small depth so it can fit in tight spaces,ridiculous amounts of adjustible options(good thing)

Weakness:

line doubler not as good as Elite model, not even close
Come on pioneer don't get cheep on your fans now,No 720P capability,Progressive DVD on Non-Anamorphic discs

I like the picture quality produced by this set. It isn't nearly as good as the elite model,but it hands down outperforms every other HD ready capable set without breaking a sweat. The amount of modes to watch programs is a blessing when watching DVD movies. However there is a problem when watching non-ANAMORPHIC DVD'S on a Progressive Scan DVD player. The problem is that the picture doesn't fill the whole width and the picture is right smack dab in the middle, now how awful is that. I hope Pioneer fixes this absolutely annoying problem. Dvd movies via comp progressive outputs in breathless, I haven't seen a better performer other than the step up elite model. I purchased it for $3400 got hookups, so I'm lucky. I feel that I have spent my money and got more than I asked for. When you become a Pioneer Tv enthusiast, you become a Pioneer customer for life.

Similar Products Used:

Mitsubishi,Samsung,Toshiba,Panasonic

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 16, 2001]
Steve G
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Picture, cost, 5 screen modes, looks

I have had this set for a few years now. The main reason I chose this over the Mitsubishi was because this had 5 screen modes. For regular cable, Natural Wide mode is great. You had to use zoom on the Mits to not have the people look short and fat (distorted).

For DVD's, this set rocks.

Its a great set for a reasonable price. An even better set is their Elite line. Plan to fork out a few K extra though. To me (not a videophile), the difference did not justify the cost increase.

Similar Products Used:

Mitsubishi, Sony

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 02, 2002]
john robinson
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

colors, blacks, detail

Weakness:

remote

I purchased this at sam's club brand new in the box . This tv is amazing. I have never seen colors this real on a tv before. I am very pleased with the performance. Don't get carried away too much with the 72 point convergence after a while you start seeing double. I have a pioneer elite dv-37 this combination is aaaaaamazinnnng. oh yeah set the convergence and never move the tv again , every time you do it pushes the tv out of wack. I am partying my ass off with this tv , my friends envy it so much, and for only $ 2000.00 bucks, what a deal! also all these idiots that say the tv doesn't look good with standard cable are full of it. I don't have hd tv because I'm facing the wrong way but I'm gonna buy a house just because I want to see this tv in hd, because it is that amazing.

Similar Products Used:

sony

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 30, 2001]
James Greene
Audiophile

Strength:

Great picture, better than the Sony, and Mitsubishi. Point convergence for better gun alignment. Direct input select works well with pronto, marantz, or Intellicontrol remotes and AMX. Works well with the RCA DTC 100 HDTV box

Weakness:

Only one High definition input.


If you want a superior HD picture but can't afford a Runco then this is for you. It is a hot performer at a reasonable price. Not surprising though since Pioneer has always been one of the leaders in rear projection sets.

Similar Products Used:

Sony and Mitsubishi

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 20, 2000]
Brian
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

GREAT picture, build quality, inputs, screen modes, remote is well laid out accepts Progressive scan inputs! 72 POINT CONVERGENCE

Weakness:

progresive scan input limits control over screen size and shape. I have been told that there is a free upgrade from Pioneer that will fix this. It should be available for install within the next month or so.

After I finally got this beast set up, and I fired it up with my Progressive scan DVD player...I spent the next minute or two trying to pick my jaw up off the ground. The picture is simply amaizing. I watched Fight Club, and it was a whole new movie again. I used the AVIA disc to set the colors and Black/white levels I highly reccomend doing this...it helps alot. Also the 72 point convergence is so precise you can spend HOURS dialing it in till its PERFECT. The back of this unit has 2 sets of component inputs that are autosensing for progressive scan or interlaced. Also it has a HD15 socket (computer monitor cord) for HDTV input...and it has all of the other compliment of inputs. The really cool thing is that the remote is laid out in such a way that the inputs each have their own button, no more fiddling with the remote trying to figure out which damn input in on. I love this set, playing video games in natural wide mode is so cool...My Dreamcast looks awesome!
If you live in an apartment or small house and are in the market for a projection screen TV and have the money take a long look at this set, especially since Pioneer is fixing the problem mentioned in the other reviews. I give this baby 4 starts for value cause it is a bit pricy(the wife might smack you in the head if you tell her how much you spent). But a definate 5 starts overall, this is what home theater is ALLLLLLL about.

Similar Products Used:

RCA, SONY

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 01, 2000]
McClure Patrick
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

5 viewings modes a real plus when viewing normal NTSC signals from a Satallite or VCR. When used to view 480p output from a progressive scan DVD (Toshiba 5109) picture is outstanding

Weakness:

When viewing 480p input TV locks into Full (widescreen) mode. Convertor of normal NTSC signals is only OK

Great TV for those who want to upgrade to HDTV but still need to connect to old NTSC sources. My satalite signal is very nice on this TV, but not nearly as spectacular as viewing progressive scan DVD on the set. I got the set delivered to my door from Idaho Multimedia for $3400.

Similar Products Used:

Reviewed Panasonic, Mitsu, Toshiba and Samung models

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Aug 05, 2001]
Chuck
Audiophile

Strength:

Beautiful, flawless picture on DVD. Satellite picture very bright and clear.

Weakness:

Very reflective screen.

Been a Mitsubishi TV man my whole life. Began doing research for a HDTV-ready widescreen TV and used this forum extensively. After reading the reviews, decided Pioneer was the way to go. And was I ever rewarded for my decision. (The wife loves it too). I have NEVER seen a better picture anywhere. The colors are true and bright. Flesh tones are simply amazing. I've only had it for 3 days and haven't been able to sleep or eat. =)
In concluding, if you buy any other rear projection TV in this price range you will be making a terrible mistake. Thanks to everyone for their reviews. Like others here have already stated, my movie-going days are over. With that said, this tv will pay for itself within a year or two.


Pioneer SD-532-HD5 HDTV
Pioneer VSX-33TX receiver
Toshiba SD-2200 DVD player
Polk Audio speakers

Similar Products Used:

Mitsubishi 35-inch direct view.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 36  

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