Test Bench for Web Pioneer Elite PRO-1130HD 50-inch Plasma HDTV by Al Griffin

Color temperature (Mid/Low mode before/Manual mode after calibration): Low window (20-IRE): 6,545/6,670 K High window (80-IRE): 6,443/6,571 K Brightness (100-IRE window before/after calibration): 37.1/35.5 ftL

The Pioneer PRO-1130HD's Mid-Low color-temperature mode measured close to the 6,500-K standard, but the set displayed a mild shift toward green at both ends of its grayscale. I was able to correct this, however, using the high and low red, green, and blue adjustments in the Manual color temperature mode submenu without having to enter any special service menus. After calibration, grayscale tracking was ±100 K from 20 to 100 IRE - an above-average level of performance. (Calibration needs to be performed by a qualified technician, so discuss it with your dealer before purchase, or contact the Imaging Science Foundation at imagingscience.com or 561-997-9073.)

Color-decoder error measured +2.5 red and green via the set's HDMI input and +5 red and green via the component-video input - minor amounts that could also be corrected using the set's Color Management user menu. After I corrected a minor picture offset using the horizontal and vertical centering controls, overscan averaged 1 to 2% for all inputs, a bit less than average. Screen uniformity was excellent, with pictures appearing evenly bright at off-center viewing positions. A horizontal-ramp test pattern also looked impressively smooth, showing virtually no trace of the contouring effects that are common in lesser plasma TVs. The set cleanly displayed a 720p-format multiburst pattern at full resolution via both its HDMI and component-video inputs.