Pioneer PRO-610 58 in. TV
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- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 16:9 Enhanced
- Weight: 9.9 lb.
- Screen Size: 58 inch
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Pioneer PRO-610HD, High Quality at a High Price
Pros
High Definition
Cons
High Price
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Excellent High-Def Image Quality, at a Very High Price
The most outstanding feature of the Pioneer PRO-610HD "Elite" TV is its price -- $7,300 list (you could probably find it at a retailer for around $6,000, or maybe a bit less). Rather than competing with other rear-projection TV's (RPTV's) of this type, the 610HD is in the running with video projectors. In fact, video projectors, which project the TV image directly onto an open screen, just as film is projected in a theater, sometimes sell for less than this TV.
Going for the High-End Market
In any case, the 610HD appears to be aimed at folks who want to set up a high-quality home-theater. This TV does, in fact, provide a very nice image and an extensive feature set, including a line-doubler optimized to work with film-source DVD's (i.e., almost all DVD's). While you might think this is a 61-inch set, based on its model number, it actually has a 58-inch screen in the widescreen 16:9 (ratio of width to height) aspect ratio. The other sets in this line include the 510HD, which measures 53 inches, and the 710HD, which measures 64 inches. Go figure.
480p and 1080i Display Resolutions
Currently, the NTSC broadcast analog color standard calls for a resolution of approximately 480 horizontal lines, interlaced (the actual NTSC color broadcast standard uses up some of the lines to take other information, so actually only projects 330 interlaced lines upon the screen). Expressed as bandwidth, the 480-interlaced (480i) signal takes up 15.75 kHz. When resolution is called interlaced, it means that each 1/30th-of-a-second video frame is broken down into two 1/60th-of-a-second "fields," with the first containing the odd-numbered lines of the frame and the second containing the even-numbered lines.
With the 610HD, any 480i input, whether an standard, analog broadcast signal, the output from a VHS VCR (which actually only has a resolution of 240i), or the output from a DVD player, is automatically upconverted, or line-doubled, to the 480-progressive (480p) resolution level. With the 480p resolution, which has a bandwidth of 31.5 kHz, a full 480-line video frame is projected onto the screen each 1/60th-of-a-second, meaning the horizontal resolution is twice as fine as 480i.
As well as doubling a 480i signal to 480p, the 610HD can accept a signal of 480p resolution, such as the output from a progressive-scan DVD player, also known as a "native 480p" signal, and directly pass it on to be displayed at the signal's inherent 480p resolution level. Finally, the set can accept a native-1080i signal and display it at 1080i. Since the 1080i signal is interlaced, it actually offers only slightly more horizontal resolution than a 480p signal. The 1080i signal has a bandwidth of 33.75 kHz. Despite the set's high-end price tag, it doesn't feature the 720p HDTV resolution, although there isn't much source material at this resolution.
Analog Input Only
The current ATSC definitions for HDTV (high-definition television) call for 18 different combinations of resolution levels and aspect ratios (4:3, the old NTSC standard, and the widescreen 16:9). The 610HD accepts analog input at 480i, 480p, and 1080i. It displays at 480p and 1080i. Technically speaking, the 480p resolution level is known as SDTV (standard definition television) while 1080i is considered to be within the HDTV levels.
In order to receive a digital broadcast at one of the 18 ATSC resolutions/aspect ratios, you'll need a separate digital broadcast tuner of satellite receiver. Some units, such as the RCA DTC100, include both a digital broadcast tuner and a sat receiver in a single unit. The DTC100 ($649 list) would, in fact, be compatible with the 610HD, since it has a 15-pin VGA-type output and the HD610 has a VGA input. The VGA type input standard is the same as the type of inputs which have five RCA jacks are called RGB+H/V. This is the highest-quality type of input currently available, and having it on the 610HD means you'll maintain as much of the signal quality as currently possible when running the output of a digital receiver into the analog input of a TV like this (the signal is converted from analog to digital in the tuner itself).
The other high-quality input available on the 610HD is a component video output, also known as a Y-Pb-Pr input. This type of input, consisting of three RCA jacks, accepts a signal which is sent over three coaxial lines, with the first line containing luminance (Y) information, the second containing yellow-blue chrominance (Pb) information, and the third containing the yellow-red (Pr) chrominance information. There are a few digital broadcast and satellite receivers now coming onto the market, all of which feature analog component (Y-Pb-Pr) video output and would thus be compatible with this input on the 610HD. The component input, like the VGA connector, provides a very high-quality connection option.
Proprietary Slot for Digital Tuner
Finally, the 610HD features a proprietary slot which will accept Pioneer's SH-D09 DTV tuner cartridge. With an upgrade slot for future applications, and the capability of being controlled by the 610HD's remote, the SH-D09 lists for $2,500. The SH-D09 receives digital broadcasts at all 18 of the ATSC SDTV and HDTV resolutions. Unlike the 610HD itself, the SH-D09 includes optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, switchable between the AC-3 and PCM standards.
The main problem with the SH-D09 is that, by the time you read this, Pioneer may have not yet brought this tuner to market. Considering that some broadcasters have balked at the digital TV (DTV) broadcast standard currently specified by the FCC, it's not surprising that manufacturers have been slow in bringing DTV receivers to the market. To make matters worse, cable companies have refused to agree on a standard for the digital transmission of DTV signals over their systems. However, the economically-priced RCA DTC100 is currently available, and other tuners from Panasonic and Sony are now reaching the market.
Other Inputs and Outputs
Besides the VGA, component, and cartridge slots inputs mentioned above, the 610HD also includes a full complement of the lower-quality connection jacks that are standard on most analog TV's. The next connection standard after component is S-Video, which uses a single MiniDIN plug and carries the signal on a two-line cable, with one line taking the black & white luminance (Y) information and the other taking the color, or chrominance, (C) information. The 610HD has three S-Video jacks on the rear panel and one on the front. The lowest-quality direct video input is composite, the regular old yellow "video" RCA jacks, which take all the signal information bunched together on a single line (except the audio part of the programming). The 610HD also has three rear-panel composite inputs and one on the front panel. Finally, the set has a pair of RF inputs to take the standard, analog NTSC broadcast signal from your antenna or cable box.
Each of the previously-mentioned video inputs has a corresponding pair of L/R analog audio inputs. In addition, the set has a fixed/variable-output L/R audio jack, allowing you to run its sound into an A/V receiver system. Also, there's a video "monitor" output (composite), and an RF output (to allow you to loop the cable or antenna input into a VCR).
A "center-channel" input will allow you to use the sets pair of 6.5-inch speakers as the center-channel speakers in a surround system, but I would recommend that you don't do this as the TV's speakers won't tonally match the other speakers in your system.
Picture Quality
The 610HD uses a trio of seven-inch cathode-ray tubes (CRT's) to project the image onto the back of its viewing screen. Some RPTV's, especially at this price level, include eight- or nine-inch CRT's, which allow for higher picture quality. The 610HD's protective panel, which covers the projection screen, is removable, allowing you to avoid the slight image degradation added by a protective screen, if you don't mind the slight risk of damage to the underlying screen.
The fine-pitch lenticular screen of the 610HD features a 0.52mm dot pitch. Other features which impact image quality include a "first surface mirror," "high-contrast optical lens couplers," "triple dynamic focus circuit," "chromatically pure red and green lens," and "dynamic picture optimizer."
I found the picture quality of the 610HD pleasing, though not really all that much better than some other RPTV DTV-ready sets which sell for less than half as much. In fact, the set tended to render blacks a bit softly, almost merging them into a greyish tone.
Line-Doubler Optimizes for Film Source Material
You can set the line-doubling circuitry in the 610HD so that it is optimized to give you the best performance possible with film-source material, such as DVD's based on films and broadcast images which come from film sources (TV movies, most prime-time dramas and comedies).
The problem with line-doubling film sources comes from the different frame rates used by film and video. Film uses 24 frames-per-second (fps) while video uses 30 fps. As I mentioned above, video is actually projected in fields of 1/60th-of-a-second, with the entire image projected with each field in progressive mode and half of the image projected in the interlaced mode (first the odd lines, then the even lines). To get the 24-fps film material onto a DVD, a process known as 3:2 pulldown is employed, where one frame is recorded onto three fields, the next onto two fields, the next onto three fields, etc. Unfortunately, this can result in video frames made up of fields from two different film frames, and this can result in motion artifacts when you line-double a DVD like this.
With it's "PureCinema" format converter, the 610HD can recognize these differences, when its at the film-source setting, compensate for them, and reduce the motion artifacts you'd otherwise get when line doubling from a film-source DVD or television broadcast (i.e., going from 480i to 480p). When line-doubling video-source material, such as live TV news, talks shows, and soap operas, anything taped on video or broadcast live on video, you'd put the 610HD at the video-source setting, optimizing it for working with that kind of material.
If you want the best quality from DVD's, it would still be better for you to use a progressive-scan DVD player. A high-quality progressive-scan DVD player will also optimize the result when it takes the film-source DVD datastream up to the 480p level, but it has several advantages over doing the optimization outside the DVD player, the most salient of which is that the signal avoids an extra step of digital-to-analog conversion and the resultant loss in signal quality this will tend to introduce. The 610HD can take the high-quality native-480p output from a progressive-scan DVD player and directly display on the TV's screen at 480p, thus avoiding the extra analog-digital-analog steps that would be involved in running the signal through the TV's line-doubling circuitry.
Control Features
The 610HD has a five-step color-temperature adjustment, allowing you to get the TV as close as possible to the NTSC standard of 6500-kelvin for a white signal. The scan velocity modulation feature can increase sharpness but, since it can also introduce ringing around the edges of objects, you'll be happy to note that it can be turned off. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) menu system will guide you through the various functions and settings. There's a V-Chip, if you wish to limit access to certain programming on the TV. A 72-point digital convergence function will allow you to make sure the CRT's are all pointing in the right direction (these can get jostled during delivery and installation, resulting in an out-of-focus picture). The display modes include natural wide (for anamorphic DVD's and widescreen HDTV broadcasts), zoom, cinema wide, normal (4:3), and full.
The 610HD's remote control somewhat resembles that on Sony TV's, in that it's really a bit too large to comfortably control with one hand. It's also packed with a huge variety of buttons, but the backlight feature will at least allow you to see these in the dark.
Sound's Okay
Most people who buy a TV like this will probably also purchase a surround-sound system, but its built-in audio capability is quite good, rivaling the sound quality of a basic stereo system with small bookshelf speakers. With 10 watts per channel feeding into a pair of 6.5-inch speakers, the 610HD's sound should even keep up with movie soundtracks, as long as they're not too demanding.
Style
As you'd expect for a TV that lists at over $7,000, the 610HD is a nice looking set, with a deep-black finish. While many newer RPTV's have tapered designs, starting out with fairly narrow depth at the top of their screen areas, the 610HD uses the good-old, tried-and-true box shape that's been prevalent in these kind of sets for years. However, with only 26 inches of depth, the 610HD's not too much of space-gobbler. Height and width dimensions are 53 and 54 inches, respectively. Pioneer doesn't reveal the weight of this set, but it's probably between 200 and 300 pounds. Almost everybody who buys a TV like this will have it professionally delivered, so the weight shouldn't be much of a consideration in your purchase decision.
Legal Matters, Baby
Pioneer backs up the 610HD with a two-year warranty on both parts and labor. This compares well to many other manufacturers, though you should expect no less when shelling out this kind of money for a TV.
Conclusion
Whenever you're considering a product with "Elite" in its appellation, you know you've got to hold onto your wallet tightly. However, the 610HD isn't priced too far out of line with other similarly-sized sets. You can find widescreen H/DTV-ready sets for much less, but they're usually the smaller screen sizes, such as 40 or 46 inches. The styling of the 610HD is very classy and the PureCinema feature is a big plus if you either don't own or don't plan to move up to a progressive-scan DVD player.
Going for the High-End Market
In any case, the 610HD appears to be aimed at folks who want to set up a high-quality home-theater. This TV does, in fact, provide a very nice image and an extensive feature set, including a line-doubler optimized to work with film-source DVD's (i.e., almost all DVD's). While you might think this is a 61-inch set, based on its model number, it actually has a 58-inch screen in the widescreen 16:9 (ratio of width to height) aspect ratio. The other sets in this line include the 510HD, which measures 53 inches, and the 710HD, which measures 64 inches. Go figure.
480p and 1080i Display Resolutions
Currently, the NTSC broadcast analog color standard calls for a resolution of approximately 480 horizontal lines, interlaced (the actual NTSC color broadcast standard uses up some of the lines to take other information, so actually only projects 330 interlaced lines upon the screen). Expressed as bandwidth, the 480-interlaced (480i) signal takes up 15.75 kHz. When resolution is called interlaced, it means that each 1/30th-of-a-second video frame is broken down into two 1/60th-of-a-second "fields," with the first containing the odd-numbered lines of the frame and the second containing the even-numbered lines.
With the 610HD, any 480i input, whether an standard, analog broadcast signal, the output from a VHS VCR (which actually only has a resolution of 240i), or the output from a DVD player, is automatically upconverted, or line-doubled, to the 480-progressive (480p) resolution level. With the 480p resolution, which has a bandwidth of 31.5 kHz, a full 480-line video frame is projected onto the screen each 1/60th-of-a-second, meaning the horizontal resolution is twice as fine as 480i.
As well as doubling a 480i signal to 480p, the 610HD can accept a signal of 480p resolution, such as the output from a progressive-scan DVD player, also known as a "native 480p" signal, and directly pass it on to be displayed at the signal's inherent 480p resolution level. Finally, the set can accept a native-1080i signal and display it at 1080i. Since the 1080i signal is interlaced, it actually offers only slightly more horizontal resolution than a 480p signal. The 1080i signal has a bandwidth of 33.75 kHz. Despite the set's high-end price tag, it doesn't feature the 720p HDTV resolution, although there isn't much source material at this resolution.
Analog Input Only
The current ATSC definitions for HDTV (high-definition television) call for 18 different combinations of resolution levels and aspect ratios (4:3, the old NTSC standard, and the widescreen 16:9). The 610HD accepts analog input at 480i, 480p, and 1080i. It displays at 480p and 1080i. Technically speaking, the 480p resolution level is known as SDTV (standard definition television) while 1080i is considered to be within the HDTV levels.
In order to receive a digital broadcast at one of the 18 ATSC resolutions/aspect ratios, you'll need a separate digital broadcast tuner of satellite receiver. Some units, such as the RCA DTC100, include both a digital broadcast tuner and a sat receiver in a single unit. The DTC100 ($649 list) would, in fact, be compatible with the 610HD, since it has a 15-pin VGA-type output and the HD610 has a VGA input. The VGA type input standard is the same as the type of inputs which have five RCA jacks are called RGB+H/V. This is the highest-quality type of input currently available, and having it on the 610HD means you'll maintain as much of the signal quality as currently possible when running the output of a digital receiver into the analog input of a TV like this (the signal is converted from analog to digital in the tuner itself).
The other high-quality input available on the 610HD is a component video output, also known as a Y-Pb-Pr input. This type of input, consisting of three RCA jacks, accepts a signal which is sent over three coaxial lines, with the first line containing luminance (Y) information, the second containing yellow-blue chrominance (Pb) information, and the third containing the yellow-red (Pr) chrominance information. There are a few digital broadcast and satellite receivers now coming onto the market, all of which feature analog component (Y-Pb-Pr) video output and would thus be compatible with this input on the 610HD. The component input, like the VGA connector, provides a very high-quality connection option.
Proprietary Slot for Digital Tuner
Finally, the 610HD features a proprietary slot which will accept Pioneer's SH-D09 DTV tuner cartridge. With an upgrade slot for future applications, and the capability of being controlled by the 610HD's remote, the SH-D09 lists for $2,500. The SH-D09 receives digital broadcasts at all 18 of the ATSC SDTV and HDTV resolutions. Unlike the 610HD itself, the SH-D09 includes optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, switchable between the AC-3 and PCM standards.
The main problem with the SH-D09 is that, by the time you read this, Pioneer may have not yet brought this tuner to market. Considering that some broadcasters have balked at the digital TV (DTV) broadcast standard currently specified by the FCC, it's not surprising that manufacturers have been slow in bringing DTV receivers to the market. To make matters worse, cable companies have refused to agree on a standard for the digital transmission of DTV signals over their systems. However, the economically-priced RCA DTC100 is currently available, and other tuners from Panasonic and Sony are now reaching the market.
Other Inputs and Outputs
Besides the VGA, component, and cartridge slots inputs mentioned above, the 610HD also includes a full complement of the lower-quality connection jacks that are standard on most analog TV's. The next connection standard after component is S-Video, which uses a single MiniDIN plug and carries the signal on a two-line cable, with one line taking the black & white luminance (Y) information and the other taking the color, or chrominance, (C) information. The 610HD has three S-Video jacks on the rear panel and one on the front. The lowest-quality direct video input is composite, the regular old yellow "video" RCA jacks, which take all the signal information bunched together on a single line (except the audio part of the programming). The 610HD also has three rear-panel composite inputs and one on the front panel. Finally, the set has a pair of RF inputs to take the standard, analog NTSC broadcast signal from your antenna or cable box.
Each of the previously-mentioned video inputs has a corresponding pair of L/R analog audio inputs. In addition, the set has a fixed/variable-output L/R audio jack, allowing you to run its sound into an A/V receiver system. Also, there's a video "monitor" output (composite), and an RF output (to allow you to loop the cable or antenna input into a VCR).
A "center-channel" input will allow you to use the sets pair of 6.5-inch speakers as the center-channel speakers in a surround system, but I would recommend that you don't do this as the TV's speakers won't tonally match the other speakers in your system.
Picture Quality
The 610HD uses a trio of seven-inch cathode-ray tubes (CRT's) to project the image onto the back of its viewing screen. Some RPTV's, especially at this price level, include eight- or nine-inch CRT's, which allow for higher picture quality. The 610HD's protective panel, which covers the projection screen, is removable, allowing you to avoid the slight image degradation added by a protective screen, if you don't mind the slight risk of damage to the underlying screen.
The fine-pitch lenticular screen of the 610HD features a 0.52mm dot pitch. Other features which impact image quality include a "first surface mirror," "high-contrast optical lens couplers," "triple dynamic focus circuit," "chromatically pure red and green lens," and "dynamic picture optimizer."
I found the picture quality of the 610HD pleasing, though not really all that much better than some other RPTV DTV-ready sets which sell for less than half as much. In fact, the set tended to render blacks a bit softly, almost merging them into a greyish tone.
Line-Doubler Optimizes for Film Source Material
You can set the line-doubling circuitry in the 610HD so that it is optimized to give you the best performance possible with film-source material, such as DVD's based on films and broadcast images which come from film sources (TV movies, most prime-time dramas and comedies).
The problem with line-doubling film sources comes from the different frame rates used by film and video. Film uses 24 frames-per-second (fps) while video uses 30 fps. As I mentioned above, video is actually projected in fields of 1/60th-of-a-second, with the entire image projected with each field in progressive mode and half of the image projected in the interlaced mode (first the odd lines, then the even lines). To get the 24-fps film material onto a DVD, a process known as 3:2 pulldown is employed, where one frame is recorded onto three fields, the next onto two fields, the next onto three fields, etc. Unfortunately, this can result in video frames made up of fields from two different film frames, and this can result in motion artifacts when you line-double a DVD like this.
With it's "PureCinema" format converter, the 610HD can recognize these differences, when its at the film-source setting, compensate for them, and reduce the motion artifacts you'd otherwise get when line doubling from a film-source DVD or television broadcast (i.e., going from 480i to 480p). When line-doubling video-source material, such as live TV news, talks shows, and soap operas, anything taped on video or broadcast live on video, you'd put the 610HD at the video-source setting, optimizing it for working with that kind of material.
If you want the best quality from DVD's, it would still be better for you to use a progressive-scan DVD player. A high-quality progressive-scan DVD player will also optimize the result when it takes the film-source DVD datastream up to the 480p level, but it has several advantages over doing the optimization outside the DVD player, the most salient of which is that the signal avoids an extra step of digital-to-analog conversion and the resultant loss in signal quality this will tend to introduce. The 610HD can take the high-quality native-480p output from a progressive-scan DVD player and directly display on the TV's screen at 480p, thus avoiding the extra analog-digital-analog steps that would be involved in running the signal through the TV's line-doubling circuitry.
Control Features
The 610HD has a five-step color-temperature adjustment, allowing you to get the TV as close as possible to the NTSC standard of 6500-kelvin for a white signal. The scan velocity modulation feature can increase sharpness but, since it can also introduce ringing around the edges of objects, you'll be happy to note that it can be turned off. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) menu system will guide you through the various functions and settings. There's a V-Chip, if you wish to limit access to certain programming on the TV. A 72-point digital convergence function will allow you to make sure the CRT's are all pointing in the right direction (these can get jostled during delivery and installation, resulting in an out-of-focus picture). The display modes include natural wide (for anamorphic DVD's and widescreen HDTV broadcasts), zoom, cinema wide, normal (4:3), and full.
The 610HD's remote control somewhat resembles that on Sony TV's, in that it's really a bit too large to comfortably control with one hand. It's also packed with a huge variety of buttons, but the backlight feature will at least allow you to see these in the dark.
Sound's Okay
Most people who buy a TV like this will probably also purchase a surround-sound system, but its built-in audio capability is quite good, rivaling the sound quality of a basic stereo system with small bookshelf speakers. With 10 watts per channel feeding into a pair of 6.5-inch speakers, the 610HD's sound should even keep up with movie soundtracks, as long as they're not too demanding.
Style
As you'd expect for a TV that lists at over $7,000, the 610HD is a nice looking set, with a deep-black finish. While many newer RPTV's have tapered designs, starting out with fairly narrow depth at the top of their screen areas, the 610HD uses the good-old, tried-and-true box shape that's been prevalent in these kind of sets for years. However, with only 26 inches of depth, the 610HD's not too much of space-gobbler. Height and width dimensions are 53 and 54 inches, respectively. Pioneer doesn't reveal the weight of this set, but it's probably between 200 and 300 pounds. Almost everybody who buys a TV like this will have it professionally delivered, so the weight shouldn't be much of a consideration in your purchase decision.
Legal Matters, Baby
Pioneer backs up the 610HD with a two-year warranty on both parts and labor. This compares well to many other manufacturers, though you should expect no less when shelling out this kind of money for a TV.
Conclusion
Whenever you're considering a product with "Elite" in its appellation, you know you've got to hold onto your wallet tightly. However, the 610HD isn't priced too far out of line with other similarly-sized sets. You can find widescreen H/DTV-ready sets for much less, but they're usually the smaller screen sizes, such as 40 or 46 inches. The styling of the 610HD is very classy and the PureCinema feature is a big plus if you either don't own or don't plan to move up to a progressive-scan DVD player.
