Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD Review

What the reviewers like:
If price isn't an object, most reviewers say the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD is simply an excellent 50-inch plasma HDTV, with class-leading image quality and highly realistic, convincing color. Those who like to tinker will appreciate that the Pioneer PRO-1140HD has more image controls than any other plasma TV. The connectivity is great, and this Pioneer plasma can accept 1080p/24 frame-per-second inputs from high-def DVD players.

What the reviewers don't like:
The Pioneer PRO-1140 is one of the more expensive plasma TVs in its size and resolution range (1365 x 768 pixels). Although excellent, experts say several plasma TVs come close and cost far less.

Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD review highlights

While there has not been a lot of professional review coverage of the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD, what is there has been largely positive. This 50-inch plasma set is the successor to the widely heralded Pioneer PRO-1130HD, and reviewers say it delivers the same class-leading excellent image quality. The downside is this TV's high cost compared to the competition. While reviews say the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD is one of the best in its class, Pioneer's less expensive PDP-5070HD (*est. $2,600) offers an image that reviewers say is nearly as good, with just slightly lower scores for black depth and overall image quality.

We found the best review of the 50-inch Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD at The Perfect Vision, a magazine and website devoted to audio and video enthusiasts. Editors cover the Pioneer PRO-1140HD plasma HDTV as part of an article on the magazine's 2006 Editors' Choice Award winners. Walter S. Mossberg at The Wall Street Journal talks about the Pioneer PRO-1140HD in an article on making the move to HDTV, but he doesn't compare it to other plasma televisions. User comments for the Pioneer plasma TV can be found at Epinions.com, CNet.com and AVSForum.com.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. The Perfect Vision
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2006 The Perfect Vision Editors' Choice Awards: Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD
Editors of The Perfect Vision
Jan. 2007

The Perfect Vision covers the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD as part of its annual Editors' Choice awards article. The write-up is largely based on an earlier test of the Pioneer Elite PRO-1130, but editors add that this TV delivers the same "unmatched color accuracy, good blacks, and great resistance to the ugliest plasma artifacts."

2. The Wall Street Journal
Once You Experience Wide-Screen HDTVs, Hassles Seem Small
Walter S. Mossberg
Nov. 2, 2006

Walter S. Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal's personal technology columnist, reviews the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD as part of an article on making the switch to HDTV. However, the TV isn't compared to others in its class. Rather, Mossberg's comments are related to the comparison between standard TVs and HDTVs.

3. AVSForum.com
Plasma Flat Panel Displays
Contributors to AVSForum.com

This discussion site has lots of information about home entertainment equipment, including a forum for plasma televisions. There is a lot of user-to-user help here, as well as mini-reviews and other information about the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD, including an official thread.

4. CNet.com
Pioneer PRO 1140HD user reviews
Contributors to CNet.com

CNet.com has not tested the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD, but readers are invited to contribute reviews. Unfortunately, too few owners have left comments for this section to be a reliable measure of overall owner satisfaction.

5. Epinions
Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD reviews
Contributors to Epinions.com

At the time of our visit, only two owners had posted comments at Epinions for the Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD. While each review is interesting, there are not enough comments to give a user consensus.

Also see full report: Plasma TV