Features:

• 42-inch plasma HDTV with advanced picture technology; measures 41 x 26.75 x 4.5 (inches)
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners for over-air HDTV reception; TV Guide On-Screen programming guide
• 1024 x 768-pixel resolution; optical-grade glass panel acts as a color filter for increased contrast
• Connections: Composite (1side, 2 rear), S-Video 2 rear (1 rear with Audio), Component (1side, 2 rear), HDMI (2 rear), RF (2 rear), PC, USB
• Two stereo speakers, 13 watts apiece (26 watts total); digital optical output and SRS TruSurround XT

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Pioneer is a world leader in the consumer electronics industry and digital entertainment products. The confidence to innovate. The skill to harness the limitless possibilities of cutting-edge technology. The commitment to enhance the lives of its customers throughout the world. These are the qualities that have put Pioneer at the forefront of new product development.PRODUCT FEATURES:High Definition Resolution (1,024 x 768);42" Diagonal / 16: 9 Wide-Screen Aspect Ratio;Improved Panel Efficiency;Fully Integrated Bottom Speaker;1080p/24Hz Compatibility for HDMI and Component.

Amazon.com Product Description:
The 42-inch Pioneer PDP-4270HD plasma television delivers large, lifelike images right out of the box, thanks to the built-in ATSC (digital) tuner that can pick up over-air high-def channels with an optional antenna. You can also hook up an HDMI-capable cable or satellite set-top box and enjoy the highest standard of high-definition audio and video--with only a single cord connection. Nicely compact, it features a bottom mounted speaker design that makes it easy to fit into a home theater cabinet with a smaller footprint.

Pioneer's exclusive Crystal Emissive Layer is sandwiched between the plasma glass and the individual light cells. This advanced layer helps conduct energy more efficiently so that each cell can be charged and discharged three times faster than before. Pioneer's Advanced Continuous Emission IV (ACE IV) works in conjunction with the Crystal Emissive Layer in the glass to reduce the visual steps between levels of color, making color transitions smoother than ever before. It also offers both vertical and horizontal ribs that help keep the light focused and concentrated, and prevent it from bleeding into neighboring cells. This cell structure means a brighter, sharper, and more accurate image that consistently reminds you of the reasons you bought a plasma TV in the first place.

The PDP-4270HD features a 1024 x 768-pixel resolution (meaning that 1080p signals via the HDMI connection will be downscaled) and a wide 160-degree viewing angle. This Pioneer PureVision plasma TV uses Pure Drive II, 10-bit all-digital processing that maintains a digital path throughout signal processing. This streamlined Pure Drive process provides an optimal picture with virtually no video noise or loss of quality. Other video processing features include Dynamic Range Expansion (DRE) to further reduce video noise, Advanced Pure Cinema 3:3 pull-down for smooth, natural reproduction of film content, and color temperature adjustment.

This set includes the TV Guide On-Screen interactive program guide, split screen and picture-in-picture (PIP) capability, AV memory selection presets (standard, dynamic, movie, game, and user configurable), aspect ratio control, and V-Chip parental controls. The Home Gallery feature enables you to view photos using the integrated USB mass storage connection.

High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into the sides of the TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass. It produces 10 watts of power per channel (for 20 watts total). This set offers the following connection options:

• Composite AV (RCA): 4 in (1 side), 1 out
• S-Video: 2 rear (1 rear with Audio)
• Component Video: 3 in (1 side)
• HDMI: 2 in
• RF: 2 in
• PC VGA: 1
• Digital audio output: 1 optical
• Subwoofer output: 1

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. It provides up to a 5 GB per second bandwidth for transmitting pure digital video and audio signals with no degradation in the transfer. It can carry up to eight discrete audio channels, making it compatible with 7.1-channel surround sound systems. Signals are encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent recording. HDMI is fully backward-compatible with most DVI connections .

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

• Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into ÒfocusÓ during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
• TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
• The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

What's in the Box
Plasma TV, tabletop stand, remote control (with batteries), cleaning cloth, printed operating instructions

Rating : - Best 720P HDTV at the time - No burn in, Perfect image, Absolute top-quality build, Best color
I did a ton of research before selecting the Pioneer 4270HD -- reading through the mind-numbing pages on electronics forums (e.g., AVS and a dozen others), performance reviews, and of course, in-person "kicking the tires" at my local BB and Circuit City stores. The other models I considered were the equivalent 720p Panasonic and Samsung models. (I had decided to go with plasma early on, for its ability to render more natural image compared to the LCDs.) When I was making the purchase, Pioneer was about to introduce the 8th generation line, the KURO, and I was very tempted to wait and splurge on the KURO -- I mean, *everybody* that knew anything about TVs said the Kuro represented a full generational upshift from the mere 7th generation line, to which the 4270 belonged. Given the substantial price difference, however, I decided to stick with my decision and order the 4270, and I never regretted it. If I had unlimited budget and had to have the "true HD" 1080p, I might have gotten the 50" Kuro. However, this is a 42" unit which would eventually be moved to my bedroom when we move to a bigger place. I will buy a 1080p when I'm in the market for a 60" plasma.

Why did I pay a premium over comparable Panasonics and Samsungs? Other than the reviews that all pointed to the Pioneer's unparalleled performance and also the "prestige" factor, I thought the colors on this unit were just so much more natural. I calibrated the unit when it arrived using the settings (the "D-Nice" settings on AVS) posted online, and never ran a burn-in disk. The calibration was spot-on, and it's just unbelievable. And I've never had burn-in on this unit.

The only issue with this TV has been the low-humming noise emanating from the back of the unit when the volume is set low (as reported by some people on forums). But this is never really noticeable when you're watching regular TV.

Amazon delivered this TV through a third-party mover, and they were fine to deal with. Came when they said they would, unpacked and left. The movers do not work in pairs, however. My team was just one guy. I would be a bit worried if this guy was moving a 60" unit by himself, but this is a 42, so it was fine.

Not sure if Pioneer will be able to sustain the significant price gap between their line and competitors' models. But if you can afford it, Pioneer is the Rolls Royce of HDTVs. I love mine.