News Release：Pioneer Introduces Fourth Generation High-definition Plasma Displays for Industrial Use

PDP-504CMX

PDP-504CMX-S

March 18, 2004, Tokyo, Japan - Pioneer Corporation announced today that it will introduce three new high-definition plasma displays for the industrial market in Japan, the PDP-504CMX (50-inch, black), PDP-504CMX-S (50-inch, silver), and PDP-434CMX (43-inch, black). The 50-inch models will be available in early April, 2004 with a monthly production of 3,000 units^*2 each, and the 43-inch one in early June, 2004 with a monthly production of 2,000 units^*2 with no retail price suggested. Plus, two optional expansion video cards, the PDA-5003 and PDA-5004, will be launched in early April, 2004 with a monthly production of 2,000 units^*2 at 50,000 yen each (suggested retail price excluding tax).

Pioneer has newly developed these three new professional high-definition models as its fourth-generation plasma displays by implementing improvements and employing the company's new, original technologies, and completely upgraded from the popular third-generation industrial-use plasmas, released in the summer of 2001.

Plasma displays for industrial use are now utilized in a wide range of applications, such as information bulletin and visual demonstrations at public facilities and commercial establishments, and business presentations and educational activities in offices and schools. The demand for these professional plasma displays is expected to expand further. Pioneer hopes that the introduction of its new professional plasma displays will contribute to revitalizing the industrial market.

Main Features of New Professional Plasma Displays:

1 ) High-definition "P.U.R.E.^*3 Panel" produces sharper, brighter images.

1. Pioneer's unique "Deep Encased Cell Structure" achieves the highest levels of brightness (white peak) in the industry, 1,000cd/m² and 1,100cd/m² for the 50-inch models and the 43-inch model respectively, thanks to the use of new fluorescent materials.
2. A new "Pure Color Filter II" decreases external light reflection and improves color reproduction. The new panels realize a 20% improvement in bright-area contrast levels by adding the synergic effect of the increased panel brightness, compared with Pioneer's previous models.

2 ) "P.U.R.E. ^*3 Drive", the total digital image processor, delivers high-quality images.

1. Sharp, natural images from a variety of sources are achieved by removing noise to meet professional requirements for high quality images.
   
   • Image-processing circuit from input to output has been fully digitized to suppress noise and signal deterioration.
   • Pioneer's original high-precision cyclic "Digital Noise Reduction" (DNR) effectively reduces random noise.
   • "MPEG Noise Reduction" effectively reduces mosquito noise unique to MPEG signals.
   • "Natural Enhancer" emphasizes image contours without causing adverse effects such as unsmooth-edge images.
   • "Color Detail Adjustment" allows users to independently fine-adjust the six basic colors.
2. Pioneer's proprietary "Super CLEAR Drive Technology" The "Super CLEAR Drive Technology" reproduces 1.07 billion colors through a smooth, fine gradation rendering of 1,024 steps per each RGB.

3 ) The lowest power consumption in the industry

The new professional plasmas have realized the lowest power consumption - 360 watts for the 50-inch models and 298 watts for the 43-inch model - even while achieving the highest level of panel brightness. They also offer a variety of power save modes, and lower the stand-by power consumption to only 0.8 watts both on the 50-inch and 43-inch panels.

4 ) Newly developed "ES (Expansion Solutions) Card Slots" for expanding connectivity

The ES Card Slots are used to install or remove expansion cards (sold separately), and allow users to expand the connectivity of the professional plasma displays depending on the demand of a variety of business/professional users.

5 ) Other professional-use features

1. Versatile Low Power Consumption Modes including automatic brightness adjustment with external-light sensor.
2. "Dual-Screen Display" function offers a variety of screen combinations.
3. "Intelligent Auto Setup" function automatically adjusts the screen when a computer is connected.
4. "Point Zoom" function allows users to easily zoom in on specific screen areas at 1.5x, 2x and 3x.
5. New "Screen Management" features improve the life cycle management of the new professional plasmas.
6. "2x2 Enlarged Display" function optimizes images depending on the input source when the four-segment multi-screen display is used.
7. "Pro use" mode enables image adjustments, such as Under Scan, Color Off and Still Image Processing, depending on video sources.
8. "Error Information" function performs self-diagnosis of a malfunction and displays its cause using symbols on the screen.

Main Features of Optional Video Cards, PDA-5003 and PDA-5004:

Each optional video card provides three video input systems: Composite, S-Video and Component. Vivid, vibrant images can be reproduced on the plasma display when either of these cards is used. The PDA-5003 is equipped with stable BNC terminals, and supports analog RGB signal input through its Component terminals. The PDA-5004 is equipped with RCA terminals, which can be connected with many office devices, and supports audio input via all three video input systems.

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