News Release：Pioneer Releases Four "Pure Vision" High-definition Plasma Display Models

Tokyo, Japan, September 20, 2001 -- Pioneer Corporation today announced the release of four models in the "Pure Vision" series of high-definition plasma displays, as follows. Two models of the 50-inch displays have improved peak brightness by 60%^*1 and contrast in bright locations by 80%^*1, while two models of the new 43-inch displays feature Real XGA panels, a world's first^*2 for this size of plasma display. The Company plans to manufacture 1,500 units for the 50-inch models, and 3,000 units for the 43-inch models, monthly, respectively.

PDP-503HD

PDP-433HD-U

<Background>

At the end of 1997 Pioneer introduced the PDP-501HD, the world's first 50-inch Hi-Vision (Japanese HDTV system) plasma display system equipped with an XGA wide panel, to the Japanese consumer market. Since then, the company has introduced a variety of plasma display models for both professional and consumer applications to markets throughout the world, and all of these products have been very well received.
The market for plasma display systems has been growing rapidly each year since 1997. For fiscal 2001, Pioneer expects that the worldwide market for PDPs will reach approximately 360,000 units, 2.1 times more than the previous year.
At present, customer awareness and choice of products are growing as the number of manufacturers in the consumer plasma display market increases and more variety of models and sizes becomes available.
In addition, the demand for displays that are superior to CRTs is expected to expand further as a result of BS digital broadcasts that started at the end of 2000, greater familiarity with digital images, and the greater expressive power of images on large, high-definition screens.
It was under these circumstances that Pioneer dramatically improved the brightness and contrast of the 50-inch XGA panels equipped in the second-generation models that have been selling well since their release in the summer of 1999, and developed the new, low-power-consumption 50-inch XGA panel, the third-generation panel for Pioneer.
At the same time, with the aim of offering a more compact design, Pioneer successfully developed a 43-inch display equipped with the world's first Real XGA panel in this size. Pioneer now offers two sizes in this type.
Pioneer will first introduce these four models to the Japanese consumer market, to be followed in overseas markets, and thus will solidify Pioneer's position as a leading manufacturer of plasma displays worldwide.
In launching these third-generation models, Pioneer will adopt a new product brand name, "Pure Vision," to impart the concept of purity that is evident in the high-definition images reproduced by these models. Pioneer aims to use its plasma displays as a means to strengthen the Pioneer brand name and to differentiate itself from other brands through the superior quality of its high-definition displays.

<Outline of All Four Models of Plasma Displays>

The PDP-503PRO is a monitor type model with a 50-inch high-definition panel.
The other three, the PDP-503HD, PDP-433HD-U, and PDP-433HD-S, are all system products comprising a 50-inch or 43-inch plasma display, a media receiver with built-in BS digital tuner, and speakers. The 433HD-U is a space-saving under-speaker type, and the 433HD-S is a side-speaker type that makes the screen look wider and impart a sense of high class.

< Main Features of the Plasma Displays (for all four models) >

1 ) New "Deep Encased Cell Structure"^*4 achieves the highest level of brightness in the industry

The Deep Encased Cell Structure, developed by Pioneer, provides a dramatic improvement in brightness over the former Encased Cell Structure panel. The new design emits considerably more light for both the 50-inch (1280 x 768 pixels) and 43-inch (1024 x 768 pixels) models. Pioneer tests show that the new 50-inch models are 60% brighter than Pioneer's previous models.

2 ) New "Pure Color Filter" ensures high contrast in bright locations and faithful color reproduction

A new filter developed by Pioneer, the Pure Color Filter, is used in the front panel to reduce ambient light reflection by 30% over previous models from its previous 50-inch model. By suppressing the reflection of ambient light, contrast in bright locations is improved by as much as 80% over Pioneer's previous 50-inch model. This enables the viewer to enjoy sharp, high-impact images even in bright rooms during daytime.
Optimizing the filter's color correction also removes unwanted frequency components in each of the RGB^*5 color signals, which vastly improves color purity as well as reproduction and surpasses the quality of CRT displays.

3 ) "Advanced Continuous Emission Display Technology"^*6vastly enhances the gradation in less bright areas

Pioneer's improved display technology results in an improvement in gradation that is 100% greater than the company's previous 50-inch model. The gradation in poorly illuminated areas, an issue that plagued conventional plasma displays, has received the greatest improvement.

4 ) Economical and Environmentally Friendly

The 50-inch type has attained the industry's lowest power consumption levels-348 watts for the 503PRO and 341 watts for the 503HD-despite the fact that they have achieved the industry's highest level of brightness. These models also include a Power Save mode that reduces power consumption, a No Signal Off and a No Operation Off function that automatically turn off power to the display when no signals or operations are detected, and a Power Management feature that automatically switches the display to Standby mode when connected to a computer.
Halogen-free resins and chromium-free plated parts, which are safe for humans and the environment, have also been actively used.

5 ) No need for a heat discharge fan facilitates quiet operation

Since improved light emission from the panel has reduced power consumption and a more effective heat discharge design has been adopted, the need to include a ventilation fan in these models has been avoided, thus solving a problem concerning noise that has plagued displays with XGA-level high-definition panels (PDP-503PRO excluded).

6 ) Other Features

Support for PC input:
These models support input up to XGA-level, allowing computers to take advantage of the features of high-definition panels. They are ideal for use as computer monitors in homes with high-speed broadband connections.

PureCinema:
When displaying DVD and video images copied from sources such as films composed by 24 frames per second, the data from film sources is automatically detected and sequentially converted into still images at 60 frames per second. This process effectively reproduces the original beauty and smooth motion of film.

< Main Features of the Media Receiver Section (for the PDP-503HD/433HD-U/433HD-S) >

1 ) Built-in BS digital tuner supporting all BS digital broadcasts and services

These models are equipped with a BS digital tuner with specifications that support all services and formats of BS digital broadcasts. This tuner receives the signals of all TV, radio, and text broadcasts, and allows users to enjoy all other BS digital offerings such as interactive services, multi-view broadcasts, multi-channel broadcasts, emergency broadcasts, and weather reports.

2 ) Supports MPEG-2 AAC, the standard 5.1-channel sound format used by BS digital broadcasts

These models also provide two optical digital sound output terminals to output the digital sound (in MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Cording [AAC] format) received from BS digital broadcasts. Full 5.1-channel surround sound can be reproduced by combining these displays with an A/V amp with AAC decoding, such as the Pioneer VSA-AX10, and a surround speaker system.

3 ) Video controller capable of programmed recording to a DVD recorder or video deck

The video controller supplied with these models can be used to select TV programs from the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) screen. This controller is capable of programming the recording of programs to a Pioneer DVD recorder or an existing video deck.

4 ) Two remote controllers: a multi-function main controller and a simplified controller limited to TV viewing functions

These models come supplied with two remote controllers. The main controller operates the basic functions of Pioneer-made A/V amps and DVD recorders, and there is also a simplified controller that is limited to functions for viewing TVs (for both terrestrial and BS digital stations).

5 ) SRS and Focus circuits to reproduce surround sound with full ambience

These models include an SRS (Sound Retrieval System) function to provide sound effects in a wide listening area and a Focus circuit to adjust vertical sound image localization. The result is a 3-dimensional sound effect that fills the entire listening space.

6 ) Equipped with i.LINK for digital networking

These models include two i.LINK (IEEE 1394) ports for transmitting information and control signals over a single cable between devices. These i.LINK interfaces enable users to perform basic play operations on a D-VHS deck via remote control and the GUI screens of the high-definition plasma display system. They also allow video play from a D-VHS deck to start while input is being played from another device.

<Other Features>

1 ) Characteristic design featuring simple straight lines:

• An innovative indigo blue has been used for the frame color to impart a sense of presence as a professional-level monitor. This color adds class to any listening space. (PDP-503PRO)
• "Atmosphere silver" has been used for the other models to create a design that blends easily with any interior decor. (PDP-503HD/ 433HD-U/ 433HD-S)

2 ) Variety of optional stands for tasteful set-up to be released simultaneously:

A variety of stands (sold separately) to enable the user to set up the PDP display in a tasteful manner that matches the interior decor of the listening room is being released at the same time.

1. PDK-TS01 table-top stand (S.R.P.: ¥25,000 excl. tax, for all 4 models)
   This stand is ideal when setting the monitor up on a sideboard or similar location. This stand allows an ideal set-up for the screen irrespective of screen size or position of speakers.
2. PDK-FS01 floating stand (S.R.P.: ¥125,000 excl. tax, for PDP-503HD/ 433HD-U/ 433HD-S)
3. PDK-5013 fixed-type and PDK-5011 tilting-type wall mounting fixtures (for all 4 models)

3 ) Speakers made of tasteful extruded aluminum with high-quality sound to go on sale soon

S-VSL7 speakers and slim S-VSL5 speakers, featuring stylish extruded aluminum and high sound quality, will be released in the near future. These speakers are specially designed for mounting on both the 50-inch and 43-inch models.

<Technical Explanations>

*4. Deep Encased Cell Structure

Light leakage into neighboring cells above and below a cell is prevented by placing ribs in parallel crosses (as in a waffle) instead of in stripes as had been the previous practice. This Encased Cell Structure, developed by Pioneer, is extremely efficient at guiding light to the front surface of the panel, as seen in its "second-generation" models. The Deep Encased Cell Structure, adopted in the new "third-generation" models, which has deeper channels between ribs, expands the electric discharge area of the plasma, which significantly boosts the quantity of light being emitted. Emission efficiency is improved by 50% over previous models.

*6. Advanced Continuous Emission Display Technology

This Continuous Emission Display Technology, adopted in the "second-generation" models eliminates the false contours that appear in close-ups of faces, a common plague among PDPs, and improves contrast in dark areas by suppressing reset discharge to an absolute minimum. The new models employ Pioneer's newly developed Advanced Continuous Emission Display Technology, which significantly improves the gradation. The reproduction of gradations in areas of lower brightness, generally difficult with PDPs, is especially improved, resulting in more detailed, smoother images. (The gradation in low-brightness areas has improved by 16-fold compared to previous models.)

<Main Specifications>