I just bought a used 4304. I only had a couple of minutes to play with it before I had to go to work.I do have some questions.
1.How can you tell how many hours are on the unit?
2.I am used to the sharpness settings on a plasma to be 0-x not -6-0-6+. Which setting gives you zero sharpness(no artificial sharpening).
3.I have to hold(like for a second) the on button on the remote for the set to turn on, I originally thought the set was defective.Is that normal?
That's all I have for now I'm sure I will have more questions later as I play with the display.It is nice to have a thread like this with a ton of knowledgeable owners to help define and rectify any issues.

I did figure out how to go into the service menu,so I know how many hours on used plasma(238 not bad).Looks like -2 is the sweet spot for the sharpness.I am getting used to the button now,it seems to be fine.
I read the ton of threads on this plasma,one question I had was settings in the service menu for the HDMI input(input 2).Is it worth messing in the service menu for this input,can you get a better picture,looks like most of the conversation was on input 5.

We have been happy Costco Pio 4304/4312 since March. After a delay lasting several months, Sacramento Comcast's new "On Demand" service (digital channel 1) finally went live today for Elk Grove, CA customers.

And I now realize that the "On Demand" digital service and digital channels with 4:3 content creates a serious technical problem for 1024 x 768 plasma owners. While the "On Demand" programming offered is delivered digitally (at 480p resolution I think), most of the source material appears to be repurposed 480i (4:3 analog) content, which does not quite rise to 480p (DVD) quality. No HD programming is available for "On Demand" and very little wide screen programming is offered. Worse, the few wide screen movies that are available appear in scaled down form to fit (the width) of the 480p 4:3 aspect ratio, so they do not fill the screen on a 16:9 wide screen HDTV (As with 4:3 content, you see big black bars, but on the top and bottom in addition to the two sides).

With the TV settings we use, our Pioneer PDP-4304 plasma with 1024 x 768 pixels can rescale this smaller wide screen digital picture to fit the 43-inch screen, but only the width is scaled up (not the height). This results in terribly distorted human figures that are short and squatty. I am not willing to risk plasma screen burn-in to watch shows without full-screen scalling, and so this distorted, digital source material is mostly unwatchable -- in my estimation.

In fact all of Comcast's digital channels create the very same problem (at least for 43- or 42-inch plasma HD owners, including the "premium" channels). For this reason, I believe that aside from the wonderful HD programming, DVD rentals from Netflix Online or Blockbuster Online remain the best (and most affordable) alternative source material for use with plasma HDTVs. DVD resolution (480p) is better than Comcast's 480i source material rebroadcast as 480p, and most DVD movies are available in wide screen. Best of all, your TV or DVD player can accurately scale DVD movies to properly fit your screen. Until all Comcast's TV channels switch to wide screen programming, I would not waste money on Premium channels, or time with "On Demand." Of course, this will take years.

Are there any other 4304 owners out there who have encountered this scaling problem with digital cable? Does anyone out there have a 50-inch Pioneer (or other brand) of plasma with native 1280 x 720p or 1900 x 1080i resolution? On these TVs, can you scale 4:3 digital content to fit the screen without the distortion that 1024 x 768 TVs create and could this be the Achilles Heal of the 42- and 43-inch plasma screens? Ironically, the Pio 4304/4312 has more scaling options for 480i analog signals, and 4:3 analog content can be more accurately scaled, though the analog picture still looks crappy. What a trade off!

Just ran into the local Costco over the weekend who was blowing out the remaining 4312s and I noticed they had it for 300 bucks cheaper than what I paid. I took my receipt and went straight to the manager. He said they only honor prices for 30 days. I said show me where it says that in writing. He couldn't produce anything in the Costco membership manual or in his manager's manual that said so. Regardless, he politely said no. I asked him to reconsider since he had no proof that it was their policy. He called a GM and he or she said to give me the difference back in the form of Costco credit since the rule is not published (they encourage 30 days for returns in writing, but nothing on price matching). I didn't complain about store credit since I bought the 4312.....over 7 months ago. Yahoo! :)

Free Costco gas for a month or so. OK, not free, but it feels like it is because I happily paid the original price 7 months ago. I love the HDTV and the Pio 4312 rocks.

There is little difference in scaling between the 43" and 50" screens. In fact, the Pioneer PDP-4312/4304 and PDP-5004 have the exact same set of stretch modes.

Both are 16:9 widescreens. The 50" PDPs (1280x720p or 1366x768p) have square pixels - the 43" ones (1024x768p) have rectangular (4:3) pixels. The only difference is some scaling and lower horizontal resolution as the 1280 pixels of picture information are scaled over 1024 physical pixels.

But, to display a 4:3 SD picture on any widescreen, you either have to live with the black/grey bars on the side or stretch out the picture to fill the entire 16:9 screen.

I've found that the scaling on the Pio 4312 is very good - much better than most plasmas and DLPs that I've looked at. I typically use the Wide mode - the non linear stretch mode which stretches the sides more than the center. I rarely notice the stretching, except for the text crawl at the bottom of CNN, ESPN, etc - which gets fat, skinny, and fat again as it goes accross the screen. Most importantly, it passes the wife test - she doesn't notice/complain - unlike the Vizio plasma or Samsung DLPs I've had at home.


Are there any other 4304 owners out there who have encountered this scaling problem with digital cable? Does anyone out there have a 50-inch Pioneer (or other brand) of plasma with native 1280 x 720p or 1900 x 1080i resolution? On these TVs, can you scale 4:3 digital content to fit the screen without the distortion that 1024 x 768 TVs create and could this be the Achilles Heal of the 42- and 43-inch plasma screens? Ironically, the Pio 4304/4312 has more scaling options for 480i analog signals, and 4:3 analog content can be more accurately scaled, though the analog picture still looks crappy. What a trade off!

No matter what I do, I can't get the picture (sharpness, tint, contrast, etc.) to be not greyed out. I'd like to change these settings and drop the contrast and brightness a bit for DVD, but I can't figure out how to enable?

Any ideas?

-Derek

...I have a couple of questions.

1. Is there any way to set screen position/overscan? Using a test disc I've discovered my set overscans quite a bit on the left hand side. Can't find any mention of it here.

2. Is there any way to enable all of the stretch modes while watching a HiDef signal? Sometimes HBOHD airs SD shows, leaving the gray bars on the left and right. The only option is stretch, which would be useful if HBOHD broadcast stuff anamorphically, but it doesn't. Why are the other modes not available? I'd like to use the same stretch I use with SD stuff when I watch, say, Entourage.

...I have a couple of questions.

2. Is there any way to enable all of the stretch modes while watching a HiDef signal? Sometimes HBOHD airs SD shows, leaving the gray bars on the left and right. The only option is stretch, which would be useful if HBOHD broadcast stuff anamorphically, but it doesn't. Why are the other modes not available? I'd like to use the same stretch I use with SD stuff when I watch, say, Entourage.

You can only use the other modes for 480i and 480p content. If your feed is 720p or 1080i all you can do is full and stetch. I have a partial zoom, zoom, and grey bar mode on my Dish Network receiver I use since those type modes are disabled on my HD output.

[QUOTE=chinatti]

Also, I was just in Costco over the weekend, and it seems like they have a new 42" Pioneer (the PDP-4312s aren't available anymore). The new one is a PDP-4214HD. A quick look at the box indicated 1HDMI, and possibly two component inputs? Not sure, the markings were unclear. I couldn't find anything on the web on this model. Is anyone familiar with it? Just wondering if I should take advantage of the Costco return policy if the PDP-4214HD was a newer/better model. Anyone familiar with this model?

[QUOTE]

I just got this model on a whim last Friday. Planned on getting the Panasonic EDTV but they were out and just liked the black look of the Pioneer. I LOVE it for DVD's but I am a little dissapointed from a standard Directv feed standpoint. A little bit of smudge factor, especially on face close ups. I havn't played enough yet, but I was hoping for better. I'm learning this is a somewhat common issue.

Anyway, I like you can't find anything about it on the Pioneer website, which I find weird. I love the look and DVD picture, will have to see about Standard and decide if I want to return it (probably not) or get Directv HD.

I haven't seen the PDP-4214's in the Costco's near my house yet, but just did another quick google search and found some being offered on eBay. Apparently these new models have built in ATSC and NTSC tuners. I sure wouldn't mind having that. This way I could be recording an OTA show on my Dish 942 and watch another OTA HD show live on the TV directly. Can't do that with my 4312. The seller lists it as ACEII, which if I'm not mistaken is the same as the 4312. I've uploaded a couple pictures that were listed. Really it sounds like the 4312, but 1" smaller and a built in ATSC/NTSC tuner.

How do you use the built-in tuner? About how much would it be for an HD antenna? Could it be an indoor antenna? I live about 25 miles from all the station signals (Chicago)?

Also I think the main difference I noticed from an appearance perspective is the speakers are attached, as opposed to detatchable.

If it's ACEII, then it would be 4th generation I believe. ACEIII was 5th, and now the 6th gens are coming with ACEIV. From memory anyway.

You can only use the other modes for 480i and 480p content. If your feed is 720p or 1080i all you can do is full and stetch. I have a partial zoom, zoom, and grey bar mode on my Dish Network receiver I use since those type modes are disabled on my HD output.


Thanks. That's what I thought.

Any chance you've figured out how to tweak the geometry? I hate overscan.

No matter what I do, I can't get the picture (sharpness, tint, contrast, etc.) to be not greyed out. I'd like to change these settings and drop the contrast and brightness a bit for DVD, but I can't figure out how to enable?

Any ideas?

-Derek

Can anyone help with this? Hello?

Thanks. That's what I thought.

Any chance you've figured out how to tweak the geometry? I hate overscan.

I haven't tried but if you search through this thread, back near the begining, you should see how to get into the service menu. If you can do it at all that would be the place to check.

Can anyone help with this? Hello?


It's quite easy, but I don't have my remote here with me at work. Basically, as I remember it, there are settings, changed by pressing a single button, that switch from an auto mode to a manual mode. You've got yours set to auto right now, which disables many of the options.

I seem to recall the button is towards the lower left. Somebody help me out here?

I went by a local Costco today and finally they had the 4214 in stock and on display. It's a bit different, cosmetically, from the 4312. First and most important is the fact that they did not make the speakers detachable. This makes the width over 46" wide. Also, the bezel is now a glossy black, more like the other consumer models. And, as far as input display info on the front, they gave names to each input like, VCR, DVD, etc ... I noticed they were feeding HD content through component and the word DVD was lit on the front. Still only has one HDMI, but saw the 2 component inputs. Could not find anything on the monitor or the box that indicated the ACE level, so all I have is what that eBay auction said about it being ACE II. They did have one last 4312 left on display (at a bit of a discount if anyone in the woodinville WA area is looking for one) and I could not tell a difference in picture quality. There was a brightness difference but I'm assuming that is due to differences in calibration.

Anyways, other than that the box looks almost identical to the 4312, same colors fonts, almost identical list of features, obviously the sizes are different, didn't notice much of anything else. Price is a few hundred less than the original 4312 price. Wouldn't be suprised if it's the same monitor with a new exterior and built in tuners, nothing else.

hi 1st post i have had tv since feb couldnt be happier with it i would like to hook up my pc to monitor but have a few questions 1) i went and purchased a high intensity svga cable from bb dynex hddb15 cost me 55 bucks would this be the correct cable i just counted the pins and noticed ther were only 14 instead of 15 like in the d sub input on the tv.2)for anybody who has cpu connected to tv can it be veiwed using the entire screen? 3) what are the do's and don'ts of connecting a pc the this type of monitior. your help on these questions would be greatly appeciated thanks :)

It's quite easy, but I don't have my remote here with me at work. Basically, as I remember it, there are settings, changed by pressing a single button, that switch from an auto mode to a manual mode. You've got yours set to auto right now, which disables many of the options.

I seem to recall the button is towards the lower left. Somebody help me out here?

ThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyou!

Much better. DVDs were looking *so* lurid before I fixed the settings!

-Derek

This plasma has serious overscan horizontally, over 5% on either side.Has anyone actually figured out using the service menu a way to correct this?Squeezing the overscanned sides back into the viewing space really sharpens the picture quality.
My panny has controls for vertical and horizontal adjustment,properly adjusted the PQ is noticeably improved.
Not venturing into the service menu until someone else has done successfully figured this out.

Our Pio 4312 synced right to an Apple widescreen 15-inch PowerBook running OS X the very first time we plugged it in with no issues at all. The Mac sees the plasma as if it is just another monitor and automatically uses it in mirrored mode with no overscan issues. We're using a Mini D-Sub/DB15 cable.

Apple's wireless Bluetooth mouse and keyboard work perfectly from the sofa as well. Also Apple's $129 Airport Express WiFi router has an audio-out port and it is connected to our AV/Receiver and used to wirelessy stream iTunes music through the stereo system. In fact, this works from any networked (Ethernet or WiFi) computer in the house that uses iTunes, including PCs.

Can anyone help with this? Hello?

The picture controls on the Pio are grayed out because you have the AV Selection set to Dynamic, which changes the brightness and contrast settings, maybe as the light in the room changes, I think.

Use the 4312 Remote, press the AV Selection button and switch this to one of the other options. I started using the AV Selection "Movie" setting for DVDs, since it reduces the brightness and contrast values (which will expand the life of a plasma display). Later, I started using this same setting for broadcast TV as well.

I then also calibrated my Pio (using the picture brihtness/contrast/color controls with a reference DVD and Comcast's Tune Up program, which is broadcast once a week on Saturday mornings. You can save this to the 6412 DVR). When making the adjustments, I dialed down contrast, brightness and especially the color and tint settings. Out of the box, the Pio reds are way oversaturated.

You're supposed to keep the brightness and contrast dialed down for the first hundred hours or so of plasma use anyway...to avoid burn-in issues and ensure a long-term life...

For those who are still interested in one of these, I picked up one of the remaining three at the Federal Way, WA location last night.

I've noticed some "flickering" on my set recently. By this I mean slight changes in the luminance, I think only on HD material. I've tried different screen settings (movie, user, etc) and the problem doesn't go away. It could be my comcast dvr - I've not noticed it with DVDs, but, then again, I haven't seen it on SD material off cable, either. I'm using hdmi to go from the dvr to the set.

Any ideas?

You probably have Pure Cinema set on Advanced

You probably have Pure Cinema set on Advanced


I did, mistakenly. I changed it and the flicker is gone. Thanks.

i have a 4312 w/o the tv stand. pioneer doesn't have it and i can 't find it on ebay. are there other pio stands that will work w/ the 4312/4304?

part no. pdk-ts07

thanks
MIke



ps. if anyone of you have one you don't need. please pm me privately. :)

PM'd you regarding my stand.

-Michael

Anyone out there with the PIO 4312 and the OPPO 971? I just picked up the OPPO 971 DVD player and wants to know if anyone have the same set up and have calibrated their system with AVIA or other calibration disk that they want to share.

I am pretty happy with the player thus far, but want to get the most out of it. I have use the THX optimizer from the Star Wars DVD to calibrate my setup. I noticed that in order pass BTB, I need to set the HDMI color to 4. Is this normal? Has anyone been able to get BTB to pass with 720P to pass BTB with the auto color mode for HDMI?

Thanks,

I messed up the input settings on my 4312. Setup is 4312 & ComCast HD cable.
Using the only HDMI connection on the 4312 I disconnected the Comcast DVI to HDMI cable then connected the Denon 1920 HDMI cable to the 4312. The Denon 1920 720p out to the 4312 produced a very very nice picture. After disconnecting the Denon 1920 HDMI and reconnected the HD Comcast DVI/HDMI the displayed picture is 480p with side bars. There's a setup button on the Comcast receiver/dvr but I don't remember how to activate it. What do I need to do to change the 4312 display back to 720p
or 1080i with out the sidebars?

Thanks,

Mike

I bought a Denon 1920 progressive scan dvd player capable of outputing 480i, 480p, 720p & 1081i. Which setting should I use on the DVD signal output to generate the best looking picture on the 4312?

Thanks,

Mike

Anyone out there with the PIO 4312 and the OPPO 971? I just picked up the OPPO 971 DVD player and wants to know if anyone have the same set up and have calibrated their system with AVIA or other calibration disk that they want to share.


Greetings Qsquare,

If you haven't seen these yet, check'em out.
oppo brain dump thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=491306
oppo main tread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=482239

I have both the oppo and the 4304 and been trying to calibrate with my avia disc. Since I haven't gotten the Pio calibrated yet, I haven't yet begun to work on the oppo.

Most posters in the oppo threads indicate that the new firmware looks pretty good 'out of the box' - as long as the Display is properly calibrated. . .

hope this helps, -Rick

Was considernig the Panny 42" HD (8th gen PX50u) but with the limited availabity for the next few months I've decided to think of alternatives. Now considering the Panny 42" ED and the Pio 4312 which I saw in the store today. After reading this thread my interest has been raised significantly regarding this unit. A few questions regarding the PIO 4312.

1. Does the 4312 remember Zoom settings (Wide, Normal, etc) between each of the inputs?
2. Do the different inputs have separate settings for brightness, contrast, etc or are these settings shared for all inputs?
3. My understanding is that the inputs are all on the rear of the screen and that they are: HDMI, Component, S-video, Composite, and D-SUB. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance!
-Jeff

Was considernig the Panny 42" HD (8th gen PX50u) but with the limited availabity for the next few months I've decided to think of alternatives. Now considering the Panny 42" ED and the Pio 4312 which I saw in the store today. After reading this thread my interest has been raised significantly regarding this unit. A few questions regarding the PIO 4312.

1. Does the 4312 remember Zoom settings (Wide, Normal, etc) between each of the inputs?
2. Do the different inputs have separate settings for brightness, contrast, etc or are these settings shared for all inputs?
3. My understanding is that the inputs are all on the rear of the screen and that they are: HDMI, Component, S-video, Composite, and D-SUB. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance!
-Jeff
Yes to 1, 2 and 3. I have one and PQ is excellent, but may not have quite the black level of the Pannys. Color is better though and it is excellent.

I just ordered the pioneer pdp 4312 today. I'm wanting to run a dvd player, xbox 360, and sattelite into it. I don't have hd programming yet, but will in the near future.

With the limited amount of input devices on the tv; what would be the best way of going about hooking these three things up?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I just ordered the pioneer pdp 4312 today. I'm wanting to run a dvd player, xbox 360, and sattelite into it. I don't have hd programming yet, but will in the near future.

With the limited amount of input devices on the tv; what would be the best way of going about hooking these three things up?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Congrats! I've been looking at this set for a while...

One solution would be:

DVD -> HDMI
Sat -> Component
Xbox -> PC (VGA) There is a cable that is VGA on one end, 3 RCA component on the other

JayMan

I just ordered the pioneer pdp 4312 today. I'm wanting to run a dvd player, xbox 360, and sattelite into it. I don't have hd programming yet, but will in the near future.

With the limited amount of input devices on the tv; what would be the best way of going about hooking these three things up?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

There are 3 HD capable inputs on the 4312: HDMI, Component, and VGA.

You can buy a VGA to component cable for the VGA port from RAM Electronics pretty cheap. All 3 inputs can display up to 1080i. So, for example you could have your HD Sat. STB hooked up to HDMI, your DVD player hooked up component, and your XBox360 hooked up to the component->VGA input.

Current I'm running my DVD player through component at 480p, one Sat. HD-DVR through HDMI, and another Sat. HD-DVR through the component to VGA input. All work great.

Well, it's done. I purchased the 4312 yesterday and have been pleased for the most part with it. I can see the inferior black levels but do agree the colors are quite nice.

The only problem I have with the TV is it's lack of audio output. It seems like the solutions are:
1. live with the Pioneer attached speakers = +$0
2. use some sort of receiver that controls all the audio/video in my setup = +$'s
3. figure out some way to convert the speaker level output to line level

I didn't think receivers (or better yet HTIB's) exists in the market that have video connections for HDMI, and component?

Finally, After reading the manual and playing with the TV, I'm still not sure what this Purecinema thing does.

A few HDMI-equipped AV Receivers are now on the market, but the feature currently only seems to be available in products priced above (about) $800. Denon and Pioneer each have a couple. For example, a Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXi is priced around $1200 and a VSX-74TXi about $1500.

It will be another year before HDMI migrates down to less expensive Receivers. Ideally, you'd want the Receiver to cross-convert various video sources (composite, s-video, component) and deinterlace and scale them to the HDMI source. But some early digital video HDMI products may be limited to video switching between analog components, with no upconversion to this newest digital source or other processing. Also, they may or may not offer on-screen menus.

Thanks everyone for the info.

After now logging about 8-10 hours of tv watching including a wide range of different types of programming I've noticed 1 thing that bothers me regarding this TV. Thanks to reading stuff from this forum I understand one of the weaknesses of a plasma may be getting detail in blacks or whiter whites.

Now for the Pioneer 4312, the level of detail in the black and brightness of the whites are acceptable to me, however the changing brightness in whites depending on the picture content is something that has caught my attention. In other words I am willing to give up some accuracy but the consistency was unexpected.

I found this especially obvious during sporting events which shows the score in white text. The text will have a consistent white shade for most of the game, however when the picture instantaneously contains a larger amount of white (for example when the camera zooms in quickly on a player with a white jersey) the white text will all of the sudden change to a darker shade of white.

- Is this a common problem with Plasmas and how does Pioneer compare?

Sorry for the long post, thanks again for reading.
_Jeff

Thanks everyone for the info.

After now logging about 8-10 hours of tv watching including a wide range of different types of programming I've noticed 1 thing that bothers me regarding this TV. Thanks to reading stuff from this forum I understand one of the weaknesses of a plasma may be getting detail in blacks or whiter whites.

Now for the Pioneer 4312, the level of detail in the black and brightness of the whites are acceptable to me, however the changing brightness in whites depending on the picture content is something that has caught my attention. In other words I am willing to give up some accuracy but the consistency was unexpected.

I found this especially obvious during sporting events which shows the score in white text. The text will have a consistent white shade for most of the game, however when the picture instantaneously contains a larger amount of white (for example when the camera zooms in quickly on a player with a white jersey) the white text will all of the sudden change to a darker shade of white.

- Is this a common problem with Plasmas and how does Pioneer compare?

Sorry for the long post, thanks again for reading.
_Jeff

To fix this you need to turn the PureCinema mode from Advanced down to Standard or Off. I think I use off for Satellite programming and Standard for DVDs.

Update -

Well, it has been almost 10 months with the 4312 as our family's main TV. Our family of 5 has watched a lot of TV. From HD bowl games and countless DVD's to just plain regular TV. With kids aged 9 to 18 we have watched everything from MTV to NICK. My wifes soaps and my sporting events are on religiously. I bet the TV sees a good 6 to 8 hours of programming a day. It has been abused (my daughter left it on, with a movie paused, overnight (I thought she had ruined it). No problem. Ran the fireplace and had a small smoke belch that went right up the front of the TV. No effect. Endless channel surfing from HD to SD and back. Handled it like a champ.

Pros:
The picture still looks as good as the day it came. Ooos and ahhs from the guests during the holidays
Not a single mechanical or cosmetic problem.
No stuck or dead pixels.
I was able to get Costco to refund the price drop that occurred after I bought it.
Looks great above the fireplace.
Zero burn-in. Zip, zilch nadda.
Easy to use and very livable.

Negatives:
Been through 5 HDDVRs due to it locking up occasionally when converting a signal to HD. I thought for sure that it was the boxes fault, but after 5 boxes I am sure the HDMI input or something on the TV is a cause since it doesn't do it via other TV inputs.

Bottom line:
I would buy it again in a minute. Best puchase in 2005 hands down.

If you contemplating a Pio Plasma HD and wonder if it is right for an active family. The answer is YES. It is good in the "real" world.

...Well, it has been almost 10 months with the 4312 as our family's main TV...I would buy it again in a minute. Best puchase in 2005 hands down. If you contemplating a Pio Plasma HD and wonder if it is right for an active family. The answer is YES. It is good in the "real" world...

We've also had a Pio 4312 for about 10 months and I agree -- it was a terrific Costco purchase! Pioneer plasmas are very reliable (knock on wood). The only negatives I can point are these:

At the time of purchase, the 4312 was an older technology (thus why it was discounted at Costco) that used Pioneer's ACE II (Advanced Continuous Emission II, 10-bit grayscale processsing) to deliver 1024 levels of color from a pallette of just over 1 billion colors per pixel. While an improvement over older 8-bit processing, the Pio 4312's 10-bit processing sometimes fails to render smooth tone changes in some scenes that depict subtle gradations (such as in clouds, smoke, under water or skies at the horizon). The newest Pioneers support ACE IV, which probably is either 12- or 16-bit processing) and are said to display billion(s) of colors (their Web site doesn't offer more accurate detail). The holy grail would be a plasma with 16-bit processing....

Some also have complained about the black levels, a technical problem inherent in most plasma designs. However I believe this model renders excellent black levels and that any weaknesses are more a by-product of poor signals from the source or poor digitization of the original material, rather than the TV. We just rented and watched the Sin City DVD, a high-contrast, largely black-and-white film shot in a dark, film noir style. It looked beautiful on the 4312!

The 4312 analog channel picture quality. Initially, this was marginal at best. However, it improved dramatically once the Comcast Motorola DVR-6412 it was paired with in our house was replaced with a DVR-6412 Phase III model!

In Sacramento, CA, Comcast channels 1-99 are still analog, and not yet converted to digital. With the updated DVR, we set the cable box's 4:3 override setting to "Off." (This lets the TV control scaling for the analog signal, not the DVR. For some unknown reason, changing this setting on the original Motorola DVR never made any difference in picture quality). After suffering with poor analog picture quality during the first few months, we now are pleased with most of the 1-99 channels (though still anxiously await their conversion to digital by Comcast).

Still enjoying my 4312 from Costco.

Bought it Feb (2005)

My best purchase in '05 as well.

Ken

Made the plunge.... picked up the 4312 last week.

How do you have your Comcast DVR (6412) connected to this set? HDMI or Component?
I read about some issues connecting via DVI-HDMI cable with other sets, has anyone had issues with the 6412 & 4304? I've ordered this cable, but it has not come in yet. Also ordered the Component-VGA cable.
Is there any difference in PQ using one of the other?

Which input do you use for DVD? I currently don't have a DVD with HDMI, but am looking at the Sony 400 Jukebox.

Thanks,
JayMan

How do you have your Comcast DVR (6412) connected to this set? HDMI or Component?
I read about some issues connecting via DVI-HDMI cable with other sets, has anyone had issues with the 6412 & 4304? I've ordered this cable, but it has not come in yet. Also ordered the Component-VGA cable.
Is there any difference in PQ using one of the other?

Which input do you use for DVD?

My Comcast DCT6200 HD STB (not DVR) is connected via component. My Samsung DVD-V9500 upconverting DVD is connected via HDMI. The Samsung won't upconvert if connected via anything other than HDMI, so I had to reserve the only HDMI port on the PDP-4312HD for DVD.

I tried the Comcast HD box with both DVI and component and really couldn't tell a difference after switching to higher grade Belden 7787A component cables -- the component cables included with the Comcast box were junk.

[Forum sponsor Blue Jeans Cable is a good source for assembled Belden cables: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/component/index.htm]

If the 4312 had two HDMI or DVI inputs, I probably would have kept everything digital, but since it doesn't, I'm using component for one device with no issues at all.

Hi all,
I just picked up a used PDP-4312 Nice picture :).

But it is only 1024 x 768. Not really full high-definition.

Does anyone else bothered with it?

Sams club has brand new 43" ones with 1280 x 720 rez (some other brand) for around 1700, I wonder if this was a good buy.

Good luck finding a 42" or 43" Plasma that goes beyond 1024x768, or something close to that. Pretty much the norm on this size plasma.

As far as quality goes, I bought one about a year ago an I love it. It's been working great for me. I think you got a good buy.

I searched but could not find any reference to "Judder"

Does anyone else experience this phenomenon?

I see it all the time in pans. The image does not smootly pan as in my other TVs. It "judders" I hope I am using the right word for this thing.

To explain more...the image moves in jerks...rather than moving smoothly during pans.

Any solution?

I just received a used Pioneer PDP-4304 today. Picture looks great, but there is some substantial buzzing coming from the back. It seems to be much louder when the Energy Save option is set to Standard and reduces in volume when I move to Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3. The picture is so much more vibrant in Standard Mode or Mode 1, but the buzz is really annoying. Has anyone had similar problems? I wasn't sure if it is a power supply issue, bad panel or anything else significant. Hope someone may be able to give me some advice. I need to know if I should return the set, etc.

Kevin Ruswick

We have this Pio plasma and certainly the buzzing sound you describe is not normal. I suggest you call Pioneer Tech Suppport and ask them about it...800-421-1404. Also, Google the keywords buzzing sound plasma...

I have the Pioneer 4312 and was watching the new Narnia DVD and noticed a bluish tint. ( In fact, the children's lips are blue) I attempted to change the picture setting and it was 'greyed out' not allowing me to make the tint change. Why would it be greyed out on the picture setting and is this the problem or is it the DVD?

Are you watching the DVD in "Dynamic" mode on the plasma? The picture controls are disabled when in dynamic mode. Switch to Standard or Movie mode (using AV Selection button on remote) to enable the picture controls.

How is your DVD player connected to the plasma? If it's via component, make sure you are using high quality (though not necessarily high price) cables. They really make a difference. My Belden 7787A/1855A cables from from forum sponsor Blue Jeans Cable are great.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/component/index.htm

If your connection is via HDMI, since the signal is digital, the cable construction isn't as critical. Another forum sponsor, monoprice.com, has great prices on good quality digital cables (HDMI, DVI, optical, etc.).

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&style=

And if your DVD player is currently connected via S-video or composite, upgrading to a component or HDMI connection will make a noticable difference in picture quality.

Are you watching the DVD in "Dynamic" mode on the plasma? The picture controls are disabled when in dynamic mode. Switch to Standard or Movie mode (using AV Selection button on remote) to enable the picture controls.

Thanks 23 V I was able to enable the picture controls but the tint and color did not make a difference with the blue tint problem.

How is your DVD player connected to the plasma? If it's via component, make sure you are using high quality (though not necessarily high price) cables.

It is connected via monster component cables.

:confused: Still an unsolved mystery why this is happening since the set-up was fine until recently. We are wondering if my 14 month old got a hold of the remote during a veggietales episode.

Just discovered I had a component cable switched- :o duh!

Just discovered I had a component cable switched- :o duh!

Ah, the basics. :rolleyes: Glad you got the problem solved! :)

I am having a new issue with this plasma. It wont sync up with the HTPC. It says the error:

OUT OF RANGE
Vertical frequency = 64 KHz
Horizontal Frequency = 60 Khz

(The actual message is slightly different, but it basically means this)

I have tried F8 on this windows XP machine, but the plasma wont even show the boot time messages !

It used to work just fine in the past. The HTPC is ok because it displays fine on a regular PC monitor. Resolution of the HTPC.... well I have tried all resolutions from 800x600 to all the way up to = 1280 x 768....but no luck !

Please help!

Oh yes, I have a laptop with a 800 x 600 max resolution ...that is working OK with the plasma!

Weird!

I've never tried hooking a PC to mine, but the message is the same message I get when I try and run a resolution not supported on my LCD PC monitor. Have you compared your PC's resolution to the supported resolutions and refresh rates of the Plasma?

yes,
I have. Also the plasma was working fine with the HTPC earlier.

This plasma works perfectly with a Mac PowerBook (1280x854) running OS X v 10.4.6. As with most third-party peripherals, the Pio 4304 synced the first time it was connected at 1280x768/60Hz, but 1024x768 also is available at either 60Hz or 70Hz.

I am having a new issue with this plasma. It wont sync up with the HTPC. It says the error:

OUT OF RANGE
Vertical frequency = 64 KHz
Horizontal Frequency = 60 Khz

(The actual message is slightly different, but it basically means this)

I have tried F8 on this windows XP machine, but the plasma wont even show the boot time messages !

It used to work just fine in the past. The HTPC is ok because it displays fine on a regular PC monitor. Resolution of the HTPC.... well I have tried all resolutions from 800x600 to all the way up to = 1280 x 768....but no luck !

Please help!

OK guys, I did the calibration as described earlier in this thread (thanks) ...but it has made the black detail go away! Especially for the HDMI input from the SA-6300 DVR box

I mean the details in blacks are not there anymore. I guess I will have to tweak it more. :(

I think those numbers are not valid for all plasmas....individual plasmas would have to be calibrated individually....of course taking into consideration the video chain.

Or am I not getting something right ?? :confused:

I was able to get and extra composite input on my unit by using a VGA to component cable. I no longer connect a computer to my unit and I wanted another component input for my game console. I already have my cable/DVR connected via the onboard component input and my upconverter DVD is using the HDMI. The VGA to component cable works fine. I tried it on a DVD and the quality looks good even if the display shows 480p only.

I hope this helps you out if you are needing more inputs on your PIO.

Hi All,
I've owned the 4312 for 14 months and used it what I would guess a bit less than average. It has been great up until last night, when while watching a movie there was a "pop" followed by a bit of smoke out the back and the TV went DEAD!

I do have a service contract on it from when I purchased it, but has anyone had any similar problems? Most of the comments I read are touting reliabilty of these units.
Thanks,
Todd

That sucks. I have not had that problem with mine. I've had mine in service, using it pretty much every day for multiple hours for about 26 months and no issues yet *knock on wood*. Sounds like maybe the power supply fried? Time to get it serviced.

You've got to love these 'service agreements'. I've been on the phone for 1.5 hours, been refered to 3 local service companies (2 of which are now out of business or don't service anymore) and I'm just hoping that the last one will infact actually come out and fix my set.

I'll post the resolution once I know what it is.
Todd

Hi All,
I've owned the 4312 for 14 months and used it what I would guess a bit less than average. It has been great up until last night, when while watching a movie there was a "pop" followed by a bit of smoke out the back and the TV went DEAD!

I do have a service contract on it from when I purchased it, but has anyone had any similar problems? Most of the comments I read are touting reliabilty of these units.
Thanks,
Todd

Isn't the 4312 a unit made for Costco? If so, take it back to Costco - they will accept manufacturer defects.

I didn't buy it from costco, I bought it online from 'plasma dot you know what'. Funny though, I did buy a different LCD TV from costco and had to return that one because it blew up as well. That one only lasted 2 weeks though.

About six years ago, I bought a Pioneer 4304 42" plasma. It still displays a terrific image.
Will it accept a blu ray signal from a PS3? Can I watch blu ray DVDs on this monitor?

Thanks,
Mike

I'd like to recalibrate my 4304 which calibration DVD is being used these days or which one do you recommend?

Thanks,
Mike

Where can I get a replacement manual or desired screen settings for my pioneer pdp-4304? I was screwing around with screen adjustments and messed up the beautiful image.

Help,

Mike

Google using the words Pioneer PDP-4304 manual

Here's one search result...http://www.retrevo.com/s/Pioneer+PDP-4304?rt=pd

As to your other Qs:

Blu-Ray should work, but it will display the image at 10801 or 720p, since those are the maximum resolutions supported by the display. Any calibration DVD should work fine. A couple of years ago, we picked up a copy of Digital Video Essentials at Best Buy.

Thanks, the link is exactly what I'm looking for before posting here I asked Pioneer the same question tgheir reply was to contact the parts dept.

I originally, set upo my 4314 using settings from avsforum and DVE disk
to get the colors back to where I like them I just backed of the brightness some more.

Thanks,

Mike

the d/l manual is very useful

For calibration there is a detailed description here somewhere for manipulating the service menu calibration. (very advanced stuff, used by techs)

I did it for mine.....not sure if it made any difference)

I've had this tv for at least 3 years, always hooked up to a cable box of some kind via HDMI with no problems. We switched to Fios tv a few months ago and after operating well, their motorola box threw an HDMI security error and won't display content for more than a few seconds. Now my HDMI DVD player, plugged into the same and only input, will display its internal screen, but any DVD content just comes out as a flashing blue screen. I've tried multiple cables and there is no HDMI switch in use.

I have found similar problems with the motorola boxes and comcast, though that was usually with Samsung TV's. Verizon is not familiar with the problem but is at least giving it to the engineers to look at. Does anyone have experience with this, or know if there's a way to reset the tv to switch off the HDCP flag, or whatever it is that's telling the content device that i'm a pirate?

Thanks.

Does anyone know if the primaries and secondaries on this plasma are adjustable in the service menu??

When I go into the service menu I can see some cryptic settings....I cant recall them but they are seperate from the bias/gain stuff. What do they do? I tried adjusting them while looking at readings from the colorimeter but nothing much was happening while looking at a white window.

ken's settings are ultimately poor. they create more problems then they solve.

ex:
AD MAIN R OFFSET <=> : 129/127
AD MAIN G OFFSET <=> : 162/162
AD MAIN B OFFSET <=> : 128/128

162 for green offset???? honestly? it gives a freaking huge green bias, esp in darker areas!!

these settings have given me over-saturation, green bias, red-push, emphasized jaggies, and have just made everything look "off" to me.

perhaps for general viewing these settings might be ok, maybe, but for any critical viewing; fail.

and damnit, now i cant find my original written down settings. :(

maybe when im done fixing everything ill post setting proper to my tv.

forgot: using input 1 (pc) and input 5 (component) for viewing.

Time and time again we have been told that these settings are NOT unit independent............that means you simply cannot take someone else's settings and enter into your plasma and hope that the colors will be all-right.

You need a proper calibration done with a colorimeter and software.
I bought the X-Rite Display2 colorimeter and use it with the free software - HCFR. The results are excellent!

Of course the posted numbers do not match my plasma's final settings....just like I expected.

Hence.........please dont use posted numbers and expect the results will be awesome ;)



PS: My greyscale is almost spot on, but the green primary is oversaturated. I'm still looking for a way to change the green primary from inside the service menu.


ken's settings are ultimately poor. they create more problems then they solve.

ex:
AD MAIN R OFFSET <=> : 129/127
AD MAIN G OFFSET <=> : 162/162
AD MAIN B OFFSET <=> : 128/128

162 for green offset???? honestly? it gives a freaking huge green bias, esp in darker areas!!

these settings have given me over-saturation, green bias, red-push, emphasized jaggies, and have just made everything look "off" to me.

perhaps for general viewing these settings might be ok, maybe, but for any critical viewing; fail.

and damnit, now i cant find my original written down settings. :(

maybe when im done fixing everything ill post setting proper to my tv.

forgot: using input 1 (pc) and input 5 (component) for viewing.

I've had this tv for at least 3 years, always hooked up to a cable box of some kind via HDMI with no problems. We switched to Fios tv a few months ago and after operating well, their motorola box threw an HDMI security error and won't display content for more than a few seconds. Now my HDMI DVD player, plugged into the same and only input, will display its internal screen, but any DVD content just comes out as a flashing blue screen. I've tried multiple cables and there is no HDMI switch in use.

I have found similar problems with the motorola boxes and comcast, though that was usually with Samsung TV's. Verizon is not familiar with the problem but is at least giving it to the engineers to look at. Does anyone have experience with this, or know if there's a way to reset the tv to switch off the HDCP flag, or whatever it is that's telling the content device that i'm a pirate?

Thanks.
I've had my Pioneer for over 3 years as well, but on Fios for about a year. I just noticed these very same characteristics this weekend – ergo I’m here looking for answers. I’m getting sound via the HDMI, but no picture. I also received the security message as well, so I assumed it was just the Fios content/box, but as you stated, the DVD player is not working either. Component input is working fine, but I need the two HD inputs for cable box and DVD. I rotated all equipment and cable with a Toshiba LCD and confirmed the problem is specific to the Pioneer. Did you make any progress with Verizon?

I have the same TV and have changed to FIOS a few months ago. I have used the regular HD Motorola box and recently upgraded to the DVR box without any such issues.

Not sure this helps but it may not be an issue with the TV unless it is some local problem that does not occur out here in California.

Wow, this is scary, as we have one of these older Pio HD displays connected to a Motorola DCT6412 Phase III (with HDMI) with Comcast. While the Moto 6412 is a very problematic and unreliable DVR, the HDMI has always worked. We'd like to dump Comcast for greener fields (no pun intended), but this gives me pause. You definitely are encountering an HDMI handshake issue.

I don't recall if this HD display is a an HDMI v1.0 or v1.2 device, but what about your HDMI cable? Or did you recently change DVR's and start using a different model? Or maybe Verizon changed something about the HDCP handshake signal that's being transmitted. I see that resellers like Monoprice.com sell v1.3 HDMI cables these days. Perhaps you need a v1.3 cable to to translate between a v1.3 device and an older 1.2 or 1.2 device...or perhaps your cable just went bad.

Have you contacted Pioneer Tech Support (800-421-1404)? Once the cable company turns it on, there is no way to turn off HDCP (that I know of).

Please keep us all updated.

so just to post the update on the HDMI input issue - called Pio support on gmwedding's suggestion for my HDMI issue. The happy guy on the phone seemed to feel that since I did get a security error and I still get audio via the HDMI input, it could have been precipitated by a Verizon firmware upgrade and an HDCP conflict. I'll try Verizon, although I'm not too optimistic. When time allows (not much of that these days) I'll try the dvr from my other set to see if I get the same results. I will post back with any progress or conclusions. I'll also look into the cable.

Hi, I've had the 4304 for a while now. I'm not sure what's wrong with it but when I turn it on it blinks twice. Anyone have any idea what this could be? Or does anyone have a service manual handy? Thanks.

In regards to the FIOS HDMI issue; it is a known problem with Verizon and here is the response I received from FIOS CS when it first occurred after a firmware update in July 2008:

"Thank you for the information. I do apologize for the trouble this issue may be causing you. The problem you are experiencing is a known issue. This is currently a glitch between our STB and your TV using HDMI connections. This issue is a high priority for us. We have a potential solution planned for 3Q08. Although you may have just recently experienced the problem, it has actually been around for a few months, affecting different brands in a slightly different manner. Unfortunately, for now, the only work-around, until the software update is released to correct it, is to use component cables, or lower the resolution to 720p. We do appreciate your patience while we work to resolve this issue and again, we do apologize for the inconvenience."

Needless to say, the suggested fix of viewing at 720P didn't work and the planned solution still hasn't happened so I'm still stuck using component cables.

Additional discussion on issue can be found here:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20852610?hilite=pioneer