I was considering the brightness of PDP technology over the years, I currently own a 9G Kuro (5020) and an old Vizio VP422, not even sure whose glass is in the Vizio. Anyway, the Pioneer is actually plenty bright but not anywhere near as retina searing as my VP422. I suspect this has to do with the methods of minimally priming the cells to achieve the lower black levels, but compared to many other plasma's, even those with quite terrible, almost LCD rivaling mll's, I have noticed an overall diminished white output in newer v. older plasmas. I am speaking of panels such as the well regarded Samsung F5300B, H5000, and nearly all of the recent Panasonic models (haven't really seen an ST60, but have seen plenty of VT/ZT60's).
Is this a result of more stringent power consumption restrictions, or due to manufacturers not wanting to put in power supplies that can handle the current demand of a high peak white on these larger screens? Perhaps I have the perfect storm so to speak, a smaller panel (being a 42"), and it being an older 720p panel? I mean, I literally have no noticeable ABL compression/expansion on my VP422. Interesting still is that I have not noticed any ABL or diminished light output on my grandfathers Vizio 50" 1080P Plasma either. I guess what I am wondering is, what happened to the great mid tones and peak whites that plasma used to offer? I have owned this older Vizio for years with no IR or uneven screen wear, and there have plenty of times where I left a DVD menu on screen all night (fell asleep after long days at work), so it cannot be to prevent IR or reduce phosphor aging. Just curious, I mean I am a pretty big plasma fan, always have been, just wondering why the big trend towards dim plasma monitors. While I realize that the industry standard is near the 35ftL range, there are times when daytime viewing requires a bit more punch, my VP422 certainly has it, and the Pioneer is not by any means dim, just wondering why most plasma's, though especially Panasonic stuff made after the 8UK/9UK series, always looked so dim to me.
Is this a result of more stringent power consumption restrictions, or due to manufacturers not wanting to put in power supplies that can handle the current demand of a high peak white on these larger screens? Perhaps I have the perfect storm so to speak, a smaller panel (being a 42"), and it being an older 720p panel? I mean, I literally have no noticeable ABL compression/expansion on my VP422. Interesting still is that I have not noticed any ABL or diminished light output on my grandfathers Vizio 50" 1080P Plasma either. I guess what I am wondering is, what happened to the great mid tones and peak whites that plasma used to offer? I have owned this older Vizio for years with no IR or uneven screen wear, and there have plenty of times where I left a DVD menu on screen all night (fell asleep after long days at work), so it cannot be to prevent IR or reduce phosphor aging. Just curious, I mean I am a pretty big plasma fan, always have been, just wondering why the big trend towards dim plasma monitors. While I realize that the industry standard is near the 35ftL range, there are times when daytime viewing requires a bit more punch, my VP422 certainly has it, and the Pioneer is not by any means dim, just wondering why most plasma's, though especially Panasonic stuff made after the 8UK/9UK series, always looked so dim to me.