News

Pioneer Plasmas compliant with EICTA's "HD Ready" label (3/2/2005)

Pioneer is proud to announce that its plasma TVs are already compliant with EICTAâs newly published Conditions for HD Labelling of Display Devices and the associated "HD ready" label [1].

High Definition video from HDTV broadcasting or HD package media is bringing the European consumer the single most important advancement in image quality since the introduction of colour TV. Pioneer has a proven track record in delivering "future ready" [2] plasma TVs to the market, making the brand the first choice for consumers looking for state-of-the-art flat TV technology, stylish design, and best-in-class viewing pleasure, based on a long-term rewarding investment.

According to Pioneer, the successful deployment of High Definition Television (HDTV) in Europe will largely depend on a solid installed base of "HD ready" displays. Pioneer believes that the introduction of HDTV in Europe should not be hindered by possible device-to-device compatibility issues, which is why clear guidelines supported by an authoritative industry body are required. At the same time unnecessary complexity in minimum specifications should be avoided as it would lead to undesirably high consumer equipment costs. The EICTA conditions reflect such considerations.

In addition, a straightforward communication to both consumers and trade on "HD ready" display products will further boost the increasing demand for HD source products and services, thus giving a positive signal to the European broadcast content & service providers. This in turn will create opportunities for Europeâs related economy in the near future.

Following the pioneering launch of the HD1 broadcast channel on January 1st 2004, consumers in most parts of Europe are able to experience high-quality entertainment from High Definition broadcast. Since then, multiple initiatives have been announced by national broadcasters and operators e.g. Premiere in Germany, BSkyB in the UK, TPS and CanalSatellite in France and many more are expected to follow.

"Pioneer strongly supports the EICTA initiative. We are also very happy to say that not only our current line-up of European plasma TVs (Pioneer PDP-435FDE, PDP-435XDE and PDP-505XDE), but even our previous generation models (PDP-434HDE and PDP-504HDE) are already compliant with the EICTA "HD ready" minimum requirements. This future readiness obviously offers us a competitive advantage" says Jim Catcheside, Product Manager, Home Electronics and Multimedia Division, Pioneer GB Ltd, "but equally substantiates Pioneerâs ongoing commitment to deliver Added Value to its customers".

[1] EICTA is the European Industry Association for Information Systems, Communication Technologies and Consumer Electronics.
[2] Pioneer clarifies "future ready" as being ready for future developments as far as possible and taking the lead in implementing the latest technologies.

www.pioneer-eur.com