 |
 Plasma
perfection
VISIONERY DD42
Visionery is a name that many will not be
familiar with, but its profile has risen with the opening of the world's first
plasma showroom in London. It is also an apt name for this forward-looking
company that has developed the first fully-digital plasma.
Unlike other plasmas, the Direct Digital 42
can accept a digital feed from any source with a digital output directly to the
dedicated digital processing circuit, eliminating all analogue processing and A
to D conversion, which has always been the weak link in plasma displays.
Instead, the signal remains in the digital domain right up to the control of
individual pixels.
 One potential
problem for this screen is that, thanks to a licensing deal with the BBC, there
are no digital video sources currently available with the appropriate Serial
Digital Interface (SDI) connection with which to feed the DD42. However,
Visionery are happy to adapt any DVD player or Sky Digibox by fitting an SDI
that can then stream digital data to the SDI on the DD42.
The result of maintaining the digital purity
of the signal is quite astonishing. Using a modified DVD player as the source
and the Region 2 version of Flubber, there is so much more detail on offer
compared to an analogue feed of the same material. TV transmissions are
similarly enlightening. A digital BBC broadcast, channelled through a suitably
adapted Pace Sky digibox, produces a startlingly revealing picture.
Alongside the unique SDI digital input is a
complete line up of connections including RGB, composite, component and S-video
inputs, plus audio and computer inputs.
Also available as the professional Pro42 or
the IPC Pro 42, which has a PC built-in, the DD42 offers the nearest thing to a
perfect picture with a pure digital source, completely surpassing other plasmas
in terms of detail resolution. If you need an example of how plasma outperforms
any CRT TV you care to mention, then this set is for you.
|
|
|
SPECIFICATION
|
|
Display : 42in, 16:9
Pixels :
852 x 480
Colours : 16.7 million
Features : Composite
video, RGB video and S-video in; MAC and PC interface; PAL/NTSC/SECAM
compatible
Audio output : 2 x 6W
Dimensions : 1040(w) x
638(h) x 98(d)mm
Weight : 35Kg |
|
Jim Hill, Home Cinema Choice, July 2000
ROUND-UP CONCLUSION
This item reviewed in the July 2000 plasma screen
round-up. Tested items were:
For many of us, this plasma round-up may
just be an entertaining trip into the realms of fantasy, where we imagine what
life would be like if we could afford such luxuries. But before you return to
the real world, take heart from the progress that has been made and how much
more affordable plasma screens could become.
Ignoring the price of course, the advantages
of plasma displays over conventional CRT sets are obvious - the space saving,
hang-on-the-wall concept is highly desirable, not just in business, where
office space is money, but to anyone with an eye for style. And if that wasn't
enough, plasma displays also suck up less electricity and the physical
constraints that limit CRT to 36in don't apply. As for picture quality, it is
pretty clear from the four models tested here that the initial teething
problems which dogged early generations of plasma screens have been turned
around. Of the examples tested here, all four possess the captivating quality
that makes everyone who sees one want one.
Starting with Thomson's stylish Wysius, this
is certainly an attractive set. With lush, natural colours, pin-sharp
definition and exemplary multi-media applications, the 42WS92E is a tempting
proposition for business and home use.
The Panasonic TC-42PD1, on the other hand,
offers the boldest colours and sharpest contrast, resulting in a striking
picture that is utterly enthralling. And the same goes for its little brother,
the slightly more affordable 37in version, which may also show that the
manufacturers are thinking seriously about targeting home cinema enthusiasts.
Next up, NEC's outwardly minimal design
serves to highlight the vivid screen image and makes it highly desirable, but
it still gives away some detail to the Panasonic.
Overall though, it's the Visionery DD42 that
is the most interesting display here as it marks a significant breakthrough in
plasma technology. Using a digital video feed, the DD42 achieved a level of
picture clarity that the other analogue sets cannot match. It provides the most
accurate, detailed image yet seen on a plasma display but the downside is that
there are few corresponding source components currently available and it
carries a pretty hefty price tag. For these reasons, even though the DD42 has
won our Best Buy badge, we still have slight reservations about recommending
it. But if it's plasma you want and you've got enough tokens stored in the
bank, it's worth every penny.
|
Visionery 0207 935
1229
