Pioneer PDP-4214HD Need Help

[Hank Perkins]

2 days ago I picked up a Pioneer PDP-4214HD @ COSTCO. It was a spur of the moment purchase, I already have a decent theater room but I have lusted for a Pioneer Plasma for many years. I felt like the price was just too good. I figured if I wait another year I might be able to save another $500 but I just could not stand it. This is my first plasma. I knocked down the brightness, contrast, and sharpness and got the picture close. When I got the display I also purchased the Costco Toshiba HDMI DVD player (A real piece of crap, going back to Costco today). I also went and picked up a Comcast HD-DVR box to go with the new plasma. With HD the picture is unreal. Anyway, here are my questions:

With this display how do I get the 4214 to display the input resolution(i.e. 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i)?

What are the best choices for a DVD player to connect to this beast?

Are there any suggested picture settings for this display?

Are there any advanced menus with this display? If so how do I get into them?

Thanks Everyone, BTW with HD this picture is really great, I could not be happier.

[theueck]

Check the archives for Pio plasma @ Costco. I had mine ISF's and my Service Menu setting are in the thread. Should be from late Feb/early March of 2005.

Great set, enjoy.

[Tkbalt]

[QUOTE=Hank Perkins]
What are the best choices for a DVD player to connect to this beast?
QUOTE]


Pick up a used Pioneer 59Avi - should be a great match fot the plasma. I have the Elite 920 and a 59Avi and could not be happier.

[Hank Perkins]

theueck,

Thanks although I never found your thread. I did find threads on the 4312 but not the 4214. I plan to try the sequence to get into the service menu. I did the adjustment with the THX stuff on Star Wars. As an observation, the brightness and contrast seems really bright. But I must tell you the colors on this thing are flat out unreal. even SD tv looks really good. FYI I did set my Comcast HD box to 720p. Much better picture than the 1080i or 480p.

Tkbalt,

I will begin the search for a Pioneer 59avi.

[Hank Perkins]

I found this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=521385&page=2&pp=30&highlight=Pio+plasma+++Costco

It has instructions on how to get into the service menu for a 4312. I have been unsucessful using these procedures to get into the service menu. Could someone please confirm that the steps outlined here will work with my 4214 and that I am just messed up. Otherwise if someone has the specific instructions for a 4214 I would appreciate posting either a link to the instructions or the instructions themselves.

Thanks Everyone.

[Gandu]

The procedure for entering the Service Menu on the 4214 is completely different than what is in the thread referenced above. As I discovered in my quest for the codes, AVS Forum discourages the public posting of the procedures for entering the service menu. Presumably, this is to protect members from irreparably damaging their displays and possibly voiding the manufacturers warranty as well. I agree with the policy on this issue.

If you haven't already done so, I would encourage you to check out the Display Calibration Forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=139


All that being said, check your PM.


PS If you search on '4214' as the key word, there are several threads. Including this one:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php? t=625159&highlight=4214

[odie]

Please PM me with Service Menu entry instructions for the 4214/42A3. Nice unit for the price, needs a little adjustment.

Thanks.

[Gandu]

odie -- PM sent

[danoo1]

I recently purchased a pioneer 4214 ..reading the many posts, it seems calibrating it is key for better display..as my blacks and dark scenes are below par...i would apprct someone pming me access to service menu and perhaps proper calibration settings..many thanks