Avical Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-111FD Break-in Report
Introduction
For some time now, there has been an ongoing debate on the various home theater forums regarding the proper break-in time for plasma displays. This has been especially true concerning the recently released Pioneer ninth generation (9G) plasma panels. Many have argued that the old 100-hour rule for CRTs no longer applies and that 150, 200, and even 300 or more hours is necessary for these new displays.
With that in mind, we decided to conduct our own tests to see if 100 hours was still the rule of thumb or if less would suffice or more required. The result is our Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-111FD break-in report.
Setting up
Once unboxed and setup in our lab, the display was immediately put to the default "Pure" mode, which is the most accurate out of the box (OTB) picture setting. The only other changes that we made were to engage Dot by Dot, turn off Orbiter and Auto Size, set Energy Save to Mode 2, and Blue LED Setting to Low (see settings to the right).
Breaking-in
The display was run continuously for 15 hours the first day, and then 22 hours per day for nine straight days using a break-in DVD through a Sony PS3 via HDMI with only a 2-hour break to allow for cool down. This was a great way for us to expedite the break-in process as normal viewing would have taken upwards of a month or more. If you choose this route as well, make sure that all components have plenty of ventilation as keeping them on for this extended period will cause them to become quite hot. In fact, our lab rose in temperature by over 10 degrees! The file for the break-in DVD can be downloaded here.
Measurements
Readings were performed in a completely dark room. Patterns were supplied via the AccuPel HDG-4000 test pattern generator outputting via DVI/HDMI @ 1080p/60 & 1080p/24. Measurements were taken from a Photo Research PR-655 Spectroradiometer at a straight angle and at a distance of 7 feet from the center of the screen.
The first three graphs represent window-box patterns from 10-100% amplitude in 10 step increments. These were performed with the Energy Save feature at the Off, Mode 1, and Mode 2 positions. The same tests were conducted with full-field raster patterns at 25, 50, 75, and 100% amplitude and are represented on graphs 4-6. We also tested the Color Space 2 setting using 75% window box and 100% raster patterns within all three Energy Save modes but only listed one set of measurements since they all read almost identically (last graph).
Grayscale - 10-100% amplitude window-box patterns with Energy Save turned "off"
Grayscale - 10-100% amplitude window-box patterns with Energy Save turned to "Mode 1"
Grayscale - 10-100% amplitude window-box patterns with Energy Save turned to "Mode 2"
Grayscale - 25-100% amplitude full-field raster patterns with Energy Save turned "Off"
Grayscale - 25-100% amplitude full-field raster patterns with Energy Save turned to "Mode 1"
Grayscale - 25-100% amplitude full-field raster patterns with Energy Save turned to "Mode 2"
Color Space 2, 75% amplitude window-box patterns with Energy Save turned to "Mode 2"
Conclusion
There is no question that these displays need breaking-in. Out of the box, the default settings rendered a grayscale that was too warm as well as green. During the 213-hour break-in process, the display became warmer and more green - not dramatically so, but enough to warrant putting in some hours before making an appointment for calibration. Plus, it's never a bad idea to wait a few weeks to ensure that you don't have a lemon anyway.
Color Space 2, which was very close to Rec. 709 specifications, read consistently with practically no difference between window-box and raster patterns or break-in period. As such, we only included the Energy Save 2 window readings. Peak light output was also virtually unchanged during the entire process.
Having said that, if you have time to put in 200 hours, do so. But, if you already have at least 80-100 hours logged on your Pioneer 9G plasma and want to take advantage of a reputable technician touring your area - you should be good to go.
