Pioneer PDP-435SX digital high-definition plasma TV has been named the recipient of the ECCJ Chairman's Award in the 2004 Energy Conservation Grand Prize.

Annually the ECCJ recognizes and awards these prizes for outstanding products with exceptional energy-saving performance in the category of consumer devices or systems for the Japanese market. It is particularly noteworthy that not only is this the first time for a Pioneer product to win this prize, but it is also the first time that any large-screen, flat-panel TV with high picture quality has been recognized in this way by the ECCJ.

The PDP-435SX realizes the power consumption of just 306 watts - the lowest in its class(1) - by employing a number of energy-saving technologies, including Pioneer's P.U.R.E. Panel technology. This plasma TV has been enjoying a good reputation in the Japanese TV market ever since its release in July 2004.

The ECCJ commented, "Thanks to improvements in the PDP panel, such as increasing the illumination efficiency, the Pioneer plasma TV has realized the power consumption of 306 watts, the lowest ever for a 43-inch plasma TV. This means that it has achieved the energy-saving level equivalent to that of LCDs. This has resulted from Pioneer's continued efforts for a wide range of energy savings, reducing the power loss inside the product and standby power consumption, employing other energy-saving technologies by utilizing the characteristics of plasma displays, etc. The ECCJ gave top marks for the PDP-435SX's outstanding energy-saving performance in the field of the large-sized, flat-screen TVs with high picture quality, where the market demand for this segment is experiencing the increasing growth."

The Energy Conservation Grand Prize presentation ceremony will be held at Tokyo Big Sight on February 9. In addition, the Pioneer PDP-435SX will be displayed at ENEX 2005 (Tokyo) and at INTEX Osaka in the middle of February.

(1) For 42-inch and 43-inch plasma TVs, as of January 27, 2005 (according to Pioneer survey)