Pioneer Kuro 50" (720P) PDP-5080HD -- $1999.99.

[zoiks]

LINK


I have this set and it is one of the best purchases I have made even though I paid almost 700 more for it. Do your research and look into this set. You won't be disappointed.

See review at http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Pioneer-PDP4280XD/

The review is for the 42".

 

[Desslok]

Waiting for the "OMG!! it is not 1080P" crowd to get here.

 

[Avalon]

Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

 

[Tegeril]

Yeah, it accepts a 720p signal and stuffs it into 1024x768.

 

[iseestars]

Originally posted by: Avalon
Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

It's a TV so resolution isn't everything. PQ is determined by a lot of other things like contrast, black levels, color fidelity, etc... etc... It's certainly no bargain basement set, it's simply a matter of whether you consider the quality to be good enough to justify the cost. Some do, some don't. The 1080p version of this goes for about $5k so there's your comparison engine going.

 

[jmunjr]

Originally posted by: Tegeril
Yeah, it accepts a 720p signal and stuffs it into 1024x768.

Pretty sure that is incorrect. I don't think any 50" plasmas have that resolution. This one is 1366x768...typical of most plasmas, and is just fine for this size a screen.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: jmunjr

Originally posted by: Tegeril
Yeah, it accepts a 720p signal and stuffs it into 1024x768.

Pretty sure that is incorrect. I don't think any 50" plasmas have that resolution. This one is 1366x768...typical of most plasmas, and is just fine for this size a screen.

Yep. I get the 1366x768 res on this tv.

 

[sjwaste]

I don't have a link handy, but when I was shopping, resolution was far down the list of important factors that determine picture quality. I ended up going with a 42" 1024x768 plasma (Panasonic) because contrast and black levels were said to be more important. My viewing distance is probably 8-10 feet, so I don't think 1080p would do anything for me at the 42" size. At 50" I read similar, especially at a 10 foot distance.

I watch a mix of everything, but especially movies and sports, and am really happy with 720p plasma at both. SD looks better on the plasma than it did on our Westinghouse LCD, too.

Bottom line is that unless you have an array of panels in your house and you're planning to sit 3 feet from each, you can't go wrong with the 720p plasma's from Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, etc. With LCD, it might be another story, since I think the picture on those looks a bit more washed out than a comparable plasma, due to the contrast, black levels, and color being a bit weaker, and a 1080p set might make up for some of that.

Anyhow, this is a hot deal on this TV.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Tegeril
Yeah, it accepts a 720p signal and stuffs it into 1024x768.

Yeah, no. It's best to know what you're talking about before commenting.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: iseestars

Originally posted by: Avalon
Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

It's a TV so resolution isn't everything. PQ is determined by a lot of other things like contrast, black levels, color fidelity, etc... etc... It's certainly no bargain basement set, it's simply a matter of whether you consider the quality to be good enough to justify the cost. Some do, some don't. The 1080p version of this goes for about $5k so there's your comparison engine going.

I never said resolution was everything. I simply claimed that according to Best Buy's (wrong, apparently) specs, the TV couldn't even do 720p.

Like I said, unless this thing gives the best picture out of any set out there...you'll be hard pressed to find people willing to buy this just because as was mentioned earlier, it's not 1080p and it's in the 1080p price range. I got myself a 50" Samsung 720p DLP on BF, and the PQ is incredible, so I definitely don't mind sets like these. I'd like to see this set in comparison to see if it's markedly better.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: iseestars

Originally posted by: Avalon
Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

It's a TV so resolution isn't everything. PQ is determined by a lot of other things like contrast, black levels, color fidelity, etc... etc... It's certainly no bargain basement set, it's simply a matter of whether you consider the quality to be good enough to justify the cost. Some do, some don't. The 1080p version of this goes for about $5k so there's your comparison engine going.

I never said resolution was everything. I simply claimed that according to Best Buy's (wrong, apparently) specs, the TV couldn't even do 720p.

Like I said, unless this thing gives the best picture out of any set out there...you'll be hard pressed to find people willing to buy this just because as was mentioned earlier, it's not 1080p and it's in the 1080p price range. I got myself a 50" Samsung 720p DLP on BF, and the PQ is incredible, so I definitely don't mind sets like these. I'd like to see this set in comparison to see if it's markedly better.

I don't think I could find a side by side comparision with your set and this tv however you can check the following link to get more information on the picture quality. The reviewer seems to think that this tv sets the benchmark.

http://www.tech.co.uk/home-ent...p?articleid=1348320666

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: iseestars

Originally posted by: Avalon
Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

It's a TV so resolution isn't everything. PQ is determined by a lot of other things like contrast, black levels, color fidelity, etc... etc... It's certainly no bargain basement set, it's simply a matter of whether you consider the quality to be good enough to justify the cost. Some do, some don't. The 1080p version of this goes for about $5k so there's your comparison engine going.

I never said resolution was everything. I simply claimed that according to Best Buy's (wrong, apparently) specs, the TV couldn't even do 720p.

Like I said, unless this thing gives the best picture out of any set out there...you'll be hard pressed to find people willing to buy this just because as was mentioned earlier, it's not 1080p and it's in the 1080p price range. I got myself a 50" Samsung 720p DLP on BF, and the PQ is incredible, so I definitely don't mind sets like these. I'd like to see this set in comparison to see if it's markedly better.

I don't think I could find a side by side comparision with your set and this tv however you can check the following link to get more information on the picture quality. The reviewer seems to think that this tv sets the benchmark.

http://www.tech.co.uk/home-ent...p?articleid=1348320666

So this is the one that displays complete darkness (or rather, nothing at all) on a black scene? If so, that's incredible.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: iseestars

Originally posted by: Avalon
Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

It's a TV so resolution isn't everything. PQ is determined by a lot of other things like contrast, black levels, color fidelity, etc... etc... It's certainly no bargain basement set, it's simply a matter of whether you consider the quality to be good enough to justify the cost. Some do, some don't. The 1080p version of this goes for about $5k so there's your comparison engine going.

I never said resolution was everything. I simply claimed that according to Best Buy's (wrong, apparently) specs, the TV couldn't even do 720p.

Like I said, unless this thing gives the best picture out of any set out there...you'll be hard pressed to find people willing to buy this just because as was mentioned earlier, it's not 1080p and it's in the 1080p price range. I got myself a 50" Samsung 720p DLP on BF, and the PQ is incredible, so I definitely don't mind sets like these. I'd like to see this set in comparison to see if it's markedly better.

I don't think I could find a side by side comparision with your set and this tv however you can check the following link to get more information on the picture quality. The reviewer seems to think that this tv sets the benchmark.

http://www.tech.co.uk/home-ent...p?articleid=1348320666

So this is the one that displays complete darkness (or rather, nothing at all) on a black scene? If so, that's incredible.

Btw, the correct link is http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Pioneer-PDP4280XD/ .
Yep. People were anticipating the release of these tv's since they were referred to as the 'super plasmas' that display deepest blacks. Kuro I believe in Japanese is 'black'.

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: Tegeril
Yeah, it accepts a 720p signal and stuffs it into 1024x768.

Yeah, no. It's best to know what you're talking about before commenting.

I'm sorry for going by the specs page on both sites listed, please get out of my throat. There are plenty of TVs that do this, so it was completely plausible

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: iseestars

Originally posted by: Avalon
Technically it's not even 720p as it claims, according to its resolution. Unless it's the best unit out there, I'm not sure why you'd want to pay $2000 for something like this.

It's a TV so resolution isn't everything. PQ is determined by a lot of other things like contrast, black levels, color fidelity, etc... etc... It's certainly no bargain basement set, it's simply a matter of whether you consider the quality to be good enough to justify the cost. Some do, some don't. The 1080p version of this goes for about $5k so there's your comparison engine going.

I never said resolution was everything. I simply claimed that according to Best Buy's (wrong, apparently) specs, the TV couldn't even do 720p.

Like I said, unless this thing gives the best picture out of any set out there...you'll be hard pressed to find people willing to buy this just because as was mentioned earlier, it's not 1080p and it's in the 1080p price range. I got myself a 50" Samsung 720p DLP on BF, and the PQ is incredible, so I definitely don't mind sets like these. I'd like to see this set in comparison to see if it's markedly better.

The Pio Kuro sets are widely regarded by HT enthusiasts as the best plasmas, and tvs in general, available. People paid 3k+ for this set when it was released in Apr-07 and for good reason, the PQ is amazing. There are plenty of people who aren't fooled into thinking that 1080p is more than a marketing gimmick for most sets and scenarios.

 

[Lurknomore]

Too bad the Kuro displays at BB's I visit are all over the place, uncalibrated, and not able to show their full potential for an accurate assessment.
YES, the blacks are the best of any flat-panel, but you'd be hard pressed to see this amid the confusing, tightly packed walls with Sammy 71's and cheaper pdps.
Oh, and their dark display rooms? Inside was a huge Sharp lcd, some LG plasma, panny pdps and a projected image. No Kuro.

 

[txlonghorn]

This debate over 720p vs 1080p reminds me of stereo equipment debate: every manufacturer will show off lab results with 20Hz - 20KHz flat frequency response curve. Yes, you can MEASURE 20HZ to 20KHz with lab equipment. However, not too many human can actually HEAR 20Hz to 20KHz (more like 50Hz to 18KHz). Same with HDTV. Specs are great starting point, but you got to go with what you see. I bought the PDP-5070 for $3K in Nov. 06 from a buddy works at a high-end AV store. He showed my everything in the store from LCD, plasma, to DLP. I didn't pay any attention to the specs. I trusted my eyes. I was drawn immediately to the PDP-5070. The only thing in the store that looked better was the Pioneer Elite Plasma that cost about twice as much. 14 months later, I am still very happy about my purchase.

BTW. My buddy tells me that Pioneer makes the best plasma TV. Base on what I've seen, I don't doubt him.

 

[Slick5150]

This really is a phenomenal TV. It's pricey, but if you're looking for a top quality TV, definitely take a look at this one.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: txlonghorn
This debate over 720p vs 1080p reminds me of stereo equipment debate: every manufacturer will show off lab results with 20Hz - 20KHz flat frequency response curve. Yes, you can MEASURE 20HZ to 20KHz with lab equipment. However, not too many human can actually HEAR 20Hz to 20KHz (more like 50Hz to 18KHz). Same with HDTV. Specs are great starting point, but you got to go with what you see. I bought the PDP-5070 for $3K in Nov. 06 from a buddy works at a high-end AV store. He showed my everything in the store from LCD, plasma, to DLP. I didn't pay any attention to the specs. I trusted my eyes. I was drawn immediately to the PDP-5070. The only thing in the store that looked better was the Pioneer Elite Plasma that cost about twice as much. 14 months later, I am still very happy about my purchase.

BTW. My buddy tells me that Pioneer makes the best plasma TV. Base on what I've seen, I don't doubt him.

You can only hear down to 50 Hz?

 

[txlonghorn]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


You can only hear down to 50 Hz?

You FEEL it more than you HEAR it. Not too many people can tell the difference at that low frequency.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: txlonghorn

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


You can only hear down to 50 Hz?

You FEEL it more than you HEAR it. Not too many people can tell the difference at that low frequency.

Actually, you can easily hear below 20hz. The issue is it requires quite a bit of volume.

 

[aussiestilgar]

Disregarding price, the Pioneer Plasma is the best performing consumer flat panel TV. Only OLED surpasses it, but the biggest it comes is 31 inches (and is even more expensive).

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: txlonghorn

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


You can only hear down to 50 Hz?

You FEEL it more than you HEAR it. Not too many people can tell the difference at that low frequency.

My point was that down to about 30 Hz is VERY easy to hear. Now if your talking lower than 25 Hz I will agree that it is rather difficult unless played with quite the volume.

50 Hz might be higher than you think.

 

[Yo2]

A friend of mine has the pio kuro with 1080p - (he paid about $4G for it, including ext warranty and some accessories) - apparently this TV has the lowest black level of any plasma, yade, yade, yade. All I can tell is that with a Verizon Fios HD feed football looks AWESOME. The colors seem to jump at you

 

[kalrith]

I looked at this TV at BB and wasn't too impressed with it. However, I decided to side with the many professional reviewers who said this was the best flat-panel TV ever (source). I'm certainly glad I did. I've had this TV since Dec. 26, and I've watched a lot of DirecTV HD and played a lot of PS3 using these settings. It looks AMAZING! The blacks are incredible, and the contrast ratio and colors look great.

BTW, I was one of the lucky ones to get it at BB for $1899.99 during their "pricing mistake".

And to add to the 720p vs. 1080p debate, just look at this chart. If you sit 10 feet away from a 50" TV, then you won't be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p. However, you will be able to see the difference in contrast ratio, color saturation, and color accuracy. The Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) claims that those three are all more important than resolution anyways. If you plan to sit 6-8 feet from a 50", then I'd recommend getting 1080p. Between 8 and 10 feet is more of a gray area for 1080p which really depends on the eyesight of the viewer.