Plasma comparison

[1sikbITCH]

I would post this on AVS but those guys spew technological stuff back and forth that goes right over my head and you can't really talk about price. I don't see too many noobs posting noob questions over there.

I have narrowed my selection down to 2 budget choices. Presently I have a 42" Panny EDTV monitor (no tuner) that I run Directv through.

I am ready to move up to a 50" HDTV and order a HD receiver from Directv.

2 questions.

1. There's a huge thread on the AVS forum about everyone being happy with the Vizio 50" HDTV.

Since I don't need speakers or a tuner, is there any reason that I should not spend an extra $200 and buy this Pioneer HDTV monitor?

From what I have read about Pioneer no other plasma comes close; certainly not the Vizio.

2. Most of my viewing will be SD, some HD through the DTV, and the occasional DVD (not blueray or HiDef anytime soon. Do I need to worry about an expansion card with either of these models?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[SLCentral]

For $200 more, there is absolutely no question to go with the Pioneer. If the Pioneer is too expensive, take a look if you can find a Panasonic on sale, whether it be the current 75U series, or last years 60/600U series. Either one will be better then the Vizio that you're looking at. Don't get me wrong, the Vizio isn't a bad set, but it's really comparing a Hyundai to a Mercedes when you compare Vizio and Pioneer. ESPECIALLY on SD content.

Really, what sets a low-end TV from a high-end one is it's performance on non-SD content, because let's get realistic, every TV looks good on HD. Pioneer's are known to have some of the best processors on the market, and should make your SD content watchable, unlike the Vizio.

You'll want at least a couple HDMI ports in terms of expansion, as well as a couple component video inputs. Other then that, you're all set. You say you don't need speakers, which makes me believe you already have some kind of audio system. If you have a receiver with HDMI switching/upconversion built-in, all you need on the TV is just one HDMI connection, and all your components can go through the receiver, out to the TV through HDMI.

I'm actually looking over that Pioneer model, and didn't realize at first it was the professional model. Keep in mind it looks like that only has a VGA and DVI connection, so in order to really be able to hook it up to everything you have, you'll need a receiver that does what I was saying above, or at least an HDMI switcher. That way, you can run DVI to HDMI and be able to connect all your components. Connection-wise, the Vizio is better. Picture-wise, the Pioneer is loads better. I'd say to find a Panasonic right in the middle, which would be a good compromise.

 

[dwell]

1) Dont by a TV from Newegg.
2) Dont by a TV from Newegg.
3) Dont by a TV from Newegg.
4) Get the Pioneer.

 

[1sikbITCH]

My last plasma monitor came from Newegg, and it's been just great. However, I'm not happy with Newegg's lack of an RMA policy on tv's, and am glad I had no problems.

I will try to find somewhere else to get it at that price or look for another Panasonic.

Thanks to both of you.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH
My last plasma monitor came from Newegg, and it's been just great. However, I'm not happy with Newegg's lack of an RMA policy on tv's, and am glad I had no problems.

I will try to find somewhere else to get it at that price or look for another Panasonic.

Thanks to both of you.

Amazon is great. Best prices I could find and a 30-day return policy.

 

[SLCentral]

I really like Invision displays. They carry Panasonic and Pioneer, and have pretty good prices. They sponsor AVS Forum, and pretty much everyone on AVS buying a plasma buys it from these guys. Great service.

 

[kalrith]

I don't think the Pioneer comes with a stand, which would be an extra expense if you don't wall-mount it. Another option is this Panasonic 50". It's $1600 shipped from frys.com and $1700 locally at Sears (if you don't like Sears, you could pricematch somewhere else).

 

[1sikbITCH]

Yeah I'm seeing prices of $200 for the table stand for that Pioneer. I might have to sell one of the children.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH
Yeah I'm seeing prices of $200 for the table stand for that Pioneer. I might have to sell one of the children.

If you're going to sell one of the children, you might as well get the new Pioneer 50". In this review of the 42", the reviewer measured the blacks as being more than 100% lower than their previous black-level champion, and the set also set a new dynamic contrast ratio record! These numbers were reached with objective measuring tools and not simply the opinion of the reviewer.

I was all set to get the Panny 50PX75U or 77U until I read this review. I think I'm going to wait 2-3 more months to save up more money and let the Pio prices fall a bit more. Some more reviews should come out in that time to hopefully confirm the hdtvtest review.

 

[venkman]

Pioneer and Panasonic are the kings. Get Pioneer if you want the best quality and get Panny if you want great quality at an excellent price. For plasma, there really is no great reason to go with anyone else.