Sony, Samsung or a Pioneer Plasma?

Rick1-10

I'm looking for a size around 46" maybe 50". I was really set on the Pioneer (PDP-5080HD) but after seeing the new LCD 120Hz sets, I was not so sure. Basically I was comparing the Pioneer to the Samsung (LN-T5271). The Sammy was really good and didn't have the common blocking effect I see on all the other LCDs.. It also had great black levels. When comparing the two side by side, the Pioneer looks washed out.. The set was darker and just didn't look as clear..I have not seen the SONY (KDL-46xBR4) but I hear it's also a good set.. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I wait till more 120Hz sets come out? What about Panasonic? Has anyone compared the Sony to the Samsung? BB had a Panasonic 32 inch 120Hz but that was to small.. Thanks!

z28rod

Pioneer (PDP-5080HD)

Alsone

It all depends on how they're set up in the shop.

I've seen the Panasonic PX70 looking rubbish (viewed at Panasonic main dealer!!) but yesterday I went down to Curry's (UK Chain Store) and the PX70 was the best looking tv there and the Pioneer 427 (probably the best plasma prior to 428 / 508 series) looked the worst tv in the shop!!!

You're unlikely to go far wrong with the 508 Pioneer as all the professional reviewers are currently raving about the set with most saying its the best plasma picture ever.

Note: LCD's often look better in the shop at 1st glance because their brightness is much higher and usually maxxed for display. However, a careful look usually shows the subtler colours and detail such as faces are overblown and when properly adjusted at home you're unlikely to see a much different picture to the plasma with the plasma producing more natural colours and tones. LCD's look great with cartoons but plasma's definately look better with movies in my opinion.

Panasonics are good tv's and up there with Pioneer as probably the best 2 plasma manufacturers. Its personal but personally I prefer Pioneer over Panasonic for picture, although Pioneer tend to be expensive and are lagging behind Panasonic with native 1080P sets although there are some native 1080P's coming out in the 50" size range (new models out soon over the next month or so).
My

johnkentucky

Why not Panasonic plasma?

We picked up a 42" 1080p Panasonic plasma last Friday. Model is TH-42PZ700U. Great picture on it even in SD. I highly recommend this TV.

__________________
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Panasonic TH-42PZ700U
AppleTV
sound system to come

DEVO

Rick1-10...you're looking at the top panels on the market! You really couldn't go wrong w/ anyone of those choices. LCD's favor better in real bright rooms, and plasmas are a little smoother w/ better black level and may prefer a room w/ a controlled lighting environment. Resolution is only a factor if you watch a lot of high rez movies...Blu-Ray or HD-DVD...

Good Luck!

Rick1-10

I currently have a 4 year old Mitsubishi 55" CRT rear projection HDTV... Do you think the plasma would be brighter then my current set?

Rich_Guy

Yes, the plasma will be much brighter with more vivid colors than your rear projection CRT. The best choice is either Panasonic or Pioneer plasmas for outstanding picture quality.

z28rod

It will blow your mind. Panny or Pioneer.

DEVO

The main benefit is the viewing angles. Your 55" rear projection had such a sweet spot that once you stand up it got dark. This won't happen w/ plasmas (direct view) technologies. And no more BIG box to deal with!

Rick1-10

Yea, the sweet spot is like 2.5' by 5' if you sit 10' away. And yes the Big box needs to go. It was too big when I got it and now that the newer sets are out there, it's just time for an upgrade.. I went in BB again to look at the 5080hd and it's got such a good picture.. But I keep going back and forth between the Sammy 71 and the pio 5080hd... I feel like just buying both units and bringing them home.. Does anyone do that?

Rick1-10

O and yea.. One would need to be returned..

JoeShark

At current prices, I'd buy my Panasonic 50PX75U over and over again.

js

Alsone

I don't know if this helps, but this is just one of the growing number of professional reviews around the net. (this is the 508hd - In England the 5080 is a feature cut down version of the 508. In the States I think there might just be one model the 5080 which is the equivolent of the UK's 508 - you'd need to check although both the 508 and 5080 in Europe use the same panel to my knowledge. So far as I'm aware its only the software features that are different ie PIP etc).

Review:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Pioneer-PDP508XD/

DEVO

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Slash621

I bought the 42PX75U on friday for 900 + tax.. I took the rest of the money and put it in my pocket to remind me that having 1080P isnt everything