PDP 6020FD or Th-58PZ800u

[sweety123]

Hi Everyone,

I know this topic has been discussed earlier but i want to start this thread to help me decide based on the factors that i am considering.

I have made up my mind that it is going to be one of the 2 tvs for sure.

1. PDP 6020FD
2. Panasonic Th-58PZ800u

The main deciding factor for me after reading reviews from many posts is I want to buy the tv, break-in and CALIBRATE and sit back and enjoy.

I really do not care too much about extra features like picture-in-picture etc. I will be setting this up in my basement where there will not be much light and it is a pretty much dim lighting when i am watching my movies and tv.

Can any help me decide which tv would be good for the above factor? I dont want to spend extra $$ if the Panasonic will work near closeness to Pio after a calibration. That said if the Pio is a better choice (although I have heard that this model locks down a lot of tweaking) I would go for the Pio as well.

I would appreciate any help. This forum helped me pick my receiver, speakers, cables etc. Now all i need is the tv and i will be all set

Thanks!

[Hammie]

I'd go with the Panny 800u or even the 850u. Or better yet, wait until the 2009 Pannys come out which have apparently fixed the "feature" which causes flickering (to some users) when set to 48Hz by moving from a 480Hz processor to a 600Hz processor.

[Devildog151]

After spending six months swaying back and forth between the Panny 800u and Pio 5020 I finally pulled the trigger on the Kuro. What ultimately sealed the deal was going to a store that had a 5020 in a dim setting playing Transformers on Blu. I really wanted to get the Panny and spend the five hundred difference on Blu-rays but, in a dim setting the black bars on the Kuro just disappear. Also I don't know if it was the player but when I viewed POTC on Blu on the 800u there was some video noise at about five feet that was pretty annoying. The Pio even at two feet was way sharper. If you don't mind spending a little more then get the 6020 for the deeper black levels and better processing. Trust me you won't be disappointed.

[sokrman14]

I own a Panasonic, but I will be the first to tell you that you cant beat the pioneer if you are looking for the best picture. I couldnt afford the Pioneer, which is the only reason I didnt get one.

[lghaze42]

I have the Panny 50PZ800U ,Panny BD-30,and a Panny SA-BX500 receiver.I have'nt noticeed any flickering or "noise" in the pic.As for price I would still buy a Panasonic even if the Pioneer was the same amount.The Pioneer may have a slight edge in blacks,but when it comes to plasma technology Panasonic is #1.Where is the Kuro 150" plasma at???

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by lghaze42

I have the Panny 50PZ800U ,Panny BD-30,and a Panny SA-BX500 receiver.I have'nt noticeed any flickering or "noise" in the pic.As for price I would still buy a Panasonic even if the Pioneer was the same amount.The Pioneer may have a slight edge in blacks,but when it comes to plasma technology Panasonic is #1.Where is the Kuro 150" plasma at???

I hope you dont think that because pioneer isnt wasting their time and money on an overly large plasma that no one is going to buy you think that means panasonic is the best. That just means that pioneer is putting more money into better technology instead of wasting it on R&D on a 150 incher.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

I hope you dont think that because pioneer isnt wasting their time and money on an overly large plasma that no one is going to buy you think that means panasonic is the best. That just means that pioneer is putting more money into better technology instead of wasting it on R&D on a 150 incher.

Yep, gotta agree with you there. I love my Panys, but if I could have purchased Pioneers for the same $$, you bet your @$$ I would have!

[Hammie]

Not sure if I agree or my Magnolia just had a bad setup but the Panny 850 was next to a Kuro Elite and I thought the picture was next near identical to my eyes. If anything, I liked the colors a little better on the 850.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Sonny on here has both a 65" 850u and a 6020 and prefers the Panny.
I don't have any real world experience with both sets calibrated, in the same vicinity, and showing the same thing.
Nearly all reviews I have read from the pros give the nod to Pioneer.

[sheedoe]

No doubt that Panasonic is the "bang for the buck", but if you want a slight edge in black level, the 72 hz (1080/24P) mode, a slightly bigger screen than the 58" Panny, and can afford the extra cash, then by all means go for the Pioneer.

[lghaze42]

I have been buying Panasonic products for about 25 years.I don't believe in a "heinz 57" system and want all my electronics to match.So matter what the "experts" say I will get a Panny over any other plasma anytime.As for wasting money Panasonic has the money to invest in new technology.Just check out the lifewall .I know that most of you think that having the very darkest blacks is the most important thing about a set.I am more than happy with my picture quality on my Panny.

[brett_day]

normally i would say panasonic! i love my panny and highly recommend them, however if you have the $$$$ you should always go pioneer! they are the absolute best plasma tv's money can buy

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by brett_day

normally i would say panasonic! i love my panny and highly recommend them, however if you have the $$$$ you should always go pioneer! they are the absolute best plasma tv's money can buy

No offense Brett, but I see you have no preference when it comes to your components.I have all Panasonic/Technics electronics and have no plans to have a "heinz 57" system.To me the 58PZ800U has a great pic even if it has a cheaper price than Pioneer.I have a Panny Laserdisc player that was rated best product of the year in 1990.The Pioneer Elite player only beat it by one or two decibals but cost like almost three times as much.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by lghaze42

No offense Brett, but I see you have no preference when it comes to your components.I have all Panasonic/Technics electronics and have no plans to have a "heinz 57" system.To me the 58PZ800U has a great pic even if it has a cheaper price than Pioneer.I have a Panny Laserdisc player that was rated best product of the year in 1990.The Pioneer Elite player only beat it by one or two decibals but cost like almost three times as much.

no offense taken, and thats fine, i am glad you like your panny gear! i love my panny, but pioneer plasmas are still superior to pannys, even if it is just by a fine margin

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by lghaze42

No offense Brett, but I see you have no preference when it comes to your components.I have all Panasonic/Technics electronics and have no plans to have a "heinz 57" system.To me the 58PZ800U has a great pic even if it has a cheaper price than Pioneer.I have a Panny Laserdisc player that was rated best product of the year in 1990.The Pioneer Elite player only beat it by one or two decibals but cost like almost three times as much.

Man I wouldnt be ripping on people about a "heinz 57" system. Components dont need to match to get the best performance, in fact, not a lot of people like matching components because they can pick and choose what will work best for them and their system. And some people don't care if it costs three times as much just to get that one or two extra decibals

[Gremal]

Get the Pioneer!

[Devildog151]

So do you have a Panasonic HTIB from Wal-Mart for your audio to keep an all Panny set-up?

[joegs300]

im thinking about picking up the Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ80U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from amazon...

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by Devildog151

So do you have a Panasonic HTIB from Wal-Mart for your audio to keep an all Panny set-up?

+1...harsh

[joegs300]

Originally Posted by Devildog151

So do you have a Panasonic HTIB from Wal-Mart for your audio to keep an all Panny set-up?

yeah that was low

but sooooooo