Pioneer Plasmas Over Rated? Anyone Else Agree?

[DrinkMore]

I have to say, I was initially caught up in the hype of these panels. However, the price compared to what you get and the other available offerings (Panasonic), the justification is just not there. Also, did you all know that Panasonic is (or will be making) Pioneers panels?

Can anyone here really TRULY see any difference between the two? I don't think you can. Watching my Panasonic at home and seeing the Pioneer's in the store, the black levels are identical. Picture is identical.

I am not saying I am the all knowing in video, but my attention to detail is great. I can tell differences others would never see. I just don't see it. I am not knocking on Pioneer, I just don't think their panels justify a $3-6K+ expense.

[supersix4]

I think you get a tad more w/ the elites then the panis but if the elite is 1 then panis top of the line is 1a .... I really like both so

a good test while lots of people hate the movie is AVP2 the blacks in that are just jaw dropping

[Woody]

I have done direct A/B comparisons with Pana and Pio plasmas. The Pios are marginally better. It is up to the customer whether the difference is worth the cash.

Yes Pana is making Pio panels, but that is where it stops.

The Pana gives an excellent pic, and no one is going to have both right next to each other in their home.

Panasonic has done an excellent job narrowing the gap.

[coolmilo]

I purchased the Pio Kuro Elite because of the deeper blacks, 72 hertz, and the ISF calibration panel. I got a great deal on my Pio so cost was not much of a factor.

I realized how great the Pio is when I comparing TFE on the Pio and Sony XBR4. The level of detail and color accuracy you see when watching TFE on the Pio is simply amazing. Also, it's really cool when watching movies and the blacks just disappear in the bezel.

I believe all magazines claim that Kuro Elites are the best panels on the planet. I doubt you will find too many people agreeing that Pio plasma's are overrated.

[DrinkMore]

If they were cheaper and half the price they are and were more in line with every other set, would everyone still think they were the "best" ? Or is it a name thing?

I think it's more of a placebo than anything.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

If they were cheaper and half the price they are and were more in line with every other set, would everyone still think they were the "best" ? Or is it a name thing?

I think it's more of a placebo than anything.

TV performance is measurable. The Pios not only measure the bast, they give the best pic.

It is what it is, I don't own a Pio or Pana plasma. We also don't typically sell either model. /shrug

How in the world do you think they could sell them for more than any other set if they werent better? Why would anyone buy them?

[werewuf]

I have yet to see any panel that has as good of a picture as the Pioneer. Stand 2-3 feet away and watch how their picture processes the pixels. No other brand comes close, LCD or Plasma. Home Theater magazine's current issue has an article giving enormous praise on the new Sony XBR, I went and saw it playing a blu-ray. The colors were vibrant and attractive, it was a tight clean picture, but Pioneer's processing blows it away. There are a lot of other reasons Pio is superior, but for me Pioneer has the tightest, cleanest, sharpest picture because of it's superior processing.

[SonyXBRtv]

Best LCD:

Sony XBR

Best Plasma:

Pioneer

Best overall TV:

Sony XBR > Pioneer

[werewuf]

Sony XBR > Pioneer[/QUOTE]

Sony over Pioneer? There isn't a review out there that goes there, not a chance at this point in history.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by werewuf

Sony XBR > Pioneer

Sony over Pioneer? There isn't a review out there that goes there, not a chance at this point in history.

Judging by his screen name, I imagine there won't be much objectivity there.

[SonyXBRtv]

lol I can only laugh . Well you can buy a "top of the line plasma" you'll just suffer the same fate as those people who bought a top of the line HD DVD player.

[mdabb]

Pioneer does not use Panasonic glass yet, soon... Many companies out-source panels and have there own proprietary electronics. I'm still gonna get my Elite Kuro before the transition however.



I have to say I would take the Pioneer Elite Kuro any day of the week. I have seen the panny but I still prefer the Kuro. I wish I could get a chance to see what the flickering issue is about on the Panny in person. Panny does have a great pic as well.

The Elite kuro is a love affair though!!!

Price difference aside, I would bet if you gave any person the chance to have the Elite Kuro over the Panny, not a single person would turn that down. That is a safe bet.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by SonyXBRtv

lol I can only laugh . Well you can buy a "top of the line plasma" you'll just suffer the same fate as those people who bought a top of the line HD DVD player.

Bad analogy.

1. Plasma gives a better pic than LCD. HD DVD didnt offer a better pic than BR.
2. Manufacturers are required by law to support (ie: offer parts) their products for (at least) 7 years after it is discontinued. (which means a new plasma will be supported as long as your new LCD )
3. HD DVD players play HD DVDs and DVDs only. You can watch your plasma and enjoy the PQ on all of your sources.
4. There are no more HD DVDs being produced, how exactly do you equate that to a plasma?
5. Should I go on?

Of course plasma will go the way of the dodo, more than likely well before LCD. That hardly means LCD gives a better picture. Hell CRT is better than both, and look where that ended up.

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

I have to say, I was initially caught up in the hype of these panels. However, the price compared to what you get and the other available offerings (Panasonic), the justification is just not there. Also, did you all know that Panasonic is (or will be making) Pioneers panels?

Can anyone here really TRULY see any difference between the two? I don't think you can. Watching my Panasonic at home and seeing the Pioneer's in the store, the black levels are identical. Picture is identical.

I am not saying I am the all knowing in video, but my attention to detail is great. I can tell differences others would never see. I just don't see it. I am not knocking on Pioneer, I just don't think their panels justify a $3-6K+ expense.

The Pioneers have a little deeper blacks but many reviewers say that the Panasonics have more accurate color....especially the THX models.I prefer the Panasonic because it has been my brand for over 20 years.

[naturephoto1]

I am extremely pleased with my 50" Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD. Yes, it is more expensive, but it has more on-board adjustment/calibration possibilities and once it is adjusted it is super. Even out of the box, it was better set-up than just about any other HD TV.

Rich

[scabz138]

i have a panny , and when i was shoping i really looked at both the panny and pio. I didnt care about price very much, but i couldnt see the pio 60" pro being worth 2,000 more then my 58" panny. dont get me wrong the pio is a great tv but it was only a little better picture with just a tad darker blacks. thats not worth the 2,000.00 thought

[ixlegitballinxl]

i think panasonic viera's are overrated :X

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Pioneer does not use Panasonic glass yet, soon... Many companies out-source panels and have there own proprietary electronics. I'm still gonna get my Elite Kuro before the transition however.



I have to say I would take the Pioneer Elite Kuro any day of the week. I have seen the panny but I still prefer the Kuro. I wish I could get a chance to see what the flickering issue is about on the Panny in person. Panny does have a great pic as well.

The Elite kuro is a love affair though!!!

Price difference aside, I would bet if you gave any person the chance to have the Elite Kuro over the Panny, not a single person would turn that down. That is a safe bet.

Give me the Panny THX plasma anytime.

[bliebs77]

As mentioned before, the current generataion of Pioneer Kuro Plasma's will be the last set of models that use Pioneer Glass.

The next set of models will be most likely still be badged as "Kuro", but what people refer to as "the glass" or the PDP (plasma display panel) will be sourced from Panasonic.

Panasonic has the most market share in the plasma business (greater than 2/3) and they make a fine product. However, the general industry concensus from folks like Widescreen Review, CNET, Joel Silver, etc.. is that the Kuro product is the elite product in the marketplace.

The Elite Kuro provides custom installers with a vast toolbox to perform ISF Calibrations; namely custom controls not intended for the general public. This is sort of like if you had the ability to perform gear ratio, camber and drag adjustments to your car. If you're just going to the store for some milk, you probably don't care. But if you just bought a new Corvette ZR1 and you want to take it to the track, you may want those adjustments. With the Signature series Kuro's, you can even make those adjustments via the TV's internal web server.

One last thing (which may sound silly) is how the TV looks when it is off. The Panasonic is clearly geared for the general consumer market, as it appears to contain more flimsy plastics and is a bit clunkier (especially in contrast to the Kuro Signature Series).

The Pioneer's look fantastic hanging on your wall, and if you live in a higher end house, it may match your decor better. Heck, people pay $5,000 for a chair to sit in, if it matches their paint scheme. If the TV costs $2,000 more, chalk up $1,000 to picture quality and $1,000 to living room acceptance factor, if it makes you feel better!

[btf1980]

Absolutely not. The Pioneer Kuros are the finest displays on the market bar none.

That being said, Panasonic also makes a great plasma display.