Pioneer PDP-5010FD vs 5020

[nugent]

I can get the 5010 at Sam's new in the box for $1,349. I am looking to get this for my parents. I know the 5020 has better black levels but is it worth the extra $$ over the 5010?

[wafi]

Originally Posted by nugent

I can get the 5010 at Sam's new in the box for $1,349. I am looking to get this for my parents. I know the 5020 has better black levels but is it worth the extra $$ over the 5010?

Depends on how much of a videophile[s] your parents are...personally I would go with the 5020.

[Sonny]

I went to 3 different Sams & found no sign of a 5010 anywhere... I have a 5020 & when I had all my displays 111FD,151FD & 5020(Grey Scale only of course) calibrated the 5020 was the most impressive (numbers wise, which translates to PQ) with a black level of 0.000fL out of 15 tests taken & an ANSI contrast ratio of, I believe 16,800.1 ! Sure the 5010 has more tweak-ability, but its up to you. Anyone with a 5020 knows there little secret. Even my calibrator was impressed he sees many more Elites in his line of work & has also done many 5010's.

[scweb13]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Anyone with a 5020 knows there little secret. Even my calibrator was impressed he sees many more Elites in his line of work & has also done many 5010's.

What is the little secret? PM me if you need to. I'm still on the fence with the 5020 or the 500m.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by nugent

I can get the 5010 at Sam's new in the box for $1,349. I am looking to get this for my parents. I know the 5020 has better black levels but is it worth the extra $$ over the 5010?

The Pioneer PDP-5020FD 2008 model has a better picture quality and 5X deeper blacks compared to the Pioneer PDP-5010FD 2007 model. If the model at Sam's is not factory refurbished and really is brand new that is an excellent deal. Even though the PDP-5010FD does not have as good of picture as the PDP-5020FD, the PDP-5010FD has more features. Pioneer removed features from the PDP-5020FD in order to make it cheaper in cost to manufactory. The advantage of the PDP-5010FD is that it has 2 component inputs instead of just one, also it has a built in A/B RF switch to switch between cable TV and an outdoor/indoor TV antenna, it also has a built in cablecard slot that allows consumers to subscribe to premium movie channels without the use of a Digital Cable box (of course Video on demand and TV guide are not supported since only a one way QAM tuner is used). The PDP-5020FD does not have those features that are highlighted above. Of course for some the above features are not important and picture quality is more important. The PRO-5020FD use to sell for $1,999.99 at Best Buy before they were sold out at most stores. Sam's use to have the Pioneer PDP-5010FD for around $2,200 or $2,400. They must be clearing them out at the $1,349 price you quoted. Back in 2007 the Pioneer PDP-5010FD sold for $5,000 list price when it first came out. The PDP-5020FD had a $4,000 list price when it first was released in 2008, the features removed from the 2008 PDP-5020FD model helped cut the cost of the display.

Here is a review of the PDP-5010FD from Sound and Vision magazine
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hdtvs/2486/pioneer-kuro-pdp-5010fd-50-inch-plasma-hdtv.html

[Sonny]

Many stand-alone BD players these days have picture adjustments such as Gamma & other tweaks that can make up for the lack of tons of settings on the 5020 compared to other sets,(not that it needs it for pristine PQ). This of course depends on your player, but try a self calibrate disc with the TV settings along with the ones in the player & you might be surprised at what you can do . This goes for all TV's & tweak-able BD players. To bad the PS3 just does not have many PQ settings.... That would make for a nice update!

[nugent]

Thanks for the responses. It appears the best price I can find on the 5020 is around $2,300. Yes Sam's is obviously clearing out the 5010's. The location I have had my eye on still has 4 brand new in the box. They have been steadily dropping the price.

My parents are in their 70's and not fussy. I got them a 50" Sony SXRD a little over 2 years ago. They have been very pleased with that set. I just figured I could sell that set and get this one for them for a minimal outlay.

I have the 60" SXRD myself and would love to get the 6020 but it is still over $4k everywhere. I just can't make myself pull the trigger at that price.

[scweb13]

Originally Posted by nugent

Thanks for the responses. It appears the best price I can find on the 5020 is around $2,300. Yes Sam's is obviously clearing out the 5010's. The location I have had my eye on still has 4 brand new in the box. They have been steadily dropping the price.

My parents are in their 70's and not fussy. I got them a 50" Sony SXRD a little over 2 years ago. They have been very pleased with that set. I just figured I could sell that set and get this one for them for a minimal outlay.

I have the 60" SXRD myself and would love to get the 6020 but it is still over $4k everywhere. I just can't make myself pull the trigger at that price.

Is that the in-store price? Best Buy still has the 5020 listed on their website for $1999 w/ free delivery.

[nugent]

The $2,300 is delivered from Vann's. The Sam's price with tax would be $1,443

If Best Buy still has the 5020 it would be $2,140 delivered.

Going that route the difference would be about $697 more for the 5020.

Just not sure it would be worth almost 50% more for the 5020.

Originally Posted by scweb13

Is that the in-store price? Best Buy still has the 5020 listed on their website for $1999 w/ free delivery.