Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD

[dzirkelb]

I have read a lot about this on these forums, and everyone seems to like it.

Now, my question is I can only seem to find it in a 50" screen, which is making it a little out of my price range. I'd like to spend around 1250 to 1500, and would like it to be a 46 if possible. Is tehre an equivilant to this at that price range / around the same size?

how does it compare to the Sony KDL-46Z4100/B?

[Pondosinatra]

More importantly, where can I get their Elite line? No one in Canada (Best Buy, Futureshop, Visions etc.) carries them, only the non-Elite models.

[RogerR]

They didn't offer this any smaller than 50" in 2008. They may have a smaller model coming in 2009, but don't plasmas normally drop from 50" down to 42", skipping 46" altogether? Correct me if I'm wrong on that.
As for the Elite model, I suspect you'll have trouble finding that in a B&M store. You may have to order it. As I just wrote in another post, however, the non-Elite model is excellent and doesn't really suffer from lacking some of the picture controls that the Elite has.

[bda4life]

Originally Posted by dzirkelb

I have read a lot about this on these forums, and everyone seems to like it.

Now, my question is I can only seem to find it in a 50" screen, which is making it a little out of my price range. I'd like to spend around 1250 to 1500, and would like it to be a 46 if possible. Is tehre an equivilant to this at that price range / around the same size?

how does it compare to the Sony KDL-46Z4100/B?

First off, the Sony you are referencing is an LCD. Tough to compare LCD to plasma. Read up on this site about both technologies and draw your own conclusion. Maybe the best way to answer your question is to ask what the LCD/plasma is going to be used for? Gaming, Blu-Ray, viewing TV in SD or HD, computer monitor, etc.

I can tell you that I have both a plasma (Pioneer Kuro) and an LCD (Sharp). I like both tv's very much, but the Kuro is a better picture in my opinion.

As far as screen size, I don't think any manufacturer makes a 46" plasma. You could go for the Panasonic 80U or 85U models. You can get those in 42" sizes. They are cheaper than Pioneer plasmas. Many of the people on this site have Panasonic plasmas and swear by them. So please understand that when I say cheaper it means only dollars and not quality.

[dzirkelb]

ya, i sorta forgot that plasma's don't make 46.

I do understand that the lcd is diff from plasma, the pros and cons to both, but I am just primarily movies I'd be watching / regular tv. I just really go for picture quality and was wondering how the two compare. I will probably go with the sony as it is a 46, and 52 is just too big for my area.

[crackinhedz]

um...panasonic makes a 46" plasma.

[TheShinigami]

yeah costco has that 46" panasonic plasma for $949 its 1080p

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by RogerR

As for the Elite model, I suspect you'll have trouble finding that in a B&M store. You may have to order it. As I just wrote in another post, however, the non-Elite model is excellent and doesn't really suffer from lacking some of the picture controls that the Elite has.

But I recently read in one of the top magazines (Sound & Vision?) that the color accuracy of the non-Elite model is pretty bad. And because it lacks the controls the Elite model has you can't really fix it.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

But I recently read in one of the top magazines (Sound & Vision?) that the color accuracy of the non-Elite model is pretty bad. And because it lacks the controls the Elite model has you can't really fix it.

...so very untrue.

As for the controls, they have dialed it down a bit for the average consumer, but the service menu settings are still accessible to Professionals which can get grayscale and color accuracy pretty freakin close.

[crackinhedz]

You can check the numbers out on this post calibrated Pioneer PDP-5020.

[RogerR]

All I can tell you about the color accuracy is what I see with my own eyes, and everything looks great to me. If you are in Movie mode when playing disks, that is. In other modes, the color definitely would look off. The only other mode I use is Standard mode, which I have tweaked a bit. I use that for HD locals received through cable, and they look great. Color looks accurate, good skin tones, etc.

[DJaxx]

Originally Posted by RogerR

All I can tell you about the color accuracy is what I see with my own eyes, and everything looks great to me. If you are in Movie mode when playing disks, that is. In other modes, the color definitely would look off. The only other mode I use is Standard mode, which I have tweaked a bit. I use that for HD locals received through cable, and they look great. Color looks accurate, good skin tones, etc.

+1

I have the 5020 and it is a wonderful box......movie mode is very close to "pure" greyscale and it does look great. If you are looking for more "pop" when watching sporting events as an example the optimum mode is quite good.