Help...picking plasma...please! - Blu-ray Forum

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 05:21 PM

I am having a real hard time deciding between the new Panny TH-50PZ85U and the Pioneer PDP-5080HD. Please help me with any good bad experiences or any info. They are both about $2500, which is the top of my budget. I sit about 8-10ft away from the set and it will be facing a window with blinds on it. So a good anti-glare coating is a must. The obvious difference between the two is 720p vs 1080p and I am a bit scared of going from a 1080p DLP to a 720p plasma. Native 24p for blu-ray would also be a plus, but I don't know how noticable that really is. The set will be used about 60% for sattelite from Directv (mostly HD), 30% dvd/BD, and 10% PS3 gaming. Again, any help is greatly appreciated.

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 05:30 PM

I can also get the Pioneer PRO1150HD Elite from a local store for around $2500. Is this better than the PDP5080?

btf1980 · 03-19-2008, 05:41 PM

If the Elite and 5080 are the same price, then by all means get the Elite.

werewuf · 03-19-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

I can also get the Pioneer PRO1150HD Elite from a local store for around $2500. Is this better than the PDP5080?

The Elite most certainly is better, better picture and a 2 year as opposed to 1 year warranty. The current Pioneer Kuro TV's are the best reviewed flat panel's at this point in time and there is a new models coming in June that will be even better. I have read many reviews that say Pio's 720P TV's surpass all other manufacturers 1080P TV's in PQ. 24P is awesome by the way....

savage1984 · 03-19-2008, 05:43 PM

If you're between 7-10 ft away for a 50 inch TV, you'll want 1080p.
Panny's are amazing. Pio's are a little better.
I think you're best bet would be to save a little more and get the panny 800u. They're 24fps/1080p . They are gonna be phenomenal.

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savage1984

If you're between 7-10 ft away for a 50 inch TV, you'll want 1080p.
Panny's are amazing. Pio's are a little better.
I think you're best bet would be to save a little more and get the panny 800u. They're 24fps/1080p . They are gonna be phenomenal.

I was afraid someone would say that. I really can't break myself for much more than $2500. So that leaves me with a 720p Elite Kuro Pioneer or a 1080p 85 series Panny. I guess I need reassurance that I will not kick myself for "going down" to a 720p set. Obviously this is only an issue with BD's.

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 05:51 PM

Also, I watch A LOT of sports, which is why I have shyed away from LCD's. Will I notice a difference from 1080p to 720p with the broadcasts being maxed out @1080i?

RUR · 03-19-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

I was afraid someone would say that. I really can't break myself for much more than $2500. So that leaves me with a 720p Elite Kuro Pioneer or a 1080p 85 series Panny. I guess I need reassurance that I will not kick myself for "going down" to a 720p set. Obviously this is only an issue with BD's.

I believe Doby posted in the Panny thread that the 800 @$3,199 would likely drop 20% within ~four weeks of launch, which would put it right around $2,500. If so, a little patience may reward you.

Brian Cash · 03-19-2008, 06:10 PM

question you mention the 24 p how would you find out if the tv has that on the specs

john_1958 · 03-19-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savage1984

If you're between 7-10 ft away for a 50 inch TV, you'll want 1080p.
Panny's are amazing. Pio's are a little better.
I think you're best bet would be to save a little more and get the panny 800u. They're 24fps/1080p . They are gonna be phenomenal.

Pioneer 1080p 60" Plasma Widescreen HDTV** (PDP-6010FD) is a great buy if you have the money or samsung but panasonic gives me the creeps

720p won't give the true look of blu-ray

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werewuf

The Elite most certainly is better, better picture and a 2 year as opposed to 1 year warranty. The current Pioneer Kuro TV's are the best reviewed flat panel's at this point in time and there is a new models coming in June that will be even better. I have read many reviews that say Pio's 720P TV's surpass all other manufacturers 1080P TV's in PQ. 24P is awesome by the way....

It is possible that I will be dissapointed in the Elite PRO1150 when watching BD's as it is only 720p? Or, am I far enough away from my set that it doesn't matter?

ManUtd · 03-19-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

It is possible that I will be dissapointed in the Elite PRO1150 when watching BD's as it is only 720p? Or, am I far enough away from my set that it doesn't matter?

At 10' I think you'll be fine. I like to use this chart for reference.

btf1980 · 03-19-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

It is possible that I will be dissapointed in the Elite PRO1150 when watching BD's as it is only 720p? Or, am I far enough away from my set that it doesn't matter?

You will not be disappointed. The Elite accepts a 1080p/24 signal and scales it to the tv's native resolution. The only other tv better than the Elite 1150FD are the 1080p native Elites, the 110FD and 150FD.

werewuf · 03-19-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btf1980

You will not be disappointed. The Elite accepts a 1080p/24 signal and scales it to the tv's native resolution. The only other tv better than the Elite 1150FD are the 1080p native Elites, the 110FD and 150FD.

Exactly!!!

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

At 10' I think you'll be fine. I like to use this chart for reference.

You are obviuosly an Elite fan based on your sig, so I value your experienced opinion. Is it safe to "assume" that the benefits of an Pio Elite 720p will outweigh the coming 800series Panny @1080p, as long as I am not sitting 6' or closer to my set?

Go Blue · 03-19-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werewuf

Exactly!!!

Thanks, the support for the 720p Elite is definatley pushing my toward pulling the trigger before the sale ends.

As I posted above, I watch A LOT of sports, which is why I have shyed away from LCD's. Will I notice a difference going from my current 1080p DLP to a 720p plasma with the broadcasts being maxed out @1080i?

ManUtd · 03-19-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

You are obviuosly an Elite fan based on your sig, so I value your experienced opinion. Is it safe to "assume" that the benefits of an Pio Elite 720p will outweigh the coming 800series Panny @1080p, as long as I am not sitting 6' or closer to my set?

Without knowing the actual street price and performance of the Panny, I won't make that assumption. That said, if I were you and had to buy a tv now I would get the Elite, close to 30% off is an excellent price especially from an authorized dealer. On the other hand, if you can wait till the Panny comes out then even better. You can compare yourself and there will be no regrets.

chasarms · 03-19-2008, 08:49 PM

If you are down to the Panasonic and Pioneer, you are going to end up with a really nice television.

obiwopkenobi62 · 03-19-2008, 08:51 PM

If you want to save yourself a thousand bucks, I suggest buying the Mitsubishi 65" DLP HDTV at Amazon.com for 1,499.00 and the stand is 399.00. Definitely the best bang for your buck.

Here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-WD-...5959991&sr=1-5

Well it was 1499 now its 1700 and change. Still a great deal. Check out the specs. I have the 73" version. Best TV I've ever bought.

btf1980 · 03-19-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obiwopkenobi62

If you want to save yourself a thousand bucks, I suggest buying the Mitsubishi 65" DLP HDTV at Amazon.com for 1,499.00 and the stand is 399.00. Definitely the best bang for your buck.

Here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-WD-...5959991&sr=1-5

Well it was 1499 now its 1700 and change. Still a great deal. Check out the specs. I have the 73" version. Best TV I've ever bought.

Considering he has an LED DLP right now based on his sig, I doubt DLP is what he wants right now.

03-19-2008, 05:21 PM	#1
Go Blue Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Home Theater Gallery:23 Blu-ray collection:160 Trading Score:7	Help...picking plasma...please! I am having a real hard time deciding between the new Panny TH-50PZ85U and the Pioneer PDP-5080HD. Please help me with any good bad experiences or any info. They are both about $2500, which is the top of my budget. I sit about 8-10ft away from the set and it will be facing a window with blinds on it. So a good anti-glare coating is a must. The obvious difference between the two is 720p vs 1080p and I am a bit scared of going from a 1080p DLP to a 720p plasma. Native 24p for blu-ray would also be a plus, but I don't know how noticable that really is. The set will be used about 60% for sattelite from Directv (mostly HD), 30% dvd/BD, and 10% PS3 gaming. Again, any help is greatly appreciated.

03-19-2008, 08:51 PM	#19
obiwopkenobi62 Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Deatsville, Al Home Theater Gallery:531 Blu-ray collection:1143 DVD collection:62 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:6	If you want to save yourself a thousand bucks, I suggest buying the Mitsubishi 65" DLP HDTV at Amazon.com for 1,499.00 and the stand is 399.00. Definitely the best bang for your buck. Here is the link. http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-WD-...5959991&sr=1-5 Well it was 1499 now its 1700 and change. Still a great deal. Check out the specs. I have the 73" version. Best TV I've ever bought. Last edited by obiwopkenobi62; 03-19-2008 at 08:55 PM. Reason: update

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03-19-2008, 05:30 PM	#2
Go Blue Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Home Theater Gallery:23 Blu-ray collection:160 Trading Score:7	I can also get the Pioneer PRO1150HD Elite from a local store for around $2500. Is this better than the PDP5080?

03-19-2008, 05:41 PM	#3
btf1980 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2007 Location:NYC Home Theater Gallery:97 Trading Score:14	If the Elite and 5080 are the same price, then by all means get the Elite.

03-19-2008, 05:43 PM	#5
savage1984 Banned Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Los Angeles	If you're between 7-10 ft away for a 50 inch TV, you'll want 1080p. Panny's are amazing. Pio's are a little better. I think you're best bet would be to save a little more and get the panny 800u. They're 24fps/1080p . They are gonna be phenomenal.

03-19-2008, 05:51 PM	#7
Go Blue Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Home Theater Gallery:23 Blu-ray collection:160 Trading Score:7	Also, I watch A LOT of sports, which is why I have shyed away from LCD's. Will I notice a difference from 1080p to 720p with the broadcasts being maxed out @1080i?

03-19-2008, 06:10 PM	#9
Brian Cash Special Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Chicago Blu-ray collection:13 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:3	question you mention the 24 p how would you find out if the tv has that on the specs

03-19-2008, 08:49 PM	#18
chasarms Active Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:St. Louis Blu-ray reviews: 1	If you are down to the Panasonic and Pioneer, you are going to end up with a really nice television.

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