Panasonic Plasma or Samsung Plasma, Opinions needed

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

Not too long ago I was seeing threads where people were trying to decide on a 2008 model? Pioneer like the 5020, vs a Panny v10, and people seemed to like the v10 better overall.

[SkillzthatKillz]

nah if you could still get a kuro i'd go for that, especially the elites

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Not too long ago I was seeing threads where people were trying to decide on a 2008 model? Pioneer like the 5020, vs a Panny v10, and people seemed to like the v10 better overall.

Nah, the 5020FD is better. All 9th gen Pioneers are better, but an 8th gen such as the 5010FD would be comparable to the V10. D-nice over on AVSforum gave the V10 a slight edge over the 5010Fd when he was questioned about the two. The V10 has slightly better blacks.

Keep in mind that at this level of performance the differences are not huge...noticeable...but not huge. 9th Pioneers have the best blacks in the business, but the V10 is respectively close. Those who choose the V10 will be just as happy. Its an excellent set.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

double post

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

Nah, the 5020FD is better. All 9th gen Pioneers are better, but an 8th gen such as the 5010FD would be comparable to the V10. D-nice over on AVSforum gave the V10 a slight edge over the 5010Fd when he was questioned about the two. The V10 has slightly better blacks.

Keep in mind that at this level of performance the differences are not huge...noticeable...but not huge. 9th Pioneers have the best blacks in the business, but the V10 is respectively close. Those who choose the V10 will be just as happy. Its an excellent set.

Yeah about the Elites, but Well the people I saw comparing the 5020 to the v10 were not saying the v10 had better blacks. They said the 5020 had better blacks, but not by that much, and some said the v10 was ahead in enough other ways, to put it ahead overall. I also beleive the v10 has a higher rating on CNET. Pioneer will always be more prestigious, even when Panny surpasses their last gen, which eventually it will ...

It doesn't make any difference to me though, I have a z800 which is definately behind the 5020, so yeah. I would trade it in for a 5020 anyday if I didn't have to pay nothin! I can't wait to see the 2010 Pannys!

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

It doesn't make any difference to me though, I have a z800 which is definately behind the 5020, so yeah. I would trade it in for a 5020 anyday if I didn't have to pay nothin! I can't wait to see the 2010 Pannys!

I seriously miss the sound of my 800u...I tried to watch the last 10min of a movie tonight without turning on the HT, and couldn't do it. The sound on all current Panny displays is HORRIBLE for anything with any dynamic range at all (standard programming is ok). Any low frequency makes the speakers sound like they're gonna blat themselves out of the set.

The sound in the 800u/850u Pannys of last year is fantastic, (4-speaker system, 2 of which are 'subwoofers'). They should NOT have changed that.

I'm seriously considering the BA TVee to completely eliminate the onboard sound.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

The sound in the 800u/850u Pannys of last year is fantastic, (4-speaker system, 2 of which are 'subwoofers'). They should NOT have changed that.

I use my HT setup for everything. I used my TV's speakers for like a week for SD cable, before I got the HD box, but I've never used them for movies ever. I probably have less than 10 hours of total use on my TV's speakers. All low volume.

Now you've got me wanting to test them out a little more. Maybe I'll watch a movie using my TV for the audio later.

Aferall, when I eventually upgrade this TV (probably in like 2012), this tv will then be in a room without a surround sound setup. So it's good to know it has such good sound.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

I use my HT setup for everything. I used my TV's speakers for like a week for SD cable, before I got the HD box, but I've never used them for movies ever. I probably have less than 10 hours of total use on my TV's speakers. All low volume.

Now you've got me wanting to test them out a little more. Maybe I'll watch a movie using my TV for the audio later.

Aferall, when I eventually upgrade this TV (probably in like 2012), this tv will then be in a room without a surround sound setup. So it's good to know it has such good sound.

Trust me...it's no HT, but it consistently made me look at my wife with wide eyes and say something like 'did you HEAR that? a flat panel tv isn't supposed to sound that good / isn't supposed to hit that low.'

I did have it wall-mounted, so I can't say whether that played any role...but the V10 is in the same spot and sounds like shit.

[Systemlord]

Originally Posted by xneox

Trust me...it's no HT, but it consistently made me look at my wife with wide eyes and say something like 'did you HEAR that? a flat panel tv isn't supposed to sound that good / isn't supposed to hit that low.'

I did have it wall-mounted, so I can't say whether that played any role...but the V10 is in the same spot and sounds like shit.

It wouldn't bother me at all if manufacturers quit putting speakers in their flat panel displays, as they can be made thinner without the need for speakers and they could cut costs. I think sound bars should be more mainstream, then people that don't care much for 5.1 sound can have high quality sound from their displays.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Yeah about the Elites, but Well the people I saw comparing the 5020 to the v10 were not saying the v10 had better blacks. They said the 5020 had better blacks, but not by that much, and some said the v10 was ahead in enough other ways, to put it ahead overall. I also beleive the v10 has a higher rating on CNET. Pioneer will always be more prestigious, even when Panny surpasses their last gen, which eventually it will ...

It doesn't make any difference to me though, I have a z800 which is definately behind the 5020, so yeah. I would trade it in for a 5020 anyday if I didn't have to pay nothin! I can't wait to see the 2010 Pannys!

I wouldn't necessarily go by what TV is ranked higher on Cnet. Cnet has a tendency to downgrade an older set when a newer set comes out which I find to be silly. It shouldn't all of a sudden not be as good this year since there's something new on the market especially when that new item is equal at best. I've viewed the V10 a number of times as well as the 5020FD and I'd personally take the 5020FD. The blacks are still noticeably better and I prefer the colors over the V10's.

Technically the V10 is probably a little more accurate in some areas, but the one thing that bothers me with all of this year's Panny's is the yellowish-green tinge. Its not as bad on the V10 as it is on the G10, but its still very noticeable. The 5020FD doesn't have perfect color accuracy, but the flaws are few and are not as readily apparent as they are with the V10. If there is anything that I like better with the V10 its the styling. They did a wonderful job on slimming down the set and making it look very attractive.

After the way things went in the 2009 HDTV Shootout I'm sure Panasonic will tighten up the color issues for next year. They came in fourth overall which was disappointing considering how much the black level has been improved not to mention how previous Panny's were more color accurate. The 800U and the 850U had much better accuracy and it surprised many including myself that they took a step back in this regard with this year's sets.

Overall the V10 is still one of the best sets on the market and I'd still take it over all LCD's currently available since I refuse to deal with off-axis viewing issues. If I couldn't get a Pioneer it certainly would be my choice since I wouldn't be happy with the Samsung B860's black levels even though I like the color accuracy of that set.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I wouldn't necessarily go by what TV is ranked higher on Cnet. Cnet has a tendency to downgrade an older set when a newer set comes out which I find to be silly. It shouldn't all of a sudden not be as good this year since there's something new on the market especially when that new item is equal at best. I've viewed the V10 a number of times as well as the 5020FD and I'd personally take the 5020FD. The blacks are still noticeably better and I prefer the colors over the V10's.

Technically the V10 is probably a little more accurate in some areas, but the one thing that bothers me with all of this year's Panny's is the yellowish-green tinge. Its not as bad on the V10 as it is on the G10, but its still very noticeable. The 5020FD doesn't have perfect color accuracy, but the flaws are few and are not as readily apparent as they are with the V10. If there is anything that I like better with the V10 its the styling. They did a wonderful job on slimming down the set and making it look very attractive.

After the way things went in the 2009 HDTV Shootout I'm sure Panasonic will tighten up the color issues for next year. They came in fourth overall which was disappointing considering how much the black level has been improved not to mention how previous Panny's were more color accurate. The 800U and the 850U had much better accuracy and it surprised many including myself that they took a step back in this regard with this year's sets.

Overall the V10 is still one of the best sets on the market and I'd still take it over all LCD's currently available since I refuse to deal with off-axis viewing issues. If I couldn't get a Pioneer it certainly would be my choice since I wouldn't be happy with the Samsung B860's black levels even though I like the color accuracy of that set.

Wow, nice post dude. Thanks.

Speaking of how the 09 panny's "back stepped" in certain areas, I've been reading complaints that the THX mode on the 09s is dimmer than last years (as well as less accurate in colour).

I know on my z800u the THX mode doesn't seem dim at all. (It's more of an issue on the 58s I think). I raised the contrast up a bit from it's defualt setting, and it's perfect, even when my room isn't completely dimmed. I use it for everything other than gaming. I don't know what the actual FTL numbers are, but I know I wouldn't want it any brighter than it is on my set. The THX mode on the 08s was generally well received ( witht the exception of some who felt it was too dim, but I don't know what's up with that, perhaps the dimmness differs from set to set?) But on the 09s people seem to prefer a custom setting for most things. Sad, because the THX mode was a great thing for people who don't have the cash for a pro calibration.