Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTVs - Blu-ray Forum

J_UNTITLED · 07-07-2008, 06:42 AM

Compared with the other leading brand in plasma, Pioneer Kuro, how well does the Panasonic VIERA line stack up in overall picture quality? Although the black levels provided by the latest Kuro probably outshine anything a VIERA can muster by a bit, does the Panasonic at least hold its own in any other category?

Basically, for one who can't quite afford a Pioneer but can splurge for a Panasonic VIERA, is it more or less one of (if not the) best a person can shoot for?

Aussie Blu · 07-07-2008, 07:07 AM

I have owned my 42" plasma panel for 4 months and i am absolutly in love with it, the blacks are inky and the colours are spectacular the only regret I have is mine is not big enough

Well worth my money spent, will never go back to LCD, as in comparison to the Pioneer range can't compare as there are no stockists where I live, but not bad thing to say about the Panasonic Panel, highly recommended.

uriel · 07-07-2008, 07:18 AM

Craziest thing. I am in Okinawa and I wanted to look at the new Kuro sets. I asked them if they do calibration, the guy looked at me like I was crazy and told me that they don't do that over here. they just set up the normal user settings and away you go. no pro calibration. insane I tell ya.

EidolonAlpha · 07-07-2008, 07:18 AM

I've had a Viera for a year and a half now. Awesome tv. My PQ and black levels in my opinion look exactly the same as my friends 07' model Pioneer Elite Plasma. Now his tv has more bells & whistles, which it should, it cost 1500 more then mine. But when it comes down to PQ, they're very close, I don't see a difference between his and mine... And both our tv's have been calibrated with a DVE blu-ray calibration disc...

allstar780 · 07-07-2008, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

Compared with the other leading brand in plasma, Pioneer Kuro, how well does the Panasonic VIERA line stack up in overall picture quality? Although the black levels provided by the latest Kuro probably outshine anything a VIERA can muster by a bit, does the Panasonic at least hold its own in any other category?

Basically, for one who can't quite afford a Pioneer but can splurge for a Panasonic VIERA, is it more or less one of (if not the) best a person can shoot for?

If you go with the 800 series (beautiful styling by the way) it will be the best TV you can get without reaching into Kuro price territory, and they are reviewed very highly as well!

$2,418.98 for the 50 inch model on amazon, compared to the Kuro 5020FD for around $3,100... and thats not even an elite kuro.

BluMood · 07-07-2008, 11:01 AM

After looking at them all and researching, the 50 inch Pana with the anti-glare coating was tough to beat. The extra-extra money for Kuro didn't translate into a better picture. The difference is just not there for the money. Serious sound must come from the outside anyway and Blu-ray just needs a good HDMI connection to fly. Put the money you would throw anyway on the Kuro into better sound.

dobyblue · 07-07-2008, 11:43 AM

When you look at the last HDTV shoot-out, the Pioneer won overall but it didn't get ALL the first place votes.

The Pioneer and the Panny were both substabtially ahead of all the other five sets in the shootout though.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/lcds/208hdface/

arush5268d · 07-07-2008, 11:45 AM

I love my Viera. Excellent picture, great blacks. I have the 800 series and it is incredible. I'd highly recommend!

Grubert · 07-07-2008, 11:53 AM

Yep, I was set on a 42PZ80 - only to have wifey dictate that even 40" is too much for her!

aramis109 · 07-07-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grubert

Yep, I was set on a 42PZ80 - only to have wifey dictate that even 40" is too much for her!

...ouch.

I have a 42" and wish I'd picked up a 46" but I think it's the perfect balance with the wife-factor. I know she loves watching movies on the new system even though she hates to admit it.

richteer · 07-07-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

Basically, for one who can't quite afford a Pioneer but can splurge for a Panasonic VIERA, is it more or less one of (if not the) best a person can shoot for?

Quite simply: yes. If the Kuros are out of one's financial reach, then the Pansonics are the next best thing (especially the 800 series).

Pioneer or Panasonic: you can't go wrong with either of those.

theprophecy247 · 07-07-2008, 04:05 PM

ive had a panny plasma and i love it, ur r ight u cant match the kuro, but then again the kuro also cost double my t v. Pannys make grreat tvs and there plasma kick ass

DezNutz · 07-07-2008, 04:41 PM

wow.. still awaiting pionsonic to get something larger than a 50" out.. want that 58".. or at least a price on it..

07-07-2008, 06:42 AM	#1
J_UNTITLED Power Member Member since:Jul 2006	Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTVs Compared with the other leading brand in plasma, Pioneer Kuro, how well does the Panasonic VIERA line stack up in overall picture quality? Although the black levels provided by the latest Kuro probably outshine anything a VIERA can muster by a bit, does the Panasonic at least hold its own in any other category? Basically, for one who can't quite afford a Pioneer but can splurge for a Panasonic VIERA, is it more or less one of (if not the) best a person can shoot for?

07-07-2008, 07:07 AM	#2
Aussie Blu Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Townsville, Australia 4K collection:103 Blu-ray collection:360 Blu-ray reviews: 13	Pana Panel I have owned my 42" plasma panel for 4 months and i am absolutly in love with it, the blacks are inky and the colours are spectacular the only regret I have is mine is not big enough Well worth my money spent, will never go back to LCD, as in comparison to the Pioneer range can't compare as there are no stockists where I live, but not bad thing to say about the Panasonic Panel, highly recommended.

07-07-2008, 07:18 AM	#4
EidolonAlpha Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Everett, Wa	Viera vs. Pioneer I've had a Viera for a year and a half now. Awesome tv. My PQ and black levels in my opinion look exactly the same as my friends 07' model Pioneer Elite Plasma. Now his tv has more bells & whistles, which it should, it cost 1500 more then mine. But when it comes down to PQ, they're very close, I don't see a difference between his and mine... And both our tv's have been calibrated with a DVE blu-ray calibration disc...

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07-07-2008, 07:18 AM	#3
uriel Member Member since:Dec 2007	Craziest thing. I am in Okinawa and I wanted to look at the new Kuro sets. I asked them if they do calibration, the guy looked at me like I was crazy and told me that they don't do that over here. they just set up the normal user settings and away you go. no pro calibration. insane I tell ya.

07-07-2008, 11:01 AM	#6
BluMood Member Member since:Apr 2008 Blu-ray reviews: 60	After looking at them all and researching, the 50 inch Pana with the anti-glare coating was tough to beat. The extra-extra money for Kuro didn't translate into a better picture. The difference is just not there for the money. Serious sound must come from the outside anyway and Blu-ray just needs a good HDMI connection to fly. Put the money you would throw anyway on the Kuro into better sound.

07-07-2008, 11:43 AM	#7
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	When you look at the last HDTV shoot-out, the Pioneer won overall but it didn't get ALL the first place votes. The Pioneer and the Panny were both substabtially ahead of all the other five sets in the shootout though. http://www.hometheatermag.com/lcds/208hdface/

07-07-2008, 11:45 AM	#8
arush5268d Banned Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Houston, TX Blu-ray collection:85	I love my Viera. Excellent picture, great blacks. I have the 800 series and it is incredible. I'd highly recommend!

07-07-2008, 11:53 AM	#9
Grubert Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2006 Blu-ray collection:573 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	Yep, I was set on a 42PZ80 - only to have wifey dictate that even 40" is too much for her!

07-07-2008, 04:05 PM	#12
theprophecy247 Special Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Shadow Moses Islands Blu-ray collection:42 Blu-ray reviews:5	ive had a panny plasma and i love it, ur r ight u cant match the kuro, but then again the kuro also cost double my t v. Pannys make grreat tvs and there plasma kick ass

07-07-2008, 04:41 PM	#13
DezNutz Expert Member Member since:Mar 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:24	wow.. still awaiting pionsonic to get something larger than a 50" out.. want that 58".. or at least a price on it..

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