HELP...Pioneer Kuro or Panasonic - Blu-ray Forum

Sling · 08-18-2008, 08:23 PM

Upgrade time

Kuro or Panny...I'm confused with wallet full of cash

My choices,
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U ($3000 - $4000)
Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD ($4000 - $5000)

Checking out cnet reviews Panny has better color/THX with great blacks.
Kuro has the better blacks yet color accuracy isn't as good as Panasonic.

Quote cnet
Performance
Thanks primarily to the accuracy of its THX picture mode, the TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing plasmas we've ever tested. It can't quite match the depth of black evinced by Pioneer's Kuro plasmas, such as the PDP-5080HD, but it most other areas, including color accuracy and uniformity, it's superior.
End Quote

Any input would be appreciated

arush5268d · 08-18-2008, 08:28 PM

If the cost isn't an issue...i'd totally go for the Pioneer.

MaleManGuy · 08-18-2008, 08:29 PM

Yes.

Boolean logic states that if one or more of those is true the statement is true. SO the answer is Yes... lol.

Ok, seriously... you can't go wrong with either so save yourself the $1000.
The Kuro has better blacks... so, if you are "only" gonna watch 2001 Space Odyssey then you better get the Kuro. I have the panasonic 750 which I think is awesome in itself.

Maybe use the $ you save to upgrade something else to give you more of a theatre immersion experience.

Jeff

kpkelley · 08-18-2008, 08:30 PM

ater a calibration the color accuracy on the Kuro should match that or be comporable to the pioneer.

If the price difference is not an issue go for the Kuro.

Grimshaw23 · 08-18-2008, 08:36 PM

I'm in a similar dilemma. I can't decide on whether to buy a TH-50PZ800U or a TH-50PZ85U because I'm not sure if the THX model is worth the $400-$500 differences.

Although, if I had to choose between the Kuro or Panasonic 800U, I would definitely choose the Panasonic mainly because of the huge differences in price and the 800U supposedly has better color accuracy and similar in Black level.

Thatcher · 08-18-2008, 08:43 PM

Check out Costco's some of them carry Kuros and lots of pannys. My Costco has the 50'' Kuro for 2599.99 with a 2 year warranty.

richteer · 08-18-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arush5268d

If the cost isn't an issue...i'd totally go for the Pioneer.

+1.

Not that the review the OP quoted from was comparing a non-Elite Pioneer to the Panasonic. To the OP: if colour matching is a concern, get your new Pioneer TV professionally calibrated.

Sling · 08-18-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatcher

Check out Costco's some of them carry Kuros and lots of pannys. My Costco has the 50'' Kuro for 2599.99 with a 2 year warranty.

Bestbuy in my area carrys both yet both are not calibrated hmm I take that back , Panasonics THX setting is active with top notch picture.....I wish that that Kuro was calibrated

Money isn't a issue.. all I want is best picture.

arush5268d · 08-18-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sling

Bestbuy in my area carrys both yet both are not calibrated hmm I take that back , Panasonics THX setting is active with top notch picture.....I wish that that Kuro was calibrated

You have to calibrate it once you get it set up and broken in.

teemacone · 08-18-2008, 08:54 PM

Neither, go check out the new LG 50 or 60PG60 models. Super clean picture with nice blacks and a high contrast ratio. Highly configurable picture settings or you can go with the THX for movies. Does 1080p/24 beautifully and has 4 HDMI inputs. Save yourself a grand from the Panny or two from the Pioneer. I did notice the Pioneer had slightly deeper blacks than the LG, but nowhere near the extra money. The LG is rated at 100,000 hour panel life, I believe the same as the new Pannys.

HDTV and blu ray playback via HDMI is stunning.

Thatcher · 08-18-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sling

Bestbuy in my area carrys both yet both are not calibrated hmm I take that back , Panasonics THX setting is active with top notch picture.....I wish that that Kuro was calibrated

At Costco you have 90days to return it if you come to find out you don't like it. + if you don't have a membership you can buy 1 and return it as well, for a full refund no questions.

fatediesel · 08-18-2008, 08:59 PM

Not sure about pricing on the Pioneer, but I have the TH-50PZ800U and I got it for just under $2300 shipped, so I'd be sure to shop around. I have been totally happy with my Panny, first plasma and it has a much better picture than my 1080p LCDs and DLP, especially on SD programming.

Sling · 08-18-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arush5268d

You have to calibrate it once you get it set up and broken in.

hmm so true..I pick up Kuro...do the 200hr fast break-in then get calibrated in 2 week of ownership....get a week of watching then I will know.

If picture doesn't work for me take back picking up panny .

arush5268d · 08-18-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teemacone

Neither, go check out the new LG 50 or 60PG60 models. Super clean picture with nice blacks and a high contrast ratio. Highly configurable picture settings or you can go with the THX for movies. Does 1080p/24 beautifully and has 4 HDMI inputs. Save yourself a grand from the Panny or two from the Pioneer. I did notice the Pioneer had slightly deeper blacks than the LG, but nowhere near the extra money. The LG is rated at 100,000 hour panel life, I believe the same as the new Pannys.

HDTV and blu ray playback via HDMI is stunning.

Did you just tell someone to get an LG instead of a Panasonic or a Pioneer? You, my friend, are brave.

Would you like to borrow my flame suit?

Sling · 08-18-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatcher

At Costco you have 90days to return it if you come to find out you don't like it. + if you don't have a membership you can buy 1 and return it as well, for a full refund no questions.

I wish Costco was available in my area...BB & CC are my only choices.

Sling · 08-18-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teemacone

Neither, go check out the new LG 50 or 60PG60 models. Super clean picture with nice blacks and a high contrast ratio. Highly configurable picture settings or you can go with the THX for movies. Does 1080p/24 beautifully and has 4 HDMI inputs. Save yourself a grand from the Panny or two from the Pioneer. I did notice the Pioneer had slightly deeper blacks than the LG, but nowhere near the extra money. The LG is rated at 100,000 hour panel life, I believe the same as the new Pannys.

HDTV and blu ray playback via HDMI is stunning.

huh

Dude look at my signature , I currently own a sammy 5084 which is a great performer...4 out of 5 star .
I now want the best..Panny or a Pio...not LG

Thanks for your input though

teemacone · 08-18-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arush5268d

Did you just tell someone to get an LG instead of a Panasonic or a Pioneer? You, my friend, are brave.

Would you like to borrow my flame suit?

go see for yourself, the LGs are fantastic looking. The LG was much sharper than the new Samsung series, equitable to the Pannys, and slightly less black than the Pioneer. Money wasn't really an issue, but I saved two Gs from buying the Pio and I'm set for a new Sony 550 BDP and tons of new blu rays in September. May not be for everyone, but I like it a lot.

BTW, I just saw the new Pio 6020 at costco warehouse for 4299 if anyone is interested in that. Tempting, but I'm digging the new LG.

Sling · 08-18-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teemacone

go see for yourself, the LGs are fantastic looking. The LG was much sharper than the new Samsung series, equitable to the Pannys, and slightly less black than the Pioneer. Money wasn't really an issue, but I saved two Gs from buying the Pio and I'm set for a new Sony 550 BDP and tons of new blu rays in September. May not be for everyone, but I like it a lot.

BTW, I just saw the new Pio 6020 at costco warehouse for 4299 if anyone is interested in that. Tempting, but I'm digging the new LG.

teemacone I will do just that..Come to find out there is Costco in Norfolk Va..about 30 min away from my home in Virginia Beach.

Question to all that shop Costco , I took a lookse at there site and they only list 2 1080p plasmas...Am I missing something ?

greenmonster · 08-19-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sling

huh

Dude look at my signature , I currently own a sammy 5084 which is a great performer...4 out of 5 star .
I now want the best..Panny or a Pio...not LG

Thanks for your input though

The LG PG60 is a piece of beauty, and PQ + blacks compares favorably with the Panny's. But as far as some of the more stubborn, antiquated posters are concerned, keep paying premium price for the Pioneers.

HDTV1080P · 08-19-2008, 07:05 PM

If you plan on watching a lot of BLU-RAY movies go with the Pioneer since it properly displays 1080P/24 at 72HZ. Before you purchase the Panasonic 800U or 850U ask the store owner or sales person if you can connect a BLU-RAY player up to it using the 1080P/24 output mode. If you place the Panasonic on the 48HZ film refresh mode it has been reported that there is an “unwatchable flicker” and at the very minimum a “flicker issue”. I would strongly go with the Pioneer over the Panasonic if you plan on watching a lot of BLU-RAY’s.

08-18-2008, 08:23 PM	#1
Sling Special Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Virginia Beach Blu-ray reviews:2	HELP...Pioneer Kuro or Panasonic Upgrade time Kuro or Panny...I'm confused with wallet full of cash My choices, Panasonic TH-50PZ800U ($3000 - $4000) Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD ($4000 - $5000) Checking out cnet reviews Panny has better color/THX with great blacks. Kuro has the better blacks yet color accuracy isn't as good as Panasonic. Quote cnet Performance Thanks primarily to the accuracy of its THX picture mode, the TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing plasmas we've ever tested. It can't quite match the depth of black evinced by Pioneer's Kuro plasmas, such as the PDP-5080HD, but it most other areas, including color accuracy and uniformity, it's superior. End Quote Any input would be appreciated Last edited by Sling; 08-18-2008 at 08:26 PM.

08-18-2008, 08:29 PM	#3
MaleManGuy Active Member Member since:Sep 2007	The answer is Yes ;-) Yes. Boolean logic states that if one or more of those is true the statement is true. SO the answer is Yes... lol. Ok, seriously... you can't go wrong with either so save yourself the $1000. The Kuro has better blacks... so, if you are "only" gonna watch 2001 Space Odyssey then you better get the Kuro. I have the panasonic 750 which I think is awesome in itself. Maybe use the $ you save to upgrade something else to give you more of a theatre immersion experience. Jeff Last edited by MaleManGuy; 08-18-2008 at 08:35 PM.

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08-18-2008, 08:28 PM	#2
arush5268d Banned Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Houston, TX Blu-ray collection:85	If the cost isn't an issue...i'd totally go for the Pioneer.

08-18-2008, 08:30 PM	#4
kpkelley Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Framingham, MA 4K collection:385 Blu-ray collection:2478 Digital collection:113 Blu-ray reviews: 152	ater a calibration the color accuracy on the Kuro should match that or be comporable to the pioneer. If the price difference is not an issue go for the Kuro.

08-18-2008, 08:36 PM	#5
Grimshaw23 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray collection:6 Trading Score:103	I'm in a similar dilemma. I can't decide on whether to buy a TH-50PZ800U or a TH-50PZ85U because I'm not sure if the THX model is worth the $400-$500 differences. Although, if I had to choose between the Kuro or Panasonic 800U, I would definitely choose the Panasonic mainly because of the huge differences in price and the 800U supposedly has better color accuracy and similar in Black level.

08-18-2008, 08:43 PM	#6
Thatcher Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Some Where? Blu-ray collection:1259 Digital collection:149 Blu-ray reviews:13 Trading Score:826	Check out Costco's some of them carry Kuros and lots of pannys. My Costco has the 50'' Kuro for 2599.99 with a 2 year warranty.

08-18-2008, 08:54 PM	#10
teemacone Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:1	Neither, go check out the new LG 50 or 60PG60 models. Super clean picture with nice blacks and a high contrast ratio. Highly configurable picture settings or you can go with the THX for movies. Does 1080p/24 beautifully and has 4 HDMI inputs. Save yourself a grand from the Panny or two from the Pioneer. I did notice the Pioneer had slightly deeper blacks than the LG, but nowhere near the extra money. The LG is rated at 100,000 hour panel life, I believe the same as the new Pannys. HDTV and blu ray playback via HDMI is stunning.

08-18-2008, 08:59 PM	#12
fatediesel Blu-ray Count Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Iowa Blu-ray collection:410 Trading Score:47	Not sure about pricing on the Pioneer, but I have the TH-50PZ800U and I got it for just under $2300 shipped, so I'd be sure to shop around. I have been totally happy with my Panny, first plasma and it has a much better picture than my 1080p LCDs and DLP, especially on SD programming.

08-19-2008, 07:05 PM	#20
HDTV1080P Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 205	If you plan on watching a lot of BLU-RAY movies go with the Pioneer since it properly displays 1080P/24 at 72HZ. Before you purchase the Panasonic 800U or 850U ask the store owner or sales person if you can connect a BLU-RAY player up to it using the 1080P/24 output mode. If you place the Panasonic on the 48HZ film refresh mode it has been reported that there is an “unwatchable flicker” and at the very minimum a “flicker issue”. I would strongly go with the Pioneer over the Panasonic if you plan on watching a lot of BLU-RAY’s.

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