Which is better?

lonwa
lonwa Posts: 83
edited March 2009 in Electronics
Hey guys,

I already own a nice Pioneer Elite Plasma (about 5 years old - non-kuro) TV which is not 1080P native (its 768 native). It looks great when I watch HDTV and BR movies. I just finished remodeling my master bedroom and wired it up for 7.1 surround, and HDTV, and I'm trying to decide which TV to buy.

I am looking for another 50 inch display for the bedroom. I do not want to spend the same kind of money I did for my current plasma (lets just say it was not cheap 5 years ago) so that kind of rules out another Elite. What I was thinking originally was to buy a newer plasma for the main room, and moving the current older plasma to the bedroom. But my question to you is:

If I buy a 50 inch Panasonic (or some other brand plasma) that is 1080P native, will the picture really be better than my Pioneer Elite? I know that just in resolution is will be better, but is a newer (lesser) Panasonic with higher resolution really a better TV, or is my old Elite still better than the latest from non-Pioneer manufacturers?

Just curious what you guys think.

Also, don't bother trying to convince me to buy an LCD. :)


Thanks Guys!

Lonwa
Sometimes good command decisions get compromised by bad emotional responses."
Post edited by lonwa on
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    Probably not unless you will watching it from 4 -5 feet.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited March 2009
    Strictly my opinion and you will get a dozen recommendations but my view on your overall questions is as follows. Yes, depending on room size (main, not bedroom usually) the move from 768 to 1080P will be noticeable. Again yes on a "newer" model versus the older one. I believe the industry is getting better at this stuff than they were 5-years ago. I think especially in the plasma arena they have pretty much solved all the problems even in the lower-mid-priced segment. That's not to say your PIO isn't first class (still) and will serve you well for years to come. I would enter the "hunt" with the idea that replacing the main with newer and moving the 768 to the bedroom is the way to go and see what the market and your own eyes and wallet tells you.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
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    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    This might help.

    http://hdguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/hdtv_distance_chart.pdf
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,922
    edited March 2009
    maybe this helps as well...

    http://www.bizrate.com/tv/products__keyword--pioneer+kuro.html
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon MiND2 Shunyata Triton

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson

    How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,737
    edited March 2009
    Yes it will be better...

    Plasma and LCD have come a long way in 5 years. Better CR, response time, glare reduction, auto adapt to room conditions...

    I have a 3 1/2 year old Sony 3LCD rear-projection HDTV, at that time it had one of the best pictures around and I was hard pressed to find a TV that could beat it even a full year ago...

    However, my Dad just got a new Samsung Ln52a750 (52" 1080p LCD) and the picture is amazing. :eek:

    Blu-Ray is great, even non 1080i sources look MUCH better thanks to the higher native resolutions.
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited March 2009
    Check out the prices on the current Pioneer Kuro 5020 or 111FD. The 5020 can be had under 2k and the 111 for about $2800 from authorized dealers right now.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,343
    edited March 2009
    The new Panasonic models are just now out as well and the prices seem pretty good and will only get better. Good time to get a Kuro as well.
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  • lonwa
    lonwa Posts: 83
    edited March 2009
    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    I will definitely look at the kuro (my only concern is support once they stop production - if they haven't already), and the Panasonic. I think I read somewhere that March is the best month to purchase a new TV (not sure why), but maybe the fact that it's March in a down economy will make for some really good deals.


    Thanks again,

    Lonwa
    Sometimes good command decisions get compromised by bad emotional responses."
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2009
    lonwa wrote: »
    I am looking for another 50 inch display for the bedroom.
    Just curious what you guys think. Lonwa

    I'm thinking wow.. most people don't even have a 50 inch TV in their main room let alone a bedroom... you must enjoy good TV in every room. ;):p
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited March 2009
    I wouldn't worry about support or warranty from Pioneer. They aren't going anywhere business wise, just dropping the PD's and I their DVD players, IIRC.
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  • lonwa
    lonwa Posts: 83
    edited March 2009
    Danger boy,

    You are right, I have been very fortunate in my life up to this point.
    Sometimes good command decisions get compromised by bad emotional responses."
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  • jlandbl
    jlandbl Posts: 40
    edited March 2009
    Three years ago I bought a Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD. One year ago I bought another one for a different room. The newer one has a signicantly better HD picture. Same cable box, same HDMI cables on both. Plus, the newer one is 1/2 as thick. It's hard to keep up with the constand improvements in HD TVs and continuing drops in prices.
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