Has anyone yet compared the 2007 Pioneer PDP-5010FD to this years Panasonic TH-50PZ800U?

Since they are similarly priced and similarly spec'd, I'm wondering which actually has the better PQ.

Thank you,
Ryker

I'm wondering the same thing.

With the recent price drops of the 5010, I'm thinking it's the better buy right now.

Well, I've seen the 5010 and 85U side-by-side and the 85U apparently is pretty much the same PQ as the 800U, so by the transitive property of TV comparison, I'd say the 5010 is still going to blow away the 800U...

Its hard to pass judgment on the PZ800U's performance, since their is limited availability and ownership. The 5010FD is among the best, along with the Elite for 50" plasma displays. If I had to choose the 5010FD it will be a very solid and fundamental choice, although we will need to wait for reviews to show up before counting the PZ800U out.

Chris

I don't expect the PZ800U to be better than the 5010, but I do think it will be a great display. I haven't had a chance to view one in person.

The official 9G Pioneer pre-release thread is now open. Please move over to that thread for all 9G related info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027097

Mods, please shut this thread down.

I smell something fishy...:confused:

Somebody made a fake name.

The official 9G Pioneer pre-release thread is now open. Please move over to that thread for all 9G related info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027097

Mods, please shut this thread down.

http://www.performanceprobe.com/forum/images/smilies/banned.gif

What does comparing the 8G KURO with the 11G Panny have to do with some official 9G KURO thread?

This thread poses a legitimate question for current Plasma buyers and the price of the two sets is very close.

D-NICE, you got your official 9G thread, give it a break.

I smell something fishy...:confused:

Somebody made a fake name.Wow!!

He'll be banned soon enough.

Wow!!

will the real slim shady please stand up...? :D

What does comparing the 8G KURO with the 11G Panny have to do with some official 9G KURO thread?

This thread poses a legitimate question for current Plasma buyers and the price of the two sets are very close.

D-NICE, you got your official 9G thread, give it a break.So you are pissed at me over a thread?!?!?!?!?!?!

The funny thing is, that wasn't me. Who ever it is has been reported to the AVS admins.

will the real slim shady please stand up...? :DIdiots can attempt to copy the name, but can never copy the post count ;)

Or the join date, I thought this was unusual after the last post in my soon to be closed thread. Next time I 'll look closer.

Wow!!

Um ok, I guess i'll change my screen name to Captain Obvious. :cool:

Um ok, I guess i'll change my screen name to Captain Obvious. :cool::)

The 50PZ800U should be much brighter than the 5010 (I haven't seen it in person yet, but the 50PX80U is quite bright), so if it's going to be used in the daytime in a bright room, that would be a factor to consider.

Well I did laugh while reading Fake D-NICE's posts in this thread lol But to the OP I suggest taking a look at them yourself 800U's should be on display now most places.

Okay I've seen these 2 sets both side by side. I was waiting and highly anticipating the release of the pz800u, and my initial impression of it next to the 5010 I was a little disappointed.

First of all the 5010 has noticeably better black levels. The 800u definitely had great black levels, but in comparison to the 5010 they weren't as good. The 5010 seemed to have brighter and richer colors as well. The 800u did seem to have brighter whites the 5010 though. I would probably say the way the 2 sets were setup the 800u seemed like skin tones were slightly more accurate and natural, but neither set was calibrated and I really didn't get to tweak either one. I've seen 8g Pios calibrated and they look amazing, so it will be interesting to see how much the 800u will benefit from calibration.

Overall I definitely think the 5010 is superior, but I like the 800u a lot and think it is an excellent set. It's not surprise that the 5010 costs a good chunk more than the 800u. Both are great anyone considering these 2 sets I would say check them both out and see if you think the Pioneer is worth the extra cake.

I'm kind of in the same boat, but I fail to see how the 5010FD is even close to the price of the pz800u, at least not yet anyway. I've seen the pz800u going for $2.7k, and the cheapest I found the 5010FD was $3.8k, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. I am kind of disappointed that a lot of people on the pz800u thread find the 24p mode unwatchable because of the 48hz refresh rate, so this would be the only reason to go to the 5010FD for me, well in addition to the better black levels and such.

You can get the 5010 for just shy of $2.9k. Check the forum sponsors.

I had pulled the trigger on an 85U but some unexpected expenses forced us to back out of it.

Yesterday I went to a custom AV shop where they had much nicer setups than BB. They had a calibrated 8G Pioneer 5010 that had an absolutely gorgeous picture.

No matter what anyone says, I still think Pio has the best blacks and the smoothest picture. Even with brighter colors, the panny's still have too much noise and can't match the fluid motion of the Kuro's.

But I dont' think anyone can claim that the 800U and the 5010 are the same price. Even with massive discounts with the online vendors you're still looking at a few hundred dollars difference between the two. But I think its probably worth it.

Was going to say the same thing....if you shop around, you should be able to find the 50PZ800 for $400 to $500 cheaper. That's a pretty good difference.

For me also, Panny's are available lots of places locally and I was able to get alot of extras tossed in like addt'l warranty, delivery, etc.....whereas with the Pio, I would be forced to order on-line as BB was the only place near me that carries and their prices are rediculous.

I would agree...the Pio is a beautiful set and one that you seemingly can't go wrong with. But I think the Panny will be solid also if you get it in the low 2K prices.


I had pulled the trigger on an 85U but some unexpected expenses forced us to back out of it.

Yesterday I went to a custom AV shop where they had much nicer setups than BB. They had a calibrated 8G Pioneer 5010 that had an absolutely gorgeous picture.

No matter what anyone says, I still think Pio has the best blacks and the smoothest picture. Even with brighter colors, the panny's still have too much noise and can't match the fluid motion of the Kuro's.

But I dont' think anyone can claim that the 800U and the 5010 are the same price. Even with massive discounts with the online vendors you're still looking at a few hundred dollars difference between the two. But I think its probably worth it.

Seems like your getting a lot more for $400-$500.

Everything the 800u thread is complaining about is delivered in the 5010.

I'm hoping the 5010 pricing drops even lower as we get closer to the 5020's ship date.

Seems like your getting a lot more for $400-$500.

Everything the 800u thread is complaining about is delivered in the 5010.

I'm hoping the 5010 pricing drops even lower as we get closer to the 5020's ship date.

Thats what I'm noticing. It doesn't seem like the price difference between the 85U and the 800U is even close to justifiable.

I'm also wanting to see if the 5010 price to get closer to current 800U pricing before I pull the trigger. With the 5020 being imminent in about a month, I'm expecting to see some blow out pricing on the 5010.

However the issue there is that supplies are diminishing big time on the Kuros. I think you'll be hard pressed to find one in June. I still can't find an Elite outside of BB.

I think it is at its' final price drop. The 9G's will be out in just weeks.

Thats what I'm noticing. It doesn't seem like the price difference between the 85U and the 800U is even close to justifiable.

I'm also wanting to see if the 5010 price to get closer to current 800U pricing before I pull the trigger. With the 5020 being imminent in about a month, I'm expecting to see some blow out pricing on the 5010.

However the issue there is that supplies are diminishing big time on the Kuros. I think you'll be hard pressed to find one in June. I still can't find an Elite outside of BB.

I would not say blow out pricing. Do you remember when the 5070HD discontinued when the 5080HD replaced it. Well the 5070HD was roughly the same cost as the 5080HD. Not much savings between the two. But lets hope!

Chris

I think it is at its' final price drop. The 9G's will be out in just weeks.

I agree!

I think it is at its' final price drop. The 9G's will be out in just weeks.

THere are always some people that might have them laying around but it might be hard to justify going that route if the 9G's will be close in price but you never know :)

True. Seems like the 1150 would be the 'deal' to get if you don't have to have a 9G.

True. Seems like the 1150 would be the 'deal' to get if you don't have to have a 9G.

Now try to find those lol

Well an issue that I am wondering about for the PQ is that the 5010 cannot be fully isf calibrated like the 800 can.

So while the 5010 may have more technology potential, the calibration potential of the 800 may be better.

Rykerabel, that's not exactly true. There are less calibration options at the User level. If you pay to have an isf callibration, your callibrator will work in the service menu .Many, many people here have had isf callibrations of non-elite Pioneers. Check htwait's compilation of callibration reports that can be found in a link beneath his signature.

Thank you. I love having my questions answered. :D

True. Seems like the 1150 would be the 'deal' to get if you don't have to have a 9G.

Exactly what I did last week. I tried to get one through Roman but he was sold out and did not know if he would be getting anymore so I pulled the trigger with another online retailer that I was not as comfortable with but everything worked out fine and it arrived in perfect condition. The pricing was better than the 800u and definitely a no-brainer. I'm having it professionally installed next week above my brick fireplace and although I'm a pretty patient guy I must admit the wait in this case is killing me as this is my first HDTV.

Good find Russ, I don't think the 1150s are coming back.

Good find Russ, I don't think the 1150s are coming back.

:( correct

:( correct

There's always the PRO-111FDs to look forward to Roman;).

There's always the PRO-111FDs to look forward to Roman;).

Correct :D

Roman - sorry I was unable to do business with you, but after we spoke last Tuesday and learning you had just sold out and were only 50/50 about getting anymore 1150's I immediately went with option B.

I would have done the same thing! Congrats!

I'm kind of in the same boat, but I fail to see how the 5010FD is even close to the price of the pz800u, at least not yet anyway. I've seen the pz800u going for $2.7k, and the cheapest I found the 5010FD was $3.8k, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. I am kind of disappointed that a lot of people on the pz800u thread find the 24p mode unwatchable because of the 48hz refresh rate, so this would be the only reason to go to the 5010FD for me, well in addition to the better black levels and such.


after a 30 second search online i found the 5010 at a local shop for right at 3k ( not a penny more) and had a local best buy price match theirs. i just picked it up today and can't wait till my new mount comes in. this is replacing an older 42" panny.

after a 30 second search online i found the 5010 at a local shop for right at 3k ( not a penny more) and had a local best buy price match theirs. i just picked it up today and can't wait till my new mount comes in. this is replacing an older 42" panny.

Let us know how it is, and feel free to post some pics in the Official Pictures Thread.:)

Rykerabel, that's not exactly true. There are less calibration options at the User level. If you pay to have an isf callibration, your callibrator will work in the service menu .Many, many people here have had isf callibrations of non-elite Pioneers. Check htwait's compilation of callibration reports that can be found in a link beneath his signature.
The 5010 and 6010 can not be 100% calibrated as the Elites can. They can be calibrated to a degree, but not 100%

On the other hand Panasonic units can be fully 100% calibrated.

The 5010 and 6010 can not be 100% calibrated as the Elites can. They can be calibrated to a degree, but not 100%

On the other hand Panasonic units can be fully 100% calibrated.This is false. Panasonics do not have any CMS controls. They have the same basic calibration controls that are available in the SM of the non-Elite Pioneers.....only RGB controls.

Now Panasonics do have the capability of have multiple calibration profiles....2 profiles per A/V mode (SD and a HD profile). The non-Elite Pioneers are stuck with only one global profile.

This is false. Panasonics do not have any CMS controls. They have the same basic calibration controls that are available in the SM of the non-Elite Pioneers.....only RGB controls.

Now Panasonics do have the capability of have multiple calibration profiles....2 profiles per A/V mode (SD and a HD profile). The non-Elite Pioneers are stuck with only one global profile.

D-Nice,

You have truely turned HD plasma into rocket science. Most of the time I've no idea what you're talking about. And that is a compliment:D

From what I could tell at BB today the pz800u didn't compare to the 5010. the pio blacks were much better. I was actually very disappointed with the picture of the 800u.

From what I could tell at BB today the pz800u didn't compare to the 5010. the pio blacks were much better. I was actually very disappointed with the picture of the 800u.

and if you get them to price match the difference between the sets is very very little.

hey guys i have gone to BB a couple days ago and did compare the 800u and kuro at first the kuro was darker and sharper then i played with the panny and came very close to PQ of the kuro just to make sure i was not bais my co-worker was with me and said the same. Now there was very little if you look very close to one object a sharper PQ on the Kuro. Then i thought well the nice thing about the panny is all the connections and the SD reader in the front of the TV with HDMI. The kuro was older all connection in the rear (HDMI)some on the side not very easy to get to if the TV is in a cubby or high on the wall. Does anybody know what the new Kuros will look like and the spes?

Does anybody know what the new Kuros will look like and the spes?

Yep...Here ya go (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/07/second-generation-pioneer-kuro-unveiled-5x-deeper-black-levels/)

The Official 9G Pioneer Pre-Release Discussion Thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027097)

Chris

This thread will get you up to speed:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027097

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. Have been reading adn getting a lot of good info from you all! Here's where I'm at...

After seeing the Pioneer 5010 I knew it was the HD TV I want. But the price at BB is high - $3,799 (that's on sale). So I have be looking at online stores. I've talked to a few vendors and have questions about the warranty.

I am being told that Pioneer WILL NOT honor the 1 yr warranty on the set if it is not bought from one of their qualified dealers. And I therefore needed to purchase an extended warranty to cover the TV.

Now I read about this subject on another post, and was just wondering if anyone who had bought online had ever tried to get warranty service on their 5010/6010from Pioneer directly? I have bought smaller (and much cheaper) TVs online and have not had a problem, but even at 3K the TV is a large investment.

Also, I have read about some folks who want to buy from Roman. It appears that many of you trust him. Can someone tell me who he works for? Perhaps he will see my post and reply.

Thanks to all for the great info. It sure did help me make an educated decision.

Steve K.

Roman works for Clarity Technologies/BuyBestPlasma, they are authorized Pio dealers so you maintain your manufacturer's warranty. There are other forum sponsors who are authorized as well like MountAVision, and Cleveland plasma. There are links all-over AVSF. If I was you I would be looking at their prices on the 5020, and 6020 since they will be out in a month, and have a $1000 lower MSRP than last year ($4000, and $5500 respectively this year), and you will be able to get them well under MSRP.

-Coggs

Thanks for the advice Coggs! :) Does anyone know in a few words if the 5020 is goign to have any significant upgrades from the 5010? :confused: Thanks!

Steve K.

Was just on the BB website and the 5010 is now sub 3K on there.

Was just on the BB website and the 5010 is now sub 3K on there.

Just wait for the 5020FD...

Chris

Chris, is the 5020 720P, while the 5010 is 1080P? Sorry Chris my mistake. I was comparing the 5080 to the 5010. Thanks for all of your input!

Steve K.

Thanks for the advice Coggs! :) Does anyone know in a few words if the 5020 is goign to have any significant upgrades from the 5010? :confused: Thanks!

Steve K.

They are claiming 5x deeper blacks among other things, there is tons of info on the 9G Pio thread. On the first page there are a lot of links to detailed info.

-Coggs

Thanks again Coggs! I have been able to read many of the posts about 9G. My eyes are starting to give out, but great information. Folks on this site are right on top of things! Does anyone know what the 5020 is going to sell for?

Steve

Thanks again Coggs! Does anyone know what the 5020 is going to sell for?

No prob,

The 5020 has a MSRP of $4000, and will probably be available in 3-4 weeks. Check-our our forum sponsors for pricing well under MSRP.

-Coggs

Chris, is the 5020 720P, while the 5010 is 1080P? Sorry Chris my mistake. I was comparing the 5080 to the 5010. Thanks for all of your input!

Steve K.

The 5020FD is the newest model, which will replace the 5020FD, which will be 1080p. Pioneer is not going to make 720p models anymore.

Chris

The 5020FD is the newest model, which will replace the 5020FD, which will be 1080p. Pioneer is not going to make 720p models anymore.

Chris

He means 5020 replaces 5010 ;) Typo's are understandable before you've had your coffee.

-Coggs

:) Folks, I thank you and the AVS forum for giving me (new to the site, but not new to plasma tech) the opportunity to ask questions and read posts that brought me up to speed concerning my next plasma TV purchase.

After much reaserch and discussions with several knowlegable folks on this site I have decided to purchase the Pioneer 5020 instead of the 5010.

I have an additional question...what do you all think of extended warranties on plasma sets? :confused: I bought one for my current 50" Hitachi, and never have needed it. The only thing that I have ANY concern about with the Pioneer is the "buzz", and I understand that Pioneer does not consider that a manufacturer problem.

Anyway, I would love to hear what you folks think about purchasing an extended warranty. Thanks!

Steve K.

:) Folks, I thank you and the AVS forum for giving me (new to the site, but not new to plasma tech) the opportunity to ask questions and read posts that brought me up to speed concerning my next plasma TV purchase.

After much reaserch and discussions with several knowlegable folks on this site I have decided to purchase the Pioneer 5020 instead of the 5010.

I have an additional question...what do you all think of extended warranties on plasma sets? :confused: I bought one for my current 50" Hitachi, and never have needed it. The only thing that I have ANY concern about with the Pioneer is the "buzz", and I understand that Pioneer does not consider that a manufacturer problem.

Anyway, I would love to hear what you folks think about purchasing an extended warranty. Thanks!

Steve K.
I personally don't believe in extended warranties. Most failures in high tech electronics occur very early or very late.

My 50 Kuro has about 600 hours on it now and it's been dead silent since hour one.

:) Folks, I thank you and the AVS forum for giving me (new to the site, but not new to plasma tech) the opportunity to ask questions and read posts that brought me up to speed concerning my next plasma TV purchase.

After much reaserch and discussions with several knowlegable folks on this site I have decided to purchase the Pioneer 5020 instead of the 5010.

I have an additional question...what do you all think of extended warranties on plasma sets? :confused: I bought one for my current 50" Hitachi, and never have needed it. The only thing that I have ANY concern about with the Pioneer is the "buzz", and I understand that Pioneer does not consider that a manufacturer problem.

Anyway, I would love to hear what you folks think about purchasing an extended warranty. Thanks!

Steve K.

Steve,
Based on our conversation, an extended warranty is useful. Although instead of 5 years you should go with a 3 year warranty instead. After 4 years the 5020FD will be at least 2-3 generation old and value will be much depreciated. Unless you are the upgrade and gadget freaks on this forum! ;)

Chris

Hey everyone. I was thinking about buying the Pioneer 5010 when I saw it for $2,999 on Costco's site, but when they took it down I decided to go with the Panny 50PZ800u. Thinking the Pioneer was no longer available there I pulled the trigger on the Panny which was around $2600. It is set to be delivered tomorrow, but I see Costco now has the Pioneer back up on their site. Is it worth it to return the Panny and go with the Pioneer? I also had bought a 33" LCD for my room from the same place which I'm now thinking I really don't need since I will be living alone. Probably should have thought this out more but my job has been taken up a bunch of my time and I've been in a mad rush to buy a ton of new stuff as I'm moving into a new place (without roommates!) Any advice/thoughts?

If it was me, I'd go for the 5010, but they're both good sets. I personally don't watch TV in my bedroom, and if you're living alone you probably won't either. I would put the money towards a blu-ray player, or an audio system.

-Coggs

From what I could tell at BB today the pz800u didn't compare to the 5010. the pio blacks were much better. I was actually very disappointed with the picture of the 800u.

But the 800U destroys the 5010 in white detail. Try watching Vertical Limit or Ice Age on both and you'll see what I mean. I've compared both of them because of the 800Us better white detail, and far more accurate color compared to the 5010's deeper blacks, it's nearly a wash as far as picture quality is concerned. It's the 72hz 24p mode that makes the 5010 a superior set to the 800U in my opinion. The European version the 800E(I guess) gives the 5010 a run for its money as it has a smoother 94hz 24P mode, better color accuracy, and better white detail, while the 5010 only has deeper blacks.

Hey everyone. I was thinking about buying the Pioneer 5010 when I saw it for $2,999 on Costco's site, but when they took it down I decided to go with the Panny 50PZ800u. Thinking the Pioneer was no longer available there I pulled the trigger on the Panny which was around $2600. It is set to be delivered tomorrow, but I see Costco now has the Pioneer back up on their site. Is it worth it to return the Panny and go with the Pioneer? I also had bought a 33" LCD for my room from the same place which I'm now thinking I really don't need since I will be living alone. Probably should have thought this out more but my job has been taken up a bunch of my time and I've been in a mad rush to buy a ton of new stuff as I'm moving into a new place (without roommates!) Any advice/thoughts?

If you watch or will watch 24p bluray movies in the future then the 5010 is worth it, if not, the 800Us better white detail, color accuracy, and superior calibration options make the hassle of returning your set not worth it.

Not knowing what 24p is (although I did just look it up) I'm not sure how concerned I should be about it. Are a lot of blu-rays 24p? I definitely plan on watching lots of movies on it since I don't go to the theater, but sports is my main focus. Thanks for the help.

Not knowing what 24p is (although I did just look it up) I'm not sure how concerned I should be about it. Are a lot of blu-rays 24p? I definitely plan on watching lots of movies on it since I don't go to the theater, but sports is my main focus. Thanks for the help.

I don't have a bluray player yet either, but if you're going to get a Bluray player and watch a lot of bluray movies, then DEFINATELY go for the Pioneer.
The 24P mode gets rid of telecine judder. The Telecine is the machine that they use to convert film to video. It uses a pulldown process to convert 24 frames per second to 29.97 fps. Let's say there are 10 frames of film.
On film they'll be 10 frames, but on video, they'll be 12 frames.
on Film(Frame1, Frame 2, Frame3, Frame4, Frame5, Frame6, Frame7, Frame8, Frame9, Frame10).

On Video those 10 frames become 12 and look like this: (Frame1, Frame2, Frame3, Frame4, Frame4 REPEATED, Frame5, Frame6, Frame7, Frame8, Frame9, Frame10, Frame10 REPEATED )

So basically whenever you watch film based material on a "regular tv", every fourth frame is exactly the same as the frame that comes afterwards.
This makes movement judder for instance a speeding baseball will be moving for 4 frames, then suddenly freeze for one frame, then move for the next 4 frames and then suddenly freeze for the next frame, etc, etc.


The way the 24P mode on the Pioneer works is it just takes the original frames from the film and repeats each frame 3 times so it makes everything even, none of the frames are repeated more or less than any other frame.
The fact that each frame is repeated 3 times also gets rid of flicker.

With the Panasonic each of the original frames from the film are repeated twice so that it does get rid of the judder, but it doesn't get rid of all the flicker.

I personally don't believe in extended warranties. Most failures in high tech electronics occur very early or very late.

My 50 Kuro has about 600 hours on it now and it's been dead silent since hour one.

I didn't either till I started working at a major electronics store and saw people every day complaining that their camera or camcorder died just 12 1/2 or 13 months after they got it, etc. If I was buying something cheap I wouldn't get one, but when I get either my Pioneer 5020 or Panasonic 800U, I'll definately get one.

Well if anyone is interested, I ended up refusing delivery of the two TVs I had initially purchased and I went to Costco and bought the PDP-5010FD. Now I'm just waiting on its arrival. If I want the bedroom TV later I can always go back and get one.

Thanks for the tip regarding the blu-ray Jack. That could be a big difference maker. And the best part was the price was the same as I had paid for the Panny.

I went to my local BB over the weekend to take another look at the 5010 (I know, wait for the 5020) and they had the Panny 800U sitting right next to it. I thought the blacks were close with the edge going to the 5010 however, I couldn't get past how much brighter the Panny was of the Pio! I asked for the remote to the Pio and fooled with the settings some, but could not get it to the brightness of the Panny. The 5010 just looked like it had a dark film over the screen making the picture a little darker.

As I have read here, I am not the only person seeing this. Now I have confused myself. I walked in thinking I was going to buy the 5020, but now I am not so sure. I'll go back today and take another look...

Steve

Went back to BB today. I couldn't get over how much brighter the 800U was than the 5010. Got a worker bee who knew his way around plasma sets, and we set out to find out why...

The Panny was in VIVID mode, while the Pio was in standard mode. Once we swithed the Pio to dynamic (I think it is called) , and fiddled with the contrast/brightness the case was solved. The 5010 did out perfom the 800U slightly, but sightly. : )

End of story. Now just have to wait and see what D-Nice thinks of his 6020...

Steve

Today and today only I have the opportunity to purchase either the 800U or the 5010FD, brand new, for pretty much the same price. The 800U is $2799 and the 5010 is $2699. I have scoured the net for the last couple of years looking for the right time to buy a new TV, 36 months no interest financing finally convinced me. So, I would much appreciate your help in answering some quick Q's. Please remember that I have to buy today.

1. Which one should I get? Gimme the good, the bad, and the FUD, whatevs. But gimme a recommendation.

2. Let's say I want (need) this set to last me 10 years. Both are local buys so returns should be easy but which one will make me look at next-next gens (or OLEDs) and say "I made the right choice."?

3. This is for living room usage, I have curtains but they're not great. I do not have HD cable nor do I plan to get it for a while, so PLEASE consider SD performance primarily for now. DVD and Blu-Ray is most likely use, and I will eventually use a HTPC with it over HDMI. Low def (Gamecube) and PC gaming are also likely.

Thanks so much in advance, and happy 4th of July!

Definitely go for the PDP-5010FD!

Even though it's colors aren't as accurate as the 800u, the deeper blacks and better processing makes it the better panel (in my opinion).

.......and you can always return it, if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Any thought on TH-50PZ800U plasma vs. Samsung LN52A650 LCD?

they're around the price but PQ advantage .. I'm not sure.

Definitely go for the PDP-5010FD!

Even though it's colors aren't as accurate as the 800u, the deeper blacks and better processing makes it the better panel (in my opinion).

.......and you can always return it, if it doesn't meet your expectations.

+1

It has been done :D Delivery on the 15th!

Have the opp to buy a 5010fd floor model @ 2400. Was looking at that or a 800u or 850u...any thoughts on any of the three? I have confirmed that he floor models were new when opened, not refurbs, and i ma thinking that having been display sets that they are likely broken in...is this foolish thinking? Any thoughts and or suggestions would be awesome. (not only between the pio and the pannys but also between thetwo pannys themselves)

Thanks

^ Dim room, 5010. Bright room, Panny. 800 vs. 850: It's a toss-up. 800 is the safer bet because everyone likes the THX mode, but 850 owners seem to like the more vibrant reds and greens.

Need advice! Should I get the Pio 5010 for $2200 shipped or the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U for $1650? I've heard both have pretty good pq, and while the 5010 has better blacks, the PZ800U is a great value for the $.

So, what do you all have to say?

Need advice! Should I get the Pio 5010 for $2200 shipped or the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U for $1650? I've heard both have pretty good pq, and while the 5010 has better blacks, the PZ800U is a great value for the $.

So, what do you all have to say?

I'm in the same boat of indecision. May I ask where you are finding these great prices???