My Pioneer Elite CRT Rear Projection TV broke this week, so it's clearly time for a replacement. AVSForum has helped me narrow things down. I want a Pioneer Plasma - that I know, and it will be a 60 inch. I've seen varying opinions regarding G9 Elite vs non-Elite, and they've swayed me to think I would not spend the extra bucks for a G9 Elite. But what if I could get a G8 elite for a price comparable to a G9 non-elite? What if I could actually get the G8 elite cheaper than a G9 non-elite? G8 owners sound very happy with their units.

I had my old TV calibrated twice, and was delighted with the results both times.

What do you think?

anyone? anyone?

If you enjoy getting your TV calibrated, then go with the 8G Elite. Paying to have the 9G non-Elite calibrated would be waste, since there are so few settings that can be modified.

I have a 9G 6020 and I'm very happy with it.

If it's 42" Elite you'd like you may want to look at the 8G model. If $1000 is you budget, then maybe this Craigslist one you found might be OK, but will not have the picture advancements that the 8th generaiton offered. Also, the Elite has a 2 year warrantly - if the panel you are looking at is 2 years old then you won't get the benefit of the warranty (which is transfeerable I understand). You may want a copy of the original receipt. I saw an 8G Elite today at BB - maybe they still have some - but maybe not at your price. Or a forum sponsor. Worth a look if greater PQ is one of your objectives.

I'm tentatively planning on getting a new 6020 - the prices I've seen online appear very attractive. I am ruling out a 151 because the best price* I've seen is $1300 higher than the best price I have seen for the 6020. Fewer sites are selling the elite, I guess. Technically, I could afford a 150, but I can't see paying THAT much more for the ability to calibrate.

The 150 can be calibrated - so it seems like a very interesting comparison to a 6020. I'm guessing there will be some close-out specials that might get it down to a price similar to the online price of a 6020, but it would still be a new unit with full warranty. I will not consider a used unit. My old TV just broke, and I don't want to take a chance on needing to pay repair bills anytime soon.

*Please PM me if you have any suggestions about where I might get a better price. FYI, I've contacted AVSFORUM sponsor **************** and am awaiting a response to my email.

Easy, the 9G.