best flat panel for under $5,000 Pioneer 5020,Samsung 950 or Sony Xbr8 or 9
viewing dim room,50 percent blue ray 50 percent dtv hd.... which of these 3 sets stand out from one another

Do you have a link on the xbr9:D

It seems like Samsung increased shadow detail on the 950s since October. HT Mag's review measured the black level of the first wave of product as 0.00 foots lambert. So, if we're talking about a private tv in your basement by yourself, I'd pick one up.

Personally, that's why I see led-lcds as mostly postive. Good brights, great blacks, not much in the way of crush. For blu ray and dvd, it works perfect. The only downer is if you sit off angle past 20 degrees. Personally, if I'm buying a $5000+ tv, it better look good from anywhere in the room. Also, the 950s @ 46" are going for so much less than 46" xbr8s.

But the 5020 is one of the best values on the market. If we're talking dim room viewing, this has got to be my top choice, not to mention the price point on these are excellent.

Do you have a link on the xbr9:D

It seems like Samsung increased shadow detail on the 950s since October. HT Mag's review measured the black level of the first wave of product as 0.00 foots lambert. So, if we're talking about a private tv in your basement by yourself, I'd pick one up.

Personally, that's why I see led-lcds as mostly postive. Good brights, great blacks, not much in the way of crush. For blu ray and dvd, it works perfect. The only downer is if you sit off angle past 20 degrees. Personally, if I'm buying a $5000+ tv, it better look good from anywhere in the room. Also, the 950s @ 46" are going for so much less than 46" xbr8s.

But the 5020 is one of the best values on the market. If we're talking dim room viewing, this has got to be my top choice, not to mention the price point on these are excellent.

What about a medium bright room (Sun in the morning)? Would you go more for a 950 or the 5020?

5020- just set it brighter. I think D-Nice had said that the Kuros have a better lumen per watt than other PDPs. Whatever you're seeing at BB is being set in Dynamic and is way too bright to enjoy properly in home.

In a half bright room, they're going to look the same, actually the Kuro has better video processing, so the image is slightly above what I've seen off the 950.

you can now get the Pio pro 151Fd at BB for under 5k and i'm sure the 141 also if 60" is to big

Careful with the 950. Don't side-by-side it with the XBR8 or you'll hate it. :) There is blooming and other issues.

I don't get the 950, really. Although 5" smaller at that price you can get a Kuro Elite, which seems to have the best picture going. For me the main plasma downside, a glossy screen, is also a downside of the A950.

According to many who own the newer version of the 950 the blooming has been lessened or corrected. Also the 950 is a lot cheaper than the 151 and almost the same as the 111. Believe me, I have been researching all of these models too.

According to many who own the newer version of the 950 the blooming has been lessened or corrected. Also the 950 is a lot cheaper than the 151 and almost the same as the 111. Believe me, I have been researching all of these models too.

Right now I can get the A950 for $200 more than the 111 based on the prices where I shop.


Even if blooming is fixed, what does the A950 give you that the Kuro doesn't? (Other than 5".)

Let's also note that if you are considering an XBR8 for under $5k you'll need to get one of the smaller sets. The Pioneer Elites are no longer king of the hill when it comes to high prices. The XBR8s are the king in that category.

Right now I can get the A950 for $200 more than the 111 based on the prices where I shop.


Even if blooming is fixed, what does the A950 give you that the Kuro doesn't? (Other than 5".)


That 5" is important to people like me who are watching from 13 feet back, but the 6020 or a 151 my be a little large. The 950 like the Kuro puts out an amazing picture, which while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, is a sweet.