After trolling the forum for over a month, as I've been researching PDPs, I have a question to ask the forum members...

Which display should I choose? I have narrowed down my plasma purchase to the 1130HD and the 5070HD, and would like additional advice/opinions from people who have first-hand experience with both displays.

Here's some additional information to help with any comments:
Use: The plasma will be used to watch movies, sports, and the occasional SD program (Cable TV w/STB);
Viewing Distance: 8.5 feet;
Price Difference: The 1130 is $600 more expensive than the 5070 (from an authorized dealer.)

All opinions are welcome; thank you in advance for your comments.

I am in the same boat

i think the choice should come down to the media box, if you need it then get the 1130 Elite, if you dont need it then get the 1130 Elite, if you REALLY dont want it then get the 5070. I REALLY DONT WANT IT, so i will either get a 5070 or maybe the new Elite when the time comes.

Might want to check this combo out:

Pioneer PDP-505CMX (Click Here) (http://www.pioneerindustrialav.com/ims/product/overview/0,,196140362_285715230,00.html)
http://www.pioneerindustrialav.com/pio/pe/images/portal/cit_3430/289698945PDP-505CMX_angled_std.jpg (http://www.pioneerindustrialav.com/ims/product/overview/0,,196140362_285715230,00.html)

Add the Key Digital Xplorer Card and you will have a Pioner Elite picture quality with alot more inputs. Click Here (http://www.keydigital.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=100&itemno=HDXplorer&productname=)

http://www.keydigital.com/images/Video%20Processors/HD_Xplorer_v2_a.jpg (http://www.keydigital.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=100&itemno=HDXplorer&productname=)

There is no other panel on the planet with these kinds of inputs:
4 hdmi (supports HDCP)
DVI(supports HDCP)
2-VGA, Component
Composite
S-Video

I want the built in tuner and speakers, does the 5070 pq = to the 1130???

I say the difference is not big, at least not $1000 difference. It's the other extra stuff the 1130 offers that gives it that extra $1000, and that importance differs from person to person.

After trolling the forum for over a month, as I've been researching PDPs, I have a question to ask the forum members...

Which display should I choose? I have narrowed down my plasma purchase to the 1130HD and the 5070HD, and would like additional advice/opinions from people who have first-hand experience with both displays.

Here's some additional information to help with any comments:
Use: The plasma will be used to watch movies, sports, and the occasional SD program (Cable TV w/STB);
Viewing Distance: 8.5 feet;
Price Difference: The 1130 is $600 more expensive than the 5070 (from an authorized dealer.)

All opinions are welcome; thank you in advance for your comments.



In Toronto, Canada, I have been told the Elite 1140HD is coming out in mid-late August. I was in the same debate as you but given that we are so close to seeing the 1140, I thought I would wait. My dealer (Elite authorized) was already showing me pricing that was below last year's 1130's. So much so that I was taken aback. I guess eliminating the media box really reduced their cost structure. He was able to show me a product book from Pioneer on the 1140 model, along with the 5070's.

He indicated that there were not a lot of panel changes except something about electricity leakage around the individual cell structure in the panels, and how they reduced this leakage to further improve the image? Well beyond my level of expertise. LOL.

The 5070 doesn't have the input box with 1 cable that runs to the TV?

The 5070 just came out? 5060 is last years model right?

I don't care about the extras, I'm not gonna mess with my picture. Set it once and leave it. So 5070 is the way to go right?

I was reading somewhere in the forums that the 1140 would show pictures you put in the media slot in full form. Maybe some could comment on this that has the 1130. I don't think the pics from the digital camera covers the full screen on the 1130 and it does with the 1140.

Did they cut the media box out because of cost, the buzz? I like the idea of the media box to help with wires and things.

I was reading somewhere in the forums that the 1140 would show pictures you put in the media slot in full form. Maybe some could comment on this that has the 1130. I don't think the pics from the digital camera covers the full screen on the 1130 and it does with the 1140.

Did they cut the media box out because of cost, the buzz? I like the idea of the media box to help with wires and things.

I was using the picture mode on my 1130 last night... it does cover the full screen.

There is a resolution limit in the 6G panels. Basically a 3.2 Megapixel image is the largest it will support. The new 7G panels are reported to raise the image size up to 8 Mp or more. I dont have the specific numbers in front of me, but you can search the 6G thread (or view the 1130 manual online) for the exact size it supports.

There is a report from a pioneer rep in the 7G thread that the 8MP info is based on.

It makes a big difference if you have something like a 5MP camera. With the newer display, you can just pop the memory card into the display with no changes. With the 1130, you would have to resize all the pictures in a computer before putting them in the display, or it would not recognise them (too big).

I have an old Canon S230 digicam, so I am fine with the 1130. I can pop the flash card into a pcmcia adapter straight out of the camera and into the tv.

To the OP, just take a look at both in person and go based on what you like better. There are very few differences between the 6G and 7G, and the few differences that exist are easy to spot. No MR, mild increase in resolution, larger image file support, etc.

Malbrec100,

I would like to suggest an additional perspective, adjustment and calibration.

I believe that if you have your set professionally ISF calibrated, then from this perspective, at least, it doesn’t matter which set you purchase. A qualified technician can do an excellent job with either set via the service menu items.

If, however, you plan to adjust the set yourself, with I hope the aid of calibration disks, then I would lean strongly toward the elite because it provides, at the user-level, many more adjustments for picture quality.

Most know that the elite series have an additional feature to assist in an ISF calibration. But I suspect this is a rather inconsequential feature. (If I am wrong here please someone correct me and explain) After all you are not doing the calibration. The elite set does have provision for day/night calibrations, which can be handy. The other set, however, has multiple memories that, I believe, can serve the same purpose though perhaps not as elegantly.

In either case, your viewing distance is great for these sets and whichever you choose you will experience a great picture.

Finally, from reputation, I suspect many here would say for that small a difference they would lean toward the elite. I really don’t know because I have not had sufficient first hand experience with them both to form an opinion. Be aware that the 5070 does provide 3:3 pixel mapping with a corresponding 72Hz display rate for film based source material to reduce/eliminate judder. Judder, however, I am told is not readily noticeable and so not really a big deal at least in this size display. Perhaps others more familiar with judder than I can comment on this artifact.

Hopefully, you can put them side by side and take a careful look. If you do, please report back to give us all the details.

Cheers, :)

Gary

One thing I never understood about ISF-ing a brand new model plasma.

A plasma like the Pio 5070HD just came out this month. How current (up-to-date) are the ISF technicians on the service menus for these newer displays? Will they know their way around the service menus for these displays?

fwiw, blue phosphors get used up faster than red or green phosphors, so as your panel ages, the colors will shift. If you get the panel isf'd, be sure to wait at least a couple hundred hours so you are past the break in period and the colors have stabilized. To be really exact, you should have the panel readjusted every year or two.

or buy a new panel

One thing I never understood about ISF-ing a brand new model plasma.

A plasma like the Pio 5070HD just came out this month. How current (up-to-date) are the ISF technicians on the service menus for these newer displays? Will they know their way around the service menus for these displays?

The service menus on many of these plasmas are not important. The key controls are in the user menus with the Elite models. The important thing from calibrating these displays is improving the picture. How that is accomplished in the display is not important. Here are some examples from a calibration I did last week on one of these. A quality calibration should dramatically improve the look of the display. Service mode is only one of the factors in a good calibration and sometimes is unnecessary.

UMR,

I see that you are also in the Houston area. Getting my new 5071 ISF'd is something I am considering. When completed, should the picture of the 5070/71 look any different than the 1130?

The contrast ratio on the newer models is much better than the older ones. The color performance of the newer and older elite models is very similar. Because of this the newer models will look better in a darker viewing environment.

I also travel around the country www.accucal.org/tours.htm.

NEC is very similar to the Pioneer Elite models. I would consider those as well.

The contrast ratio on the newer models is much better than the older ones. The color performance of the newer and older elite models is very similar. Because of this the newer models will look better in a darker viewing environment.

I also travel around the country www.accucal.org/tours.htm.

When you say newer are you referencing the 6th and 7th generation or just the 7th?

When you say newer are you referencing the 6th and 7th generation or just the 7th?

I don't keep track of generations, but I will say the models I have worked on in the last few weeks are better than those early this year.

UMR,

I see that you are also in the Houston area. Getting my new 5071 ISF'd is something I am considering. When completed, should the picture of the 5070/71 look any different than the 1130?

The non-elite 5070/71 models do not have the color adjustments for primaries and secondaries to have the same picture quality.

Thanks Malicious on the update about the digital pictures. I know in our van i have a 21 or 23" lcd and when i put pics on a cd and slip it in the dvd player it sizes them down automatically and they are ok but not near sharpe and nice as the full picture. It is like 640 X 480 pixels. 800 x 600 would have been better but i hardly look at pics out there. I would use this alot on my tv screen(plasma). You have a nice set in the 1130 and i am going to check out the new Pioneers comming out and decide by Xmas.



I was using the picture mode on my 1130 last night... it does cover the full screen.

There is a resolution limit in the 6G panels. Basically a 3.2 Megapixel image is the largest it will support. The new 7G panels are reported to raise the image size up to 8 Mp or more. I dont have the specific numbers in front of me, but you can search the 6G thread (or view the 1130 manual online) for the exact size it supports.

There is a report from a pioneer rep in the 7G thread that the 8MP info is based on.

It makes a big difference if you have something like a 5MP camera. With the newer display, you can just pop the memory card into the display with no changes. With the 1130, you would have to resize all the pictures in a computer before putting them in the display, or it would not recognise them (too big).

I have an old Canon S230 digicam, so I am fine with the 1130. I can pop the flash card into a pcmcia adapter straight out of the camera and into the tv.

To the OP, just take a look at both in person and go based on what you like better. There are very few differences between the 6G and 7G, and the few differences that exist are easy to spot. No MR, mild increase in resolution, larger image file support, etc.

UMR have you seen the new 1080p plasma by Pioneer yet? The 50". I hope we can start getting more reports on them.

UMR have you seen the new 1080p plasma by Pioneer yet? The 50". I hope we can start getting more reports on them.

Not yet.

UMR,

Thanks for your authoritative insights. Would it be correct to summarize from your responses that the current Pioneer xx70/71 line cannot be calibrated as well as the Elite line because the former lacks certain useful color adjustments that the latter have?

Btw, you may want to check out my recent post, earlier this evening, on the current NEC plasma thread asking that group about ISF calibration. The NEC people don’t discuss it much and I was asking why? Sort of trying to raise their awareness.

I should have a panel purchased, probably a NEC, by year-end.:D At that time, I will want an ISF calibration because I believe it can make a very noticeable contribution to getting all the PQ my system will have to offer.

If near that time you would happen to be in my area, I would love to have you, above all others, do the calibration. But it is doubtful you would happen to be here just then. :(

Cheers, :)

Gary

P.S. I miss Texas. Best country I ever lived in! ;)

UMR,

Thanks for your authoritative insights. Would it be correct to summarize from your responses that the current Pioneer xx70/71 line cannot be calibrated as well as the Elite line because the former lacks certain useful color adjustments that the latter have?

Btw, you may want to check out my recent post, earlier this evening, on the current NEC plasma thread asking that group about ISF calibration. The NEC people don’t discuss it much and I was asking why? Sort of trying to raise their awareness.

I should have a panel purchased, probably a NEC, by year-end.:D At that time, I will want an ISF calibration because I believe it can make a very noticeable contribution to getting all the PQ my system will have to offer.

If near that time you would happen to be in my area, I would love to have you, above all others, do the calibration. But it is doubtful you would happen to be here just then. :(

Cheers, :)

Gary

P.S. I miss Texas. Best country I ever lived in! ;)

It is true that the non-Elite models lack the adjustments to have the same picture quality as the Elite or NEC models.

I travel to the DC area regularly. My next scheduled trip is in October.

The NEC people don’t discuss it [ISF] much and I was asking why?
The NEC owners seem to be very happy with the settings out of the box; many are also fond of cpcat's custom user settings.

There is at least one NEC poster who had his panel isf'd and he was very pleased with that as well.

I think one factor is that NEC is not widely on display in showrooms, and NEC is not targetting the typical retail crowd. This spares NEC from two temptations that other manufactures fall prey to: configuring the panel with torch settings so it will stand out on a showroom floor, and configuring settings for instant eye-popping appeal. Most manufactures fall into these bad practices, and so their panels need a good isf to bring the colors back to a tamer more realistic realm. But since NEC does not display in showrooms, their default out-of-the-box settings are targetted for long term realistic viewing - not instant appeal. The colors are not as flagrant as other manufacturers, and that is good (more realistic).

If I recall correctly, the poster who had his NEC isf'd said that the out-of-the-box settings were pretty close to the isf results.

The NEC owners seem to be very happy with the settings out of the box; many are also fond of cpcat's custom user settings.

There is at least one NEC poster who had his panel isf'd and he was very pleased with that as well.

I think one factor is that NEC is not widely on display in showrooms, and NEC is not targetting the typical retail crowd. This spares NEC from two temptations that other manufactures fall prey to: configuring the panel with torch settings so it will stand out on a showroom floor, and configuring settings for instant eye-popping appeal. Most manufactures fall into these bad practices, and so their panels need a good isf to bring the colors back to a tamer more realistic realm. But since NEC does not display in showrooms, their default out-of-the-box settings are targetted for long term realistic viewing - not instant appeal. The colors are not as flagrant as other manufacturers, and that is good (more realistic).

If I recall correctly, the poster who had his NEC isf'd said that the out-of-the-box settings were pretty close to the isf results.

ISF results are very dependent on the person doing the job. Here is a review from one of my clients with an NEC.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7772772&&#post7772772

ISF results are very dependent on the person doing the job. Here is a review from one of my clients with an NEC.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7772772&&#post7772772
umr, do you calibrate every input on the set? as you know, HDMI inputs and components inputs and composite inputs etc all have different input charcteristics. for instance, you can calibrate a set using a AVIA DVD, but then its only good if you can connect your DVD player to every input. just calibrating a 480i DVD over component isnt going to do a thing for the HDMI inputs.

It is true that the non-Elite models lack the adjustments to have the same picture quality as the Elite or NEC models.

I travel to the DC area regularly. My next scheduled trip is in October.
you can calibrate a set til the cows come home, but you are still at the mercy of the cable company or satellite provider to make sure that all of the channels are sent wiht the same characteristics. even on a calibrated set, one channel might still look great and another one may look like crap...and i am talking about thing like brightness, contrast, and color settings from the provider. we all know those companies proces the signal before they send them out.

you can calibrate a set til the cows come home, but you are still at the mercy of the cable company or satellite provider to make sure that all of the channels are sent wiht the same characteristics. even on a calibrated set, one channel might still look great and another one may look like crap...and i am talking about thing like brightness, contrast, and color settings from the provider. we all know those companies proces the signal before they send them out.

That's why GOD invented HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

NO MORE EXCUSES.

umr, do you calibrate every input on the set? as you know, HDMI inputs and components inputs and composite inputs etc all have different input charcteristics. for instance, you can calibrate a set using a AVIA DVD, but then its only good if you can connect your DVD player to every input. just calibrating a 480i DVD over component isnt going to do a thing for the HDMI inputs.

I calibrate every input that a person has in use. A proper calibration is much more than Avia which in fact has a flawed gray scale. The only way to use Avia correctly for gray scale is with component and with only the green wire connected. It cannot be used for this purpose on any other input.

you can calibrate a set til the cows come home, but you are still at the mercy of the cable company or satellite provider to make sure that all of the channels are sent wiht the same characteristics. even on a calibrated set, one channel might still look great and another one may look like crap...and i am talking about thing like brightness, contrast, and color settings from the provider. we all know those companies proces the signal before they send them out.

That is true to some extent, but it is much less prevalent than you might think. A poorly adjusted video system will never look correct and you tend to blame the sender for all the problems. A well adjusted system usually looks very good with a few problems from poor sources. The most common picture problem other than noise that I see are brightness problems and some tint inconsistencies in some cameras used for news broadcasts.

Sorry for bumping a very old thread but I am having a small dilema here:

- I found a 1130HD pre-owned for $2000 and was offered a 5070HD new, tax included for $2500 delivered and do not know which one to pick.

I have seen the 50709HD and like the picture but never saw a 1130 or 1140, for these prices which would you take?