I haven't been able to find a store that has both of these so can't do a side by side test. Also, the store setups aren't that great so its pretty hard to tell what's really the best.

So, if you have been lucky enough to see both of these together could you post your opinion on the following:

Best Colors?

Darkest Blacks?

Best anti-glare screen?

Best at preventing image burn-in?

Best at running SD source?

Best at dealing with highly compressed HD source (as seen with digital cable)?

Anything else you think either is better at?

BTW, has anyone been able to compare the anti-glare coating on the 77U to the 75U. Again, I wasn't able to compare side to side but the 77U I saw still seemed to have glare, but to be fair it was a very brightly lit interior.

The answer is pioneer.

The answer is pioneer.Correct - except that the Panny's black level is a tad better.

Also, I'm not sure if the anti-glare screen on the new Panny's is better - it should be, but I haven't been able to compare them myself.

You would be very happy with both once you get it in your home. The difference between the two are minimal both having its strengths. It is all what You like because You are the one watching it.

You would be very happy with both once you get it in your home. The difference between the two are minimal both having its strengths. It is all what You like because You are the one watching it.

Is the Panny as good as the Pio for the image processing electronics used for preventing burn-in, playing SD content, dealing with highly compressed HD content, and scaling?

I'd also be interested to hear what setting owners of each have decided is the best for watching SD content. Watching at 4:3 native on the Pio isn't an option because of the gray bars/grey mirror image so one of the scaling options would be needed. Unfortunately the SD source I had available was crap and the scaling was nasty looking.

After reading the Official Pioneer 5070/71 Flashing Blue Light Shut-Down Thread I'm surprised at how many people continue to recommend Pioneer without mentioning that problem.

Pioneer makes a very good plasma. That said, they have their share of problems but many members here worship the Pioneer brand as if it were perfection. I guess that's why they're called fanboys :D

Has anyone noticed if the Pio or Panny is more "buzzy" sounding then the other? I'm referring to the low volume buzzing noise heard in some sets when they are turned off.

I have two panny's and love them and have friends that have the pioneers and they look great also. No problems.

I think the SD material is probably better on the Panny's.

I have E* and the 622 HD DVR does a great job of streching the 4:3

I usually don't bash but I HATE cable. I have had two different providers and both were much worse than D* and E*

Also I have never seen burn in on any of the panny's or pios that I own or family or friends

After reading the Official Pioneer 5070/71 Flashing Blue Light Shut-Down Thread I'm surprised at how many people continue to recommend Pioneer without mentioning that problem.Well... Give it enough time and you'll see all sorts of things mentioned about *EVERY* display in their appropriate owners thread. It's like saying that the world is *perfect* and nothing will ever go wrong. :p There is no such thing as a perfect world! :eek:

I haven't seen the flashing blue light problem and *knock on wood* I will never see it. :D

You go with whatever display brand you want. You don't need our permission! :rolleyes:

Seriously, I narrowed it down to Panny 75U and Pio 5070 in my recent purchase. I got pricing down on each brand down to about a $350 difference. I edged to the Pio at the last moment. I heard good stuff about both. I was looking at the 75U Panny and the Pio PDP5070HD. There was slight input selection difference that put the Pio at an advantage. I also noticed the slight ghosting you'd get looking at the Panny at extreme side viewing (wasn't much a concern though).

Sounds like you already have picked the Panny in your mind and want us to confirm it. Well just go buy the dang thing already, start enjoying it, and don't look back second guessing yourself! :D :D :D :D

My wife and I are enjoying our new Pioneer with no regrets. If we had bought the Panny, we'd be enjoying it (most likely just as well)! Either display smoke everything we had at home. So, unless you live in a video store, you'll not even remember the model number of the *other* set in a few weeks. :p

I haven't seen the flashing blue light problem and *knock on wood* I will never see it.

Excellent, another data point. Do you watch anything OTA with a weak signal?

You go with whatever display brand you want. You don't need our permission!

I'm not asking for permission, I'm asking for information. If I could find a store that had both models I could figure it all out myself.

Sounds like you already have picked the Panny in your mind and want us to confirm it.

Actually, I'm leaning towards the Pio due to the stretch modes as I watch alot of SD content. I'm still researching though. Sounds like the Elites might be even better in this area. I do wish that the Pio had the black bar option when viewing 4:3. The other thing I don't like about the Pio is the high gloss black bevel as it seems to reflect like crazy in the store.

Excellent, another data point. Do you watch anything OTA with a weak signal?



I'm not asking for permission, I'm asking for information. If I could find a store that had both models I could figure it all out myself.



Actually, I'm leaning towards the Pio due to the stretch modes as I watch alot of SD content. I'm still researching though. Sounds like the Elites might be even better in this area. I do wish that the Pio had the black bar option when viewing 4:3. The other thing I don't like about the Pio is the high gloss black bevel as it seems to reflect like crazy in the store.

It reflects at home as well, but I will be honest, the picture looks so good, I honestly dont even notice it anymore.

Sounds like both are good, but as a Pioneer owner, and one who has a child still watching SD, I am still impressed everyday with how my 5070 handles those signals.

Good Luck.

Doug

It reflects at home as well, but I will be honest, the picture looks so good, I honestly dont even notice it anymore.

Thanks for letting me know. It seems silly to put a high gloss finish on the bezel. Flat black would make so much more sense for viewing.

Thanks for letting me know. It seems silly to put a high gloss finish on the bezel. Flat black would make so much more sense for viewing. Maybe, but high gloss is more stylish when the set is off, which is important to many people.

Ultimately its up to you as to which looks better. I don't think you can go wrong with either set.

Without hijacking this thread, I need to buy a 50" plasma this weekend and don't have time to do in depth research. Can you guys recommend the best one around $2500.00 or below. I won't buy online so I am only considering what is available at CC, BB, Tweeter etc. Thanks.
P.S. Is LCD a better way to go than plasma?

Without hijacking this thread, I need to buy a 50" plasma this weekend and don't have time to do in depth research. Can you guys recommend the best one around $2500.00 or below. I won't buy online so I am only considering what is available at CC, BB, Tweeter etc. Thanks.
P.S. Is LCD a better way to go than plasma?
Pio (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7854789&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050031&id=1142299476010)

Panny (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254792&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050031&id=1169512771911)

These are two good choices for 50" plasma's. Either one will definitely suit your needs. I found that the Panasonic does indeed have deeper black levels, which helps with shadow detail during dark scenes. I noticed that the color accuracy of the 5070/1 is amazing. Talk about punchy and vibrant right out of the box. I would say that Pio wins within this category. Overall, as you move closer to the screen, I believe the Pioneer does a slightly better job of eliminating video noise/mosquito noise. With that said, I can live either one as my choice, but I think the Panasonic 50PX77U has more value and represents a very close picture to the Pioneer for less money.

Chris
MountAVision.com

Vidmaven & creemail, thank you.

Without hijacking this thread, I need to buy a 50" plasma this weekend and don't have time to do in depth research. Can you guys recommend the best one around $2500.00 or below. I won't buy online so I am only considering what is available at CC, BB, Tweeter etc. Thanks.
P.S. Is LCD a better way to go than plasma?

If you've got $2500 you're way over budget on 50" these days. If I were you, I'd go to frys dot com or one of the forum sponsors and check out the current pricing on the 58" panny closeouts. See if your local fry's will match the online price.

If you're going to go 50" at a B&M, definitely check out best buy and see if you can get a closeout deal or a price match on the panny 50" 600u unless you need that anti-glare screen on the 77u or the all-black bezel. You'd save enough in your budget to buy your choice of blu-ray/hd-dvd or ps3 or a new receiver or whatever, you can even just throw the cash on your bed and roll around in it! :D

If saving that money isn't as important, probably can't go wrong with the 5070/5071 from pio.

I did find the Panny 50" 600U @ tweeter on closeout. The Panny PX77 is priced about $400 more than the 600U. I want the anti-glare but not sure if it's worth $400 price difference.

I did find the Panny 50" 600U @ tweeter on closeout. The Panny PX77 is priced about $400 more than the 600U. I want the anti-glare but not sure if it's worth $400 price difference.

How bad is the glare? Are you watching in the day-time all the time, or are you only worried about occasional glare? You have to decide how much of an issue that is for you. There are other solutions for glare, such as controlling lighting or putting in curtains or something.

No way I would pay $400 more for the 77u, personally, but that depends on how budget-conscious you are and how much that glare is an issue for you. What kind of TV do you have currently? Is glare a problem now?