Having decided that I really want the quality of a plasma, and having waited for plasmas to come out with 1080p... I'm now wondering: DO I REALLY NEED IT?

I'll be sitting some 13 feet from the screen, most likely a 50-incher. I realize that 1080p from a network is many years away, but I thought that to see the very best in movies a 1080p set combined with a Blu-Ray player would provide the optimal viewing experience. Lots of love for the Pioneer 5080, but that's still at 720.

I thought 1080p was akin to anticipating arrival of the Holy Grail, but am I right in now thinking that may not be the case?

Who can convince me either way?


Thanks!

.

If you read more here, you'll learn that resolution is only one factor to a good picture quality. On top of that, resolution is dependant on two other things, that's distance and size.

The farther you sit or the smaller the screen, the less resolution matters.

My recommendation is to get an actual tape measure and measure from the front of the screen to where your eyes would be. Then you can determine what size you want. That size will then help you determine what resolution you want.

At 13', if that's your true viewing distance, and a 50" display, 1080p would be a waste to spend extra money on.

A non-1080p can still leverage the value of a better source like BR or HD DVD, but outputting the extra resolution is wasted on a 50" if you are farther then 7' away.

So if you are set on 50" and 13', then I would say don't spend EXTRA money on 1080p.

That's not to say that 1080p is not a good thing. It is, but it's a good thing if your eyes can benefit from it and that's dependant on size and distance.

Russ

Thanks, Russ... that's what I've suspected. (And yes, I've measured, and since this is our main TV and it's in the bedroom, the distance is 13 feet exactly.)

Suddenly, that Pioneer 6070 is looking mighty tempting. (But would THAT screen size make a difference?)

at 13 ft get the panny 58pz700u which is 1080p and then get a blu-ray player and you will be heaven

I don't know who this fat dude is, but at 13', you definitely do not need 1080P. Even with the 6070 (which is a fabulous set btw), you don't need 1080P. Save the cash and enjoy your panel.

Thanks, Russ... that's what I've suspected. (And yes, I've measured, and since this is our main TV and it's in the bedroom, the distance is 13 feet exactly.)

Suddenly, that Pioneer 6070 is looking mighty tempting. (But would THAT screen size make a difference?)

With Pio, all the 60's are 1080p, so it's not a choice, which makes it simple. Yes 60" would be beneficial at 13'.

Russ

the 6070 would be an excellent choice and the panny 58 60u/600u/700u/750u all would be a good second choice. since you know you will be at 13 ft the 1080p will not be seen even with a 58-60 display thats why i mention the 60u/600u along with the 700/750u. and it gives you a wide budget range to choose from also around $2k to $4k. click the Invision link at top of the page and give roman a call, I bet he has a 6070 with your name on it :):).

^^ The 6070 which is a 7th generation Pioneer panel, can be had at a great discount. Not 1080P.

http://www.carltonbale.com/wp-content/uploads/resolution_chart.png

yes, thats the point at 13 ft, normal eyesight 20/20 cannot resolve 1080p, so the OP can get an excellent plasma in the 6070 768p at a great deal and be very happy.

ben, yes russ is right the new pioneer 60" out in late august or sept will be 1080p only, but the 6070 768p is still available.

the new 8 gen sets 1080p feature will not be a difference to you but a big difference that you will see is the new tech deep blacks and higher contrast so they will have a better PQ then even the 6070 does now. of course the drawback will be higher initial pricing and having to wait the dang two months..........argh, tick, tick, tick.........

and of course the biggest difference is that a 60" has 44% more screen area then a 50 that is a HUGE difference.

Yeah, I would not eliminate the 8G 60" ones as the other enhancements could be worth the price and as I said, you shouldn't pay extra for 1080p at that distance. Since there is no non-1080p 60" then your choice is to go with 8G or 7G, so you should weigh the value of the new technology, which I think is worth it. Then get it for the best price. Either the 6010 or the 150HD.

Russ

You don't need it yet, but if you have the money, buy it. In 2-3 years all plasmas will be 1080p.

ben,I,m in the same boat as you except my distance is 12' and my tv will be in a dedicated room being the only difference. I almost bit on the 1540 but after much research(thanks to this forum) as well I decided to wait for the 150FD mainly because of the new black tech,etc and because I like the idea of the 4 hdmi inputs vs 2 on the 1540.

I also have the benefit of if I really want to, I can slide a seat closer for watching movies etc for the increased resolution and as the poster above stated that in probably a very short time frame 1080p tvs will be more the norm than they are now

As for if you REALLY need it in your circumstance, I would say no but each to his own, and good luck in your venture for a new tv:)

Cheers:

Bob

It's possible for 720 TVs to look better than 1080 TVs. That just goes to show you there's more than just resolution to consider.

You don't need it yet, but if you have the money, buy it. In 2-3 years all plasmas will be 1080p.

That's probably, but not necessarily, good advice.

Whether or not plasmas will all be 1080p in a few years or not, you still probably won't need a 1080p set from 13 feet viewing distance. So if you really will be viewing it from 13 feet from now until the end of the lifespan of the TV, then you really don't need to spend the extra cash.

Of course, your viewing situation today may not always be your viewing situation. So what Hans is getting at is that if you think you might ever move the TV to another room or rearrange your bedroom at some point such that your viewing distance will be closer, or if you might end up giving or selling it to someone who will be able to take advantage of the extra resolution, then it may well be worth it to spend the extra cash on a 1080P set.

With Pio, all the 60's are 1080p, so it's not a choice, which makes it simple. Yes 60" would be beneficial at 13'.

Russ

for $3500 versus $6000 for the new 1080p 60 Pio.

My viewing distance is very similar (13-15 ft), so I looked at some 720p and 1080p panels side-by-side in the stores from that far away. To my mid-40s eyes, there was no difference that I could appreciate at that distance.

There are still some 720p 58" Panasonic plasmas to be found, and at very nice prices. I just hung a TH-58PX60u on the wall today that I picked up on-line for just less than $2300 shipped with a free Harmony remote.

I'm lovin the size and PQ of the 58" Panny. Now it's time to shop for an upconverting DVD/Home Theater 5.1 surround system. :)

Great info, everybody... I very much appreciate all the helpful responses.

At Magnolia today, I saw for the first time, the Pioneer Elite PRO 1040HD. Beautiful set and marked down from $4,500 to $3,000. (I'm also finding it at $2,189 at someplace called PriceMad in NYC.) Anybody know this online retailer?)

Since I mentioned that this TV was for my bedroom, the helpful sales associate said that a 60-inch would just dominate my normal-sized bedroom. He had a point... the gorgeous wifey likes TV but doesn't want to redecorate.

I'm thinking that an Elite (bought on sale!) with a 50-inch screen at 13 feet could be just the ticket. (And it's also true that if one day I upgrade this TV could go in say, the KITCHEN! Hoo ha.

Great info, everybody... I very much appreciate all the helpful responses.

At Magnolia today, I saw for the first time, the Pioneer Elite PRO 1040HD. Beautiful set and marked down from $4,500 to $3,000. (I'm also finding it at $2,189 at someplace called PriceMad in NYC.) Anybody know this online retailer?)

Since I mentioned that this TV was for my bedroom, the helpful sales associate said that a 60-inch would just dominate my normal-sized bedroom. He had a point... the gorgeous wifey likes TV but doesn't want to redecorate.

I'm thinking that an Elite (bought on sale!) with a 50-inch screen at 13 feet could be just the ticket. (And it's also true that if one day I upgrade this TV could go in say, the KITCHEN! Hoo ha.
If it sounds too good to be true then it is. Pioneer Elite can not be sold online. This company is not authorized. So if you bought this unit from them, Pioneer is not guaranteed to cover it. Even a big company like Crutchfield isn't selling Pioneer Elite online and they are one of the largest mail order companies. Pricemad receives good reviews with reseller ratings, but I would be skeptical about buying this unit with Pioneer one of the strictest manufacturer's to sell online without permission.

Chris
MountAVision.com

As a side note, why buy the 1140HD when you can get the 1150HD for a good price. I have an 1140HD, myself, but I wouldn't get the 1140HD for that price if you can get an 1150HD for close to that.:)

Russ

Great info, everybody... I very much appreciate all the helpful responses.

At Magnolia today, I saw for the first time, the Pioneer Elite PRO 1040HD. Beautiful set and marked down from $4,500 to $3,000. (I'm also finding it at $2,189 at someplace called PriceMad in NYC.) Anybody know this online retailer?)

Since I mentioned that this TV was for my bedroom, the helpful sales associate said that a 60-inch would just dominate my normal-sized bedroom. He had a point... the gorgeous wifey likes TV but doesn't want to redecorate.

I'm thinking that an Elite (bought on sale!) with a 50-inch screen at 13 feet could be just the ticket. (And it's also true that if one day I upgrade this TV could go in say, the KITCHEN! Hoo ha.

http://www.carltonbale.com/wp-content/uploads/resolution_chart.png

yes, thats the point at 13 ft, normal eyesight 20/20 cannot resolve 1080p, so the OP can get an excellent plasma in the 6070 768p at a great deal and be very happy. Precisely what I said earlier... :rolleyes:

Great info, everybody... I very much appreciate all the helpful responses.

At Magnolia today, I saw for the first time, the Pioneer Elite PRO 1040HD. Beautiful set and marked down from $4,500 to $3,000. (I'm also finding it at $2,189 at someplace called PriceMad in NYC.) Anybody know this online retailer?)

Since I mentioned that this TV was for my bedroom, the helpful sales associate said that a 60-inch would just dominate my normal-sized bedroom. He had a point... the gorgeous wifey likes TV but doesn't want to redecorate.

I'm thinking that an Elite (bought on sale!) with a 50-inch screen at 13 feet could be just the ticket. (And it's also true that if one day I upgrade this TV could go in say, the KITCHEN! Hoo ha.

50" is all you need for a bedroom TV. If you're going to buy Pioneer, the Elites are the way to go. Non Elite owners will disagree with this thinking, but they can't afford the Elite and they don't live in Kirkland. Magnolia is a very good store, since BestBuy bought Magnolia, now you can haggle a little on price.

50" is all you need for a bedroom TV. If you're going to buy Pioneer, the Elites are the way to go. Non Elite owners will disagree with this thinking, but they can't afford the Elite and they don't live in Kirkland. Magnolia is a very good store, since BestBuy bought Magnolia, now you can haggle a little on price.

If you're buying from Magnolia, you're probably paying way more then you need to be paying for an Elite, but I do agree that Elite is the way to go.

If you're buying from Magnolia, you're probably paying way more then you need to be paying for an Elite, but I do agree that Elite is the way to go.

So you suggest just calling around to the specialty shops that are authorized Pio dealers in the area for a better price than Magnolia? Many of your posts have hinted at much better pricing on the Elites, and I am hoping you're right--and not just right in your particular geographic area.

I work at a specialty retailer and because we belong to a big buying group we are the same price or better all day long compared to a BB, Magnolia, CC, etc. Not online cheap, but with our delivery policy and fast delivery time we smoke those guys all day long! Example 60" Pioneer (PDP-6070) $ 4,925 @ BB our price $ 3999 delivered! We will have a smokin' deal on the PRO-FHD1 soon! Always make friends with a local shop. It will save you money in the long run! Elite plasma's rule.
Don't sweat 1080p...not a big deal.

You just broke a forum rule by advertising a price - best edit/delete your post before you get a spanking.