I need some help. I am deciding between something and would like to have some advice. I originally purchased a Hitachi p42h401 and was very unhappy with it. I have know decided on two possible options. I can get about the same price on a Pioneer 4270 with an hd-dvd player or a stand alone Pioneer 4280 without the hd-dvd player. I have a large dvd collection and have an older Denon dvd player. What are you opinions? Thank you for your advice.

The 4280 has a noticeably better picture than the 5070 I saw a few days ago. I realize they are different sizes but the 4280 has much better color saturation (without being too vivid) and as often talked about, there was a healthy improvement in the black level department. If it were my choice, it would be the 4280 (without a doubt). But the 4270 is no slouch either and having an HD DVD player does make it an appealing offer.

I have to say 4280, the only thing HDDVD and bluray are going to do is come down in price. Buy one in a couple months, get the better TV. You'll be far happier in the long run.

Thank you two for giving me your input. I have noticed that quite a few people have looked at the thread but have not given any input. If there are any owners of either of these two sets or the larger Pioneers please pitch in with your suggestions. I would greatly appreciate everyones input.

You'll be kicking yourself if you bypass the big leap that the 8g's represent.

Forget HD-DVD. Get the 4280 (much better panel), save for Blu.

does the 4280 has anti-reflective screen like the panny 77 series?

Get the 4280, I had the 4270,great for standard dvd. the 3:3 cinema pulldown rate makes even older dvds look good. I would go with the 4280...I am having my 4280 delivered this week.You can get a Toshiba hd player for under $400.00 ,but I would recommend the playstation 3 which includes a blueray . Gaming and blueray! I have an Onkyo upconverting dvd player($149.00) looks great on 1080i on my 4270 i audditioned waiting for the 4280.I am waiting for next gen Denon dvd to replace 1930 or 2930 , as they should have hdmi 1.3 and the 2930 has Reon Silicon Optics video, one of the best in the industry and highly rated.check prices @ Visual Apex.com for the 4280, lowest i found and authorized Pioneer dealers

I got my 4280 a few days ago. Fantastic PQ (even with the toned down "break-in" settings.) I plan on waiting a few months before getting a high-def DVD player (probably Blu-Ray). The poll is a good one, though, since I was considering the 4270 a few weeks ago. I was able to get the 4280 from an online authorized retailer (an AVS sponsor) at a very reasonable price, so I'm quite happy with my selection of the 4280.

Perhaps it depends on what you watch and when you watch it. Are you a black level fanatic? Does it justify the price premium? I would say go where you can view both models and make your own decision.

The 4280 is a 720P display. You can buy a 1080i upconverting DVD for about 100 dollars to play your multitude of existing DVD's. HD-DVD's may go the way of Betamax so it is probably not a good idea to invest 500 dollars yet in any of the new formats.

The specs for the 4080 are very interesting... 4 HDMI inputs. A USB input to view photos (panny has SD slot which kind of limits your input media). etc My local big box does not have the 4280 in stock so I haven't seen them. Also reviews are very limited...

If it is costing as much for 4270 with HD player as for 4280, you are getting overcharged. The price diff is about 1000 at some Big Box retailers...Probably closer online...


Bud

It is not that the 4270 would cost as much it is that the 4280 would cost as little as the other. I get a discount through an employer. I also should have mentioned a hd player and not hd dvd player my mistake. I do appreciate your responses. Also what if I put in the option for a Panasonic 42PZ700U with the above mentioned player for the same price what would you choose?

If you can live with the blacks of either the older Pioneer or Panasonic.. I'd go that direction. Do keep in mind that black levels affects ALOT more than just how black your blacks are. If I were you? 4280.. then save up some money to get an HD player. :)

At 42 inches, DVDs will still look pretty good if you sit at normal seating distances.

I don't know Jesse. Is your wife going to be o.k. with the 4280 price? Maybe you should get the Panny 50pz700u if you can get it as the same price as the 4270. That's what i'm doing.

- I know jesse and the types of deals he can get.

Hey Adam hows it going? What do you think I should get. I am most likely going for the 42pz700u although I wish it had a little bit better color accuracy. Did you talk the wife into the 50pz750 or the 700 yet?

you did see this link ??


http://www.canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=161

BUD

I agree that the best bet would be the 4280. Also, I would save for a blue-ray player not a HD-DVD player.

Just got the 4280. The picture is phenomenal. I had a 4270 on order but cancelled it when I saw this picture.

I need some help. I am deciding between something and would like to have some advice. I originally purchased a Hitachi p42h401 and was very unhappy with it. I have know decided on two possible options. I can get about the same price on a Pioneer 4270 with an hd-dvd player or a stand alone Pioneer 4280 without the hd-dvd player. I have a large dvd collection and have an older Denon dvd player. What are you opinions? Thank you for your advice.

I've found that DVDs look fantastic on my 5080. Go with the 4080.

I vote for the 4280. There is a cost difference between the two but as time goes on and you can't find anymore 4270's from reputable dealers it will be a pretty easy choice. But I think it is worth the difference.

I would go with the Pioneer 4280. Have you read the review about the 42pz700 @cnet.com. I have seen both, and the color is not great on the panny like the Pioneer. I had the 4270 for 3 weeks, and with correct tuning, the picture was stunning. I just received my 4280, WOW!!! Its the 3:3 Pulldown that makes even older standard def dvd look very good. Get yourself a decent HD upconverting dvd player and a decent HDMI cable and enjoy the magic. I compared the panny 50pz700 next to the Pioneer 4280 and the pioneer just looks better, I also used the new Samsung 1080p lcd 40" and decent picture, but the blacks look washed out, even with black level turned to high.

I saw the 4280 on many blu-ray movies and regular dvd and I make me feel that's the only plasma available that's worth it.

Comparing it to the panasonic px7xx or pzxx serie, pioneer wins hands down.

Colors, details, black level, contrast, natural picture, movements, smooth colors gradation..everything is better. Light reflection is not a problem with pioneer, so no need for a stupid anti glare plastic filter...

every other plasma on the market is a compromise

P.S I do not work for pioneer... I work for a major electronic superstore and I have every brand and models on the floor.

I just watched a DVD of The Fountain on my new 4280. I couldn't really pay attention to the movie because I was marveling at the quality of the image. This is not even HD.

Then I went back and watched something on my 2 year old JVC DILA set and realized just how gray those blacks really are. Looks like I'll have to drop some more cash soon ;)

I need some help. I am deciding between something and would like to have some advice. I originally purchased a Hitachi p42h401 and was very unhappy with it. I have know decided on two possible options. I can get about the same price on a Pioneer 4270 with an hd-dvd player or a stand alone Pioneer 4280 without the hd-dvd player. I have a large dvd collection and have an older Denon dvd player. What are you opinions? Thank you for your advice.

I see many 4280 recommendations here and I probably agree with those recs, but do not forget that the 4270 will probably be an upgrade from the Hitachi.

I was in a very similar boat about 3 months ago. I was going to wait, for the 1080p 8G unit, but instead decided to buy one of the super cheap 4270s and tuck the savings away for a 1080p purchase next year when the prices drop. My logic is that I will end up with 2 sets (one 720 and one 1080p) for just about the price that I would pay for the 1080p set now. Admittedly, this theory only holds water if you want plasmas in every room :)

Based on price, I would select the Pioneer 4270. I work for a big box retailer and have seen it side by side with the 4280 & there is almost no difference (have them set with ISF calibration settings). Unless you are in need of HDMI ports (the 4280 has 4 vs. the 4270s 2) there isn't much more there. Even the specs on Pioneer's site are the same.

On the net you can find the 4270 for around $1300 and the 4280 for around $2000. The 4270 is still a knock out TV and you can put that $700 towards a HD DVD player & some movies!

First off thanks to everyone who has pitched in so far. Second I would like to give an update to everyone. I started out with the Hitachi and moved to the 4270 which I then moved to the Panasonic 42PZ700U. I would like to give some impressions on each and maybe this will help someone else out.
Hitachi: it has a ton of features that are just starting to be found that people really like such as burn in features auto power recognition of a source that turns the tv on, great connection options. It did have good colors but it had really bad black levels. It also started to auto shut off which was ultimately the reason for its return.
Pioneer 4270: fantastic colors, good processing and dvd picture, like many have said the colors do get more accurate after break in, it has a really over saturated green color almost neon on some things, ok black levels, not bad but not good. It has decent shadow details and also showed more jaggies in the picture than either of the other two especially on noses in mid range shots. It has good connection options but not great. Many extras like cable card, tv guide ect. It also has fantastic build quality very sturdy and solid feel.
Panasonic PZ700U: good colors not fantastic, I personally like the red a tiny bit better. Green is again not very accurate but this time it is a little bit more yellow and not as noticeable. Blue not as good as Pioneer and white not as clean and bright. Very good black levels and very good shadow details. Okay connection options. Virtually no extras on it except 1080p. Good processing, some low and some white high level noise but not noticeable from "normal" seating distance 95% of the time.
Overall out of these 3 I would say at street price get the Pioneer, if you can spend some more go with the Panasonic although many will say get the 4280. I will keep you posted as I will probably try the 4280 and possibly Samsung before settling on one.

Based on price, I would select the Pioneer 4270. I work for a big box retailer and have seen it side by side with the 4280 & there is almost no difference (have them set with ISF calibration settings).
Sorry but I have to strongly disagree. The 4280 has a clearly superior picture in many respects.

I had a 4270 on order and decided to spend $700 more for the 4280 once I saw it. It's that good. I figured I would have this TV for many years to come and I just was not comfortable going with a discontinued model when the one that replaced it has such significant improvements.