I'm contemplating the purchase of new Panasonic or Samsung 50" plasma television. Like most anyone else who has seen them, I thought the Pioneer 5080HD to be the superior set but it's not in my current budget. Are there expectations of a significant decline in price for the Pioneer and if so, when might that likely be? The alternative to waiting for a price decline is to just go ahead with one of the others I've been looking at.

Thanks.

Hopefully the price will decrease with the introduction of the 5010FD's. There price being quoted right now is around the MSRP of the 5080, it should come down, hopefully a few hundred *crosses fingers*

Pioneer is not known to discount heavily on new released units. The price on the 5080 will be likely the same the next 3-4 months. If you are not willing to pay the 5080 prices, definately check out the:

Samsung 5064
Panasonic 50PX75U

These are great alternatives to the 5080. I recommend these units...

Chris
mountavision.com

Pioneer is not known to discount heavily on new released units. The price on the 5080 will be likely the same the next 3-4 months. If you are not willing to pay the 5080 prices, definately check out the:

Samsung 5064
Panasonic 50PX75U

These are great alternatives to the 5080. I recommend these units...

Chris
mountavision.com

Good suggestions but they are not the 5080 ;)

There was some recent discussion, although we don't know for sure and we don't know the significance of any possible MSRP drops:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11106271&&#post11106271

I think in one of the Pio threads, D-Nice later said he was thinking more like Sept. for any possible Pio MSRP reduction.

It would be a smart move for Pioneer to compete within the 50"/60" 1080p segment.

Chris

I think in one of the Pio threads, D-Nice later said he was thinking more like Sept. for any possible Pio MSRP reduction.

I can't imagine Pio could be having too much success with their current pricing scheme outside of the hardcore videophile (like us). I really want one, but I have to talk myself down from it because its street price is nearly $1k above that of the 5054 and 50PX75U. Once the initial buyers have theirs, I'm hoping that Pioneer decides to price more competitively and fall to around the price of where the 5070 is at relative to the competition.

Given the fact that something new, better, and cheaper is always just around the corner, I have a hard time justifying spending an extra 50% when the cheaper alternatives (esp. the Sammy) are very capable displays.

The fact that the Pio seems to have fewer problems than either the new Samsung's or Panny's (as well as no temporary IR) would make me feel more comfortable going with it, but Pioneer needs to price a little more competitively for me to take the dive.

I've delayed purchasing a 5064 just to keep an eye on what Pioneer will do in August/Sept with their 5080 pricing. I certainly don't expect them to price in the same range as Samsung or Panasonic, but at the current price they're hovering around the 58" 720p plasmas (specifically the Panny pro 58PH10UK).

I couldn't agree with you more!

Chris
mountavision.com

I can't imagine Pio could be having too much success with their current pricing scheme outside of the hardcore videophile (like us). I really want one, but I have to talk myself down from it because its street price is nearly $1k above that of the 5054 and 50PX75U. Once the initial buyers have theirs, I'm hoping that Pioneer decides to price more competitively and fall to around the price of where the 5070 is at relative to the competition.

Given the fact that something new, better, and cheaper is always just around the corner, I have a hard time justifying spending an extra 50% when the cheaper alternatives (esp. the Sammy) are very capable displays.

The fact that the Pio seems to have fewer problems than either the new Samsung's or Panny's (as well as no temporary IR) would make me feel more comfortable going with it, but Pioneer needs to price a little more competitively for me to take the dive.

I've delayed purchasing a 5064 just to keep an eye on what Pioneer will do in August/Sept with their 5080 pricing. I certainly don't expect them to price in the same range as Samsung or Panasonic, but at the current price they're hovering around the 58" 720p plasmas (specifically the Panny pro 58PH10UK).

Obviously we can't know what factors in to the Pioneer pricing structure, but if logic prevailed :)

1. inventory reduction and cash flow (they want to get their capital out of 'last year's models' in order to invest in future ones. This only works if there is inventory left to sell.)

2. competition (who is their competition and what are their price points? Is the 5080HD paired with Panansonic's 75/77U? If so, then the price needs to drop several hundred dollars. Is the 5010FD paired with the 750? (1080p, et al) Again, the price differential is wide in favor of Panny, without consideration of the contrast and other superior features of the Pioneer.)

3. premium clients (who are they trying to sell to? the Elite line is elite-priced. So then, who is the target consumer for the 5010 and 6010? )

4. volume sales (does Pioneer want to move a lot of sets (has anyone read the stats on the potential market over the next two or three years? It's huge!))

If we had a better understanding of these elements (and I'm sure there are other factors), I think we could better predict how the pricing will evolve over the next few months. Past experience may not be a good predictor for future pricing strategy.

I want the 6010 (well, at least that's what I'm thinking today), but at a price that is closer to the Panny 750. Pioneer (or Santa), if you are listening, you can PM me anytime.

Anyone else?

--Scooter, the librarian

I can't imagine Pio could be having too much success with their current pricing scheme outside of the hardcore videophile (like us). If by success you mean profitable then yes there is little chance that will happen. Maintaining a premium is a good idea but they are going to have to adjust it down IMO.

If not it will look pretty rediculus when I go to BB here in Canada and see a 50pz700u listed at 3500 MSRP and beside it the Pio 5010FD listed at 6000$ MSRP.

If the pricing strategy doesn't change then I expect Pioneer to be out of the plasma business in a couple of years :(

http://displaydaily.com/2007/07/05/pioneer-keeps-drinking-its-own-kool-aid/

If the pricing strategy doesn't change then I expect Pioneer to be out of the plasma business in a couple of years :(

I think you may be optimistic. (http://pioneer.jp/corp/ir/pdf/finance/announce/fr_2008/1st/release_1q08e.pdf)

With losses of almost 500 million in home electronics over the last 9 quarters and a downward revision already for the remaining quarters of fiscal 08...well....its not good.

If they ultimately can't pull a profit with a panel as good as the G8 , how much more loss will they accept before calling it quits?

The fear of an impending demise of Pioneer for plasma? That will do a lot for their marketing strategy, especially among those who are buying to ensure future-proof plasma viewing pleasure... I'm only looking for 10 years :)

--scooter, the librarian

There are some *ahem* forum sponsors who can give you a very good price on the 4280 or 5080. I recently purchased one, and although they will quote you prices, I can attest to the ease of ordering. PM me if you'd like to know how I bought my 5080 (1 wk. ago). Good luck!

Panasonic 50" and 42" 700U units just took a nice price drop today, again. Amazing how expensive the Pioneers are, nice to see a manufacturer take a "stance" in pricing I guess.

Panasonic 50" and 42" 700U units just took a nice price drop today, again. Amazing how expensive the Pioneers are, nice to see a manufacturer take a "stance" in pricing I guess.Yep and the other Pannies will fall in price within the next 2 weeks. Pioneer will follow (as I've promised;))

Amazing how expensive the Pioneers are.

Lol. Come to Europe, you will shoot yourself through the head. :rolleyes:

We pay here ~3400 euro's incl. taxes for the cheapest 50" Pioneer, the 5080XA, which is ~$4650 according the current exchange rate. The 1080p 5000ex still costs ~7500euro's (=~$10600).

This is no joke. Pioneer Europe screws us big time. :mad:

Lol. Come to Europe, you will shoot yourself through the head. :rolleyes:

We pay here ~3400 euro's incl. taxes for the cheapest 50" Pioneer, the 5080XA, which is ~$4650 according the current exchange rate. The 1080p 5000ex still costs ~7500euro's (=~$10600).

This is no joke. Pioneer Europe screws us big time. :mad:
And how much of that is VAT?

And how much of that is VAT?

Here in NL we pay 19% VAT.

AVS is for technical support/technical discussion

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