I am looking to plunk down for my first plasma (which will be a major step up from my 27" Panny CRT, clearly), and find myself torn between two models: The Panasonic TH-50PX77U and the Pioneer PDP-5080HD.

By all accounts, the Pio seems to be the better piece of equipment. The best price I could likely find it for locally would be $3149 (from BB). The Panny, however, is on sale for $1799 at another local store.

Here are a couple considerations:

First, I am not (yet, at least) a true videophile. I am a movie buff who watches a fair amount of television, and I want the best picture possible (in a room with a decent amount of ambient light) on a modest-to-mid-sized budget. I have no plans to jump on the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD bandwagon until the format wars have progressed a bit more. I'm not a gamer. My TV content is through Comcast (via a TiVoHD box). I have no audio system in place yet (and probably won't invest in that until sometime next year). My viewing distance will be approximately 10-11 ft, so 1080p isn't likely necessary.

Second, I prefer to buy from a local retailer in order to simplify any return issues that may arise. Obviously that puts me at a price disadvantage, but unless any of you can absolutely recommend an internet dealer with a truly no-hassle return policy, I'll probably just stick with a local dealer.


Bottom line------In your opinion(s), how likely is it that the differences in quality between these two sets would be apparent enough to a plasma/HD newbie like me to justify a $1350 price differential?


I recognize that these two models may not be in the same class PQ-wise (as they are certainly not comparable in price), but my main requirements are great PQ with an anti-glare screen, and Pioneers and Pannys seem to have the best overall reputations. Could there be any models that exist between these two sets performance and pricewise that I'm overlooking?

I really appreciate your help. I've spent several days researching and reading countless boards. I don't want to overthink it, and I recognize that it probably just comes down to personal preference, but I've waiting a long time to get into the plasma market, and I certainly don't want to regret my decision. Price is definitely a consideration, but I may be willing to pay a premium for the Pioneer if the general consensus is that the perceived difference in PQ over time would be a big enough advantage for an HD virgin like myself.

Any insight you have will be greatly appreciated. This forum is an often intimidating fountain of information, but I'm very glad it exists to benefit both us newbies and you seasoned vets. Thanks again.

First of all, I'm not an expert myself.
I'm in the same boat as you (first wanted LCD, than PannyPZ700, Pio5080 and have now decided to buy the Pio 5010; found it at a good price, or should I go for 60" :D ).

Last week I went to a big "store" where they had all brands and there was one screen that popped out and that was the Pio 4280 (didn't have the 50"). Even my girlfriend who couldn't care less noticed what a crisped screen and beautifull colors it produced. And it was hanging next to the Pio 4270.

Now if it's that much more money worth to you, only you can decide.
But if you want the latest state of the art technology go with Pio, and otherwise go with the Panny and safe some money you can spend on receiver, speakers... and still have a good plasma (not the best)

But don't make your decision to soon, dig deeper on this forum and you will get wiser too.

Hope this will be any help.

I don't think you'll actually see the value of the Pioneer. The financial difference is large for a small increase in picture quality and functionality. It's easy to say that the Pioneer looks the best when comparing it to a sea of tv's but the fact is that just about any competent HD TV that you purchase is going to be a huge step up. Luckily the Panasonic offers great functionality at a reasonable price. Maybe I'm too frugal but $1400 is a lot of money.

Make a pile of goods for the same money and then choose. Pioneer in one pile versus the Panasonic in the other along with an HD-DVD upscaling DVD player, a new receiver, and 8 $50 dinners eating out.

I'd choose the pile with the most value to me and it wouldn't be the Pioneer.

Hope this helps!

I would wait until the Thanksgiving day sales. The prices of plasmas are really dropping fast. The 50" plasmas are now the sweet spot of plasma displays and now are priced close to where 42" plasmas were last year.

if you have the money i say "spend" as it keeps our economy churning...but keep in mind that i bought panny just to save a few bux...my previous display was a pioneer 533 rptv (which lol cost more than the panny 58ph10uk)

but seriously, there is no way to put a definitive, quantifiable number/dollar vakue differential...if you can afford it and/or want just want to spend it then you'll be happy you did.

I don't think you'll actually see the value of the Pioneer. The financial difference is large for a small increase in picture quality and functionality. It's easy to say that the Pioneer looks the best when comparing it to a sea of tv's but the fact is that just about any competent HD TV that you purchase is going to be a huge step up. Luckily the Panasonic offers great functionality at a reasonable price. Maybe I'm too frugal but $1400 is a lot of money.

Make a pile of goods for the same money and then choose. Pioneer in one pile versus the Panasonic in the other along with an HD-DVD upscaling DVD player, a new receiver, and 8 $50 dinners eating out.

I'd choose the pile with the most value to me and it wouldn't be the Pioneer.

Hope this helps!

well... frankly, i'd happily eat 8 dinners of kraft macaroni and cheese (and i HATE that stuff :) ) if that was the difference between getting the pio or the panny.... i'd even eat a couple dozen more to make up the difference for the hd-dvd player and avr... ;)

but that's me... ymmv... everyone has different priorities in life...

For a first time buyer, it makes sense to go with a lower priced model. Now if you can swing the 5080, then I would give it a shot, but for now you will be content with the picture quality of the 75U.

Chris

i'd say go with the panny - use the money you save to buy a ps3 (bluray and nice dvd playback) and/or a decent sound system. good luck.

If you want the BEST PQ hands down the Pioneer 5080 will win for overallTV/Movie watching.

Price seems to be an issue (was and still is with me). Check out the Samsung 5084 and wait for the Panasonic 50PZ77U (the 1080P version of the set you are considering).

Thanks for chiming in everyone. I think I've decided that the $1400 premium for the Pioneer is probably not worth it to an HD newb like me. That said, I should probably just go for the Panny PX77U.

However, being the compulsive researcher I am, I just got wind of the new Panny PZ77U, which one of you guys mentioned. Aside from being 1080p (though I admittedly wouldn't see much benefit from anyway at my viewing distance), it's supposed to have twice the contrast ratio and better blacks than the PX model. Retails for $2799, though it can probably be had for closer to $2400-2500 in the coming weeks. Pricewise that's exactly between the two models I've been considering, and perhaps a good compromise. Now we just need to give it a week or two so new users can have a consensus as to how much better the picture is from the PX. Assuming it's significant, I'll probably plunk down for the PZ.

Thanks again for all the input.

I think one can easily get a Pio 5080 from one of the forum sponsors delivered, for the price of the a PZ77U from a B&M...perhaps even a little cheaper. Just PM a few of them and I am sure they would be more than willing to give you a quote, they all are very helpful!

-Rob

Thanks for chiming in everyone. I think I've decided that the $1400 premium for the Pioneer is probably not worth it to an HD newb like me. That said, I should probably just go for the Panny PX77U.

However, being the compulsive researcher I am, I just got wind of the new Panny PZ77U, which one of you guys mentioned. Aside from being 1080p (though I admittedly wouldn't see much benefit from anyway at my viewing distance), it's supposed to have twice the contrast ratio and better blacks than the PX model. Retails for $2799, though it can probably be had for closer to $2400-2500 in the coming weeks. Pricewise that's exactly between the two models I've been considering, and perhaps a good compromise. Now we just need to give it a week or two so new users can have a consensus as to how much better the picture is from the PX. Assuming it's significant, I'll probably plunk down for the PZ.

Thanks again for all the input.

if you are willing to go to $2500 for the panny, you might want to click on a few sponsor links if you really like the 5080... ;)

I think one can easily get a Pio 5080 from one of the forum sponsors delivered, for the price of the a PZ77U from a B&M...perhaps even a little cheaper. Just PM a few of them and I am sure they would be more than willing to give you a quote, they all are very helpful!

-Rob

+1000

Its nuts to pay so much for a display at BB or CC when you can pay over a thousand less from an online merchant.

Also, a little OT, but why didn't the mods attack the OP's post for containing street pricing? It's been 24hrs now, usually they catch them in the first couple hours. Have those rules been relaxed now?

+1000

Its nuts to pay so much for a display at BB or CC when you can pay over a thousand less from an online merchant.

Also, a little OT, but why didn't the mods attack the OP's post for containing street pricing? It's been 24hrs now, usually they catch them in the first couple hours. Have those rules been relaxed now?

No doubt...I was trying not to get into $$ amount specifics, that is why I left it as a general statement......:D

+1000

Its nuts to pay so much for a display at BB or CC when you can pay over a thousand less from an online merchant.

Also, a little OT, but why didn't the mods attack the OP's post for containing street pricing? It's been 24hrs now, usually they catch them in the first couple hours. Have those rules been relaxed now?

The rules are still there but sometimes you have to report them.

I was VERY, VERY close to purchasing a Panasonic TH-50PX75U that I found on an awesome deal locally, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm very picky and very easily ridden with buyer's remorse. One thing that probably separates me from a lot of forum members is that I will (probably) keep this TV for 5+ years. So, from my point of view, I'd rather wait 6 months until the prices on the Pioneer 5080 (hopefully) come down than to go out and buy the Panasonic that will likely give me buyer's remorse for years to come.

I'm not trying to persuade you either way; I'm just sharing what I would do in your situation.

if you search around in the kuro owners thread youll see a few occasions where people had bought from invision, a forum sponsor, and had issues for one reason or another...their concerns all seemed to be resolved in a very timely manner

if i lived in the us i would certainly be taking advantage of the deals offered by the forum sponsors