I know, you get it all the time, help me choose from us non-technical, unknowing idiots, but I'm asking you to do it one more time (at least) for me. I think buying a new TV is harder than buying a new car...so many options, don't know what is worth more money and what isn't. So here is my situation.

I'm going to buy a new flat panel. I've made up my mind that I"m getting 1080p (why, just so I can say I have it and feel good about getting every single pixel that is available). I want at least 50" or 52" but not really 60". I want the most for what I can afford, which leads to the number one question..budget. I don't want to go over $3500, but I also don't want to pay $3500 for a TV that is slightly better than one I could get for $2500.

I've been in the stores and i know everyone says go with your eyes, but i don't agree. the lighting is different, the sources are different and even the content is typically not what I'd watch at home.

Here is where I'm down to:

Pioneer PDP-5010FD
Samsung LN-T5265F

Now, I'm not comparing these two directly...again, is the Pioneer worth an extra $1000 - $1500. Am I missing an option that is just overwhelmingly a better choice?

Finally, in pricing the Pioneer, I see prices from $3200 to $5000. Does anyone know if buying from the online retailers that offer lower prices is safe? Full warranty? Any issues with using them?

I'm going to buy a new flat panel. I've made up my mind that I"m getting 1080p (why, just so I can say I have it and feel good about getting every single pixel that is available). I want at least 50" or 52" but not really 60". I want the most for what I can afford, which leads to the number one question..budget. I don't want to go over $3500, but I also don't want to pay $3500 for a TV that is slightly better than one I could get for $2500.
That's a great reason to go 1080p. :rolleyes:

Here is where I'm down to:

Pioneer PDP-5010FD
Samsung LN-T5265F

Now, I'm not comparing these two directly...again, is the Pioneer worth an extra $1000 - $1500. Am I missing an option that is just overwhelmingly a better choice?




If you could afford it the Pio is the better choice, and it's really not even close. It's all about what you think looks better. Compare then both and see what you like better.

While I understand why some people are enamored with 1080p resolution, it makes zero sense if you can't take advantage of it.. i.e. you sit too far away. Of those two, I'd select the 5010.

You should get a 5080 (768p). That's more within your price range and it is better than the Samsung.

You should get a 5080 (768p). That's more within your price range and it is better than the Samsung.

Or 1150 ;)

I know, I know...1080p just cause is not a good reason. I think it will make me feel better. So, I would really like the pioneer, but it only falls in my price range if I order from some online only retailers. I've never done that and have been researching. I see good and bad. Do you have any opinions on doing this? I can get the pio for within my budget but its from an online retailer that I've never heard of. They are listed on CNET...should I trust them or be cautious?

Check out the prices from the forum sponsors, linked at the top of the forum. Invision Displays, Plasma Concepts, Visual Apex. They should all be able to give you a great deal.

I know, I know...1080p just cause is not a good reason. I think it will make me feel better.

If you sit 10 feet or farther away from the TV, you won't be able to tell a lick of difference between the 5080 and 5010 unless you hook up a computer to it. Will spending $1,000 for absolutely no advantage really make you feel better? From 10+ feet away you'll actually get a better picture from the pro 1150 than the 5010 even though the 1150 is ONLY 768p.

Really....thanks for the info. I didn't know that. How much difference will there be in the 5080 and 5010 if I do sit closer than 10 ft? Are you statements accurate even with Blueray?

It's accurate no matter what the source resolution is. Your eyes cannot physically resolve the difference between 720p and 1080p on a 50" screen at distances further than ~10ft unless you have better than 20/20 vision. You get the full benefit of 1080p on a 50" set at around 6.5ft, and it decreases as you move away from the set, up until 10ft where it will look identical to a 720p set.

i'm surprised no one asked you what your viewing preferences were. without that info how can anyone make an informed decision?

what are your sources? room lighting conditions, windows, sunlight etc.

pc, games, children?

if you are in the dark all the time, go for the pio. this also applies if you don't have any lighting issues(windows etc.) if you do have windows facing the set you need to find a way to black it out. glare and reflections are a big drawback.

lcd for bright conditions, much more flexible for daytime watching, much more forgiving for room placement.

if you are bothered by blurring which occurs in poor sources then lcd is weaker than plasma.


at 52" the samsung is nice for under 2k

Well, we do have a window that is directly across the room from where we will hang the tv. It is pretty big and does let a lot of light in. I read somewhere where the pio does a good job with the light? Most of the time we will be sitting about 8 - 10 feet away, unless playing games on the wii and then a little closer. We rarely sit in all dark....occasonaly when the mood is right ;-) I do watch sports and don't want the pixelation or whatever its called that occurs.

Do you have recommendations on which sponsor to look at? Thanks a ton for your help.

oh and yes to children....and not so much on the computer but will occasionally and I'm sure that will grow even more in the coming year or so as we start to get more content from the web.

after much much research and consideration, I decided (with a little sweat on the brow due to the price) to buy the 5010. IN the end, I wanted the best (aside from spending 10k. Everything points to teh 5010. I haven't received yet, but am looking forward to seeing how it goes. I have my fingers crossed and am breathing a little heavy....hope it lives up to the hype.

Window in room, children, video games or computer...I think the 5010 is a mistake, get the LCD Samsung.

what does children and lcd have in relationship? i looked at teh samsung and boy there is jjust too much distortion when watching sports, etc.

what does children and lcd have in relationship? i looked at teh samsung and boy there is jjust too much distortion when watching sports, etc.

I have both, so I'm not schilling for 1 format over another. Granted, great plasma has a (slight, imho) edge in picture quality over the best LCD's particularly for sports. However, with a plasma, you will be worried about static images. Video game menus, onscreen TV guide, DVD's left on that go to menu, on-demands that end and go to menu, etc... all the time with children. I speak from experience, even though mine are 6 and 9 and "trained" they still make the mistake on occasion even though I don't allow video games on that screen.

Did you look at the Sony XBR4 series with the 120mhz refresh rate (since you have an issue with the Samsung)?