Pioneer KURO PRO-950HD vs. Sony KDL-40XBR4

asonicyouth · 09-28-07, 10:45 PM

Looking for advce in comparing these two Televisions. I do not play any games and will use this to watch movies and HDTV shows (LOST). The room it will be in is almost completely cut off from any light. I can get discounts on both sets but the Pioneer is about 300 dollars more. Is it worth it? Thanks for any help.

brentsg · 09-28-07, 11:39 PM

Both displays have different qualities, but for your setting and application I wouldn't even be considering the Sony.

johnnybrulez · 09-28-07, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asonicyouth

Looking for advce in comparing these two Televisions. I do not play any games and will use this to watch movies and HDTV shows (LOST). The room it will be in is almost completely cut off from any light. I can get discounts on both sets but the Pioneer is about 300 dollars more. Is it worth it? Thanks for any help.

Pioneer.

The benefits of getting the Sony LCD vs. the Pioneer are totally irrelevant in your case as brent says.

Auditor55 · 09-29-07, 12:13 AM

No brainer, get the Sony.

johnnybrulez · 09-29-07, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auditor55

No brainer, get the Sony.

Mind adding onto why?

explain. And because "The Pioneer Kuro fans keep making fun of me" is not a good excuse.

HTrayne · 09-29-07, 02:08 AM

I'm stuck in a similar comparison. I took a look at the Samsung 71 series LCD's tonight and I was frothing at the mouth. 120hz looked like 3D. I could care less about glare b/c I don't get to turn my TV on until after 6pm every night. What's the better set, the Pioneer 1080p plasmas or these new Samsungs?

maureeng · 09-29-07, 07:50 AM

I liked their new Samsung 50" plasma fpt5084), but it has fewer frills. I wanted the POP and Samsung's PIP is so small that it is worthless. Samsung's anti-glare isn't great. CNET said it doesn't pick up 1080i film. But user's writing on cnet love it. Samsung is coming out with the fpt5094 wireless any day and it will list at about $5500. If you're hanging the TV, it's a great feature--it works through a box that only has a power cord.

I am still leaning towards the Pioneer 5010 because of the picture and features. Also I can get it discounted online or for sale in retail stores.

Regularguy · 09-29-07, 07:51 AM

I'm thinking of the 40XBR4 too, but in competition with the Pioneer PDP-4280HD. That Pioneer model is less expensive than the Sony, making it an even more tempting choice.

My third option under consideration is the previewed but not-yet-available Samsung LN-T4069F. It's similar to the 71-series -- with 120Hz -- but with a non-glare screen, a slightly lower contrast ratio, and a couple hundred less in price.

I'll see what the prices are like around Christmas (probably just after), and then make my choice.

One of the things that attracts me to the Pioneer is it's subwoofer outlet. I don't want to spend a bundle on a tv audio system, and my wife doesn't want the clutter of speakers since this will be our bedroom tv, but the addition of a smallish sub (Soundmatters SUBstage 100 maybe?) would likely make a dramatic difference in supplementing the tv's on-board speakers... and I could probably talk my wife into a "sound-bar" type of speaker (e.g. Yamaha) later on if I'm not satisfied and can part with the money.

asonicyouth · 09-29-07, 01:20 PM

Thanks everyone. I am going to go with the KURO, Hopefully i can pick it up on Monday or Tuesday.

tombaker · 09-29-07, 07:50 PM

I much prefer LCDs....but if you know its for a dark room.....the Kuro is a great option.

The source for 120hz material is very very important. For some movies using pulldown instead of real 24fps source you can see the super quick studders. Frankly the 120 frame rate issues bugged me more than normal ones, when it came to movies. Using the lower settings on the motionflow or Samsungs...does help

For a live football game the 120hz would not have that issue.

The XBR4 40 has fans....I am not sure about Kuro.....but I won't use the 40XBR4 just because of the fans. I am anal about fan noise though

asonicyouth · 09-29-07, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombaker

I much prefer LCDs....but if you know its for a dark room.....the Kuro is a great option.

The source for 120hz material is very very important. For some movies using pulldown instead of real 24fps source you can see the super quick studders. Frankly the 120 frame rate issues bugged me more than normal ones, when it came to movies. Using the lower settings on the motionflow or Samsungs...does help

For a live football game the 120hz would not have that issue.

The XBR4 40 has fans....I am not sure about Kuro.....but I won't use the 40XBR4 just because of the fans. I am anal about fan noise though

Interesting, I didnt think of that. I agree with you that the fan noise seriously detracts from the experience. I will make sure that the KURO does not have them or that they are extremely quiet. In regard to the 120hz, the Pioneer elites have 3:3 pulldown at 72 hz so the can effectively process 24fps as well.

09-28-07, 10:45 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
asonicyouth New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3	Pioneer KURO PRO-950HD vs. Sony KDL-40XBR4 Looking for advce in comparing these two Televisions. I do not play any games and will use this to watch movies and HDTV shows (LOST). The room it will be in is almost completely cut off from any light. I can get discounts on both sets but the Pioneer is about 300 dollars more. Is it worth it? Thanks for any help.

09-29-07, 12:13 AM	#4 \| Link
Auditor55 AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Silicon Valley, CA. Posts: 7,137	No brainer, get the Sony. __________________ Never give up on SED!!

09-29-07, 07:50 AM	#7 \| Link
maureeng Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 41	samsung of pioneer I liked their new Samsung 50" plasma fpt5084), but it has fewer frills. I wanted the POP and Samsung's PIP is so small that it is worthless. Samsung's anti-glare isn't great. CNET said it doesn't pick up 1080i film. But user's writing on cnet love it. Samsung is coming out with the fpt5094 wireless any day and it will list at about $5500. If you're hanging the TV, it's a great feature--it works through a box that only has a power cord. I am still leaning towards the Pioneer 5010 because of the picture and features. Also I can get it discounted online or for sale in retail stores.

09-29-07, 07:50 PM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
tombaker Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 562	I much prefer LCDs....but if you know its for a dark room.....the Kuro is a great option. The source for 120hz material is very very important. For some movies using pulldown instead of real 24fps source you can see the super quick studders. Frankly the 120 frame rate issues bugged me more than normal ones, when it came to movies. Using the lower settings on the motionflow or Samsungs...does help For a live football game the 120hz would not have that issue. The XBR4 40 has fans....I am not sure about Kuro.....but I won't use the 40XBR4 just because of the fans. I am anal about fan noise though

09-28-07, 11:39 PM	#2 \| Link
brentsg AVS Special Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,815	Both displays have different qualities, but for your setting and application I wouldn't even be considering the Sony.

09-29-07, 02:08 AM	#6 \| Link
HTrayne Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 99	I'm stuck in a similar comparison. I took a look at the Samsung 71 series LCD's tonight and I was frothing at the mouth. 120hz looked like 3D. I could care less about glare b/c I don't get to turn my TV on until after 6pm every night. What's the better set, the Pioneer 1080p plasmas or these new Samsungs?

09-29-07, 07:51 AM	#8 \| Link
Regularguy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 71	I'm thinking of the 40XBR4 too, but in competition with the Pioneer PDP-4280HD. That Pioneer model is less expensive than the Sony, making it an even more tempting choice. My third option under consideration is the previewed but not-yet-available Samsung LN-T4069F. It's similar to the 71-series -- with 120Hz -- but with a non-glare screen, a slightly lower contrast ratio, and a couple hundred less in price. I'll see what the prices are like around Christmas (probably just after), and then make my choice. One of the things that attracts me to the Pioneer is it's subwoofer outlet. I don't want to spend a bundle on a tv audio system, and my wife doesn't want the clutter of speakers since this will be our bedroom tv, but the addition of a smallish sub (Soundmatters SUBstage 100 maybe?) would likely make a dramatic difference in supplementing the tv's on-board speakers... and I could probably talk my wife into a "sound-bar" type of speaker (e.g. Yamaha) later on if I'm not satisfied and can part with the money.

09-29-07, 01:20 PM	#9 \| Link
asonicyouth New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3	Thanks everyone. I am going to go with the KURO, Hopefully i can pick it up on Monday or Tuesday.