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Help! Pioneer Elite Pro 1150 vs. Panny TH-42PX80U

post #1 of 23
8/23/08 at 9:08pm
Thread Starter 
Here's a tough question (well, maybe not for all the pro's around here) that needs some expertise, which I ain't got. I was all set to buy a Panasonic 42 inch plasma 720 TH-42PX80U from BB using PM to Costco for $899. with $100 off rebate, plus several gift cards, and 12% off coupon, etc etc, with credit card in hand, totalling $650 w/o tax when I got completely turned upside down. After several hours of mind numbing product talk, but realizing this sales person really did know a bit about plasmas, he proceeded to offer me a Pioneer Elite Pro-1150 at the smashing 'needs to get it out the door' clearance price of $1500. Now, I'm not usually persuaded to purchase last years Prada's let alone last years Pioneers, but do I consider 1) 42' vs 50', 2) both are great deals, 3) never thought I could squeeze up to an Elite bracket, 4) I do believe both are remarkable HDs but at different class levels as well as different generations. I need to know considering all these points, is it obvious that the Pioneer is the better TV despite its vintage, or should I get the brand spankin Panny. Both are a great price, yes? Help!!!
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post #2 of 23
8/23/08 at 9:13pm
All i will say is that in my personal opinion the 1150 will go down as the best bang for your buck display of this decade.(flat panels)
That is with a higher than $2K pricetag.
At $1500 it is a steal and a half.

Now, if it a floor model 1150 vs a new Panny things would change.
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post #3 of 23
8/23/08 at 9:32pm
Where is this BB? If you don't buy that 1150HD, then I will .
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post #4 of 23
8/23/08 at 9:34pm
Thread Starter 
...I'm so glad I found this forum. Yes, it's a floor model, and I don't know how many hours, etc. This is my first HDTV, only watch TV and some movies, but watch a lot of TV. My question should also have included, with $1500, what is the best 50' plasma, watched in a very dark room, from 9.5 feet. As I said, I was all set to buy the 42' Panny....now I'm totally confused.

Thanks so much for all your help!
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post #5 of 23
8/23/08 at 9:38pm
In a very dark room you can appreciate black levels more.
So a Panny THX model or a Kuro would be your best options.
You will not find either in 50" at your budget.(new)

If the 1150 doesn't have any permanent image retention I would ask to see the hours if possible. If it does then obviously move on.
That is a phenomenal display and @9.5 ft. on 50" screen 1080p would not be very easily detectable.

If you go another route Sammy's and panny's can be had @ 50" in your budget(especially 720p/768p) and are excellent plasmas.
Find the two best from each that you can afford and go take a few looks at different places and let your eyes decide.

-jmo
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post #6 of 23
8/23/08 at 9:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cjm7c View Post

Where is this BB? If you don't buy that 1150HD, then I will .

.....how much would you be willing to buy it from me
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post #7 of 23
8/23/08 at 10:02pm
Well I went to *bucks today so lets see... $10 - $2 = $8...

Is $8 enough?

+1 to EAGLES' suggestions. Examine the set for imperfections and discuss the return policy with the salesman. If you find nothing wrong with the set, then you found yourself quite the bargain.
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post #8 of 23
8/24/08 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 
Sorry Forum guy MarkRubin- I just read your announcement about no price listing. My appologies to you and Forum members for mon faux pas.
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post #9 of 23
8/24/08 at 11:38am
Ivrykys,

Let's put it this way....I had a 42PX80U at a little more out-of-pocket cost than you describe, and I ended up with a display model 4280 at somewhat less than the price of your 1150. So for that difference, to go to an Elite and 50", I'd do it in a heartbeat.
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post #10 of 23
8/24/08 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the response. Have you been happy with your floor model and have you noticed specific wear and tear from it being that which it is?
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post #11 of 23
8/24/08 at 4:44pm
dude, get the 1150.
it's got 42% more screen area. it's a great plasma.
plus you get the 30 day return policy just in case you change your mind and you get a 2 year pioneer elite warranty.
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post #12 of 23
8/25/08 at 7:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivrykys View Post

thanks for the response. Have you been happy with your floor model and have you noticed specific wear and tear from it being that which it is?

No issues whatsoever with the display model. It came from a smaller store and not a high traffic one like BB. Cosmetically it was probably a 9.5/10. The display had 2000+ hours on it, but to me that was a good break in period. No traces of IR.

The only thing was it had an older build date so I called Pioneer and they sent someone out to update the firmware.
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post #13 of 23
8/25/08 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivrykys View Post

Help! Pioneer Elite Pro 1150 vs. Panny TH-42PX80U

You will always be better off going with "any" Pioneer PDP versus a Panasonic. Trust me, I own one of each.
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post #14 of 23
8/25/08 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsanga View Post

No issues whatsoever with the display model. It came from a smaller store and not a high traffic one like BB. Cosmetically it was probably a 9.5/10. The display had 2000+ hours on it, but to me that was a good break in period. No traces of IR.

The only thing was it had an older build date so I called Pioneer and they sent someone out to update the firmware.

My 1150 has a build date of July 2007. Do you know if I'm missing any kind of substantial firmware update? (I also have a display model with no issues at all).
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post #15 of 23
8/25/08 at 8:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity View Post

You will always be better off going with "any" Pioneer PDP versus a Panasonic. Trust me, I own one of each.


I'd probably qualify that statement with "any current" ..... back when I bought my PDP, Panny produced the best black levels of any set at the time and for (me) it created the best overall picture. But that's just my opinion
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post #16 of 23
8/25/08 at 8:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Page14 View Post

My 1150 has a build date of July 2007. Do you know if I'm missing any kind of substantial firmware update? (I also have a display model with no issues at all).

With the TV on, point the remote at it and hold the DISPLAY button for a while. One column of numbers will come up. While that's showing, hold the DISPLAY button again, and you will get another column of numbers next to it.

You can see all your firmware versions here. If you post them, I can maybe work from memory (I read the firmware update service packet that the technician brought to my house) and see if any updates are available. The FD sets have different firmware numbers than HD, but I'm not sure if the Elite firmware numbers are different than non-Elite.
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post #17 of 23
8/25/08 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsanga View Post

With the TV on, point the remote at it and hold the DISPLAY button for a while. One column of numbers will come up. While that's showing, hold the DISPLAY button again, and you will get another column of numbers next to it.

You can see all your firmware versions here. If you post them, I can maybe work from memory (I read the firmware update service packet that the technician brought to my house) and see if any updates are available. The FD sets have different firmware numbers than HD, but I'm not sure if the Elite firmware numbers are different than non-Elite.

Thanks a lot! Here are the numbers that came up (in both columns):

-05K ****** 09.01.46
07.00d **** -06KX_1
2.4.2527 ** -03H
04.13d **** 060807 11:26

(I separated the 2 columns with asterisks)

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a FD set refers to. (I thought all Pioneers were HD). ??

Edited: Okay, I did a Google on HD vs. FD in the Pio model numbers. I do see the difference, although I don't fully understand it ... which I suppose really doesn't matter at this point.
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post #18 of 23
8/25/08 at 9:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dovetails View Post

I'd probably qualify that statement with "any current" ..... back when I bought my PDP, Panny produced the best black levels of any set at the time and for (me) it created the best overall picture. But that's just my opinion

True, but those days are gone... at least until next year.
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post #19 of 23
8/25/08 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Page14 View Post

Thanks a lot! Here are the numbers that came up (in both columns):

-05K ****** 09.01.46
07.00d **** -06KX_1
2.4.2527 ** -03H
04.13d **** 060807 11:26

(I separated the 2 columns with asterisks)

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a FD set refers to. (I thought all Pioneers were HD). ??

Edited: Okay, I did a Google on HD vs. FD in the Pio model numbers. I do see the difference, although I don't fully understand it ... which I suppose really doesn't matter at this point.

HD = Hi-Def
FD = Full-Def
Pioneer's model numbering terminology for distinguishing 720p and 1080p models for the 8Gs

Regarding your firmware, it seems your Elite uses the same firmware versions as my non-Elite, as both are HD models (720p).

I'm working from memory here, but I think this is how the updated versions look (there are 3 parts to the update):
-05K ----> -06K
-06KX_1 ----> -07KX_1
-03H ----> -05H
060807 11:26 ----> after the above updates, this date code gets updated to something newer automatically

Don't ask me what all the different updates actually do. All I know is one of them definitely fixes one issue with the OTA tuner locking up.

OK, now we've hijacked this poor guy's thread enough. This stuff really belongs in the 8G owner's thread. I don't know if someone could move this info over there.
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post #20 of 23
8/25/08 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsanga View Post

HD = Hi-Def
FD = Full-Def
Pioneer's model numbering terminology for distinguishing 720p and 1080p models for the 8Gs

Regarding your firmware, it seems your Elite uses the same firmware versions as my non-Elite, as both are HD models (720p).

.. my 8G is the Pro-1150HD; oh goodie, its really a 1080p in disguise.
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post #21 of 23
8/25/08 at 1:32pm
hey even if it is a floor model...i say buy it as long as its in good shape with no burn in or retention and it doesnt have too many hours. I myself just bougth a floor model
1150FD the other day....for the price ur getting it for I say go for it! The quality of the picture beats out a panny anyday and not to mention the 8 extra inches of screen that ur getting...

buy it...and don't look back!


good luck!
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post #22 of 23
8/25/08 at 2:18pm
They are not even in the same league, IMHO 1150 wins hands down. Just check thoroughly for burn in and dead pixels.

Good luck
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post #23 of 23
8/25/08 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsanga View Post



OK, now we've hijacked this poor guy's thread enough. This stuff really belongs in the 8G owner's thread. I don't know if someone could move this info over there.

Thanks for the reply ... and my apologies for going OT. I was "spurred" by your build date comment. Oops.
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