Pioneer elite kuro VS panny VT

Welcome to the AVS forums chadday2121.
1. What are the odds of finding a elite worth purchasing? Something doesn't feel right when I try to convince myself to go through the trouble locating and purchasing a technology item 2 years old.
I don't know if you ever search your local Craigslist (CL), but in my experience in Florida I find a Pioneer KURO [at least] once per month, and at most 3 times per month. They often sell for over $2K, or even more... But if you find a KURO then your money will be well spent. I first bought a 500M KURO 9 months ago (which was my first plasma), and once I saw it's awesomeness, I immediately bought two more KUROS because I was so blown away. Thus, if you use CL to search nearby [big] cities you should locate one eventually.

2. Am I really going to be able to tell the difference in the two sets? Maybe I am being too stubborn here....
I can't really answer this question, because I've only owned one non-Pioneer plasma: a Panasonic 800U, which was built in the same year [2008] as the 500M. There's no comparison between the two TVs, the KURO blows the 800U out of the water no questions asked. I don't have any newer plasmas to compare the KURO to, but honestly, I believe the KUROS will stand up well to any other plasma TV well into 2013.

3. Is 3D enough to give the edge to the Panny?
3D is totally a preference thing, I loved Avatar in 3D at the theater, but most people who own a 3D TV get tired of the glasses (so I hear). You should find a friend with a 3D TV and offer him pizza and drinks as a bribe to get yourself some 3D experience. ...But IMO, 3D doesn't make a TV: at the end of the day picture quality is more important than the features held within.

4. Is there a chance that next years Panny model will be just like an elite? After all, I understand that Panasonic did purchase the Kuro technology from Pioneer.
Not a chance. Panasonic likely bought the KURO technology to keep it away from competitors. It's too expensive for them to care to implement, because Panasonic knows they'll make more money from people by selling cheaper TVs yearly with incremental improvements. The bottom line is this: the KURO's picture quality hasn't been matched by anyone, and wont for a while [for sure]. Find one at all costs, you won't be disappointed.

I had plans to go with a 65vt30 this year. Looks like i will just hang onto my 9g Kuro as there will be nothing made that can compare anytime soon or if ever.

Although it might not fully compare, the Panasonic VX300 series is coming out at the end of the year and it may be the closest thing to a kuro that you can buy new. Opinions are that it will rival the kuro 9.5(elite)we'll have to see. The price point will be higher than a VT series, but available in more sizes. Google panasonic VX300.

A bit off topic, but I have never heard ot the new Panny. I hope it performs better than current pannies.

Chadday2121,

I haven't seen the VT series panny. But I have been with the Pioneer 500M for some time and it's great.

Was the Pioneer your father-in-law has professionally calibrated? Your mentioning suggest it is. But I want to make it sure.

Michaelmorio

Seems realistic that VX300 will close to 9gen

Apart from size and 3D 101/151 will be the best flatscreen money can buy in 2012.

Along with the 500M, 111FD and all the other monitors/TVs I'm missing from the 9G lineup.

I'd be willing to put money down on the notion that the VX300s will not rival 9G or 9.5G Kuros. VT30's are still a long ways off so unless Panasonic is using a different panel with different driving methods and electronics for the VX300s then rivaling 9G/9.5G Kuro is a pipe dream.

That being said... I have no allegiance to any particular brand and I'd only be happy if someone made a display to finally rival or surpass the Kuros, it means I could go buy one!

I have had success using craigslist to buy my kuros. I found most people selling are video/audiophiles and meticulously care for their sets. The 500m I first bought was in great condition and the 101 I recently picked up a couple days ago looks like it just came out of the box. If you search hard and look often you can find some awesome deals. The two sets together set me back a few hundred less than it would to buy a new 55vt30.

Now coming from a vt25, the pq upgrade is very apparent and I think would be even moreso if the sets were side by side. The vt series has great picture, but I personally got tired of 3d quickly. You may find 3d to be more to your liking. I say go for the kuro and don't have any regrets!

As for whether or not it's worth it. I would buy mine all over again in a heartbeat, and I've converted my wife, too. She is not a tech-head that follows that stuff, but she was and remains blown away by the pq, even 2 years later.

Is your dad watching his KURO in Pure Mode, or has it been ISF'd?

If you live in the states, it would either be the KRP line (either the 50" 500M or 60" 600M mentioned above), OR the Signature line (Pro 101FD - 50"). At this point, finding New in Box 60" Signature Elite might be an exercise in futility.

Both the KRP and Signature lines are monitors only, if I remember correctly about the KRPs. That means no using OTA antenna for HD. Also, no sound inboard, so you'll be totally dependent on an external sound system. They are also thinner than the regular Elites because of it, so the TV will looker sleeker on your wall. Better measured black levels than even the Pro-111FD and the Pro-151FD (regular Elites).

hope that helps.

I checked out Craigslist with an interesting find: Years ago I dreamed of owning a rear-projection Elite (this is when their plasma were $20k+). You can now find one of those bad boys for under $300 Of course, I no longer want one

For the sake of clarification (and those still in the market for a 9G Pioneer) the 9G Kuro line breaks down as follows:

5020/6020FD ("low end" but modifiable to E-lites)
KRP 500/600M (Kuro Reference Panel line, meant for the custom install market)
Elite 111/151FD (consumer Elite TVs, all bells & whistles)
Signature Elite 101/141FD (uber expensive Elite panels, most similar to the KRP line)

KRPs are cosmetically identical to the Signature Elites, that is they're thinner (2.5") than the other 9G Kuros. The major differences are that the KRPs have internal circuitry for audio (specifically the KRP S04/S02 side speakers, sold separately) and have only 2 HDMI inputs and one of every other input. Neither have tuners.

As far as black levels, things get a little more complicated. All 9G 60" models share the same panel and therefore have the same black levels. They also share the same driver modules and power supply, thus they share identical performance (if you mod the 5020/6020 with the E-lite board).

Two of the 50" models (111/5020) share the same internal parts and thus their performance is identical to the 60" panels as described above. However, the other two 50" models (101/500M) have different panels, slightly different drivers and a newer power supply. Their black levels are slightly lower, and it's noticeable if in a darkened room.

It was pointed out that that the 500M/101FD were produced in a different facility with a better application of the CRE (Crystal Emmissive Layer) which accounts for their superior black level performance. While this is true, the fact that they also use slightly different drivers and a newer power supply supports the argument that Pioneer put their latest tech into these two models, hence the "9.5G" label. Interestingly enough, there are few (if any) reports of DSE and IR on them my personal experience in reading these forums. If you want the absolutely best Kuro, these are the ones to get.