[papaduxx]

I have the opportunity to buy a Pioneer PDP5041HD plasma for about 1/2 price, the catch is that it is a floor model. The Tv has been there for about a year maybe alittle over. I am pretty new to the plasma game and would like any input about this buying opportunity or the television.


thank you,


tony

 

[JForge]

try to get an idea on "panel-hours". If you look behind the set on the label, you will see a manufacture date. So from that you can judge how many hours are on the panel.


Now 1/2 price?? Of list?? Bad deal! Of current price? Maybe. . . Current prices are pretty competitive so it's probably in the low $6k range or less. You can get a NEW Pio 50" for less than the above price.

 

[papaduxx]

thank you for your reply...


I figured that the TV was on for about 4-5000 hours. It is 1/2 off of current retail price which is around the $5700, $5800 range.

 

[westa6969]

JForge always provides excellent feedback throughout the forums and I would agree - half of what? and Life of Panel to-date?


Looks like a BB code and the new 5050 model should be debuting very soon and likely they want to clear this out for the 5050 model or whatever code they use. In fact I'd come across a news release that the 5050 would be released before the end of this month or it may have even been this week? I read so many of these it's hard to keep them straight.


Perhaps you could get them to bargain an extra year on the warranty?


The 5041 is an awesome PQ for the price as they have dropped in recent months even in the B&M's. Hope you get it half off their recent specials before the super-bowl and that should be a deal if it hasn't been abused and with proper warranty. Just my thoughts, give JForge info and he can also confirm as he really does know his stuff. Good Luck!

 

[papaduxx]

I listed above the statistic that i know right now:


About 4-5,000 hours

condition of TV seems excellent

and its half off of the current price which is about 5700 to 5800 dollars.

 

[mlewie]

Would you get the full manufacturer's warranty?


If so, a 50" at less than $3k would be mighty tempting.

 

[KenV500]

Well, the set is rated for 60K HRS and has only 5K. It's less than 10% used for 50% off. Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[westa6969]

I think if we were closer to NY we'd be racing you to the store. With a good warranty you have a deal/steal. Let's see I think I'm about 600 miles from you. Oh Well - Sounds like your gonna be in Plasma heaven for the price of a DLP! Enjoy

 

[papaduxx]

i would get the manufactuer's warranty, but either which way i would get the 4 year warranty from the store. Is it a good deal? How is the Pioneer PQ and overall performance?


and is this set really rated for 60k hours, i heard around 40k hours.

 

[westa6969]

The newest models of NEC/Pio are 60,000 hrs, not clear on the 5041 though.


I have been visiting 4 retailers for 2 months every few weeks as I make my decision in 3 months and the best PQ I've seen at any of the stores has been the 5041 Pio at BB and now they are sold out from the sales they had during the super-bowl and bringing in the new version.


Get it calibrated if the store didn't and if you love sports/action especially in HD the movement is smooth as silk and simply has a WOW factor.


To get a quality 50" Pio for under $3K is amazing and a warranty will CYA since it's a floor model. In fact, the 5041 was sitting next to a Sony Plasma and Samsung top of the line DLP and it won hands down over both and the Sony was about $2K more and it was an open box model. Hope it works for you before someone else buys it out from under you.

 

[papaduxx]

the only thing it is missing is the wall bracket and the manual. How is the SD quality?


Really thinking i should pull the trigger tomarrow, but just want to make sure it is worth it first....

 

[Tkbalt]

Sounds like a good deal -- looked at the Pioneer's and Panasonic's at BB. I thought the Pioneer looked better - the Pio 50" you are considering convinced me to go Pioneer. What a great picture. I ended up with the Pioneer 920 elite (their 43" panel). I looked at LCD / DLP / and Plasma, and nothing came close to the plasma (in my opinion). In making the decision - you do need to consider what you will be watching and in what type of setting. I watch mostly HD / DVD - but my wife watches a lot of SD.


I would describe SD quality on my Pioneer as good to very good (depending on the channel) - but do not consider it as sharp as the 4:3 Sony CRT we had before. But the HD / DVD material is flat out stunning.


Another consideration - Black level is an issue on the Pioneers (if not all plasma's) at low light levels - blacks are not true black - more like very dark grey. Panasonic is touted as able to do better blacks at low light levels. On the other hand, Pioneer is noted for its ability in lighted settings. So it depends on what you are using the set for. In normal to well lighted settings (like you see in the stores and most in home settings) you cannot see this black level issue - but it is evident when you get the set home and watch a dark DVD in a dark "theater" setting. This is not an issue for us - typical family room setup - but may be a concern if you are placing it in a true theater setup.


Good luck in your quest - the Pioneer 50 is a great panel. The open box 5041 we saw in Indy was priced at 50% of the MSRP for new 5045 - seemed a little high. Your quote seems more reasonable.

 

[MNScott]

papaduxx - I sent you a PM.


Scott