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Pioneer PDP-5070/71HD Plasma or Sony SXRD KDS-50A2000

1006 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by dlittle, Jan 12, 2007

Chris Hansen

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2007

I posted this in the Rear Projection forum but did not get much feedback so I thought I would see if the folks in the Plasma forum had some insight that might help.

I'm trying decide whether to go with the Pioneer PDP-5070/71HD Plasma or the Sony SXRD KDS-50A2000 and looking for expert feedback from the folks on AVS.

I recognize that the Pioneer is $1,000 or more than the Sony SXRD making the Sony a good value. However, I would be happy to spend that additional sum if it is worth it in terms of picture quality, etc. I also recognize that the Sony has 1080P capability while the Pioneer is limited to 720P (but can accept a 1080P signal??). In the end, I'm looking for some real world feed back on the picture qualilty for each set when viewing standard definition material. This is for our family room and the majority of our viewing in that room is SD material via DirectTV. We do watch HD but the SD probably exceeds HD. Thus, a good picture when viewing SD is important. I have seen both sets (showing HD material) at stores but do not have a good feel how these two sets behave in real world (at home) conditions using real world source material.

Thanks for all feedback.

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johnnybrulez

· #2 · Jan 11, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Hansen /forum/post/0

I posted this in the Rear Projection forum but did not get much feedback so I thought I would see if the folks in the Plasma forum had some insight that might help.

I'm trying decide whether to go with the Pioneer PDP-5070/71HD Plasma or the Sony SXRD KDS-50A2000 and looking for expert feedback from the folks on AVS.

I recognize that the Pioneer is $1,000 or more than the Sony SXRD making the Sony a good value. However, I would be happy to spend that additional sum if it is worth it in terms of picture quality, etc. I also recognize that the Sony has 1080P capability while the Pioneer is limited to 720P (but can accept a 1080P signal??). In the end, I'm looking for some real world feed back on the picture qualilty for each set when viewing standard definition material. This is for our family room and the majority of our viewing in that room is SD material via DirectTV. We do watch HD but the SD probably exceeds HD. Thus, a good picture when viewing SD is important. I have seen both sets (showing HD material) at stores but do not have a good feel how these two sets behave in real world (at home) conditions using real world source material.

Thanks for all feedback.

Do yourself a favor, get the Pioneer.

Do it now. Don't go back. If you have the money. Plasmas are much better then rear projection, and I own both.

A clearer picture. A more accurate picture. And a more pleasing picture. (Well the last one is an opinion ^_^ )

The fact that it's flat and looks utterly awesome when it's turned off is a bonus. 1080p is wasted at this TV size at normal seating distances, and you won't have to deal with silk screen effect. Not to mention Bulb Replacement... ugh.

The only advantage a Rear Projection has is that absolute black is a bit darker. But to achieve this you might have to use a dynamic iris, which causes black level instability and shadow detail in scenes with bright and dark areas.

Green blob problems anyone?

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polyscroll

· #3 · Jan 11, 2007

I owned a KDS-50A2000 for almost a month before switching to a Pioneer 50" Plasma.

No doubt that in spite of the Sony's 1080p native resolution, the Pioneer @ 768p native has better color rendition, a MUCH better SD picture, and appears as sharp or sharper than the Sony with good source material. (even with 480i DVDs)

The Sony also had a slight greenish "cast" to everything that I could not correct....this bothered me a great deal as color rendition and accuracy are one of my pet peeves.

Those were the major differences I observed on both sets FWIW.

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itigap

· #4 · Jan 12, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by polyscroll /forum/post/0

I owned a KDS-50A2000 for almost a month before switching to a Pioneer 50" Plasma.

No doubt that in spite of the Sony's 1080p native resolution, the Pioneer @ 768p native has better color rendition, a MUCH better SD picture, and appears as sharp or sharper than the Sony with good source material. (even with 480i DVDs)

The Sony also had a slight greenish "cast" to everything that I could not correct....this bothered me a great deal as color rendition and accuracy are one of my pet peeves.

Those were the major differences I observed on both sets FWIW.

Chris,

Up until 6 months ago, I too was planning to get a Sony SXRD. If you have to have a large screen 60+, then it is still a viable way to go where $ are an issue.

One day back then I was in a store looking at an SXRD when my eye wandered to a plasma sitting next to it. I consider myself a pretty critical viewer. Sufice it to say I have not looked at an SXRD or any rear projection since then. Can't stand the SSE from the screen. When you put them next to each other it is night and day. Plasma is a breath of fresh air in PQ.

Because the 50 plasmas have dropped so far in price, in that size you should really go plasma and enjoy the extra picture quality plasma offers.

If you can spend a hundred or two more, get a NEC 50. Pioneer glass, better electronics, and more adjustments. It is just my opinion but check out the NEC thread and then call Chris at Cleveland Plasma, one of the forum sponsors.

BTW Don't worry about the resolution difference unless you plan to view at closer than 8'.

Cheers,

Gary

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dlittle

· #5 · Jan 12, 2007

pioneer 5070hd-it is the best you can get -at any price-but especially now that prices are lower. you usually get reviews that say the pioneer is the best plasma, but sometimes not the best value-therefore the panasonic was some people's choice-I even recommended the panasonic 50px600u to a friend. It is a great tv, but when the pioneer 5070 dropped a thousand dollars-I bought it on the spot-it is the best t.v. and at its price the best value too. That is an impossible combination to beat. good luck-trust your eyes and your gut (instinct) ask to see the types of content you will watch and view it from your distance at home.

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