Hi all. I'm a long-time reader, first-time poster on this forum. I've been conducting quite a bit of research on my first RPTV purchase, especially since of the cost involved.
I'm a 33YO computer-tech, and I've been a Home Theater buff for years.
In late 1999, I had my eye on the Pioneer SD-532HD which I saw at Best Buy for $3999. I waited for the price to drop and then later saw it replaced by the new SD-533HD5 which sells for a reasonable $2600-$3000. I've read about the improvements over the SD-532HD.
Still set on the Pioneer, I recently visited Best Buy again and could not help but notice how much better the 42" Toshiba 42H81 looked ($1900). It appeared to be much brighter and more crisp. Of course it was raised off the floor so standing in the showroom, my eyes were level with the Toshiba, whereas the Pioneer was on the floor, only looking good when I would kneel down. However, the Toshiba started me wondering. (I hate it when that happens!)
I am quite aware that the showroom displays have their brightness and contrast cranked-up and that the sharper picture on the 42" could be due simply on the fact that, well, it's a smaller screen.
I'd really like to compare apples to apples so I'm now looking at the Toshiba 57HX81 (also $2600-$3000) and the Pioneer SD-533HD. I'd like to get some feedback as to why one would prevail over the other feature-, quality- and performance-wise.
For example, I noticed that the Toshiba has a Wide 160° Horizontal Viewing Angle. What is the viewing angle on the Pioneer SD-533HD? Does one have a better line doubler?
I'm aiming for a true un-biased opinion based on research, homework, etc. that others have done like me.
I plan on getting DirecTV in the next few months and a Sony SAT-T60 "DirecTivo" receiver.
Lastly, I do not live in an area where I can most likely SEE the Toshiba 57HX81, so I'm just going to have to keep reading comments for those who own one and possibly take their word for it.
Dang, I hate buying blindly.
Thanks in advance to those who reply. BTW, this is the first non-Sony product I will have ever bought! (I'm just not impressed with their RPTV's.)
-- Dave
Pioneer SD-533HD:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...2,2355,00.html
Toshiba 57HX81
http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/57HX81.html
I'm a 33YO computer-tech, and I've been a Home Theater buff for years.
In late 1999, I had my eye on the Pioneer SD-532HD which I saw at Best Buy for $3999. I waited for the price to drop and then later saw it replaced by the new SD-533HD5 which sells for a reasonable $2600-$3000. I've read about the improvements over the SD-532HD.
Still set on the Pioneer, I recently visited Best Buy again and could not help but notice how much better the 42" Toshiba 42H81 looked ($1900). It appeared to be much brighter and more crisp. Of course it was raised off the floor so standing in the showroom, my eyes were level with the Toshiba, whereas the Pioneer was on the floor, only looking good when I would kneel down. However, the Toshiba started me wondering. (I hate it when that happens!)
I am quite aware that the showroom displays have their brightness and contrast cranked-up and that the sharper picture on the 42" could be due simply on the fact that, well, it's a smaller screen.
I'd really like to compare apples to apples so I'm now looking at the Toshiba 57HX81 (also $2600-$3000) and the Pioneer SD-533HD. I'd like to get some feedback as to why one would prevail over the other feature-, quality- and performance-wise.
For example, I noticed that the Toshiba has a Wide 160° Horizontal Viewing Angle. What is the viewing angle on the Pioneer SD-533HD? Does one have a better line doubler?
I'm aiming for a true un-biased opinion based on research, homework, etc. that others have done like me.
I plan on getting DirecTV in the next few months and a Sony SAT-T60 "DirecTivo" receiver.
Lastly, I do not live in an area where I can most likely SEE the Toshiba 57HX81, so I'm just going to have to keep reading comments for those who own one and possibly take their word for it.
Dang, I hate buying blindly.
Thanks in advance to those who reply. BTW, this is the first non-Sony product I will have ever bought! (I'm just not impressed with their RPTV's.)
-- Dave
Pioneer SD-533HD:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...2,2355,00.html
Toshiba 57HX81
http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/57HX81.html