Pioneer KURO HDTV
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Editor's Choice: Pioneer PDP 5010FD/5020FD PDP-6010FD/6020FD
Price Comparison Table For All Top Rated HDTVs
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Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD Price Drop!
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Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD Price Drop!
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PDP-5020FD/6020FD Markets Stabilize, Prices Drop
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(July 15, 2008 HDTV-News.org) After an initial run-on-the-bank that depleted initial stocks of Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD HDTVs and drove would-be buyer's into a panic, the market seems to have stabilized with adequate supplies available at most online and retail outlets. In fact in recent days prices dropped. Yesterday the PDP-5020FD was available on Amazon for just under $3000, the lowest price we've seen so far, and the PDP-6020FD was available at Amazon for $4000, also the lowest price we've seen so far.
Prices of last year's model, the 50-inch PDP-5010FD, have also dropped. The PDP-5010FD can be had at Second Act for $2399 (using coupon code 2nd1120), about $500 less than the newer PDP-5020FD. We've seen both models and would seriously consider saving the extra bucks, and go for the PDP-5010FD. At $2400 there is no other HDTV, LCD or Plasma, that even comes close to matching the incredible picture quality of the 5010FD. However we do agree that the 5020FD blacks are deeper. In the end it comes down to personal preference and budget and have no criticism whatsoever of anyone that choses to spend the extra bucks for the newer PDP-5020FD.
Here's the market as of July 16, 2008:
50" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2939 at Amazon
50" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-5020FD $3199 at J&R
50" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-5020FD $3499 at OneCall
50" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-5010FD $2499 at SecondAct
50" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-5010FD $2599 at TigerDirect
60" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4299 at J&R
60" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4003 at Amazon
60" Plasma
Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4499 at OneCall
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Concerned Buyers Flock to Pioneer 5020FD & 6020FD
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(July 3, 2008 HDTV-News.org) Pioneer today acknowledged that consumer feedback reveals that the primary driver behind the huge demand and resulting supply shortage of new generation Pioneer KURO 9G models PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD is buyer concern that future models may not live up to the standards set by the current models.
Pioneer recently announced an outsourcing partnership for future plasma models. This year's models will be the last of the in-house Pioneer plasmas. Pioneer claims that future models will meet or exceed consumer expectations. But buyers are not convinced, and they want the world's greatest HDTV today.
Initial sales of PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD models are at record levels. Many large B&M stores and internet retailers sold out their initial shipments within 48 hours. In fact in some cases the sets never hit the floors. They were pre-committed to a huge backlog of pre-orders, many at MSRP no doubt.
Currently availability is a mixed bag. For example earlier this week Amazon indicated they were out of stock of 5020FDs, but over the course of the day the set popped up on their site at three different prices through two different third party sellers. As of this writing Amazon is offering both models, at substantial discounts no less. It will be interesting to see how long they last.
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From Sound & Vision: World's Best Plasma vs. World's Best LCD
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Sound and Vision took took the best Plasma TV they could find (Pioneer PRO 110FD 50" Elite KURO 1080p plasma HDTV) and the best LCD TV they could find (Samsung LN-T5281F), for a one-on-one match. The outcome wasn't even close. Pioneer's KURO technology places the 110FD Elite at the top of the heap. By far. The Pioneer, which many have already rated as the best flat panel ever, was the clear cut winner. The deep blacks of the Pioneer clearly factored in the outcome. The same technology places the entire KURO line up above all others. If you're looking to upgrade, go with the best HDTV in the universe, the Pioneer KURO.
"...when we looked over at the Pioneer, we immediately knew we were seeing something special. The same features were so deep that it made the blacks on the LCD look gray—even though this Samsung had the best blacks we've ever seen from an LCD. On the plasma, the car appeared more etched and dimensional against the dark background, thanks to the extra low-level detail, and the letterbox bars virtually disappeared into the set's black frame."
"...I think our results here have to be viewed in the context of the tremendous feat that Pioneer has accomplished with its new Kuro sets. The three of us evaluate HDTVs for a living, and we were all blown away by how virtually perfect this 50-inch Elite set was in its execution of every torture test we threw at it. "Best TV — ever" was a phrase heard more than once that day as it began to sink in just how good the darn thing was." (Sound and Vision Magazine, February 2008)
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Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U 42-inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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Top Rated 42-inch Plasma HDTV Awesome Price $849!
Now that stocks of the fantastic Pioneer 4280HD are depleted, the Panasonic
TH-42PX80U
720p Plasma HDTV is the top choice. Don't overlook this value-priced set. Excellent picture quality on all program types: HD, SD and DVDs. The TH-42PX80U's colors are very accurate, and contrast is excellent, giving images depth and dimension. Black levels very good, second to only the Pioneer KUROs (at a much lower price!). Very good reproduction of scenes with subtly shaded light-to-dark areas. Excellent high-definition film-mode operation effectively eliminates jagged edges on movie content. A special anti-glare coating minimizes the reflections that often plague plasma screens.
The excellent TH-42PX80U is a Best Buy as well, offered at a very competitive price.This top rated set is a fantastic value.
...The picture is bright, punchy and very clear. The blacks and reds are deep and rich. To put it in a nutshell, the picture looks surreal! True this is a 720p plasma, but it looks better than the 50-inch, 1080p Pioneer plasmas...
42" Plasma
Panasonic TH-42PX80U $849 at J&R
42" Plasma
Panasonic TH-42PX80U $969 at Amazon
42" Plasma
Panasonic TH-42PX80U $1039 at OneCall
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From Sound & Vision: World's Best Plasma vs. World's Best LCD
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Sound and Vision took took the best Plasma TV they could find (Pioneer PRO 110FD 50" Elite KURO 1080p plasma HDTV) and the best LCD TV they could find (Samsung LN-T5281F), for a one-on-one match. The outcome wasn't even close. Pioneer's KURO technology places the 110FD Elite at the top of the heap. By far. The Pioneer, which many have already rated as the best flat panel ever, was the clear cut winner. The deep blacks of the Pioneer clearly factored in the outcome. The same technology places the entire KURO line up above all others. If you're looking to upgrade, go with the best HDTV in the universe, the Pioneer KURO.
"...when we looked over at the Pioneer, we immediately knew we were seeing something special. The same features were so deep that it made the blacks on the LCD look gray—even though this Samsung had the best blacks we've ever seen from an LCD. On the plasma, the car appeared more etched and dimensional against the dark background, thanks to the extra low-level detail, and the letterbox bars virtually disappeared into the set's black frame."
"...I think our results here have to be viewed in the context of the tremendous feat that Pioneer has accomplished with its new Kuro sets. The three of us evaluate HDTVs for a living, and we were all blown away by how virtually perfect this 50-inch Elite set was in its execution of every torture test we threw at it. "Best TV — ever" was a phrase heard more than once that day as it began to sink in just how good the darn thing was." (Sound and Vision Magazine, February 2008)
The PDP-5010FD 50-inch and
PDP-6010FD 60 inch 1080p HDTVs are currently available at deep discounts.
TigerDirect PDP-5010FD $2599 and Second Act PDP-5010FD $2499 currently have a huge discount on this top rated HDTV.
Pioneer Elite Kuro 9G: PRO-111FD, PRO-151FD, PRO-101FD, PRO-141FD
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Our Original Recommendation: Pioneer KURO PDP-5080HD
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We'll say it up front. The Pioneer KURO PDP-5080HD 50-inch 720P Plasma HDTV is best available HDTV in it's size and price range. Black-level performance is one of the most important aspects of picture quality.
When a display can produce a deep shade of black, it not only improves the realism and the punch of dark scenes, it also makes colors look richer and more saturated. That's why Pioneer PDP-5080HD is currently the top value and our highest rated pick. This 50-inch plasma produces the darkest shade of black we've ever seen in a HDTV. It also offers one of the best antireflective screens available. The Pioneer cost a little more than similar size and resolution HDTVs on the market. Spend a few extra bucks. The Pioneer PDP-5080HD delivers an incredible picture and is without question the best value in its size range. Don't be concerned with the 720p resolution vs. the more expensive 1080p sets. At normal viewing distances the 720p looks every bit as good as its 1080p counterparts. Save your money and go for the 720P Pioneer PDP-5080HD 50-inch 720p Plasma HDTV . If 50 inches is a bit larger than you need you should consider the Pioneer PDP-4280HD 42-inch 720p Plasma HDTV . These sets are selling quickly and many locations are currently sold out. Don't sit on the sidelines too long or you might have to wait for next year's models. You can snap up the PDP-4280 at a great price... if you can find one!
If you're a purist or just have to have a 1080P set the Pioneer PDP-5010FD 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV is your best choice. If you need a large screen the Pioneer PDP-6010FD 60-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV is the top choice. You'll spend a few extra bucks for the KURO 1080p sets, but you'll also have the best HDTV currently available.
TigerDirect and Second Act currently have a huge discount on the 50-inch Pioneer KURO PDP-5010FD.
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CNET Editor's Choice: 8.7/10 Excellent. "The Pioneer PDP-5080HD produces the deepest shade of black and thus one of the best pictures we've ever tested...
...This 50-inch plasma TV displays an exceedingly deep shade of black with excellent shadow detail; clean image with little noise; "smooth" video-processing mode removes most judder; excellent antireflective screen; sleek, minimalist styling; removable speaker; superb connectivity with four HDMI inputs and one PC input; CableCard compatible with TV Guide EPG."
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Home Theater Magazine: ...The Pioneer's picture is little short of jaw dropping. And a good share of the credit for this goes to the set's stunning black level and excellent shadow detail... ... I've tested no digital displays—front projector, rear projector, or flat panel, plasma, LCD, DLP, LCoS, or SXRD—that can match the Pioneer in its combination of deep, rich blacks and superb contrast... ...it's highly unlikely you'll find a better 50-inch display than this one—flat panel or otherwise... ...the Pioneer KURO PDP-5080HD 50"plasma has exceptional blacks, the best contrast ratio we've yet measured on a flat panel display, and the picture looks as good or better than the measurements suggest. There are less expensive 50" plasmas around, but not with a picture like this!
Plasma TV Buying Guide: Picture Quality Rating 98.5/100; Overall Rating 95/100. "...Our initial impression of Pioneer's latest offering is excellent. The unit excels with deep, rich black levels and beautiful saturated colors - especially with HD content... ...the PDP-5080HD is perfect for those consumers who want the very best aesthetics, connectivity, performance and quality.
hidefproducts.com: "This Pioneer 50-inch plasma TV displays a deeper shade of black with supreme shadow detail and a clean image with little noise. The Pioneer Kuro HDTV also has an anti-reflective screen which greatly reduces the glare of light. Although it isn’t 1080p, we don’t feel this is a problem for a set this size. We were hard pressed to find a difference between the picture from this set and one of the newer 1080p sets. Overall, we feel this is one of the best sets on the market, definitely worth purchasing."
Amazon Customer Reviews:  (22 reviews as of April 2008)
"Best TV out on the market... ...This is the best HD image you can find. Why? Many reasons but chiefly color reproduction and its processing ability for creating smooth fluid images... ...it has the best blacks available. This plus a blu-ray player with hdmi 1.3a for deep color creates an almost surreal image. When looking at TVs don't just look at resolution 720p vs 1080p... ...This set looks noticeably better than other 1080p sets on the market including the Sony LCoS and XBR LCD sets..."
"...Anyone who's done any research on hi-def TVs will know that Pioneer makes the best TV in the world (and they price it accordingly). For those who can afford it, this set will make you very happy. Even this 720p set will put 1080p sets from other manufacturers to shame. For most people, a 720p set is a much better value and you will not be able to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p."
"...After researching and comparing Plasma vs LCD, this is by far one of the best out there. Picture is amazing and better than other expensive brands. 1080p LCDs and other brands cannot match the picture quality of this Pioneer. Best for watching movies and sports in HD. Excellent value..."
 
Pioneer KURO PDP-5080HD 50-inch 720P Plasma HDTV
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