How do these plasmas compare to the one's i've already set my heart on? NEED HELP..

[BigChiefSmokem]

So, i had my heart set on the pioneer PDP-4361HD, or the Panasonic TH42PX50U... I know both to be excellent plasmas...

I went to the local audio/video store and saw the following models:

Pioneer Elite 43" PRO930HD

Pioneer 43" PDP43A5HD

Panasonic 42" Onyx TH42XVS30 (It said "new G7 panel) on clearance (never heard of this one)

What i want to know is, are any of these better than the two i already had my heart set on? I think the Pioneer PRO930HD is a better model than the PDP-4361.. is this true? What do you guys think?

I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck...

[RandyWalters]

[QUOTE=BigChiefSmokem]I went to the local audio/video store and saw the following models:

Pioneer Elite 43" PRO930HD

Pioneer 43" PDP43A5HD

Panasonic 42" Onyx TH42XVS30 (It said "new G7 panel) on clearance (never heard of this one)

What i want to know is, are any of these better than the two i already had my heart set on? I think the Pioneer PRO930HD is a better model than the PDP-4361.. is this true? What do you guys think?[/QUOTE]I'm not familiar with the last two Pioneers, but that Panny Onyx is a leftover 2004 model with the OLD 7th generation glass so the picture quality won't be quite as good as the current 8th gen models (PX50U/PX500U). It was overpriced last year and probably still commands a fairly high price compared to the current models. The cabinet is gorgeous and the external media box as an extra input or two but unless it's substantially less on clearance than the current models it's probably not a good buy. There should be discussion here on the two Pioneers if you search for past posts or threads.

[paris_tn]

I haven't seen to many people comment on the Pioneer Elite 930hd but i know this came out with the 1130hd. I have been following all i can on the 1130hd and things i love about that panel is some reviews talk like it is the best picture quality going in plasma. Two tuners. It seems the bad could be high speed scenes having some judder. The external box that comes with it that plugs into the back of the set i like, as you can move it anywhere but the bad it seems it has some buzz in that box.

If the 930hd is just the 43" version with all the same features i would think this panel would be hard to beat. You might go to the store and try them out and see if you can spot any of these good and or bad points. It looks like those Pioneers was almost perfect and has alot of features i desire if it didn't have any judder or buzz. They say the Pioneers really scale sd material good also and sd looks really good. Most hd plasmas has a hard time getting sd material looking good.

Myself, i hate to keep waiting but i think the next generation will probably be almost darn near perfection. All these guys learn from each other and keep rasing he bar a little higher in perfection. If you hear or see anymore on the 930hd, please come in here and tell us as i have been wanting to see this and the 1130hd in person.

[westa6969]

[QUOTE=BigChiefSmokem]So, i had my heart set on the pioneer PDP-4361HD, or the Panasonic TH42PX50U... I know both to be excellent plasmas...

I went to the local audio/video store and saw the following models:

Pioneer Elite 43" PRO930HD

Pioneer 43" PDP43A5HD

Panasonic 42" Onyx TH42XVS30 (It said "new G7 panel) on clearance (never heard of this one)

What i want to know is, are any of these better than the two i already had my heart set on? I think the Pioneer PRO930HD is a better model than the PDP-4361.. is this true? What do you guys think?

I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck...[/QUOTE]

It appears that you are comparing previous generation panels with new ones and the fact your comparing two different level panels. The Elite and the Onyx are not permitted for sale on the internet through authorized dealers so be careful choosing one of them unless your buying from a B&M especially with Pio as they are strict on that enforcement for warranty coverage.

Best bang for buck is determined by your eyes and budget and personal preference in viewing. Undoubtedly the Panasonic's are usually less than the Pio models. In some cases the Elite from an authorized dealer can cost a few thousand more - same goes for Onyx. If you prefer the vibrant pop of the Pio 3d look go for it "4361" it will usually cost more than the Panny but it's hard to find the Panny right now to even buy.

I bought the Panny 50PX500 and selling it but in store viewing I usually preferred the Pio but the rave reviews and lower price made me decide on the Panny but were i choosing another plasma I'd go with the Pio instead. I'd presently choose no plasma because my room is too sunny I discovered after purchasing the panel soaks the light and reflections of everything in the room during the day whereas the LCD has almost ZERO reflection/glare. As a result I'm switching back to a Sharp 45" LCD FP.

Bang for buck is what says to your eye's and budget that says "BUY ME" - squeeze out the extra if your going stare at this thing everyday for the next 8-10+ yrs as there is nothing like buyer's remorse afterwards. The 4361 panel is so refined I don't know if it's worth going with an Elite unless you have money to burn and have bragging rights that you have one - same goes for the Onyx. Good Luck!

If your HT Room has controlled lighting go with the plasma's you've chosen the others you suggested appear to be from a previous generation and I mention the lighting situation because it's a factor you'll not notice in a store - full sun streaming into a 12' window with southern exposure turns the best plasma into an unwatchable experience during the day and it's annoying as hell seeing everything in the damn room reflecting into the plasma panel and I bring it up because I wasn't warned about it here - I followed the herd and now I'm losing a significant amount of money selling it after a week of ownership. :D

[D-Nice]

[QUOTE=BigChiefSmokem]So, i had my heart set on the pioneer PDP-4361HD, or the Panasonic TH42PX50U... I know both to be excellent plasmas...

I went to the local audio/video store and saw the following models:

Pioneer Elite 43" PRO930HD

Pioneer 43" PDP43A5HD

Panasonic 42" Onyx TH42XVS30 (It said "new G7 panel) on clearance (never heard of this one)

What i want to know is, are any of these better than the two i already had my heart set on? I think the Pioneer PRO930HD is a better model than the PDP-4361.. is this true? What do you guys think?

I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck...[/QUOTE]

As stated before, the Onyx TH42XVS30 is a 7th gen Panasonic glass plasma. There supposedly is a TH42XVS50 floating around that has the 8th gen glass in it, but I haven't seen it in my local Tweeter. The 43A5HD is no more than a 5th gen Pioneer (4350) minus the MR and 1 HDMI port. I personally have a Elite 930 and I love it. If I had to choose between the 4360/1 and 930, I would choose the 930 due to the additional picture controls it offers including grayscale controls (RGB high and low). The only other plasma I know that offer grayscale controls in the regular menu is the commercical Panasonics but they only allow RB high and low.

[paris_tn]

I think you have one of the best plasma's made. Can you tell us do you notice any juddr in fast moving scenes and is it any buzzing from the box that hooks to the plasma? Is it noticeable or loud? Does the buzz get louder as you turn the volume up? I hope you post pics at some point of your 930.

[BigChiefSmokem]

I forgot we're not supposed to post prices, but let me say this. The pioneer elite pro930hd i saw today WAS THE SAME PRICE as the pioneer 4361 at another store... So the elite is the better model with the new generation glass in it like the 4361, correct? I think this is one of those special sales they hvae going on during thanksgiving... So, if i can get this at the same price, the elite model is the better one, correct?

[optivity]

[QUOTE=BigChiefSmokem]So, i had my heart set on the pioneer PDP-4361HD, or the Panasonic TH42PX50U... I know both to be excellent plasmas...

I went to the local audio/video store and saw the following models:

Pioneer Elite 43" PRO930HD

Pioneer 43" PDP43A5HD

Panasonic 42" Onyx TH42XVS30 (It said "new G7 panel) on clearance (never heard of this one)

[color=red]What i want to know is, are any of these better than the two i already had my heart set on?[/color] I think the Pioneer PRO930HD is a better model than the PDP-4361.. is this true? What do you guys think?

I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck...[/QUOTE]Are they better? Perhaps. Are they $$$$ better? No, not really.

[mswlogo]

If you are buying in retail stores you're better off with the Elite. If you are buying on internet to save a few bucks your better off with the Non-Elite. My guess is most people that have to ask what the differences are between the Elite and Non-Elite probably don't need an Elite.

[D-Nice]

[QUOTE=paris_tn]I think you have one of the best plasma's made. Can you tell us do you notice any juddr in fast moving scenes and is it any buzzing from the box that hooks to the plasma? Is it noticeable or loud? Does the buzz get louder as you turn the volume up? I hope you post pics at some point of your 930.[/QUOTE]

Do I see judder in football, baseball, basketball games, Star Wars Ep III and the likes......nope, never.

Have I ever seen judder, yes, but very seldom and not in any content I would normally watch. For example, I saw it in the HBO HD showing of Spanglish, but it's not Pioneer's fault that the movie and transfer sucked. Turning pure cinema to ADV cleared it up though.

Fan noise from the box....nothing that annoys me or anyone else that watches the TV. I can here the box if the room is completely silent, but not with the TV on, and not even with the volume muted.

And there is no buzz what so ever coming from the panel.

I'll try to post some pictures, but I don't know when.

[D-Nice]

[QUOTE=BigChiefSmokem]I forgot we're not supposed to post prices, but let me say this. The pioneer elite pro930hd i saw today WAS THE SAME PRICE as the pioneer 4361 at another store... So the elite is the better model with the new generation glass in it like the 4361, correct? I think this is one of those special sales they hvae going on during thanksgiving... So, if i can get this at the same price, the elite model is the better one, correct?[/QUOTE]

I can believe that cause when I got my 930 is was only $400 more than what TVA was selling the 4360 for.

[D-Nice]

[QUOTE=optivity]Are they better? Perhaps. Are they $$$$ better? No, not really.[/QUOTE]


Thats only what your pocket says to you. Mine tells me a different story.

[optivity]

I'd like to drive a BMW too... but my ride is a Honda Accord...

[BigChiefSmokem]

So my best bet is the 4361, or the panasonic px50u, OR the Pioneer Elite model.,.. Good, thanks guys.. I think either way, i cant go wrong with either one of those models... However i'm leaning more towards the pioneer because i really like the bright popping colors.

But just to make sure i have this right...

the pioneer 930HD elite is the NEWEST 6th gen plasma display, correct?

[D-Nice]

[QUOTE=BigChiefSmokem]So my best bet is the 4361, or the panasonic px50u, OR the Pioneer Elite model.,.. Good, thanks guys.. I think either way, i cant go wrong with either one of those models... However i'm leaning more towards the pioneer because i really like the bright popping colors.

But just to make sure i have this right...

the pioneer 930HD elite is the NEWEST 6th gen plasma display, correct?[/QUOTE]

Correct.

[myuunan]

I own a PDP-435AHD and I understand it is the the PDP-4350HD with a couple of differences:

It does not have a separate media receiver (that function is built into the display) and it has 1 instead of 2 HDMI inputs.

It is a 2005 model (I'm new to this and not familiar with the generation terminology).

I like mine a lot. I was going to buy a Panasonic but the price was much higher than this Pioneer (which is on sale at Tweeter) for the same features.

[paris_tn]

Thanks D-Nice for answering some of my questions. I hear that your 43" and the new 50" Pioneer Elites are really nice and it seems it's very little judder and very little noise from that box. I will be looking when you post pics of your Pioneer. I have also been impressed on what i have read about the two new Elite panels scalling anything thrown at it very good. Sd to hd.