Help! Pioneer PDP-5071HD vs. Hitachi 55HDS69

[richmocj]

Hello, I am a long time lurker, making my first post.

I am going to purchase a plasma very soon, and I am currently torn between a couple choices. I've done my research and I've read the entire threads for each tv....

I like the looks of both the 5071HD and the 55HDS69, but I would have to give the advantage to the clean black look of the pioneer.
I believe the PQ is very close for each of these, however in the Hitachi thread, I've read that there is a "major" problem with flickering in dark scenes, however I feel the picture really pops in bright scenes.
Through employee discount (through a friend) I am able to get the tv at cost... The 5071 would be around $200 more than 55HDS69.
So, if I were to go with the hitachi I would save 200 dollars and get a 5" larger screen.

Because there are several advantages, and disadvantages to each TV, I would be very appreciative if someone could give me their opinion.... and if anyone one's purchased either of these tv's I'd love to hear your reviews as well.

Thanks a lot

[richmocj]

bump.....

noone has any opinions?

[ws6whiteshark]

[QUOTE=richmocj]bump.....

noone has any opinions?[/QUOTE]

Pioneer... and this is from someone who owns two Hitachi plasmas. Next time, I'll buy a Pioneer Elite.

[billybob_jcv]

Given 2 displays that you believe offer the same features, picture quality and price, I would tend to pick the larger display.

Of course, IMHO the Pioneer PQ is superior to the Hitachi - but that's what I see. If you see it different, cool - go for the Hitachi.

[richmocj]

Thanks for the responses.....

That's my predicament though.... is the better PQ of the Pioneer, worth the 5" and $200 difference.

Any thoughts.......???

[richmocj]

Any additional thoughts???

Will I be disappointed with the hitachi PQ? Is the PQ that much of a difference between the sets?

[steveklein]

[QUOTE=richmocj]Any additional thoughts???

Will I be disappointed with the hitachi PQ? Is the PQ that much of a difference between the sets?[/QUOTE]



if you feel the picture quality is equal between the two sets, then go for the larger screen and save yourself some chedda' :)

don't let anyone tell you the PQ of unit A is better than unit B... it's all in the eye of the beholder.

[dark1x]

[QUOTE=richmocj]Thanks for the responses.....

That's my predicament though.... is the better PQ of the Pioneer, worth the 5" and $200 difference.

Any thoughts.......???[/QUOTE]
Absolutely.

The Hitachi panels have some serious performance issues when displaying certain types of content (perhaps the result of its ALIS panel?). I would choose many other displays over a Hitachi, at this point, while I feel that Pioneer offers one of the best panels on the consumer market.

Go with the Pioneer.

While searching for a panel (I currently have a 4270 Pioneer), I did indeed spend some time with a Hitachi and here is what I found...

Using games as the basis of my tests (the most demanding type of content one could throw at a TV), I discovered a number of flaws. First and foremost, when a logo screen was displayed (with a red Namco logo set across a white background), you could very clearly see horizontal line artifacts streaming from the red logo across the white background. The same artifacts were present when displaying any sharp, single color object on top of another contrasting color.

In additional, using another game with a freely moveable camera (Call of Duty 2 running at 60 fps), I was able to test the panels ability to handle motion. I discovered that, while moving, the image quality would degrade. Looking at the sky, the gradients appeared smooth and clean while standing still, but developed rough, pink outlines and speckles the second you started to move the camera. I also found that, in general, the panel did not handle color gradients well and several of the darker applications I tested displayed serious color banding artifacts. Beyond THAT, I also found the black levels to be quite a bit less impressive in general. Basically, every single test application I used demonstrated SOME sort of flaw (whether major or minor). This did not bode well for the panel and I decided against it.

I have an entire selection of game, movie, and PC based tests that I used on a variety of displays (of all variety, including LCDs). One of the reasons I've become so anti-LCD is simply due to the fact that they are unable to handle the wide variety of tests I've thrown at them. Finding a display that can perform well in ALL (or nearly all) tests was EXTREMELY difficult. In fact, the Pioneer I decided on was the ONLY display that I tested that performed well on EVERY test. It has its own set of extremely minor flaws, but by and large, the display is incredible and is worth the extra money. The only other panel that could stand up to the Pioneer in most of the tests was the Panasonic PX60u series. Rear projection sets fell in dead last with DLP sets sitting at the absolute bottom (good lord were they terrible).

The Hitachi plasma was one of the least impressive panels I had tested. They look nice, from an aesthetic point of view, but the performance isn't there. Remember, virtually every product on the market *CAN* look extremely good when displaying the right content...but what makes a truly great display is the ability to handle ALL types of content extremely well. *THIS* is what makes the selection of a display so incredibly difficult and why I've learned that testing on my own is the ONLY way to truly know for certain.

[richmocj]

thanks, i appreciate all responses....

now for the hard / fun part... decision time!!

[rlindo]

The Hitachi is pretty good if it doesn't have that flickering/gamma issue during low lit scenes. However, I can tell you without any hesitation or bias that the LG 50PC1DRA model handily beats it in terms of PQ. I am boggled as to what this forum this specific model isn't being talked about more because its PQ is incredible. If you're up to dat eon that Hitachi thread (and you know doubt are) then you know I had both sets in my house cliabrated and again, the LG easily beat the 55HDS69 in every possible PQ way- Less noise, smoother image, better clarity/detail, FAR better black level, better contrast ratio, better image depth, far better colours. This isn't to try and say the Hitachi is junk as it is more to say how great the LG unit is.

Having never seen the Pioneer, I would say if it looks anything like the LG then it is clearly the choice you should go with. To be perfectly honest, I can't imagine any current plasma looking superior to the LG but not like I truly think nothing is better. If the Pio model offers superior PQ (and if I had to guess this line of plasmas would be the sets to offer supeior PQ) then WOW, it must be incredible and you should snap it up in a heartbeat.

You may think I am crazy and pass off this LG model because it is an "LG" which seems to be a brand that some make fun of here but I can assure you this specific model (I notice LG has two diff 50" models, one with a lower bit colour processor) is top notch.