Pioneer Elite Bargain?

[Woofer]

Hey guys-

Was rattling around inside my local Big Box store today for no particular reason other than it was there, and I stumbled across an intriguing offer.

DISPLAY model Pioneer Elite 950 HD (42”) for $1500. They have no more in stock and tell me it’s been on the wall since Feb/Mar of this year, which I believe since it’s a new store. Salesman said the panel is just ‘breaking-in’ as Plasmas need time to settle their pixel color. It’s 720p, but he stated at 42” and smaller, that’s virtually a non-issue. Truths? Comes with a full warranty but I forgot to ask what that is.

Currently I own a coupla’ Sony Wegas, the largest of which is 27” (my Tech is ‘low’…), so a 42” panel will physically impress. Technically, are the Elites really class leaders? This display was in a separate room from the other 42s so it was impossible to A/B compare. I was also told Pioneer is the last (if not the only) manufacturer to truly manufacture a panel with a degree of precision vs. others who punch glass out of much larger panels.

On top of this, I found a thread here explaining Pioneer is exiting Stage Left on the Plasma World Stage, thus making this year’s crop the ‘keepers’ I imagine. Or not? If I wait another few years, will the latest mass-produced technology beat out today’s best? Does this industry really improve exponentially year after year?

I’m the type ta do a lotta’ research before I buy something of high-value but I’ve been caught flat-footed on a bar of soap here. Is there value in this deal or should I wait?

 

[bandphan]

Yes and you can proabaly get another 100 or so off of it.

 

[Mcfly]

The only issues I would want to clear up further if I was in your shoes would be in regards to how the plasma was displayed. I'm guessing the Pioneers were in a darkened portion of the store and were in movie mode. If they had been in a dynamic or super bright mode that would give me pause for concern. New plasmas are more resistant to burn in but I don't believe any of them would stand up to 4 months of constant dynamic mode without some adverse wear.

As for Pioneer as a brand, they are not actually leaving the plasma market, just the plasma panel production. They will be buying panels from Panasonic for future, I believe 2009 and beyond, models. As for "720p", there should be no issue viewing high def content with the fewer pixels on that display. The colors and blacks the display can produce will be far more important than the extra pixels.

I would actually much rather have a 950 with its less pixels than most of the LCDs I'm looking at but I don't believe there will be any around when I am able to make my purchase. Like I said at the beginning of this, my biggest concern would be in regards to what sort of wear the display has seen.

For warranty information, I found that they plasmas have a 1 year warranty.

 

[Woofer]

I did purchase the panel today. It was in BB's 'Magnolia' room which is substantially darker than the rest of the store. The only issue is they couldn't locate the manual and Pioneer's Support site is down right now, so I can't download the PDF. Complex bugger, I'll say that.

I have to call my cable co. to determine what HD packages are available and swap out my set top box. Beyond that I've got to calibrate it, I guess. I found a review of the panel on HDTV Magazine that has some starter #s. Wonder if BB adjusts them or leaves them factory spec? Not sure I wanna' spend the $ on ISF techs. Friend at work may have a Spyder. I hafta' research the DVDs. Oh, I suppose I should acquire a serious surge/line conditioner rather than just run straight to the wall.

 

[bandphan]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=858851

the above link is a good place to start

 

[brulaha]

I would never ever ever buy a display model TV from a store. They aren't always honest about where they came from, and they can be abused both in putting them up and taking them down. I really wouldn't go for the savings in this case. Not to mention that these TV's do have limited life spans, and display TV's are on 12 hours a day minimum on torch settings. This is not a deal.

 

[armaraas]

Make sure you find out how long the warranty is, you may or may not want to consider an extended warranty since it's a display model.
Both of our main tv's were display models. One was a clearanced Toshiba 36" CRT that I wish would just die since I had a 4 year warranty on it and it weighs 220+ pounds and is a pain to move. The warranty expires this month and I haven't had to use it. Our other display tv is a Samsung 56" DLP that will be 3 years old later this summer, and again I have a warranty on it for one more year, and again no problems with it. I'm hoping the bulb will die soon though while it's covered under the warranty. You might be taking a risk with a display model, but at least you got to see it running first to ensure there were no display problems with it before gettiing it home. I've heard of people getting extended warranty's included with display models, but since it's already purchased it might be too late. You have 30 days after the purchase to buy one if you so desire.

Enjoy your new toy.

 

[bandphan]

Not to mention that these TV's do have limited life spans

60000+ hours is limited Also some people have good relationships with salespersons and dont get "lied" to. Buying a display item is no different than buying used except the display items usally come with the full manufacturers warranty.