PDP-5020 vs 50THPZ800

[PENG]

I am having hard time choosing between the Pioneer PDP-5020 and the Panasonic 50THPZ800. Comparing the two side by side the Pioneer looks better and seemed much sharper, yet most reviews I read rate the PZ800 better in color accuracy and everything else except for black level. Apparently neither model has provision for color temperature calibration/adjustment so I would think out of the box color accuracy is a big plus. The PZ800 seemed to look dull, and even in terms of white and black level, it looked worse than Samsung and Sony LCD panels within the same price range. I wonder if it was due to the relatively bright environment in Bestbuy and FS. Other than that I really can't think of any reasons why I am not impressed by the PQ of the Panny that has received rave reviews. I did play with the settings of the Panny and managed to make it looked better but still not enough to match the Pioneer in terms of sharpness and contrast.

I would appreciate comments by anyone who has previously considered and compared these two models.

 

[bandphan]

id pm DNice over at avs and check on the 5020 color temps per mode. I know some were unhappy with the lack of adjustment thru the SM, but iirc dnice got excellent base readings Id alos over all that two are pretty close, with the slight edge to the kuro.

 

[PENG]

Thanks, I'll find out what they are saying about the two over at avs. By the way today I was able to get them turn some lights off and the pannys did look more comparable to the lcds. I always know Plasma panels do better in a darker room but did realize it would make such a big difference.

 

[bandphan]

Thanks, I'll find out what they are saying about the two over at avs. By the way today I was able to get them turn some lights off and the pannys did look more comparable to the lcds. I always know Plasma panels do better in a darker room but did realize it would make such a big difference.

big box stores "bite" for judging displays

 

[PENG]

big box stores "bite" for judging displays

I meant "didn't...." realize the lighting condition could make such a big difference. Well at least I now know for a fact Plasma display can only beat LCDs in darker rooms.

Thanks again for the hint, there are tons of relevant info on the AVS forum. I probably have to spend a couple of hours to go through them all.

 

[bandphan]

its not so much as dark, as they look washed in extremely bright stores. I watch my display with the curtians open durning the day without issue.

 

[Adam]

I watch my display with the curtians open durning the day without issue.

Yeah, but everything looks good after about five or six Harps.

 

[bandphan]

Yeah, but everything looks good after about five or six Harps.

five or six i guess i do have a problem