help need some budget alternatives to PRO 151-HD

[Midcow2]

I was all set to get a Pioneer Elite PRO 151-HD 60" plasma ....then I got laided off. We looked at finances and wife and I decided we could still probably get a decent TV either LCD or Plasma around 55"-65" 1080p

Are the any other good alternatives to the 151-HD (I was going to buy local for $5000+ tax plus $75 delivery. I could still probably swing it if I pressed , but are there Panasonic choices (besides the TH-65VX100U ) or Samsung , or maybe a Sony XBR LCD. Is the anything closer to $3,000

Thanks for everyone's best wishes and help.

Later,

MidCow2 (maybe retired )

 

[pyrrhusmj]

I was all set to get a Pioneer Elite PRO 151-HD 60" plasma ....then I got laided off. We looked at finances and wife and I decided we could still probably get a decent TV either LCD or Plasma around 55"-65" 1080p

Are the any other good alternatives to the 151-HD (I was going to buy local for $5000+ tax plus $75 delivery. I could still probably swing it if I pressed , but are there Panasonic choices (besides the TH-65VX100U ) or Samsung , or maybe a Sony XBR LCD. Is the anything closer to $3,000

Thanks for everyone's best wishes and help.

Later,

MidCow2 (maybe retired )

Or, just bite the bullet and wait until you get another job. Times are rough in the job market right now. I don't want to get into your business, nor do I have a right to, but why settle and spend money you may need to live on at some time in the next year or two. Then if you get another job and the pro-151 is still being produced, buy what you want and you didn't have to worry at some point or maybe even the $10k panny.

Michael

 

[lsiberian]

You could always go PJ.

for 3000 you could get a fixed frame Carada screen and a 1080p projector. If you get an LCD you can easily shelf mount it and have a very nice setup.

Just think you could have a 100" tv

 

[Midcow2]

H'mm what question did I ask ?

Or, just bite the bullet and wait until you get another job. Times are rough in the job market right now. I don't want to get into your business, nor do I have a right to, but why settle and spend money you may need to live on at some time in the next year or two. Then if you get another job and the pro-151 is still being produced, buy what you want and you didn't have to worry at some point or maybe even the $10k panny.

Michael

Well Michael, here is the deal: I was going to retire in the next couple of years anyway. I was very senior and very specailized; even a great job would pay less that half of what I was making. I have enough saved to comfortably retire now. So I am not sure I want to start all over and work my butt off to prove myself for less than half the pay. I am just not sure I feel comfortable spending $5k for Pioneer or $10K for the new Panny ... so it is not really money I will need to live on the then next year or two. So, I ask again are there any less expensive alternatives that might be almost as good ? I think that was the question I orginally asked

Later,

MidCow2

 

[Midcow2]

You could always go PJ.

for 3000 you could get a fixed frame Carada screen and a 1080p projector. If you get an LCD you can easily shelf mount it and have a very nice setup.

Just think you could have a 100" tv

Nice idea Actually there is no place to put a projector, sometime I will draw up or take picturesof the den setup, but it opens in the back to a granite bar that separate the den from the kitchen. And even as small as the current 37" is, it stilllookw verygood. 60-65" would be awesome. My front wall length is barely 100" if that much.

 

[Omega Supreme]

Sorry about the job MidCow. Here is a link to the Pioneer PDP-6020FD KURO at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-PDP-6020FD-60-Inch-Class-Plasma/dp/B001AAQTXQ/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234478305&sr=8-3 Its marked down from $5500 to $3701.80 w/free shipping and probably no tax. Its not the "Elite" but it will probably beat any Panny or Samsung. Here is the link to Pioneers website: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/PlasmaTVs+Monitors/PioneerTVs/ci.PDP-6020FD.Kuro?tab=A Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

 

[rekced]

Sorry about the job MidCow. Here is a link to the Pioneer PDP-6020FD KURO at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-PDP-6020FD-60-Inch-Class-Plasma/dp/B001AAQTXQ/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234478305&sr=8-3 Its marked down from $5500 to $3701.80 w/free shipping and probably no tax. Its not the "Elite" but it will probably beat any Panny or Samsung. Here is the link to Pioneers website: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/PlasmaTVs+Monitors/PioneerTVs/ci.PDP-6020FD.Kuro?tab=A Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

The $3600 Pioneer 6020 did not beat the $2,400 58'' Panasonic TH-58PZ800U overall. Cnet and a few other places rated the Panasonic higher. For $1,300 less than the Pioneer 6020, there is no question that I would get the Panasonic. The black levels aren't THAT much different and the THX mode on the Panasonic would probably be good enough for me to save money and not get a calibration. However, I understand that some people will just want the additional picture controls.

 

[TRT]

Or, just bite the bullet and wait until you get another job. Times are rough in the job market right now. I don't want to get into your business, nor do I have a right to, but why settle and spend money you may need to live on at some time in the next year or two. Then if you get another job and the pro-151 is still being produced, buy what you want and you didn't have to worry at some point or maybe even the $10k panny.

Michael

+1

Wait until you get another job and build up some emergency cash before you buy a TV for 5 large. To answer your question, I'd go with the Sony XBR.

 

[Midcow2]

decided to go PRO-151HD

+1

Wait until you get another job and build up some emergency cash before you buy a TV for 5 large. To answer your question, I'd go with the Sony XBR.

Hey thanks for the advice TRT, I forgot you were a financial manager, aware intimately with my situuation, familiar with my age, previous income, savings and my previous job.


I went back and did the review between the PRO-151HD and the PDP-6020FD and decided that I really would always wonder about the better quality and feature of the elite.

Welcome MidCow2 to your retirement gift

Later

MidCow2

 

[lsiberian]

Nice idea Actually there is no place to put a projector, sometime I will draw up or take picturesof the den setup, but it opens in the back to a granite bar that separate the den from the kitchen. And even as small as the current 37" is, it stilllookw verygood. 60-65" would be awesome. My front wall length is barely 100" if that much.

That's too bad. My Parents actually got one of the samsung 60" LCDs(without consulting me) very nice when calibrated, but too big for a tv IMO. If I were buying a TV I would go with a DLP. It's very cheap for the size, great PQ relatively speaking. The newer ones don't suffer from RBE. But size may be an issue with that. And the plasmas are more sleek.

 

[AVRat]

Cow, sorry to hear about the job loss, but glad to see you pulled the trigger anyway. I'm still on the fence about purchasing one. I can afford the $6K, but my fiscally responsible side is stingy. Fifteen years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about it, even though it would have increased my debt burden. I was waiting till I upgraded the audio side of things but may have to bite the bullet and start on the video side first. My current Mits is going on 14 years.

 

[Adam]

Congrats, MidCow2! I didn't see your post until just now. I'm guessing that you'll be very pleased with that TV. If you would, please let us all know about your impressions once you get it and have enjoyed it for a bit. Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

Congrats MC2 on getting the display that everything else is compared to.

No more clock in front, right?

You WILL have it calibrated for night and day viewing.


well, that's what my 8-ball fortune teller says to me.

 

[The Dukester]

Very sorry to hear about the job, Midcow. Bummer after putting all those years in. Since you were smart and prepared for retirement, congrats on "Elite-dom." I own last year's 50" model. Pic is really hard to beat!

 

[AVRat]

Bump.. Did you receive it yet? COST?

 

[AVRat]

So what's the verdict? Can't pull yourself away, eh?

 

[poutanen]

The cheapest $$/inch for 1080p TVs is still DLP-LED (ie. Samsung 750 series). The 61" is around $1400, and the 67" is around $1800. I've got the 67" and still love it...

EDIT: DOH! Just re-read the thread and realized I'm late to the party. Congrads on the new TV!