Plasma relative value

[Cousin Eddie]

Good morning. This is my first post, and I am a relative newcomer to the high-end audio/ visual world. I am nearing a decision on a new home theater system for my family room and am stuck in a couple of areas. One is the 50-inch plasma screen, and I would appreciate some input on the subject. I have researched three products and feel I have reached the end of my ability to absorb much more on my own. I'll keep this very straightforward - the three products I am considering are each about $900 to $1,000 more expensive than the immediately lower priced product. I just want to understand if the incremental $1,000 or $2,000 really delivers that much better of a product.
In order of price - lowest to highest - with each product priced $900 to $1,000 more than the previous one, we are considering the Samsung HP-R5072, the NEC 50XR5, and the Fujitsu P50XTA51US. Of note, the Fujitsu has a 3 year parts and labor factory warranty that includes the PDP; NEC has 3 years parts and labor but only 1 year PDP; I am having trouble finding Samsung's warranty info but it's either 1 or 2 years. Again, I'm not asking for help with whether or not I'm getting a good price. I'm really asking if the NEC is $900 to $1,000 better than the Samsung, and whether the Fujitsu is $900 to $1,000 better than the NEC and $1,800 to $2,000 better than the Samsung. I think the warranty should figure into this, but I don't know how much. If you'd like more info about the rest of the system or if I've left something important out, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your time and help.

 

[Mort Corey]

IMO, you do get more display quality at increased cost but like most AV gear there is a point of dimishing returns per dollar spent.

I personally don't care for the Samsung PQ nor their product quality in general. I also think the Fujitsu displays (though very nice) are over priced. Haven't seen the NEC. At this time, I think you'll get the most bang for your buck with a Panasonic display....or, again for more $$, the Pioneer Elite.

Good hunting,

Mort

 

[BMXTRIX]

The top two, IMO are Panasonic and Pioneer for actual quality for your money spent. The Panny is at the top of the class for value to your dollar. But, the Pioneers simply look phenomenal - at a premium price.

I would probably recommend and go with a Panny if bang for your buck is the critical factor above absolute top notch quality.

 

[thundergust]

imo, you get the best picture quality and most bang for the buck if you buy panasonic. pioneer is also excellent, but you have to pay more.
of the 3 brands you mention, the NEC should have a better picture than samsung and fujitsu. you could take a look at www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com as a reference.

 

[rupertoooo]

As the other responders stated I too am very surprised that the Panasonic and the Pioneer where not part of your review. I strongly suggest checking both displays out. Panasonic will be releasing there 10th generation plasma display shortly. The Fujitsu is an excellent display but in my opinion not worth the extra loot. Check into the Panny and the Pioneer before making your final decision.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Thanks all for the replies. Clearly I need to look into Pioneer and Panasonic before making a decision. It sounds like there are a lot of Panasonic fans out there in the bang-for-the-buck camp. How important a factor is the factory warranty in your analysis? I'm not familiar with the Panasonic and Pioneer factory warranties, but maybe I'm focusing on an area that isn't as important.

 

[Mort Corey]

Panasonic consumer model displays have a one year parts and labor warranty with in home service. Pioneer, IIRC, is the same except for their Elite series which is two years. Both companies also offer commercial units that come sans speakers, stands, and with limited inputs, that can be expanded much like a computer with optional cards. Those units cost quite a bit less but don't have "in home" warranty service....if that's important to you.

Mort

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Thanks again.

 

[Pyrrho]

As a sidenote, many people who evidently don't read the articles dislike the recommendations made in Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports, however, recommends Panasonic plasma TVs, just like most of the people in this thread. It is certainly what I would buy if I were buying a plasma TV.

 

[Geno]

I had my heart set on the Panny 50" commercial display, until I saw the Vizio at Cosco. If band for the buck is what you're going for, give it a look.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

I appreciate the feedback and am looking into all suggestions made on this thread. There are obviously a lot of Panasonic fans out there. Two additional questions. First, how do you factor in the importance and value of the factory warranty with these products? Second, I subscribe to Consumer Reports but have trouble reconciling their recommendations for plasma - not because I think they do a bad job, but because there are brands and models they don't cover such as the NEC and Fujitsu. Is the concensus that if they haven't reviewed a particular brand/ model that for some reason it didn't meet some initial criteria for evaluation?

 

[Herr D]

Well consumer reviews are cool and all but you really should see the plasma in action for yourself. If the NEC and Fujitsu are not in the reviews, it has nothing to do with not meeting an initial standard at all.

I have seen a lot of plasmas in action and I must say Panasonic and Pioneer simply have the best plasmas, period. If you don't have the budget I suggest having a look at the LG plasma's, I think they've got some pretty decent stuff too. But as for looks and awesome-factor: Pioneer.

And by the way, Pioneer is going to release their new PDP-5000EX in June, which is a 50 inch plasma in true HD (1080p). Just FYI.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Great feedback, thanks. I looked at a number of plasmas over the weekend based on feedback on this thread. I was impressed with the Panasonic and Pioneer Elite. I do have the budget for the Pioneer, but don't want to make a bad relative value decision - hence the question I posted initially. It's really going to come down to how much I appreciate and value the incremental improvement in quality with the more expensive model.
Panasonic is also releasing a new model soon that supposedly supports 1080p but isn't a true 1080p product. Any thoughts regarding these two new offerings along the same relative value angle would also be appreciated.

 

[e73bass]

Plasma value

Throw Hitachi into the mix as well---I think their Director series are right up there with Pioneer Elite and panasonic and they have a true 1080P plasma that will be out in august,plus you can get it in a 55". If you want one now with a 1080p processor--you can get it for about $5000 in the director series

 

[Method]

I bought the Pioneer Elite Pro-1130, and have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.

HOWEVER, if you are looking for the most bang for your buck, and you kkep mentioning the incremental cash flow...I would say then your fit is the Panasonic PX500U. Like I said, I spent the money on the Pioneer Elite, and am absolutely content, but if I but another plasma (for my bedroom), I'd buy the Panny because every time I set foot into Sound Advice, the picture looks very tight, and you save about $2K more than you would on paying up for the Elite. Just my opinion, but remember that there isn't a whole lot of HD content out there anyway...so does it justify having a Ferrari in your garage if the local speed limit is 25 MPH? I must say I was kinda disappointed when I saw what the regular digital content looked like on my HD plasma (almost cartoonish).

 

[Cousin Eddie]

My comments on the incremental cost/ benefit are related to relative value. I could budget for the Hitachi and Elite but I'm not sure I will derive the benefit of that incremental improvement in quality. I think the Ferrari analogy is a good one and gets to my issue. More thinking to do...