Please Recommend Best Plasma

[Marino24]

Hey guys/gals...i'm currently trying to put together a home theater system for my father in law and he wants one of the biggest/best plasma TVs available...and no he will not purchase the 103" plasma for $70,000 (i already asked)...and he cannot do a projector for several reasons so that option is out...it has to be a plasma because it must hang on a wall...he's willing to spend around $12,000 for the plasma TV so I am trying to find the best plasma TV 65" and over for that price range...so please help me out...the one that I found at 71" was the LG 71PY1M Television for around $10,000...would that be his best bet or should he go with something a little smaller but with better specs??? Please help me out.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

From what I've read, the Pioneer Elite plasmas are the top-of-the-line, and the Panasonic plasmas are the best bang-for-the buck coming in just below the Pioneer's in terms of picture quality.

There's a number of people here that are a lot more familiar with these than I am, but I wanted to get the ball rolling.

Adam

 

[itschris]

I think most will agree that the Pioneer Elite Kuros are hands down the finest plasmas currently on market. They are highly acclaimed for the deep inky blacks that's been the buggaboo for flatscreens since the came out. You read just about any review from any source and you'll likely find nothing but rave reviews.

As far as size goes, I think 60 inches is the max (excluding of course the mammoth 150 incher) If your thinking about bigger, you may want to consider an LCD. Panasonic has a 65" model that has pretty good reviews, but it falls short of the Kuro.

Is your dad sold on a flat panel? If not, you may consider a DLP. Mitsubishi has their Diamond line 73" set that's pretty damn hot. It's about 12 inches deep so you're not talking a whole lost of depth. I've got the diamond 65 and I love it. Just a thought to keep in mind.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I agree with the guys above and would reccomend the 60" Pioneer Elite 151.

 

[Marino24]

it has to be a flat panel because it has to go on a wall due to his set up...so unfortunately rear projection DLPs are out of the loop...I figured plasma was his best bet for the size:cost ratio. I thought some of the larger LCD's around 65" are touching >$15,000 so I kinda ruled those out...if there are some good sized LCD's i'd love to know about them as long as they're around the $12,000ish range. I was looking up some panasonic 65" plasmas...are those much better in quality vs the LG 71" plasma?

 

[bandphan]

KuroElite bar none.....what is the seating distance? Is front projection an option?

 

[Marino24]

front projection is not an option due to some design that he did on his ceiling...and seating distance I would guess is around 12ft...and if the tv had to be 65"(that rules out pioneer elite) or bigger which plasma would you guys recommend?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I'd tell him to still get the 151...but if 65" is a must, you have Panny from last year...this years big Panny's aren't available yet.
The 71" LG is not bad, but the 65" Panny is better and the 60"Pioneer is better than the Panny.
I'd choose the 65" Panny over the LG.

 

[bandphan]

quality versus a few inches....hmmm.. Its worth it at that distance if the money is there, the pq is unmatched.

 

[Emusica]

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-141FD 60"
Panasonic TH-65PZ850U 65" (new 800 series model)
Panasonic TH-58PZ850U 58" (also new 800 series)

The new 800 series are out. Check out Best Buy Magnolia stores, or just google the model number.

 

[Adam]

So far, you're getting pretty consistent recommendations here. The only thing that I'd add is to definitely go check out these displays for yourself. You're looking at spending a lot of coin on this thing, and you'll want to be happy with it (well, your in-laws will). That way, you can check out the size/performance differences for yourself. Also, consider any glare off of the screen if this will be in a room with a lot of ambient lighting (such as windows).

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I apologize, I thought the 58" and 65" weren't due out until october.

 

[Emusica]

I apologize, I thought the 58" and 65" weren't due out until october.

To my great joy, they are here now. Mine will be here tomorrow.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Nice, which size and how much was it?
Enjoy!

Oh and OP, definitely go for 'this years' Panny over the LG if he has to have over 60". It will be solidy superior.

 

[Emusica]

Nice, which size and how much was it?
Enjoy!

Oh and OP, definitely go for 'this years' Panny over the LG if he has to have over 60". It will be solidy superior.

I'm getting the TH-58PZ800U from PlasmaConcepts.com. They currently have it for $2997. They are an authorized Panny dealer also. It was even cheaper on other sites but I felt better spending the extra money so I could sleep at night

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Yup, they sponsor other av forums as well.
Good for you and enjoy!

 

[itschris]

I have to say that size is definately an issue when you're looking for the cinematic experience. I'm always surprised at how big a difference a few inches can make on a tv. There's quite a bit more real estate on a 65" vs a 60". While the Kuro is definately the finest tv out right now, it may be worth considering to give up just a bit of performance and get the bigger screen size with the Panny. It's not an easy call.

 

[Midcow2]

Great Thread

WOW! great Thread , my mouth is watering

This is exactly what I plan to do next year, if I can cost justify However, I have already started the preparation, with hints and subtle discussion.
====

GREAT Question from OP and excellent responses. From this one thread and form the responses I have learned more than i could spending hours and hours researching on the Internet. This is what the Audiholics forums are all about and why the Audioholics forums are such an excellent source of indormation and why I try to give back when I can

THANKS ALL!

 

[allargon]

Don't forget to add $300 to the budget for a professional calibration if you don't own a colorimeter and calibration software!

 

[Emusica]

It's here! It's here!!

Initial impression...

looks....
performance......
looks...... 5 big grins
sound...... 4 big grins
looks...... 5 big grins
Great picture, and that's just with playing Ninja Gaiden II in 1080p. I moved my other Panny plasma up to the bedroom. There is a noticable difference between 1080i and 1080p. I thought at first that I wouldn't be able to tell, but I can. How sweet it is. I can just imagine how blu-rays will look on this thing.
The speakers actually sound REALLY good, even though I probably wont ever use them that much. Did I mention that this thing looks friggin' sweet?

I do need some calibration software to get optimum PQ.