Which Panasonic TV to buy? Is the Panasonic Plasma as good as the old Pioneer Elite Plasma?

Question

My father has the old Pioneer Elite plasma and it is a superb TV. As I understand it, Pioneer sold the technology to Panasonic: so the question that remains is how a new Panasonic Plasma compares to the Older Pioneer Elite?

I am looking to buy a TV because my Sony just will not turn on anymore. Totally random, uninstigated failure.

Big problem is that I know "Ultra High Def" TVs are coming down the pipe, so I dont know if I should just buy something on the "HD Only" end or to go out and buy something with 3D and all that?

Also, I don't know if I should buy LCD or Plasma from Panasonic? My gut seems to say Plasma...

Input much obliged?

Answer 1

The panasonic plasma's are NOT quite as good as the old Elite units, but darn good.



I always recommend Panasonic Plasma televisions for video gamers because all the units include a "gamer mode" to reduce gamer lag and plasma has the 600 hz refresh to minimize motion blur.



The guys at TechZilla who calibrate and love outstanding video quality - have plasmas for their home systems.



HOWEVER: For the last several years, the higher end Samsung, LG and even the 1 left Sony XBR television have been at the top of the recommended lists from magazines like Home Theater, Consumer Reports and Sound and Vision. These are LCD/LED with 120 or 240 hz refresh for the 3D models.



If the higher end Plasma models are superior for the picture, why are the slightly less superior LCD/LED models better rated and recommended?



I have pondered this question and come up with a theory:



"The superior image is only an advantage with high-quality sources like a blockbuster BluRay".



A LOT of people watch broadcast TV or do streaming or torrents. Streaming is frankly .. highly compressed. The slightly better display of plasma is swamped by the lower-quality of the streaming video.



I suspect 95% of what you watch would not be any better on a Plasma vs the higher end LCD/LED panels.



Go read the reviews. Go to YouTube and search for "TekHD" channel. They do TV reviews and I tend to like what they feel is important.



Good Luck.

Answer 2

Panasonic is the only Plasma tv that Home Theater Magazine recommends, The Pioneer Elite Plasma tv was very good and it was very expensive. The new Panasonic ZT series is the top of the line followed by the VT. The only other major brand that makes plasma tv is the Samsung, there 8000 series by have not been recommended by home theater magazine. I own 4 Panasonic Plasma tv. Hope this will help you out.

Answer 3

Indeed Pioneer was a leader in plasma television technology. Today, Panasonic stands in that same position and rightfully so - they've earned it.



As superior as Panasonic plasma sets are today - even better than the Pioneers were back in the day, you should be pleased at the current technology... then let the prices fall on the bleeding edge 4K technology.

Answer 4

Pioneer is best known for their audio gear. Panasonic I believe is the only name brand that makes Plasma anymore. Most name brands have stopped making them and had moved to LCD and LED.



Panasonic plasma technology has made big improvement with older technology, so it will be way better than any older plasma, even if it is the Pioneer.



There are Pros and Cons between Plasma and LCD, plasma will have glare if room is bright with windows, but picture is brighter and more contrast. LCD is lighter and uses less energy and so on.



Google LCD vs Plasma and read about it. They are all pretty much say the same idea.



http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1IEaBUvG6P2/learn/learningcenter/home/tv_flatpanel.html

Answer 5

Stick with your gut and get a plasma! ive seen the 4k from Sony and I wasn't overly impressed. it still suffers from the same crappy motion problems that LCD based tv's have. The old Kuro's were the highest rated tv to date. I don't know if it is nostalgia but they said that the ZT is the closest thing to the Kuro to date.