LCD/Plasma help! Should I buy 52" Sony XBR6 or 50" Pioneer Kuro 5020?

[ppcuser]

Let's assume I can get the 52" LCD XBR6 for approx. $2200 + tax, and the 50" Plasma 5020 for approx. $2500+ tax.

What are my pros/cons?
I know from reading that the contrast levels make little/no difference.
The Sony LCD is 52", the Pioneer Plasma is 50"
I am sitting approx. 8-9' away and mounting it above my mantle 4 1/2' up from the ground on a wall mount.

The room gets a good amount of light during the day (well lit).

Anyone that has owned both units want to chime in?

Help, and thank you in advance!

[Gutty96]

The 5020FD is the far better choice. There really is nothing in the LCD world that can touch it.

Problem is, you can't have it for $2500 anymore.

It is $3799 @ FS, and $2999 @ BB

[ppcuser]

^

Thanks for the input Gutty!

I'm actually dealing with a guy at a local store who's given me good deals in the past, and he's willing to go around the $2500~ route for the 5020. Is the FP a variant of that model?

How about black levels in both units? My current 27" CRT is getting reflections from the window behind me in my family room (one large window). I have a shade/filter on it, but it's still lighting the room quite well. Only problem is the window reflects onto the CRT as my family room is quite open concept.

[Gutty96]

^

Thanks for the input Gutty!

I'm actually dealing with a guy at a local store who's given me good deals in the past, and he's willing to go around the $2500~ route for the 5020. Is the FP a variant of that model?

How about black levels in both units? My current 27" CRT is getting reflections from the window behind me in my family room (one large window). I have a shade/filter on it, but it's still lighting the room quite well. Only problem is the window reflects onto the CRT as my family room is quite open concept.

Black levels are unmatched on the Kuro. NOTHING in LCD can come close.

Reflections will be there, it is a glass panel, so that is unavoidable. They are anti-reflective, so it offers some protection, but you will see it.

It may be the sacrifice you have to make to have the best TV going. I know sometimes I see a little refection of light, but you know what. It is still worth it when I weigh in all the positives of this TV.

I would far rather deal with a little light reflection, then the nauseating felling I get watching anything fast moving on an LCD.

[ppcuser]

I would far rather deal with a little light reflection, then the nauseating felling I get watching anything fast moving on an LCD.

Even with the XBR6's 120hz Motion Flow technology? I don't watch any hockey for sports, only basketball. How's Motion Flow with standard definition basketball games?

[tripwire]

Black levels are unmatched on the Kuro. NOTHING in LCD can come close.

The LED driven XBR8 and LNA950 also measue a 0.000fl black level reading.

Just saying

[tripwire]

Even with the XBR6's 120hz Motion Flow technology? I don't watch any hockey for sports, only basketball. How's Motion Flow with standard definition basketball games?

You won't get nauseated, with the 60Hz LCD's you might, but not with this Sony.

Motion Flow works fine, and many prefer it to Samsung's AMP technology (less of a soap opera look). There's different settings that will appease each individual.

If i had to choose between the 2 at that marginal price difference, the Kuro would be coming home with me. Even in a well lit room, the Kuro panel works better at absorbing light than any other plasma on the market.

[zzz3]

The LED driven XBR8 and LNA950 also measue a 0.000fl black level reading.

Just saying

Lol at those prices you can get an isf calibrated elite.

BTW to the OP, try asking this question on avs (partly for my entertainment to see the xbr get ripped ).

[Badman]

hey op could you tell what place is giving these prices?

in the market for a tv as well

[Gutty96]

Even with the XBR6's 120hz Motion Flow technology? I don't watch any hockey for sports, only basketball. How's Motion Flow with standard definition basketball games?

Yup, even with 120Hz. I was fully prepared to buy an LCD until saw them next to a Plasma. Then, I saw the Kuro. There was no looking back from there.

[ppcuser]

Thanks for the responses all!

Does anyone know of a good place to view a Pioneer Kuro next to a Sony XBR maybe?

[ice168]

hey op could you tell what place is giving these prices?

in the market for a tv as well

I am interested in the 5020 at that price as well. Mind to tell us which store?
Thanks

[ppcuser]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll have to wait a few weeks for my finances to get in line then I'm going for the 5020! I wish I could get more people the deal, but it took me a LOT to negotiate with this guy (who's also a family friend). It's a local store and he told me not to tell others the price otherwise he'd get fired... so think of it as a "theoretical situation"

[belowzeros]

I don't really enjoy HD sports or movies on anything but Plasma. It's just a personal choice but I can't really stand them on LCDs.

For console games I really prefer LCDs tho, the colours pop a lot better and there aren't really any motion problems.

[loybond]

The LED driven XBR8 and LNA950 also measue a 0.000fl black level reading.

Just saying

Those aren't true black levels. If there were exactly 1920x1080 LEDs, then, there'd be more of a point to local dimming, which is what happens. For example, the black bars above and below the movie, the TV will turn off the LEDs behind there, giving you a true black. But that's not what a great black level does. When you're watching a dark movie, Batman or something, the blacks that are actually in the movie will be darker, and as a result, each colour is more vibrant, and more shadow detail is present.

You won't be able to find even one professional recommendation for any LCD over a Kuro.

And OP, who told you contrast ratios don't matter? CR is the number one factor in video performance!