Pioneer KRP 550M v Pioneer KRP 500A Plasma

[mrwhoppit]

Time to upgrade my 8 year old NEC 42MP2, still working to be fair but leaving it on the wall when moving next week and at last have an excuse to replace!
Anyway decided to invest in one of the above and wondered what opinions were from those that have made or are about to make the same decision.

My gut feeling is that I will not require the media box since I plan to run a humax freesat pvr & ps3 via an av amp probably the SC LX71 for video sources. There is a VCR & Humax freeview in the current rack but would probably retire these.
The tuners within the media box would then potentially be a duplication although i appreciate that one could then still watch a channel if pvr recording was fully engaged etc...
I notice the networking opportunities for the 500A though which while appear attractive am not sure in real terms what this means.
The dvi input on the 500M presumably can take a pc/media centre connection later anyway?
Quite like the idea of just a monitor and minimal number of boxes however don't want to miss a trick if possible either.

Will be stand mounting in the short term so easy access to panel etc..

Any input to my first post very welcome...

thanks

[Professor_V]

Try out the new fujitsu /nec plasma's cracking screens...

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by mrwhoppit

My gut feeling is that I will not require the media box since I plan to run a humax freesat pvr & ps3 via an av amp probably the SC LX71 for video sources.

Hi mrwhoppit.
What first pushed me towards the M was that i didn't need or want the Media box and it's features i really fancied a monitor only version for a change also.
Very pleased with the M it's got some neat tricks up it's sleeve as well.
All the best.

[mrwhoppit]

I have to say the NEC has been the business and gone on working far longer than I expected. Back in 2000 as I recall the choice was the afore mentioned, Fujitsu or Panasonic. Don't remember any Pioneer offering or possibly out of my budget!
It's not so easy to check NEC out now of course as even more out of the domestic market.
Is there a particular model you are suggesting?

[mrwhoppit]

What tricks have you discovered with your 600M captain?

[Black Adder]

Originally Posted by mrwhoppit

What tricks have you discovered with your 600M captain?

He won't say cos he's shy. It's all a bit secret and hush hush - sort of secret society. They are seemingly small things that are more useful than meets the eye initially and not obvious in the manual - bit like playing Tomb Raider and trying to find that difficult artifact.

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by mrwhoppit

What tricks have you discovered with your 600M captain?

Pure mode (picture preset) is not global TV remembers settings per resolution/Hz as well,this applies to each Input.
If your feeling lonely the TV can send you an email to cheer you up.

[Black Adder]

Originally Posted by kingfats

Pure mode (picture preset) is not global and can be set independantly per Input.
Remembers settings per resolution/Hz as well,this applies to each Input.
If your feeling lonely the TV can send you an email to cheer you up.

You forgot the finer steps for ISFing KF?

[mrwhoppit]

Very rewarding when you finally crack that elusive part of the level that you have been stuck on between 2 & 3 in the morning, agreed .
However on this occasion before blowing 2.5k it would be useful to get the cheat guide & complete walk through
How do we lure the 'shy one' away from his pond to reveal these closely guarded secrets?

[Black Adder]

Originally Posted by mrwhoppit

Very rewarding when you finally crack that elusive part of the level that you have been stuck on between 2 & 3 in the morning, agreed .
However on this occasion before blowing 2.5k it would be useful to get the cheat guide & complete walk through
How do we lure the 'shy one' away from his pond to reveal these closely guarded secrets?

He just did in post 7. Some also say that the inherent design without all the extra tuners and other gubbins gives a better picture, but I couldn't comment myself on that as I've not seen the two together.

Be aware though that the M has a lot of things missing that you would normally take for granted to be present on a TV. You need to research it like I'm doing.

[wHoMe]

Hardly a secret about per resolution when bumtious mentioned it before they were even on sale

Pioneer KRP A & M Owners Thread

Originally Posted by Black Adder

Some also say that the inherent design without all the extra tuners and other gubbins gives a better picture, but I couldn't comment myself on that as I've not seen the two together.

Maybe you shouldn't comment at all as I don't know anyone who has said that about the M & A, it was certainly said about the LX because everything is in the panel unlike either the M or the A

Maybe you should read the review or listen to what Tony said about the A

http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Pion...0A-Review.html

AVForums and TLC Broadcast Pioneer KRP Event

Its not a competition between panels they all have their benefits its about finding the one thats right for you

[IanSeward]

Originally Posted by mrwhoppit

Time to upgrade my 8 year old NEC 42MP2, still working to be fair but leaving it on the wall when moving next week and at last have an excuse to replace!
Anyway decided to invest in one of the above and wondered what opinions were from those that have made or are about to make the same decision.

My gut feeling is that I will not require the media box since I plan to run a humax freesat pvr & ps3 via an av amp probably the SC LX71 for video sources. There is a VCR & Humax freeview in the current rack but would probably retire these.
The tuners within the media box would then potentially be a duplication although i appreciate that one could then still watch a channel if pvr recording was fully engaged etc...
I notice the networking opportunities for the 500A though which while appear attractive am not sure in real terms what this means.
The dvi input on the 500M presumably can take a pc/media centre connection later anyway?
Quite like the idea of just a monitor and minimal number of boxes however don't want to miss a trick if possible either.

Will be stand mounting in the short term so easy access to panel etc..

Any input to my first post very welcome...

thanks

My thoughts were similar to yours, did not want another box, everything goes via my Yamaha amp so only need 1 HDMI on the TV, only need power and 1 HDMI to go to the TV (so no advantage from 500A), DVR provides a free view tuner if I need it, as I normally use Sky HD. So, I could not see any benefit in going with the A - just hope it is delivered tomorrow as promised

If you need scart connection, want to take audio out of the set, play media files etc you need the A, so do your homework - manuals for both sets are on the Pioneer site.

[mrwhoppit]

Thanks for the replies all, reckon the M is still favourite due partly to potential congestion in the rack when something else comes along. Not using any scarts recently although thinking about it maybe I should since I'm always finding new ones in a cupboard!
What's the score with sound via hdmi as did to plan to get a new av amp to simplify the process but could always still use the Denon for audio and go straight into the monitor or the box in the case of the A?
Decisions decisions...it's a hard life

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by mrwhoppit

What's the score with sound via hdmi as did to plan to get a new av amp to simplify the process but could always still use the Denon for audio and go straight into the monitor or the box in the case of the A?
Decisions decisions...it's a hard life

The M will of course accept audio "In" but there is no audio outs at all.
Cheers.

[mrwhoppit]

How are the menus KF as the word on the street is that the A's have a sexy GUI whereas M's are more industrial?
Assuming they both cover the same ground including sending the lonely viewer an email!