New Plasma to Pair With Crystalio 2

[TheDoctor]

Hello All

I looking for a new plasma to pair with my Crystalio 2. Currently at the top of my list is the new 1080p (24Hz) LX Pioneer Range, which also have a "dot to dot" mode (1:1 pixel mapping through HDMI).

Does anyone have any other thoughts?

[choddo2006]

Sounds like a fine plan to me. One of the last Fuji Aviamos perhaps?

[TheDoctor]

It would probably be impossible to get hold of an Aviamo, especially the 50" panel.

It seems like the LX Pioneers are the way to go.

[dave_st185]

A Panasonic PF series panel perhaps?

Or if you can still find one you wouldn't be going far wrong with a 58series Fujitsu panel inspite of it being 768p

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Panasonic PF for me. 1:1 very easily done. Personal preference though, many prefer the look of the Pioneers (certainly aesthetically) but I still think the Panny the more cinematic experience.

[jolly]

Just got my panny 50pf10, great screen

Can’t wait till I get the Radiance

Steve

[TheDoctor]

I have to have a panel that is 1080p, accepts 24Hz, and produces the best blacks possible

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

In my opinion you'd be foolish to not look at the 50PF10 then...

Gordon

[TheDoctor]

It looks like I'll have to investigate the 50PF10 then

[jolly]

Picture was great out off the box for me, can’t wait for Gordon to weave his magic

Steve

[TheDoctor]

Liam/Gordon

What are the black levels like when comparing the LX Pioneers to the PF Pannys. I know the contrast ratios are 20000:1 vs 5000:1 - but what does this mean in terms of "real visual value".

Being an owner of a Pio 505XDE, you may understand why I'm looking for that "blacker" experience.

Thanks

[jolly]

Originally Posted by TheDoctor

Liam/Gordon

What are the black levels like when comparing the LX Pioneers to the PF Pannys. I know the contrast ratios are 20000:1 vs 5000:1 - but what does this mean in terms of "real visual value".

Being an owner of a Pio 505XDE, you may understand why I'm looking for that "blacker" experience.

Thanks

I had a 506FDE before a got the Panny and are definitely not disappointed with the blacks

As I said above it's a great pic out of the box and iam not using a VP at the moment


Steve

[-Hitman-]

Originally Posted by TheDoctor

Liam/Gordon

What are the black levels like when comparing the LX Pioneers to the PF Pannys. I know the contrast ratios are 20000:1 vs 5000:1 - but what does this mean in terms of "real visual value".

Being an owner of a Pio 505XDE, you may understand why I'm looking for that "blacker" experience.

Thanks

I'm looking into doing similar to you and using either a radiance from Gordon or a VP50pro but my two choices of display i've been researching all over at the moment are the 65PF10 and LX608, i'm also interested in the new G9's from Pioneer.

I wouldn't go off contrast ratio's as they are never correct and highly exaggerated.

From what i've read and found out from respected members of forums, Panasonic have not really updated their displays and have been using mostly the same technology from G8 with small changes to add more features but are still stuck with limited calibration adjustments (A VP can be used to resolve this but will i don't think it can achieve the reference that Pioneers can get), Pioneer however seem to have been making big changes with each gen release and have now produced the Kuro's with unbeatable black levels, Full reference calibration capabilities and excellent 24hz support.

The Pioneers are also ahead with light output and i think they are already around 5 lumen tech now and moving up to around 10 this year/next, Panasonics will be around 3-5 this year, I think it will be quite a while before Panasonic catches up with the Kuro blacks.

However the Pansonics do produce excellent picture quality, especially coupled with a VP in the chain and are far more robust than any Pioneer IMHO, so this is an extremely difficult choice and i may wait for the Pioneer G9 before making my final decision and welcome any correction on what i have said here.

HTH.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Easy question first - the Radiance is a VP50Pro slayer.

Panny vs Pio you need to get a demo. The 60" Pioneer has higher black levels than the 50"... I would be weary of comparing numbers and falling back into spec sheet buying. Both have proper blacks, but I still personally prefer the Panasonic image. Feels like there is more contrast on screen, the Pioneer is punchier almost which suits a lot of people's preferences. Just not mine LOL! As a rule of thumb I tend to use Pioneers where there is a projector for movies, in brighter rooms (where the better anti-reflective layer is an advantage), and where the client just wants a nice gloss black shiny TV! Panasonics are not as bright and do have a more reflective glass, but again they suit my tastes as a main movie watching display.

I've done Radiances on 50PF10 and LX508D now and with the Radiance having full CMS, parametric greyscale, and more calibration tools to come, the difference is purely the plasma panel's reproduction of the image on 1:1 and how it looks on your wall aesthetically. Nobody would ever be unhappy with either, but spoiled as I am with getting to see these things every day I know for my room and tastes it would be Panasonic. But for example my old man (who uses Lumagen HDQ) he prefers the Pioneer.

[-Hitman-]

Thanks Liam, appreciated!

Agree with the radiance, the more i see of user info the more i'm leaning, your response the more so but i need help with the audio side in to a HDA amp via HDMI 1.3, i know Radiance is soon an upgrade to this and the pro version is on the horizon, so looks very good.

I want to badly see a Pf10 but no one in the NW supplies this panel, may have to travel for this.

I'm in Panasonics preference too having owned a Pioneer then a PHD8 and found the Panasonic to be without question an excellent display, now things have moved on in the industry it makes it all the more hard a descision.

As you say though theres nothing better than to see them in action (lucky you) and this has to be the next and final step in deciding, also the most important!

Thank you.