Pioneer PDP-428 XD v Panasonic TH 42 PY 80

Yellow Dog

Sorry to start a new post on this topic.

I have narrowed down my choice to these two Plasma 42" TV's.

Pioneer PDP-428 XD 1027 x 768 HD Ready @ about €2,300

Panasonic TH 42 PY 80 1920 x 1080 Full HD @ about €1,600

Big difference in price, with the HD ready the dearer option.

My first thought was Panasonic without any question. Better TV, berrer price?

But many people say the Pioneer is the better model!

Forgive my ignorance, but how can a HD Ready (1027 x 768) be better than a Full HD (1920 x 1080)?

I don't doubt peoples opinions, but would like to know their reasons.

I can afford the dearer model, but am reluctant to pay the extra if there is no reson to do do.

I plan to get Sky HD soon.
I have a HD DVD Player and will get a Bluray/Playstation 3 in due course.
I have an XBox360
I will be viewing in a standard sitting room from a distance of about 8 - 10- feet.

Again sorry to start a new thread on this topic, but the time has come for me to make what is a big decission.

trabpc

Pioneer cheaper than you think

http://www.allianceelectric.ie/products/tv/plasmalcd/pdp4280xd.htm

I bought this a month ago. unfortuantly have still not set it up yet but for one think it looks the biz.

As most people will tell you 42 and full hd, I think it would be hard to spot the difference. I have a hd ready PT-AX200(not Full hd projector) and its 120" its absolutly fine.

Dont get too hung up on full hd at 42"

By the way i was in the same dilemma 2 months ago. I have to say the Panny is also a fine lookin telly. the fact it was not compatible with the 24fps it put me off it and I bought the Pioneer instead.


Sorry just noticed 428xd mine is a 4280xd

I think the 428 has PIP and ISF board for calibration and thats it if im not mistaken. same telly other than that

mathias

Right , this one is easy , its the Panasonic , without a doubt ,

Heres the reason , that Pioneer is only 1027 x 768 , thats a 4:3 resolution , and no matter what excuses you hear , rectangular pixels and all that guff , that set is throwing away content from everything it shows , when everything moves to HD , as it will , most content will come in native 16:9 formats , as do most TV channels as it stands.

Pioneer have outstanding sets , and Im sure the color is as accurate as anything , but its not a good set by todays standards ,

A good set should always have a native 16:9 resolution , such as 1366 x 768 , or 1920 x 1080 , then its simply a matter of an easy scaling factor to show any HD content , that set will have trouble with various content , especially from media players and HTPC's with that res , so , given the Panasonics known quality and the cheaper price , its the Panny , no contest ,

Now if that Pioneer had a native 16:9 , then it would be a different story ....

JohnnieM

I'd go for Pioneer I have a 7th generation 50 inch (and its absoloutly fab.).. the one your looking at is eigth gen Kuro with superior black to the panasonic. (ps Gen 9 coming in a few months all full HD)

Full spec of your choice here http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/62/63/413/PDP-428XD/index.html

Might also be worth pointing out the pioneer come with a built in digital tuner..

trabpc

You can throw whatever figues you like at it but at the end of the day the HD Ready 42" Pioneer still trounces most of the competition. As I said before don't get too caught up on the resolution. It's picture quality at the end of the Day.

Aslo I do believe the Panasonic is a Great tv-just the pioneer is that bit better.

but the new panasonics are getting closer

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Panasonic-TH42PX80/Conclusion

Hope this help with your decision!


And if you dont believe me see some of the reviews below of the 428xd/4280xd

I know some are sister sites of others but its hard to find a bad review

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39030219,49292839,00.htm

http://www.testseek.com/Home_Electronics/TV/Plasma_TVs/Pioneer_PDP-428XD-p-40C510EC-F06B-DB26-9603-F0719CCD1D8B.html

http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/tv/tvs-displays/plasma/review/pioneer-pdp-428xd

http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/plasma/Pioneer_PDP-428XD.htm

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2007/10/13/Pioneer-KURO-PDP-428XD-42in-Plasma-TV/p1

http://stuff.tv/review/Pioneer-PDP-428XD/

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Pioneer-PDP4280XD/

mathias

There is no getting away from that 4:3 res , no matter how good the reviews are that is not acceptable in todays market !

There are many many devices out there that you may want to connect to your TV , hard drive media centers , HTPC's , game consoles , Cameras with HDMI , ...the list goes on , there are known issues with these devices and that res , so this can and does cause no end of problems , there have been numerous people on here having trouble getting graphics cards to output that res as HDTV out , having to revert to analog VGA to remedy the situation , the problem repeats itself with any amount of devices that are on the market , something not covered in any of the reviews ,

This is no small matter , especially when youve paid so much for the set , on the other hand , everything supports the native 16:9 resolutions , as that is a widely accepted standard for HDTV out on almost any device.

JohnnieM

Not that Ive ever had any issues with mine but Ninth Generation which will be available in a few months time will all be full hd (16:9 Res)

trabpc

I plan to get Sky HD soon.
I have a HD DVD Player and will get a Bluray/Playstation 3 in due course.
I have an XBox360
I will be viewing in a standard sitting room from a distance of about 8 - 10- feet.

Nowhere does he mention all this- hard drive media centers , HTPC's, Cameras. but I take your point.

However if I was planning on hooking all the above to my pc I would not be buying a plasma in the first place. LCD im afraid.

I gather his requirements are similar to mine he just wants a Decent Plasma for SKY HD, Xbox, DVD and BlueRay and in my opinion The pioneer still rules. I have an lcd for all the other items you mention!