I have added YMMV to the topic.

yazyazoo said:Are the Kuro's using Panasonic Plasma screens? I thought I read that Pioneer was getting out of Plasma manufacturing.

Not yet starting sometime in 2009 Panasonic will start manufacturing glass for Pioneer according to Pioneer specs. Rumor is Panasonic will benefit from the deal by getting to use the technology for their own sets on the next years model.

philipcolett said:$2599 at Costco.

looks like $3299.99 to me at Costco.

Costo Link to TV

philipcolett said:$2599 at Costco.

Maybe I haven't been around here long enough, but is that whole, "Costco has it cheaper" thing some sort of running joke?

Because it's not funny.

I'm hoping on BF some one has one of these for $2k or less, hopefully Amazon or some other retailer so i can avoid tax.. I can't justify it yet because I already have a 720p 50" panasonic which is very nice, but if they hit $2000 I might snap one up before they switch panels.

I have seen a Kuro at Costco, I'm not sure of the price. I don't think people bring it up as a joke, but just as further information. A lot of people prefer costco because of their superior warranties. However, you could argue that advantage is null with a plasma TV. Either way nice deal OP.

Well a Samsung 52 sounds like a LCD size. Each has it's pros and cons. The deeper black give you a better contrast that makes the colors pop a little more. It's like the Red will look redder against a darker background. This is what is hard to get in Flat screens and that is why people look at the conrast levels so much. This is hard to get and that is why the Kuro's command such a high price. I think no LCD's can get this close.

However with LCD your white's are much whiter than Plasma. Also with LCD it MAY be better for use as a gaming monitor or HTPC due to the image having a much less risk of burning in. Also if you are in a bright room where you get a lot of sunlight usually a LCD is better because there is less glare from the glass screen covering the flat panel.

I have both a Samsung Plasma and a Olevia LCD. Both have a great picture. My Samsung sucks in daylight because of the glare coming in from the window. The newer plasmas try to put an antiglare coating but some say that affects the picture.

Go to the avsforums.com and you can read real user reviews of this tv.

superflysocal said:moonsite said:In trying to understand why this is so expensive compare to other similar flat panel TV, I did a search online. It doesn't seem like there is anything outstanding about it besides the deeper black, which make the excellent picture quality. Can someone tell me why someone would pay $1000 more for this Plasma TV rather than getting a Samsung 52" LCD HDTV? Just trying to understand.

BTW, 6th Ave has the PDP-5080HD for same price. Here's the Link.

i don't think that 5080hd is a 1080p plasma but a 768p plasma.

You are correct, the 5080 is an excellent TV none the less but that set can be had for much less, my dad bought his 6 months ago for $1999 at BestBuy on sale.

52club said:I'm hoping on BF some one has one of these for $2k or less, hopefully Amazon or some other retailer so i can avoid tax.. I can't justify it yet because I already have a 720p 50" panasonic which is very nice, but if they hit $2000 I might snap one up before they switch panels.

I have seen a Kuro at Costco, I'm not sure of the price. I don't think people bring it up as a joke, but just as further information. A lot of people prefer costco because of their superior warranties. However, you could argue that advantage is null with a plasma TV. Either way nice deal OP.

This is not the type of TV they put on sale for Black Friday. I have never see a Pioneer Plasma as any part of a 4am doorbuster sale.

BF is typically the $500 1080p 32" Olevia or something like that. Pioneer has no reason to ever blow out their panels.

moonsite said:In trying to understand why this is so expensive compare to other similar flat panel TV, I did a search online. It doesn't seem like there is anything outstanding about it besides the deeper black, which make the excellent picture quality. Can someone tell me why someone would pay $1000 more for this Plasma TV rather than getting a Samsung 52" LCD HDTV? Just trying to understand.

BTW, 6th Ave has the PDP-5080HD for same price. Here's the Link.

This TV is NOT for you. Pioneer is not selling to the general consumer, as can be seen in their pricing. They are targeting the people who want to BEST picture available and are willing to pay a premium for it. And lets see how long that Sammy lasts. There are too many bad stories of Sammy breaking on line and from my installer who won't sell them anymore.