Do I buy the Pioneer PDP4280XD?

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I have read loads of posts saying how good plasma is and that the Pioneers are at the top of anyones wish list. I want to buy a 42" TV and from reading reviews had got to a shortlist of the Sony 40W4000 and the Pioneer PDP4280XD. As the Pioneer is discontinued I have had a hard time tracking one down but have found one in a shop where a demo is difficult and a side by side with the Sony is not possible.

Anyway, I wanted some opinions as I have to make a decision very quickly. Can anyone give me some responses to the following;

How does the Sony W4000 compare to the Pioneer - given that the Pioneer is a year old and reading respective reviews means that the two reviews are a year apart. If the Sony and Pioneer went up against each other in a group test, who would clinch it (suspect the Pioneer based on the recent 50" supertest).

I need a good SD picture and hear from everyone that the SD picture on the Pioneer is as close to CRT as you will ever get, true?

How much difference is there between a Pionner plasma and a Panasonic plasma? Is there a great divide between the two?

Are the Pioneers are legendary as we are led to believe? As Pioneer will no longer make a 42" screen is it a case of all those who buy up the Pionners will have got themselvesa bargain.

Is a viewing distance of 6-7 feet enough of a reason to go Full HD?

Thanks for your help

 

[Anonymous]

The Pioneer plasma is a fantastic TV. I would certainly say it id better than the Panasonic Plasma's. If you want to watch a lot of SD then I would recommend Plasma over LCD any day of the week. Particularly if you like fast action pictures, sport for example. But not everyone loves Plasma, some people prefer the brightness of LCD. I prefer the deeper colours of Plasma, the Blacks are much better on Plasma.

I certainly would not recommend buying any TV without a proper test viewing. Tell the store that you have narrowed your choice to two TV's and say you want to watch them side by side. If they have any sense they will accommodate you. But the fact that the Pioneer is in strong demand, may be why they take such a slack attitude. Believe me, someone will buy it if you don't.

 

[aliEnRIK]

I have the PDP 427XD and can say with confidence its an AWESOME tv. Im sure the 28 would be even better.........

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Pioneer 428. Buy it now while you still can and forget the Sony. Just test the sony with a fast action scene and you'll be convinced that Pioneer is the way to go.

 

[Andrew Everard]

with the opinions above. If you can still find one, buy it.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like a foregone conclusion. If I don't get it now I will be kicking myself for the next five years...

 

[aliEnRIK]

Richer sounds still have some

 

[Anonymous]

Do they? I just checked and they seem to have aÿPDPSX4280D. Is that the same model becuase I was looking for one too but can't find one.

 

[aliEnRIK]

Thats the one yeah. They just have the code down wrong.

 

[Anonymous]

aliEnRIK:Thats the one yeah. They just have the code down wrong.
The SX4280D is a different model. Not sure what the differences are though. It has Aluminium fascia at the front. Google it and you will see it in the Panasonic European website

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/62/63/413/PDP-SX4280D/specs.html

 

[aliEnRIK]

ahhhh

My apologies! They probably are one and the same (internally) and being a Pioneer it WILL be the nuts mutts but by all means try to find the differences out if you want.