Monitor v.s. TV
Jeffgr -- Sat, 11/15/2008 - 15:46
Greetings;
I have not watched broadcast television for the past 10 years and do not anticipate changing this lifestyle choice in the near or distant future.
I therefore wish to purchase a video display for watching movies only.
I also have an excellent sound system so have no use for integrated surround from the display.
I felt projector and screen was probably most appropriate but would be satisfied by a 60" or even 50" display in my rec room (which can be made totally dark).
Is there a plasma monitor (consumer or professional) available that will give me cutting edge display without the features I've stated I have no use for? I of course would still require 1080p HDMI hook-up for a blu-ray player. I might consider an LCD display but still feel plasma is superior. The Pioneer Kuro televisions seem to set the bar but I do not know if they offer a monitor only.
I would prefer a wall mount but that feature is not mandatory.
I'm willing to go as high as $5k but $3-4k is my comfort zone.
Thanks for any assistance.
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If you can darken the room a projector with a pull-down (or maybe even motorized) would seen quite appropriate.
For your Budget you could get the Sony new Sony H-10 and a very good screen.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Thanks Steve, I agree that a projector and screen would probably be ideal but any bigger than an 80" display and I would have to sit in the hallway to watch it, heh. I'm also nervous about sacrificing quality for size as well. I demand a crystal clear image and faithful to the best a high def player will produce, with both blu-ray discs and DVDs. I have a huge library of DVDs and I will not replace them with blu-ray, hoping to be satisfied with upscale conversion from the player. New titles though I expect to purchase in Blu-ray.
On further investigation (not sure how I missed it) the Pioneer Kuro line does have both a 50" and 60" monitor that look like they may fill the bill, going for $4k and $6.5k (local retail) respectively.
Now, to increase my anxiety, I've heard Pioneer is getting out of the t.v. screen manufacturing business. Does this signal the end of the world's best t.v. screens? Do I buy now or lose out?
Have yet to hear of any competitor that can touch them yet. Again, visual quality is paramount, bells and whistles are superfluous to my needs. If anyone knows of a competitor to the Kuro line (existing or near future), I'm anxious to hear.
Presently I have the best CRT that was ever produced, the Toshiba CX34990 35" IDTV that was manufactured in 1990 (fully calibrated) and it is still going strong, delivering a picture quality that puts ALL of my friends flat panels to shame (viewing a normal dvd).
Whatever I purchase had better be able to compete.
Thanks again.
Jeffgr wrote:
I felt projector and screen was probably most appropriate but would be satisfied by a 60" or even 50" display in my rec room (which can be made totally dark).
Is there a plasma monitor (consumer or professional) available that will give me cutting edge display without the features I've stated I have no use for? I of course would still require 1080p HDMI hook-up for a blu-ray player. I might consider an LCD display but still feel plasma is superior. The Pioneer Kuro televisions seem to set the bar but I do not know if they offer a monitor only.
The Pioneer Elite SIgnature line is what you're looking for. They hand pick the best Elite display panels, do a little tweaking, and sell them for the same price as the regualr TV. However, the SIgnature line displays do not have a tuner and do not come with speakers, which is exactly what you're looking for! The Signature panels come in 50" and 60"; I've seen an exmaple of the latter, and it's *really* good!
Thanks Rich;
I think you are right, the signature elites are "Kuro" line and those are what I reviewed on the Pioneer website today. Was fortunate to find two retailers in my ville that carry them (both the 50" and 60") and will be paying a visit this coming week to give them a view.
I plan to take three test dvds with me which I personally believe serve ideally, the film "Ultraviolet" which has the most garish colour scheme of any movie I have ever seen, "The Good Shepherd' for impeccable real life colour and "Good Night and Good Luck" which is the new state-of-the-art in black and white production (thank-you George Clooney for such an incredible film!). Blu-ray discs are as much dependent on the player as the display so I will feel confident if the display meets my expectations with normal dvd.
Anyone know of a competing model?
Anyone know the status of Pioneer tv screen production?
Thanks again.
Kuro is the base name of all of Pioneer's current displays. The specific models for the Signature series are the PRO-141FD (60") and PRO-101FD (50").
For the current stuff, Pioneer make everything, but starting next year Panasonic will be making Pioneer's panels to the latter's specifications. Pioneer will still perform final assembly, and design and manufacture the electronics and filters (thus keeping a lot of their "secret sauce" in house).
For the ultimate in flat panel picture quality, it's arguable that there is no competing model. But Panasonics top end models might also be worth investigating.
A tip of the hat to you, fellow Canuck.
Thanks much for your guidance.
I too have heard Panasonic is "bridging the gap" and if Pioneer has elected to trust them with production of their future panels, that is obviously a feather in their cap.
As with any product in the home entertainment field, we could wait forever for the "best" but at sometime we must make a decision, this day has approached but no gun is as yet held to my head.
Would there be any value to waiting one year (well, mid 2009) or are we hovering at the edge of panel perfection right now? I will not wait two years.
In truth, though economic recessions rarely impact high-end equipment, it must be considered that a scaling back in product in the immediate future is possible, by all manufacturers.
I don't follow "bleeding-edge" technology like I used to (since I have almost all I need). Usually "better" comes out the day after I buy, heh.
Thanks again for your excellent assistance.
You may also want to check out the Panasonic 50" version of the display that DBJ covers here:
http://playback.avguide.com/issue/14
on page 248. It has built in THX video calibration. Sure, it has speakers and a tuner, but you don't have to use them. I haven't compared the prices, but I don't think the Panasonic is more expensive than the Pioneer pure displays, and may be less expensive.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
If you wait for perfection, you'll never buy anything. :-)
That said, my understanding is that the so-called Extreme Contrats Kuros are supposed to ship next year (the ones they showed at CES in January 2008).
If you have the shekels now, it might be worth taking the plunge (or at least, waiting for the sales).
Whatever display you get, make sure you get it ISF calibrated once it has burned in. IMHO, there's no point in spending that kind of cash for a really nice monitor and not getting in calibrated.
Your ISF calibration point is why DBJ considers the Panasonic a breakthrough -- it basically has ISF calibration built in. Each person has to judge whether that is key.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
THX certification and ISF calibration aren't the same thing. The latter requires specialised tools and measurement equipment mere mortals like you and me aren't likely to have, and is usually performed via some "hidden" service menu.
Rich -- you're correct. Which is why THX video is such a breakthrough for those who want real accuracy in their displays. THX gives you results very similar to ISF calibration without specialised tools, measurement equipment and access to hidden service menus (and cost). All that stuff is handled by THX and at the factory. At least if implemented properly.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC