Best flat panel HDTV (PLASMA) for the money, right now! | Top Value, and Performance.

The reason I recomend the Kuro 60 is because I have it and I get amaze at the black level, white, color. This Plama is out of the park with quality
Angel
 
Esteban said:
I agree with Doug. It would be foolish to spend large sums on a flat panel display nowadays. Things are changing, technology is improving, viewing habits are transforming and companies are going out of business at an alarming pace. Sony announced a 4K display for $25K last year. Now there's one available from a new manufacturer for $1500! See here

The Panasonic ST60 series, just like with the ST50 models from last year, represents the absolute "sweet spot" between features, performance and price. And based on recent reviews from trusted sources, the ST60's are even MORE impressive and cheaper still. They basically replace the old GT series but offer more bang for the buck. Most calibrators over at AVS Forums are stating that they even outperform or match last year's top of the of the line series, the VT50! That is an impressive achievement. A 65" plasma TV with outstanding, near-reference picture quality and 48/96hz refresh rate (only available in the VT last year) for $2500 list (cheaper online) was unheard of only a few years ago. Will the ZT60 be better? Of course. Will it be $2K better? Doubtful. Not to mention, it has a new panel. This could mean great things, but it also could mean horror stories from a reliability point of view. I'd rather go with a proven panel.
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This is mighty fine advice....I might have to rethink how much I allocate to a new set.
 
One might want to wait for the Panasonic ZT60's instead of purchasing an used Kuro. Similar or better than Kuro perfomance, tons of additional features, 3D (if you care about that sort of thing), bigger screen sizes, reasonable price... ETA is in May. Or, better yet, the ST60 series offers tremendous value, as stated above.
 
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...so way back in early 2008, I bought a PDP-5010FD Kuro.

At the time I'd already figured Plasma would have been dead and gone, but, evaluating the LCDs at the time was not a pretty sight. So I bought the Kuro.. yea, not perfect, but, so so good for movies in a darkish room.

long around 2011, the Kuro craps out (power supply) I look at getting it fixed, then figure, "heck LCDs surely have surpassed these crappy plasmas" ..So I buy some latest Samsung LCD pretty much sight un-seen. bring it home turn it on and return it the next day.
By most all measures, the Samsung beat the Kuro, brighter, sharper, color accuracy etc...BUT
Where did my black level go? I'm literally so spoiled that I'm willing to trade other flaws just to have some semblance of black.

So I haul the Kuro down to a repair shop, pay the man $$ and to this day the Kuro is still ticking.
...I'm just hoping, when the day comes it really does bite-the-dust, I can get a set with proper black levels.
 
Rayooo said:
...so way back in early 2008, I bought a PDP-5010FD Kuro.

At the time I'd already figured Plasma would have been dead and gone, but, evaluating the LCDs at the time was not a pretty sight. So I bought the Kuro.. yea, not perfect, but, so so good for movies in a darkish room.

long around 2011, the Kuro craps out (power supply) I look at getting it fixed, then figure, "heck LCDs surely have surpassed these crappy plasmas" ..So I buy some latest Samsung LCD pretty much sight un-seen. bring it home turn it on and return it the next day.
By most all measures, the Samsung beat the Kuro, brighter, sharper, color accuracy etc...BUT
Where did my black level go? I'm literally so spoiled that I'm willing to trade other flaws just to have some semblance of black.

So I haul the Kuro down to a repair shop, pay the man $$ and to this day the Kuro is still ticking.
...I'm just hoping, when the day comes it really does bite-the-dust, I can get a set with proper black levels.
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The day might be here sooner than you thought. Check out the very first pro review of the ZT60:

Panasonic TX-P60ZT65B 3D Plasma Television Review | AVForums.com - UK Online

In short: better than Kuro blacks. Better in every other way, too.
 
The Kuro magic is in the screen, to expensive to produce, and yest I seen a lot of new LCD, LED, etc, and I have not seen a TV that can beat the Kuro yet
 
iamhifi said:
My understanding is that Pioneer Elite will be sourcing the screens from Panasonic.
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It's actually the other way around, plus Panasonic is implementing some new features on the ZT's panel as well. Check out the review above for details. We all love the Kuro, don't get me wrong, but it seems there's finally something out there that surpasses it while at the same time offering some additional features and consuming a lot less power...
 
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What I read was the Kuro screen was at the end of the road, I am sure that technology has to advance, and also be sure they will compare to the Kuro. Back then there were 2 60 inch Kuro, one you could adjust everything and no speakers on the side, the reviers love this one for theater, and the other has like different settings and that made it easy for me, as my kids watch this TV all the time and has the speakers.
 
1. Can you get a Pioneer Elite Kuro in a 65" size class? ...No, 60" is max.
2. Kuro 3D? ...No, last Kuro model was back in 2010 I believe, just before 3D.
3. Best Black level today? Kuro, but by a very small margin.
4. Everything else is 2013 Panasonic and Samsung plasmas. ...For best natural colors, features, and all the rest.

Money? Panasonic and Samsung plasmas (brand new). ...Kuros are all used ones.

Kuros are great TVs, with great blacks; that's it! Yesterday they cost between $4,000 and $8,000 for a 60" model.
Today you can get a 65", 3D, zillion of features (Internet and all), and 0.002* black level (Kuros' best are 0.001 fl*), and for roughly $2,000.
* Close enough.

Tomorrow? Hey, it's coming soon; OLED, 4K and all. :)

What is best? Best is our older Kuros, our relatively new Panasonic and Samsung plasmas, and whatever tomorrow brings.

What do I recommend? ...Happiness, nothing else. ...Because everything has flaws, nothing's perfect, and that's the way it will always be.

You got the room? Wait a bit and get a 4K front projector.
You want a flat panel, the largest one? ...Check Sony, Sharp, and what's coming soon.
You want an average size (50 to 65")? ...Forget LED (unless you're an older lady and watch soap operas), and get a Panasonic plasma (or Samsung).
You're on a very limited budget? Get Samsung or Panasonic, third from the top.
You want a free one? Enter all the TV contests of your neighborhood. :D
 
NorthStar said:
1. Can you get a Pioneer Elite Kuro in a 65" size class? ...No, 60" is max.
2. Kuro 3D? ...No, last Kuro model was back in 2010 I believe, just before 3D.
3. Best Black level today? Kuro, but by a very small margin.
4. Everything else is 2013 Panasonic and Samsung plasmas. ...For best natural colors, features, and all the rest.

Money? Panasonic and Samsung plasmas (brand new). ...Kuros are all used ones.

Kuros are great TVs, with great blacks; that's it! Yesterday they cost between $4,000 and $8,000 for a 60" model.
Today you can get a 65", 3D, zillion of features (Internet and all), and 0.002* black level (Kuros' best are 0.001 fl*), and for roughly $2,000.
* Close enough.

Tomorrow? Hey, it's coming soon; OLED, 4K and all. :)

What is best? Best is our older Kuros, our relatively new Panasonic and Samsung plasmas, and whatever tomorrow brings.

What do I recommend? ...Happiness, nothing else. ...Because everything has flaws, nothing's perfect, and that's the way it will always be.

You got the room? Wait a bit and get a 4K front projector.
You want a flat panel, the largest one? ...Check Sony, Sharp, and what's coming soon.
You want an average size (50 to 65")? ...Forget LED (unless you're an older lady and watch soap operas), and get a Panasonic plasma (or Samsung).
You're on a very limited budget? Get Samsung or Panasonic, third from the top.
You want a free one? Enter all the TV contests of your neighborhood. :D
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Great post! +1
 
NorthStar said:
If one person enjoyed it, than it's good enough for me; thanx Esteban!

* Your avatar is truly the best here, of all the AudioShark members!
...The Violinist.
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Thanks, Bob! Glad you enjoy it! I love Beksinski's art. Truly a visionary of the dark and beautifully macabre...
 
Few things in life are as good as my Kuro. Six years later and I still watch in awe. I keep hearing that there are things out there "almost" as good, but I've yet to see something that comes close, in my opinion.
 
BruceLet said:
Few things in life are as good as my Kuro. Six years later and I still watch in awe. I keep hearing that there are things out there "almost" as good, but I've yet to see something that comes close, in my opinion.
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The new Panasonic plasmas do. It took them 5 years to do it, but they finally did it with 2013 models.
 
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