Video Question: Plazma or LCD???

I saw the Kuro 50'' ELITE KURO Plasma with a resolution of 1365 x 768 next to Sony's top of the line LCD at 1080p (1920 x 1080) and the 720p Pioneer was so much better than the Sony that I couldn't believe my eyes. In fact, I went into my audio dealer to look at audio equipment, and the Pioneer caught my eye right away. I knew right away I was looking at one of the best flat panels ever made and after I did a little research I found out that the Kuro Elite models ARE pretty much considered the best there is and as close to CRT performance as it gets.

I would take the 720p Pioneer over any 1080p on the market. I have not seen the 1080p Pioneer yet but I hear the resolution doesn't make that big of a difference unless you are very close to the screen--closer than most people would be.

From what I've seen, there is Pioneer Elite and then there is all the rest.

If you do the research over on avs forum they all point to the pioneer kuro series for best for the $$$. You can get a 50" for 1900$ or so at BB.

That's what i would buy except i have a lot of windows and lamps behind me. Anyone use a plasma in this circumstance and still happy?

Blackstonejd -

"From what I've seen, there is Pioneer Elite and then there is all the rest."

I completely agree, but a close runner up are the panasonic plasmas. They are much cheaper, and look almost as good.

I read an in depth article in a HT mag where a panel of people reviewed the best plasmas, LCDs and DLPs, and the results were unanimous. Pioneer is on top, with Panasonic a close 2nd. Everyone preferred a Pio 720P plasma to ANY 1080P LCD or DLP.

Resolution has become marketing. 1080p is a nice check in the box, but it is nowhere near the most important thing in a TV (projection is a dif. story IMO)

I have personally attended the launching of Pioneer Plasma Kuro and I have to admit that, this is the best TV available in the market today. You won't believe what you see because it's so obviously sticking out of the competition. The black level and the speaker they are using are far better than the competitors. The downside is, you will have to spend more for this Kuro.

Does anyone know if the picture lasts longer on a LCD tv than it does on a Plasma tv? I have heard that the picture on a Plasma dulls over the years. Is this true of LCD's?

I am considering 2 tv's:

Pioneer 42" Plasma $1599.00
Sony 46" LCD $1978.00

Don't really need the larger screen as I sit about 7 to 8 feet from the tv.