babka

Which of these have a better picture? Which is a better buy? Has anyone compared them side by side? Thanks a million.

cubanx

Toshiba can be had for $3000 or less and the other 2 are $5000 or more.

Pioneer & Mitsubishi have better build quality. More connections options such as VGA and upgrade options.

The only way that 73" is getting through your door is in pieces so you better not end up with some teenager at his summer job doing the set up.

Toshiba warranty will cover you even when not purchased from an authorized dealer. Mitsub. wont. Not sure about Pioneer.

You really should demo any purchase yourself before purchasing it as YOU will be watching for a few years to come.

I chose the 65H80 becuase it was $2750 delivered and a " qualified" ISF tech can make the picture hard to beat for $400 more. With the Skyworth 1050P Progessive DVD Player I also bordered I should be in video Utopia

X

There is no question that the Pioneer Elite is the better set. I have not compared those exact sizes together, but I did compare those brands when I was looking. I bought the Pioneer 53".

Whether it is worth it depends on what you are going to be viewing and what the rest of your equipment consists of (progressive player, external doubler, etc.). And how soon you are willing to pay for an ISF calibration.

babka

I only watch dvds. I don't even have cable. I have a 61" regualar square toshiba tv and its a cinema series with great picture, but I want to minimize/eliminate black bars, and enjoy hdtv as well. I will get a progressive player to use in conjunction with my new set. What is this ISF ? And where is it cheaper to get? thanks

babka

Also, can I turn in my 61" tv for a 64" hdtv. Is there any sort of trade in at any places or is it better to simply sell it somewhere?

X

I can't answer all your questions. But you should probably eliminate the Pioneer since you will have a progressive player and you don't watch cable/OTA programming.

You will certainly need ISF calibration with the remaining choices (I tend toward Mits for its quality vs Toshiba). Look here: http://www.imagingscience.com

A good calibration will make a world of difference.

Sonic

But why would you need a ISF so soon? Isn't it good after a month?

X

I'm not sure what you're getting at here, but you raise (I think) a good point that I forgot. You need to burn in the set for a while before the calibration will be worthwhile. If you do it too soon, the set will lose the calibration as it's settling in and you'll have to do it again. I hear at least 100 hours should be on the set before calibration.

Sonic

X

That is what I meant. I don't think it's a good idea..taking the set out of the box..and then few days later..get an ISF calibration. I would wait a month and a week, then I feel, the ISF will do justice to the set.

Also..there is no need to ISF Toshiba HDTV out of the box. Toshiba sets I heard, come with good color settings (But not the best either). So the immediate need is not needed, but required after a month if you want the best picture possible.

Bob Dylan

The Pioneer Elite is the best picture wise. In fact, I'd go far enough to say it's the best I've seen yet. But, for the prices you are mentioning the Toshiba may be the better buy.

Sonic

Man..that Mits 73 set is too huge! Imagine how much cleaning that sucker takes! Plus moving it..I would love such a size like that..but only 90 pounds in weight.

babka

Yea I like the pioneer's cabinetry as well as the picture. But I have a 61" regular tv and want something bigger and better. I wish pioneer would up their screen sizes.

babka

bump for more opnions

Kojack

For the price of the Mits 73" or the Pioneer Elite, I would seriously consider Front Projection, especially since you only watch movies on your system. Plus, it's easier to fit through the door

babka

Yea but wouldn't that cost me like 10k

kvrdave

I agree. I looked into it at one point, and it can be had for under $7,000 once you get the screen, yadda, yadda, yadda.

When I was looking, these guys had the best, IMO http://www.runco.com/

Like anything, keep looking until you find your bargain, and the price is not bad.

1blwnsaleen

You might want to consider the 65 Mitsubishi Platinum Plus series. The difference between the Diamond and the Platinum Plus is that the Diamond is supposed to have better corner to corner focusing by the use of better lenses. My TV sales guy and I did a side by side test and the difference was small. Defintely not worth the extra money.