Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD PDP-6020FD Still Available

World's Best HDTV(?)

We think so. The Pioneer Kuro 9Gs are indeed the world best HDTVs. Many dealers are sold out but our favorite 60-inch HDTV, the fantastic Pioneer PDP-6020FD, is still available at Amazon for $3999 delivered. Let's not forget that the next generation Kuro screens will be manufatured by Panasonic. We're not knocking Panasonic plasmas; indeed they are very fine TVs. But side-by-side the Pioneer Kuro 9G kicks butt. Will the next-gen Pioneer Kuros stand above? Maybe, maybe not. What is certain is that PDP-6020FD, the best 60-inch HDTV ever, is still available. We're inclined not to gamble on the next-gen Kuros and to stick with the proven PDP-6020FD. Limited supplies of the 50-inch PDP-5020FD are available as well.

Pioneer PDP-5020FD 50-Inch KURO Plasma HDTV $3499 delivered
Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch KURO Plasma HDTV $3999 delivered

Best HDTVs of 2009

The mid-year market looks great with HDTV sales up 15% month-over-month and prices as low as they've ever been. Notably the incredible Sony 52-inch 52XBR9 is now priced less than the top-of-the-line 52-inch sets from Samsung. We think it's a great deal. Also, supplies of the so-called worlds best HDTV, the incomparable Pioneer PDP-6020FD, are lasting longer than anyone predicted. This great set from Pioneer is still available. A bit pricey, it always has been, it's worth the money. It's still the best HDTV money can buy.

Big screen buyers should check out the excellent Panasonic P54G10 54-inch plasma HDTV. This top rated set is the best value big screen HDTV by far. Highly recommended!



The appropriately labelled World's Best HDTV, the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD, are still available, albeit at high prices.

With sales picking up we expect a pause in price drops. That means now is a great time to buy.

Samsung LN40B550 40-Inch LCD HDTV $849

Panasonic TC-P42G10 42-Inch HDTV $817

Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch LCD HDTV $1059
Samsung LN46B750 46-Inch 240Hz LCD HDTV $1699
Panasonic TC-P46G10 46-Inch HDTV $1107

Panasonic TC-P50G10 50-Inch HDTV $1044 Awesome Deal!
Pioneer PDP-5020FD 50-Inch Plasma HDTV $3499, limited supplies

Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 240Hz LCD HDTV $2019
Sony KDL-52XBR9 52-Inch 240 Hz LCD HDTV $1889

Panasonic TC-P54G10 54-Inch HDTV $1568 Awesome Deal!

Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Plasma HDTV $3999, limited supplies

Pioneer Kuro World's Best HDTV

World's Best HDTV(?)

A resounding YES!. The Pioneer Kuro 9Gs are indeed the world best HDTVs. Many dealers are sold out but our favorite 60-inch HDTV, the fantastic Pioneer PDP-6020FD, is still available at Amazon for the sweet price of $3995 delivered. Since Pioneer has announced they are exiting the HDTV business this is your last opportunity to pick up one of these fine sets. Initially Pioneer intended to turnover plasma set production to Panasonic, but we now learn they are exiting the business altogether. The closest competitor, Panasonic, offers several fine plasma sets, but side-by-side the Pioneer Kuro 9G kicks butt (as it does with all other competitors). Will the next-gen Panasonic or Samsung plasmas catch up? Maybe, maybe not. What is certain is that the PDP-6020FD, the best HDTV ever, is still available. We're inclined not to gamble on the next-gen sets and to stick with the proven PDP-6020FD.

Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch KURO Plasma HDTV $3995 delivered

Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD Still Available $3865

World's Best HDTV(?)

We think so. The Pioneer Kuro 9Gs are indeed the world best HDTVs. Many dealers are sold out but our favorite 60-inch HDTV, the fantastic Pioneer PDP-6020FD, is still available at Amazon for the sweet price of $3865 delivered. Let's not forget that the next generation Kuro screens will be manufatured by Panasonic. We're not knocking Panasonic plasmas; indeed they are very fine TVs. But side-by-side the Pioneer Kuro 9G kicks butt. Will the next-gen Pioneer Kuros stand above? Maybe, maybe not. What is certain is that PDP-6020FD, the best 60-inch HDTV ever, is still available. We're inclined not to gamble on the next-gen Kuros and to stick with the proven PDP-6020FD.

Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch KURO Plasma HDTV $3865 delivered

Panasonic THX Certified TH-46PZ800U $1499 Free Shipping

Amazon is offering the fantastic THX Certified TH-46PZ800U for $1499 with free shipping. That's 40% off MSRP and $350 below its smaller brother, the 42 inch TH-42PZ800U. This is the lowest price we've seen on this top rated set. If you want Kuro image quality at smaller than 50 inches this 46-inch plasma is the way to go. CNet actually ranks the Panasonic THX Certified PZ800U family above the highly regarded Pioneer PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD.

Panasonic TH-46PZ800U 1499 Free Shipping

Hot Deals on Pioneer Kuros

OneCall.com Lowest Price On Pioneer Kuro Elite

These are the the lowest prices we've seen on the excellent 50-inch and 60-inch Pioneer Kuro Elites, includes free shipping!

Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD $2799 Free Shipping
Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-151FD $4994 Free Shipping

Limited to stock on hand.

Unfortunately Pioneer just announced that it is exiting the HDTV business. The current generation of Kuros will be the last. There are still a few sets out there. Don't miss out. Here's the market as of February 12, 2009:

Pioneer PDP-5020FD $1988 at Amazon
Pioneer PDP-5020FD $1849 at J&R
Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2023 at OneCall

Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3701 at Amazon
Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3699 at J&R
Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3999 at OneCall

Consumer Reports Top Rated LCD and Plasma HDTVs: Samsung and Panasonic

Samsung & Panasonic Top Rated HDTVs

The two best selling HDTV brands Samsung and Panasonic came out on top in almost every screen size in the latest Consumer Reports ranking of HDTVs. Several models from other manufacturers scored high as well but the top two were consistently highly ranked across various screen sizes. HDTV technology has reached the point where differences between the top ranked sets are minimal, so value shopping does not necessarily mean a sacrifice in image quality. Here are the Consumer Reports top ranked HDTVs and current prices (HDTV-News picks are indicated by Editor's Choice):

Top Ranked LCD HDTV

Samsung 55-inch LN55A950 $3844 Free Shipping

Samsung 52-inch LN52A650 $1817 Free Shipping
Samsung 52-inch LN52A750 $1927 Free Shipping Editor's Choice
Sony 52-inch 52XBR6 $2509 Free Shipping
LG 52-inch 52LG50 $1499 Free Shipping
Toshiba 52-inch 52XV545U $2308 Free Shipping
Sony 52-inch KDL-52W4100 $1897 Free Shipping Editor's Choice

Samsung 46-inch LN46A850 $1776 Free Shipping
Samsung 46-inch LN46A550 $1127 Free Shipping Editor's Choice
Sony 46-inch KDL-46XBR8 $4699 Free Shipping
Sony 46-inch KDL-46Z4100 $1568 Free Shipping

Top Ranked Plasma HDTV

Pioneer 60-inch PDP-6020FD $3701 Free Shipping Editor's Choice
LG 60-inch 60PG30 $2699 Free Shipping

Samsung 58-inch PN58A550 $2380 Free Shipping Editor's Choice
Panasonic 58-inch TH-58PZ850U $3149

Samsung 50-inch PN50A550 $1350 Free Shipping Editor's Choice
Samsung 50-inch PN50A760 $1799
Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ800U $1999 Free Shipping Editor's Choice
LG 50-inch 50PG60 $1729 Free Shipping
Samsung 50-inch PN50A450 $999 Free Shipping Editor's Choice

Sound & Vision 2008 Editor's Choice Awards

Pioneer PRO-111FD is Product of the Year (Again)

The Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD keeps it in the family (in 2007 the PRO-110FD was product of the year). No surprise considering the overwhelming praise lavished on this stunning set. In addition to the blackest-blacks the 111FD has outstanding color balance and excellent detail. This is the last in-house generation of Kuros. The plasma screens for future generations will be manufactured by Panasonic. Pioneer says that future sets will be as good or better, but are you willing to gamble? If not, pick up one of the current generation sets. If you can't quite afford the top-of-the-line Kuro Elite consider the excellent PDP-5020FD or PDP-6020FD.

Other top ranked HDTVs include the outstanding Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8, the THX-certified Panasonic TH-50PZ800U (one of our faves), and the top-of-the-line Samsung LN55A950 ($2000 less than the 55XBR8!).

We love their pick for audio product of the year, the Definitive Technology Mythos STS SuperTower home theater speaker system. The previous winner was the Mythos ST system, and the Mythos STS steps it up a notch at a lower price than its predecessor. Nice.

Selected 2008 Products-of-the-Year:

Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO 111FD 50-inch Plasma
Pioneer PDP-5020FD 50-Inch Plasma Free Shipping
Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Plasma Free Shipping
Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch Plasma Hot Deal!
Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 55-Inch LED LCD
Samsung LN55A950 55 inch LCD
Mitsubishi LT-46149 46-Inch LCD
Sony VPLVW70 BRAVIA SXRD Front Projector

Definitive Technology Mythos STS Supertower (Black)
Definitive Technology Mythos STS Supertower (Silver)
Onkyo TX-SR706 7.1 Channel Receiver Hot Deal!

More Sound & Vision Top Picks:

Mitsubishi L65A90 65-Inch LaserVue HDTV
Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Receiver
Denon AVR-989 7.1 Channel Receiver

Panasonic THX Certified HDTV Price Drops

Great Prices on 50" and 58" Sets

Prices have dropped on the highly regarded THX HDTVs from Panasonic. CNet ranks these sets above the so-called World's Best HDTV, the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD.

At Amazon the 50-inch TH-50PZ800U is currently available for $1859, less than the 46-inch TH-46PZ800 and about the same price as the 42-inch TH-42PZ800U. The 58-inch TH-58PZ800U is currently available for $2699, about the same price as the 46-inch TH-46PZ800U. At these prices the TH-50PZ800U and TH-58PZ800U are terrific bargains.

42" Plasma Panasonic TH-42PZ800U $1779
46" Plasma Panasonic TH-46PZ800U $2608
50" Plasma Panasonic TH-50PZ800U $1859 *** Hot Deal ***
58" Plasma Panasonic TH-58PZ800U $2699 *** Hot Deal ***

For reference here are some prices on the Pioneer Kuro:

50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2382 at Amazon
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2499 at J&R
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2799 at OneCall

60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3999 at J&R
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3869 at Amazon
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3999 at OneCall

Consumer Reports Top Rated Plasma HDTV

Panasonic TH-42PX80U 42-Inch Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-42PZ800U 42-Inch Plasma HDTV

Panasonic TH-46PZ80U 46-Inch Plasma HDTV

LG 50PG60 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ85U 50-inch Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ850U 50-inch Plasma HDTV
Pioneer PDP-5020FD 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
Pioneer PRO-111FD 50-inch Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN50A450 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN50A550 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN50A650 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
Vizio JV50P 50-inch Plasma HDTV

Samsung PN58A550 58-Inch Plasma HDTV

Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Plasma HDTV

December 2008

Amazon Has Lowest Online Price For PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD

HDTV prices continue to plunge in response to lagging demand. Pioneer is not immune, slashing prices for the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD and 6020FD to around $2400 (50-inch PDP-5020FD) and $3800 (60-inch PDP-6020FD). The lowest prices we found for an online authorized dealer are at Amazon.com.

Here's the market as of December 20, 2008:

50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2382 at Amazon
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2399 at J&R
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2699 at OneCall

60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3899 at Amazon
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $3999 at J&R
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4399 at OneCall

HDTV Gift Guide

Some Holiday HDTV Gift Ideas

Sony S350 Blu-Ray Player. Standard DVDs look great on an HDTV with an upscaling DVD player, but even for a casual movie watcher Blu-Ray quality makes a substantial difference. Well-mastered Blu-Ray movies are astonishingly crisp when displayed on a good HDTV. The S350 is a great player and the price is currently about 30-40% below what is was just three months ago. Our top pick for best value in a Blu-Ray player.

If you can't quite afford the world's greatest HDTV (Pioneer 50-inch PDP-5020FD/60-inch PDP-6020FD) then go for the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PZ850U, CNet's second highest rated HDTV (the Pioneer PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD are tops). The 50PZ850 plasma has fantastic image quality and is a great value. On the other hand if you need a 50-inch set and have only about a thousand bucks to spare consider the Samsung PN50A450 plasma HDTV. At 50-inches and below there are terrific bargains in 720p sets, and we like the PN50A450 best. Even to a professional there is no advantage in 1080p over 720p for a 50-inch screen at normal viewing distance. Your eyes cannot distinguish the extra pixels. Save some cash and go for the lower resolution.

The newest sets from Sony are—no surprise—generating rave reviews. Home Theater Magazine and PC World are particularly fond of the 46-inch KDL-46XBR6 and 52-inch KDL-52XBR6. We won't argue, especially since both sets are currently available at deep discounts, more than a thousand bucks below MSRP.