Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Class KURO Plasma HDTV
by Pioneer
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Our Price: $6,995.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Class KURO Plasma HDTV
Customer Review: AMAZING black levels define this TV
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I have to give Amazon (and CEVA, the shipper) kudos for their white glove delivery service. They gently carried the tv up my icy driveway, brought it in, un-packed it, made sure it worked, and offered to take the packaging away (I declined). And they arrived in the first hour of the 3 hour window, which is always a bonus. Definitely place your order through amazon, not one of their associated merchants. It was worth the extra $50-$100 (at the time I made the purchase).
First off, I want to mention that plasma technology has come a long way recently in reducing the weight, and profile of the panels. This 60 inch display only weighs about 10 lbs more (without speaker or stand) than my Samsung FT-P5084 50 inch display, despite being 20% larger. I was able to life the TV from the stand, to a wall mount with my wife's help! Didn't even have to call a male friend! The display also has handles on the lower back side, to save your hands from sharp edges. The holes for the bolts on the back of the display are 34 inches apart, which is wider than my old wall mount (and most of the universal wall mounts out there). So, even if a universal mount claims to be capable of holding a high enough weight/panel size for this display, make sure the wall bracket is at least 36 inches wide, or it will not be able to accommodate this display!
The stand is cheap, and relatively crappy for the price of the display. This doesn't bother me, obviously, because I've mounted it on my wall, but it's an obvious bit of cost-cutting that's a little disappointing. Also, if the speaker bar is not attached, the display is supported by two skinny little bars, that are rather unsightly. If you are going to use the stand, make sure the speaker is attached, even if you aren't planning on using the TV's audio. Because I haven't attached the speaker, I can't comment on audio quality. All the reviews I have read said that for a TV, it's pretty fantastic. But I've got at least $3 grand into my surround sound system, so I didn't even bother taking the speaker out of the box.
The TV itself has a high-quality, black gloss finish around the glass that looks like it belongs on a TV this expensive. The remote is ok, not great, but not bad. Lots of small, same-size buttons. The black, brushed-aluminum-type finish is nice, though. I use a Harmony One universal remote anyway, so I'm not worried about the TV remote. The TV's menu system is fairly logically laid out, although some settings that you might think you'd find in the picture sub-menu are actually in other sub-menus. It took me a little while to find my way around, and play with all the various settings, but there is nothing too confusing about the setup. The menu screen sets the current video feed into a little box on the right side of the screen, with a border around the whole screen, and the menu items on the left side. Selecting the picture-related sub-menus brings the video to full-screen and overlays the sub-menu on top of it. It's a little different than other displays I've used in the past, but it works.
The menu you'll spend the most time in is the picture menu, under setup on the main menu. There are a bunch of color/picture modes available, but the only three are actually watchable for any period of time: Standard, Optimum and Movie. Standard and Optimum have similar default settings, the main difference being you can tweak the settings in Standard mode, but not Optimum. Both have reasonably accurate color settings, and high contract ratios that really make an image "pop" off the screen. Standard lets you adjust contract, brightness, tint, color and sharpness manually, while optimum makes adjustments for you based on lighting conditions. For showing off what the display can do, Optimum seems to be the best setting. The whites are bright, the blacks deep (more on this later), and the colors are quite vibrant. The only problem is that, in a darker, more ideal setting, Optimum and Standard modes are a bit fatiguing on the eyes after a while. It's just too much contrast for your eyes to handle comfortably. The definition, accuracy and video processing are top rate, meaning good video feeds look fantastic. Poorer feeds, however, can look a little less than spectacular, however, in these high contract, high detail modes, because they accurately reproduce the images, flaws and all. Even with the sharpness turned all the way down in Standard mode, this is still the case. Letters can appear pixelated, not smooth, and standard def TV feeds just don't look good. So, my TV is currently in Movie mode, which I feel (and there are several professional reviews to back this opinion up) is the best overall viewing mode for the TV. The colors are more muted, but closer to accurate, the contrast is excellent, but not fatiguing, and the mode smooths out the lousier feeds, while still showing the details of the good feeds in nearly all of their glory. A word about the color: at first, everything looked a little greenish, compared to my Samsung, which was calibrated to be as close to accurate as possible, but any adjustment in the tint toward red made the picture appear pinkish. I was unable to make any adjustments that seemed to get to a color that was 100% accurate, and that seems to be the only downside to this TV, versus the Elite models. However, after watching the display for a week, my eyes/brain have adjusted, and I no longer see the greenish tint, and the colors appear completely accurate to me. I'm not saying this is the best solution, but it works better for me than spending the extra $1,500 to $2,000 on the Elite model. A professional calibration would probably help as well. Regardless, I'm quite happy with the color at this stage, and I'm picky when it comes to my displays.
And now the most important part, the black levels. I think this is the best way to describe it: you can't tell the difference between when the display is turned off, and when there is a completely black screen being fed into the display. It makes anything else I've ever seen look gray in comparison. If you are new to TV/video-mania, you should know that there is no substitute for deep black levels. All images displayed on a screen are simply different color and intensity lights arranged in shapes that we perceive as whole images. Those lights stand out in contrast to the relative absence of light (ie, black) displayed elsewhere on the screen. If your screen's absence of light is just a medium gray, the screen has to output more color and more light to equal the contrast produced by a screen such as the kuro. And there are limits to the technology (and to human sight) that don't necessarily allow that to happen. So having the deepest, darkest basis to contrast with is extremely important if you truly want the best image possible. And, in normal viewing, this display, and the other kuro displays, simply have the best black levels available in a flat panel today. Samsung and Sony have LED-backlit LCDs that score better on contract ratio and black level tests, but in normal viewing situations, they simply can't match the Kuro line.
I don't think the question is whether you want to buy this display or not. It's entirely a matter of the cost/benefit analysis. If you are nuts about your home theater, and the thought of spending 4 grand on a TV doesn't scare you, you will not be disappointed. On the other hand, Panasonic and Samsung make some excellent 58 inch plasma displays, for significantly less money. As long as you never saw the black levels on this Pioneer, you wouldn't even know what you were missing, and would probably be perfectly happy. But, with the exception of the Kuro Elite models, the PDP-6020FD and the PDP-5020FD are probably the best displays money can buy today. I don't regret my purchase one bit.
Customer Review: Pioneer KURO: Last of its kind
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this knowing that this is the end of the line for Pioneers' big-screen TVs, and also knowing that this TV is approaching almost 2 years old since it's original release date. But from all the reviews, the KURO '20-series was the one to get for its deep "blacks" as well as its vibrant, rich colors.
After a month, I have not been disappointed neither. The picture is absolutely STUNNING. No pixelation, blockiness or graininess, nor ghosting or strobing. Just breathing taking detail and fluid motion. I've looked at Sony Bravia's and Panasonic's, but after watching the latest in Blu-Ray movies on this stunner, I have been taken aback by its crystal clear and silky beauty of its 60 inch video presentation. None of the others has compared next to this majestic beast. And it hasn't yet been calibrated, which is scheduled in a couple weeks.
I won't go into all the technical reviews of this machine as I'm sure you can find much more eloquently and technically accurate writings elsewhere.
However, I will go into a little nitpicking that was not mentioned by anyone else during my research.
1) The audio Digital Out (optical) only passes 2-channel (stereo) Dolby Digital or PCM. I was annoyed when I first hooked up my PS3 HDMI to the KURO, then the KURO digital out to my AV receiver only to hear stereo. After contacting Pioneer, I discovered to my disappointment that the KURO only passes 2-channel. In fact, I found out that practically all TVs that include a digital out send only 2-channel. (sigh) I had to connect an optical cable from my PS3 directly to my AV receiver to enjoy anything beyond 2-channel. Unfortunately, I do notice just a slight audio timing shift from the video image. Almost imperceptible (and for most people, unnoticeable), but I do notice it. On top of that, I have more cables to mess with, as I have a DirecTV box and Xbox 360 in addition to my PS3, which means I have to have 3 optical cables going directly to my AV receiver (and ensure I switch to the right input on the AV receiver), which I'm lucky to say has more than enough optical inputs to handle this mess. If the Digital Out could pass the full, unaltered audio stream then it would require only 1 cable going to the AV receiver and setting it to the same input regardless of what I was showing on the KURO, or maybe it's time to invest in a multiple-HDMI-input AV receiver (money, money, money)...
2) The programmable remote is rather unremarkable and difficult to read in low-light situations (especially for those that are far-sighted). But who are we kidding; if you are one of those that spends $4k+ on a TV then you probably also have a high-dollar third-party remote (the Harmony One for me) to control all your big ticket toys. I keep the factory remote safely tucked away for emergencies.
3) The on-screen interface is spartan. There aren't too many features to change on this machine. I do wish that it had auto-sensing inputs, like the Sony Bravia's, which would clearly indicate which inputs and type have connected devices on them. When I initially powered-up the monster, I had to go to the back and refresh my memory which ports are the HDMI ones I used (the back HDMI inputs are 4 through 6, with port 7 HDMI on the left side).
4) Sound quality was very good for two-speakers, but no where near capable of a true 5/6/7.1 surround system. Again, if you forked over $4k for this behemoth, you probably also have a killer audio system to go with it. I do wish that the front speakers could be set as an input to handle the center channel, like my deceased Mitsubishi Diamond 65" RPTV. Instead, I have to hang an independent center speaker below the built-in speakers (I don't usually use my audio system when watching regular TV so I need the built-in speakers to work).
5) Be careful what you wish for. The blacks are the "blackest" I have ever seen in a TV. Unfortunately, I also noticed that some scenes can get too dark to discern certain details (for instance, the bold black headline of a newspaper in the shadow such as in the movie, "The Watchmen").
Besides those points, I am completely satisfied with its video performance. And with the "discontinued" signs beginning to be foisted on this last-of-its-kind, killer deals are sure to be had for those wanting the best.
Customer Review: STAY AWAY 1 Stars
I rated the TV 5 stars in week one see below (week one review), here is my update 5 months later... 1 star and would go less if I could. Not pretty!
Updated review (STAY AWAY):
I bought this TV and at first I loved it great picture and sound... The best actually! However in less than a month the TV got so hot it burnt the anti-glare off spots on the front. I reported the issue and after 4 months I got Pioneer to get a Pioneer authorized dealer come out and look at it. They stated "this is definitely a manufacturing defect" and they submitted the claim to Pioneer.
Pioneer stated "We've tested EVERY POSSIBLE scenario with our TV and it is impossible for the TV to have a defect with anti-glare, the authorized dealer means nothing". In turn I have a very expense TV with spots of anti-glare burn holes on/in it.
STAY
They're going out of business for a reason. They sell you on paying for the high quality and top notch performance, but if you do get an issue they will state you are the reason and you're left holding the bag. Get a Panasonic or a SAMSUNG LED.
Week one review:
I wanted a large screen for my big room (52 or greater) so I looked at it two ways , I could look at buying a TV that would be sufficient/average quality and picture and save some dough or invest a few hundred more and get a top of the line TV.
I researched endless hours online and by talking to different electronic people (tweeter, Authorized TV repair shop technicians, not big box employees) and after doing extensive research the answer was pretty clear.
The pioneer won in every category picture, quality, etc. and when I started asking all of the above people every one of them had a Pioneer (Elite or 60X0) except one who had a panny.
I got my 6020 this week and the thing is awesome it blows my Samsung LCD away. The LCD even with 120 gets blurry during sports and fast action, the colors are overly bright/driven sometimes. Don't get me wrong the Samsung LCD is nice and far better than most, but it couldn't even hold a water bottle for the 6020.
If you don't want to play with settings for room brightness, color, or sound just set the TV to auto and let it go as it will out perform on its own what the best fiddler can do with any of the others.
I did look at the 800 and the 850, but after doing using the monster picture DVD (several images with random colors held for 10-15 seconds so you can few the same picture on each TV) it was pretty clear as to why the couple hundred buck investment needed to be made. The 6020 shows multiple levels of back and color shades. When they state about the blacks and the difference they make have a vendor show you a similar test. Also there is a domino test where you can see different shades of blacks as the domino picture fades away on a plasma you see them all (and on the 6020 you see more clarity than the panny) and on an LCD you see half as the LCD overshoots the blacks so bad they get saturated.
In summary I can say that I've owned the 6020 for about a week and I'm some glad I spend the extra and got the Pioneer it was WAY worth it. If you're on the fence don't be as your going to have it for several years and use it more than anything else in your home so short changing yourself will only make you regret your decision. Go with the leader this year and for the past several the quality will blow you away.
Customer Review: The End of an Era
Summary: 5 Stars
So I've had the 6020FD for a few months. First off, the 'top of the line' Samsung LCD that maxes out at 55 inches is the UN55B8000. It currently (today) costs $3600. I purchased my Kuro for 3697 all in and is listed at 3700 today on Amazon. So that's $100 difference. Half the price is a comment made by an idiot. It is half the wieght of the Kuro - certainly not half the price. The differnce in the 5 inches (55 to 60) is 19% larger area for the Kuro screen-wise. For me, I did not want anything smaller than 60 inches.
The picture of the Kuro is near perfect out of the box. Put it on Optimum and you are good to go. Digital looks pretty good and HD looks amazing. All visitors comment on the HD picture. 90% of what I watch is HD or blu-ray so it works for me. Right now I am watching a digital channel (Fox Soccer) and it looks very good - not perfect, but very good.
I have watched various movies from a PS3 on the Kuro - Iron Man was stunning, Star Trek II (daytime) looked perfect, even upconverted dvds look excellent.
Lighted conditions is where I was surprised - this TV works very well in lit conditions, anti-glare screen works very well - I have light bouncing off it now and there is 0 reflection on the screen.
It is very heavy - so I have not wall mounted it yet. That is going to be a project and I likely will have to hire a couple of insured installers to do the job. Keep that in mind.
Also, my wall mount did not fit - so make sure your wall mount fits the specified holes on the 6020.
There are screen splotches when it is off - no big deal - part of the plasma experience I suppose.
Do not touch the screen - you are only supposed to clean with the supplied cloth - does not perform miracles. So, try to keep the screen pristine.
I have used the movie mode settings found on internet, like from here and CNET - they work very well - so does simply putting it in optimum mode.
Optimum is great and is one of the truly awesome aspects of this model.
HD is almost 3 dimensional, almost. It is stunning from 1 inch to 12 feet away at any angle.
I have not used the included sound bar so can't comment on sound.
Laptops look great on monitor - I have used VGA (Windows-based) and HDMI (macbook pro) - both looked very good - even watched a TV show off of netflix via the VGA - it was fine, not blu-ray, but good enough.
I cannot get split screen to work the way I would want it to.
TV is almost too easy to operate - Once I discovered how to power it on, the picture looked great and continues to.
If picture looks bad, make sure you are on HDMI option and not simply the cable feed (if you have a cable feed going to it for some reason like I do [trying to get split screen to work])
I would not use other modes other than optimum and movie, I do not see any reason to, but hey, that's me.
P.S. - nobody who has seen the screen thinks it is 'dim' - this screen is quite bright. For those who own it and think it is dim - there are control settings you can manipulate to make it brighter - mine, however, is perfect and not dim at all - the whites in fact are very solid and not 'smokey' in the slightest - something is wrong perhaps with your connection or input if any of your colors, white included, look 'smokey' on this plasma.
Customer Review: Super Image, beat expectations. Great customer care from Amazon.
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say that hasn't been said? This TV beat my picky expectations by far! If your one to notice over hyped colors, bad shadow detail, poor blacks, washed out colors, hyped motion "anti-blurring" sets, you'll love this TV.
This is my first HD TV but I have been looking to buy for 6 years. My wife bought me a Blu-ray player ( Oppo BDP-83 recommend ) so I made the leap...so glad I did.
I am very picky about picture quality. I shoot large format photographs, I tend to notice digital artifacts, bad skin tone, bad contrast, pixilation etc. This TV has no artificial look to it. It seems to spit out what it gets with out adding anything. Off air 1080i broadcasts are stunning. Blu-Ray is outstanding. It may not be the best TV for converting from SD, but even converting from the lowest of resolution it still show no artificial digital artifacts. Meaning, no hyped colors, no rainbow effects, off color shadows etc.
The color depth is also stunning. May be a bit strong on reds and greens but seems to be pleasing to the eye. As advertised the black levels and detail are where it's all at. Making colors rich, deep, accurate and shadow detail solid. Blacks are inky black. For Plasma is does have a decent anti reflective coating. Reminds me of anti reflective coating on video lenses. Day time viewing is not a problem at all. TV speaker is better than the average TV speaker. I use 5.1 surround system for Blu-ray and HD TV but, for average TV viewing it's decent.
LCD and LED sets are using fast motion reproduction ie...120hz, 240hz to help stop motion blur. To me this makes 24fps film look like video. 24fps is supposed to show motion blur at certain speeds, and trying to make everything look sharp makes the picture look unnatural. This set show no signs of this artificial "fix". Blu-ray, broadcast 1080i shows (sports) look amazing. Smooth, fluid...the way they were meant to be seen. My first viewing of NFL HD was like anything I had ever seen.
I'm glad I waited for a TV like this. It's one of those things you know you'll want to keep for as long as possible because it performs so well.
Amazon was great at communicating shipping info. Personal e-mail to connect with me about who was shipping, contact info etc. TV was set up and turned on to make sure all was %100. I was a bit hesitant about ordering such a large item on line, but Amazon was on top of everything.
There is a similar Kuro by Pioneer that sells for $1,000 more. It has controls over every aspect of the video output. If your a Pro, super amateur enthusiast etc. with knowledge way beyond highlight, shadow, sharpness, color depth control... than you may like the "higher" model. Otherwise this set is pretty perfect right out of the box with out the bigger price tag.
(Don't forget if you live near TV stations...50 miles or less, you can get free HD 1080i broadcasts.)((separate antenna required))