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
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Class KURO Plasma HDTV
Customer Review: Decided on plasma, not looking back
Summary: 5 Stars
I was set on getting an LCD due to glare issues on my first generation 42" plasma screen. I have been tracking this technology for two years trying to convince myself to shell out the $$ to upgrade my old set. The trend in LCDs was clear. They were looking better and better, but with this improvement, most vendors' higher-end LCD sets have shiny screens! The ones with matte screens looked terrible by comparison. The glare with most of the new LCD sets is similar to, or worse than most plasma sets. I also found that when trying to decide on which LCD to purchase, I simply tried to find one that didn't look too much worse than a plasma. Don't get me wrong, many LCD sets look good, but, with the exception of animation, high-end plasma sets look better.
After careful consideration, I decided to get a plasma. The clincher was that I compared a bluray video on the latest Samsung LED-backlit 55" set to the same disk played on a Pioneer Kuro pdp-6020fd. Looking at the LCD first, I thought "wow, that black suit coat is really black!" When I viewed the same disk on the Kuro, I thought "wow, that black suit coat is not just a black blob without definition, but has subtle wrinkles that are completely invisible on the LCD." The local dimming used on the latest LED-backlit LCD screens removes all of the subtle detail in dark scenes. I also noticed that the skin tones looked cartoonish on the Samsung LCD compared to the Kuro.
Now that I have enjoyed the Kuro 60" for a few weeks, I still am amazed at the unbelievable detail and the amazing blackness of the screen. I am also pleasantly surprised at how cool the screen runs. The lack of glare on this screen was also amazing. The anti-reflective coating does a great job - not as good as the older matte LCD screens, but much better than my old plasma or the newer LCD screens.
Note that most wall mounts will not work with this set. This includes ones that claim they can handle sets of this size. The bars that mount to the TV simply are not long enough. I ended up ordering the Sanus VMPL3b through Amazon, which worked great.
I have only one minor complaint: When using the "optimum" mode, which adjusts the color temperature along with brightness based on room lighting, you don't have any control over the overall brightness and contrast. The pre-set levels for these loses some of the detail in dark images. It is a shame that I can't tweak these settings. This is only a minor complaint; the solution is simple - just use one of the other settings. The light sensor still adjusts screen brightness automatically.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with this set. The buying experience from Amazon was also great. A few days after I ordered the set, I scheduled the "white glove" delivery. They delivered the set, un-boxed the set, made sure it worked, and removed the packaging. What more could I ask for?
Customer Review: Incredible High Definition Picture
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this set from Amazon over two months ago and have waited until now to add my review. The initial delay was due to DirecTVs 4 week waiting list to hook up their HR22 high definition DVR to this amazing Pioneer Kuro set.
Since I was forced to watch standard def images on the 6020FD for almost a month, you can guess the difference a high definition picture made. I can not add to the superlatives mentioned in the other reviews with regard to the Pioneer Kuro. The colors are vivid and the images literally jump off the screen. I didn't understand all the talk about the color "black" and how it's different from plasma to plasma but I do now. Want to really be blown away by this new tv? Punch up one of the kids channels available in high def like Disney or The Cartoon Network. The color saturation on these animated shows is not to be believed. Even my kids are impressed by the set.
Here are a few caveats for the White Glove Delivery as I too, had a few issues. First, working with Amazon was a joy with regard to this order. The problem I had was with CEVA when they called to schedule delivery. I asked them to verify the White Glove Service and they did NOT show that in their files. A quick call to Amazon fixed everything, no problem. I would recommend checking to see if White Glove Delivery has been selected.
Secondly, the two guys who delivered my set were excellent unlike some other reviews I've read here. I've found in life if you treat people nicely with respect, often times you'll receive better service. The old adage of attracting more flies with honey as opposed to vinegar. They brought the set in, removed it from the box, placed it on the table where I wanted it, and powered it up (even though I had read the online Pioneer manual weeks ago). All I did was offer them a few sodas for their trouble.
One final thing to remember is that the speakers are packed below the set. I hooked my 6020FD to some speakers that I installed in the wall and almost let the delivery guys take the box away as they were leaving. Am so glad I didn't as they would have been throwing away the Pioneer speaker enclosure for the set. Don't make this same mistake!!!
I'm now in the market for another plasma that will be placed in our game room. Shall be ordering from Amazon again without a doubt.
Customer Review: Very Much Good!
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow!
There is a noticeable picture improvement over 6010 (last year's model). Even analog channels look great (considering).
Pros:
Lighter
Thinner
4th HDMI input on the side
Optical out (audio) works with HDMI inputs
Optimum mode (adjusts to room light)
Game Mode (supposedly better burn-in avoidance, faster updates)
Cinema Mode (24 fps)
Ethernet Port for Media Display via PC network
Cons:
4th HDMI input moved to the side. Only three on the back
Cable Card Slot gone
Remote is passable, but not able to be a useful Universal Remote
Small text on the remote
Media Display options not accessible from Apple Macs
Deleting analog and digital channels found via the autosearch is painful because the channel doesn't change to the selected channel as you move down the list
HDMI control is problematic (one HDMI devices controls another - just use a universal remote instead)
Can't change settings for an input unless you are currently on that input
A big item for me is that I'd like all my input to go to the TV first and only send audio to the AV Receiver if I choose to use its 5.1/7.1 sound. Otherwise I like to use the TV's speaker. The issue is I don't want to wake everyone up with the loud sounds if I want to watch something and the family is sleeping. The 6020FD makes this a little easier as the optical output produces audio for everything except "protected" content (whatever that means). I haven't found any on my Blue Ray disks (via PS3). However I wish there were more HDMI ports on the back so I could hook all my (current and future) devices up directly.
Hopefully with the Ethernet port there will be a firmware update so I can access the display from my Apple Macs and maybe the new Amazon media store.
Pioneer has built a nice tuner. However the TV guide is now gone. Unfortunately the tuner is kind of a waste given that there is no point in buying this set unless you'll have HD content from your cable or satellite provider.
So far, I'm very happy.
Now I just have to find a universal remote to control the 6020, Comcast STB/DVR, Mitsubishi DVD player and PS3 (and next an Apple TV).
P.S. The Onkyo SR606 AV Receiver works great with this set.
Customer Review: Great HDTV's But shipping is a rip off
Summary: 5 Stars
I just bought 2 of these babies and love them ! Mine were shipped by J & R Music via a carrier called Absolute Freight Carriers (or something like that) I paid for expedited threshold delivery. Beware ! Items shipped by dealers (even though they are listed with Amazon.com) are not covered with Amazon shipping rates (ex "free shipping") The day my order was placed an email followed stating further notification would follow when shipment was in route. It did and the dispatcher called me to arrange delivery appointment on thursday between 12 noon and 4 pm, he also wanted to be sure that i understood that this was a threshold delivery (placed inside the door only) and 2 men would make the delivery. I took off work anticipating the delivery only to be called at 10 minutes till 4 to be told that the driver was tied up south of me and would be very arriving very late or could we possibly postphone delivery until the next morning. I agreed so I was told to expect truck around 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. The van arrived here at 9:00 with only the driver. He was very polite and set out to wrestle these beauties into my house. Now mind you, the shipping wt. on each was over 150 lbs. He was atleast 60 yrs old and I have a herniated disc in my back. Thank gosh my 25 yr old son was here to help lift these packages out of the van onto the dolly. Oh, the driver assured me he could handle this but I kringed when I saw that he was going to slide these babies back and drop them about 30" off the truck onto the dolly! I stopped him and made him wait until my son could get outside to assist him. Maybe nothing would have happened to the plasma tvs, but when I've paid over $8,500.00 plus for 2 of these units (freight included) I darn sure was not pleased to see that they were going to be handled like that. I told the driver that his dispatcher informed me that 2 men would be making the delivery. His reply was "ha, they send me out like this everyday without any help." I feel ripped off for having to pay over $800.00 for this kind of freight service.
"A day late and a man short."
Customer Review: Not Bright Enough
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this TV for nearly two months now. I am only using it to watch HD and standard broadcast via Dishnet. I bought it as a flat panel replacement for an old HD-ready rear projection Toshiba 61" 4:3 monster (it still worked fine, but it just wasn't working in our new house). The viewing area has medium light from north windows. Based on the room design, viewing distance will range from 12ft at the couch to 25ft or more at the dining room table and kitchen.
I had spent a couple of months researching the various forums and realized that I was going to have issues regarding the size of the TV that drove me toward plasma, versus the brightness issue that would push me toward LCD at the expense of size. I went back and forth for a while and finally decided to go with the best-reviewed plasma at the premium price.
The quality of the picture itself is outstanding, as long as I'm watching from 12 ft or closer, although it still seems like I'm watching thought dark sunglasses. The whites look more smokey than white. Antiglare is very good. However, for longer viewing distances, the dim picture becomes a signficant issue. I've tried playing with the various picture presentations and tried cranking up the brightness at the expense of the "deep blacks". Best compromise has been "Sport" mode with nearly maxed out brightness setting. This TV would be great in a dark viewing area with fixed viewing distance, but did not work for my viewing arrangement. I would have done better to have bought a quality 52 or 55" LCD. If I ever build a home theater room, it will work great.
By the way, the purchase through Amazon went smoothly. I could have saved a couple of hundred through another site, but went with the free "enhanced" delivery and peace of mind. They unpacked it in the house, but because it was less than 50 degrees outside, could not turn on for a couple of hours. So all I could attest to was that there was no apparent damage and let them move on. Turn on and setup went easy and everything was OK.