Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (
More info?)
On 11 Nov 2004 17:44:39 -0800, jeremy@pdq.net (JDeats) wrote:
>"Ray Kivimaki" <kivimaki@swbell.net> wrote in message news:<2y9kd.25680$Al3.6440@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com>...
>> I'm thinking about taking the plunge for a 40"+ HDTV. Can anyone offer an
>> opinion as to why most of the staff I've spoken to in a number of retail
>> stores all say Pioneer Elite is the best and yet Pioneer is nowhere to be
>> seen in Consumer Reports?
>
>Ray, I'll answer both of your questions. First, I'm a bit surprised to
>find that "most of the staff... of retail stores all say Pioneer Elite
>is the best". If you're talking to a sales rep at a retailer that
>carried Pioneer Elite then of course they will tell you that, because
>Pioneer Elite is probably the retailer's most expensive product
>offerings, with signifigant profit margins (hence, they will make the
>most of an Pioneer Elite sale), 2. and only select retailers carry the
>"Elite" series of product (the sales rep will by happy to let you know
>this. 3. Pionner Elite products are really top of the line. There is
>some truth to the hype, but here's the rest of the story...
>
>So going back four-five years ago, HDTV was a luxurious item to have,
>Pionner capitalized on this market by offering an "Elite" series of
>high end product that catered to the upper clase in the same way a
>Rolls-Royce dealer caters to the elite customers. This is why only
>select retailers can carry this product, the entire sales experience
>is somewhat controlled. So what's happend over the past few years is
>that HDTV's have become more available. Although, they can still be
>considered a luxury item, they aren't just for the upper class
>anymore. So while Pionner continued to make the Elite series, other
>companies have risen to put out product that completes well (arguably
>better than) the Pioneer Elite series of product. So if you want to
>pay for a buying experience get the Rolls-Royce (Pionner Elite) which
>is the most expensive "best", for the rest of us who want top of the
>line without empting the bank account, consider the Lexus of HDTVs
>(Hitachi S series, Toshiba Cinema series). If you want to go for the
>middle-end (Honda Civic)) you can always go with RCA or Philips, if
>you want really cheap (Daewoo) you with a generic brand name such as
>Apex.
>
>Please note that most of what I've stated here is subjective, it's
>based on my observations of the industry and my own research over the
>past eighteen months or so, however you can see clear evidence of the
>decline of Pioneer Elite series. For example, this year Pionner
>decided to pull out of the CRT-rear projection market (applies to
>Elite series only) to focus on LCD and Plasma displays. Why would they
>do this? Because for the money, their sets could not compete. They
>want to focus the Elite series to "elite" upper class consumers and
>suddenly CRT rear-projection wasn't in-line with that model. So if
>you're looking for a rear-projection set the Elite series is really
>out of the question anyone. If this is what you're interested in,
>you'll find the best value in Hitachi and Toshiba products. Both of
>these companies put out sets that I feel are really neck and neck for
>the #1 spot in picture quality and features. Look for Hitachi S series
>HDTVs (51S500, 57S500, 65S500, etc...) and look for Toshiba HX series
>(aka Cinema series). You're welcome to look at other series by these
>two companies, but know that they aren't in the same class. As with
>the Elite series, Toshiba and Hitachi are rather selective about who
>can carry their top of the end, but unlike Pionner you're not going to
>be out $1000's more for a top of the line product, you will pay a
>$200-$300 premium, but you're going to get a better product in return.
>
>If you want LCD or Plasma definately go check out the Pionner Elites,
>but compare notes on what you're getting. To get true HDTV on a Plasma
>or LCD is still rather expensive, so you're already going to be out a
>bit, it may be worth the extra money to invest in a Pionner Elite for
>you. I wouldn't put the money into it myself, but then again I've
>invested a lot of time in knowing how to do a lot of things for myself
>that you may want to avoid. With a Pionner Elite dealer, you're going
>to get a professional install, you're going to be happy with your set,
>but you are going to pay for that.
>
>
>-Jeremy
>http
/hdtv.0catch.com
From my experience with Hitachi I can highly recomend them. I bought a
new 46" Ultravision Rear Projection set in 95 it is almost 10 years
old and has been trouble free and picture still looks great! I know
what brand I will look at first when I do start shoping for my new
HDTV set. My only problem is the old set still works so well it's
really hard to justify replacing it.
Bob
Facebook
Twitter