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Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD

*Est. $2,500

Reviewed

December 2008

Pros

Best black levels of any TV
Rich colors
Tons of features
Great anti-reflective screen

Cons

Expensive
Color accuracy is not technically perfect
Some common picture controls are missing

Where to Buy

for $3,500.00

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While the 50-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD falls a hair short of the revered Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD (*est. $5,000) in some ways, it delivers an image that's nearly as good for about half the price. Even those who find some flaws in technical perfection say that the TV's rich colors and deep blacks -- the deepest of any TV -- make them largely irrelevant in the face of what everyone says is a breathtaking image. Tons of features and one of the best anti-reflective screens for a plasma TV round out its advantages. For those with a smaller budget, the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PZ800U (*est. $2,050) offers black levels that nearly match those of the PDP-5020FD, with the bonus of THX certification and a special mode that recreates the experience of watching a movie in a theater. If you aren't too picky, the 50-inch Samsung PN50A550 (*est. $1,450) is an excellent value, though it does have a glare-prone screen.

CNet.com is among the most prolific reviewers of plasma TVs and they weigh in with a report on the 50-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD. PCMag.com, another top reviewer, also evaluates the TV in a good, though slightly less detailed, report. Home Theater magazine does not report on the Pioneer PDP-5020FD, but does have an excellent report on the 60-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP6020FD, which should perform similarly. ConsumerReports.org also tests the 60-inch version, but its report, while balanced and fair, is far less detailed. User reports can be found at Amazon.com and AVSForum.com.

Where To Buy

Black Adjustable Tilt/Tilting Wall Mount Bracket for Pioneer Kuro PDP5020FD (PDP-5020FD) 50" Inch Plasma HDTV TV Television

(89 reviews)
2 New from $36.28

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. CNET

CNET reviews the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD at a time when street prices were higher, leading David Katzmaier to wonder if the great blacks are worth its premium. That said, he calls the Pioneer a "superb TV" and an excellent all-around performer in this balanced and thorough report.

Review: Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD, David Katzmaier, July 18, 2008

2. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

While this report is not quite as detailed as the one at CNET, most important points are covered and clear conclusions are reached. Robert Heron is impressed, saying that the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD "delivers the finest flat-panel HDTV picture quality we've ever seen." He adds that it's an easy pick for the magazine's Editors' Choice award.

Review: Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD Review, Robert Heron, Sept. 18, 2008

3. Home Theater Magazine Details/Subscribe

Home Theater magazine does not review the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD but does report on the 60-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD, which should perform similarly. Thomas J. Norton has a few misgivings, but says that barring a surprise from another maker, "Pioneer's ninth-generation plasmas will be the sets to beat this year."

Review: Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD Plasma HDTV, Thomas J. Norton, Sept. 2008

4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

While Consumer Reports does not report on the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD, the 60-inch PDP-6020FD is included in its latest survey of 25 plasma TVs. Testing is fair, but discussion lags far behind that by most other professional reviewers. Testers liked 15 plasma TVs enough to make them recommended models.

Review: Plasma TV reviews, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

5. Amazon.com

Owner reviews like the ones at Amazon.com are variable in quality and usefulness, but taken together can paint a clear picture of how happy users are after weeks or months of use. More than 80 owners have weighed in at this site so far, and while there's a small handful of dissenters, most are happy with their Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD.

Review: Pioneer PDP-5020FD 50-Inch 1080p Kuro Plasma HDTV Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

6. AVSForum.com

Pioneer's ninth-generation plasma displays, including the 50-inch Kuro PDP-5020FD get lots of discussion here. An owners' thread filled with tips, comments questions and reviews has more than 4,700 posts, a second set dealing primarily with settings for the TV contains more than 2,100 comments. The PDP-5020 is also discussed in lots of other threads.

Review: Plasma Flat Panel Displays, Contributors to AVSForum.com

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