Pioneer Plazma Elite Models

As suggested I read the spec sheets on these 50" models. The contrast and brightness rating are the same. The difference that I can tell from the spec sheet is that the Elite model has multiple settings capability where the non-Elite has either less or just 1. What I am trying to determine is the picture quality the same on the two models. It appears to be the same processor. My question is, are you only buying additional seldom used features when you buy the Elite? What justifies the additional expense?

Pioneer Elite is carried by high end audio/video stores. The reason this is so is because it's considered the best plasma on the market- some will say it's Fujitsu, but it's a matter of preference.

Some none high end stores will carry it- in New Jersey Sixth Avenue Electronics and Electronics Expo for example. The sales people are usually not very knowledgebale in these stores.

The Elite product gives you the ability to make custom changes to the picture that the non-Elite model doesn't. It also carries a 2 year warranty aas opposed to a 1 year warranty. Eveything else is quite similar, though some feel the Elite picture is slightly better.

Below are some of the core--if not ALL--of the differences between the 1130pro and the 5060hd......

What the 1130pro HAS that the 5060hd does NOT have:

Swivel base; much more flexible user adjustments including individual colors (6 individual colors vs. the single "tint" slider of the 5060), extra video mode ("PURE"), 5 vs. 3 color temp modes, Active DRE (with very nice controls over black level, contrast level, and gamma, while the 5060 has no control over DRE at all), and separate day and night callibration modes; 2 yr. vs. 1 yr. warranty; picture card slot; possibly better quality control in the factory; resale value and bragging rights of the Elite name. Plus, this set is ISF C3 compatible, so you could get a professional to come in and make this set look absolutely flawless.

I pulled a lot of info above from www.avsforum.com, which is a great site to check out what people have to say about stuff. You could read for LITERALLY days there about the new Elites and Purevision models from Pioneer. NOTE!!! One thing that you must remember when shopping for a Pioneer plasma--whether it be an Elite or a regular Purevision--you MUST purchase your set from a Pioneer Authorized merchant. Otherwise, should something happen with your plasma, it will NOT be covered by Pioneer's factory warranty. So an apparent bargain off of eBay or some of the merchants listed here on cnet would not be able to offer you a factory warranty. Anyone that tells you that the set you are about to buy comes with a factory warranty would be LYING to you, UNLESS they are one of Pioneer's authorized retailers. You can find out if a particular seller is indeed a Pioneer Authorized Retailer by going to www.pioneerelectronics.com and looking under the "dealer Locator" pull down box.

All that said, in a nutshell, the 5060 is essentially the same as the 1130. Yes, there are a couple of very nice refinements offered on the 1130 that are NOT offered on the 5060. But you would need to ask yourself if the $1000 or so price difference is justified in your mind......

First off, I am an AV Junkie and I am a proud owner of a Pioneer Elite Pro 1120HD!!!

Before buying I pent countless hours, researching, viewing, and reviewing plasmas for the last few months. I've read E-V-E-R-Y internet article available to date. I went up and down the $$$$$ scale considering features, picture quality, connectivity etc. etc... My final conclusion: The Pioneer Elite is the finest piece of AV hardware a true AV Junkie can have!! Honestly, when it comes down to it, if you want the BEST, you have only two choices!

The Pioneer Elite VS. The Fujitsu. This is the apples to apples comparison. I think that we all want to save a few dollars and might fall into the trap of comparing the Elite to its little brother the PureVision, but honestly, these two are in different classes. No one in their right mind would ever say these two are comparable. And if that salesperson even tries to compare them, just remember: This is a salesperson trying to make a sale, PERIOD! I think the best analogy I can give you to the Elite Vs. PureVision question is Lexus vs Toyota! Nuff Said!

The Elite has refinements, processor technology, build quality, as well as styling that cannot be touched by its little brother. And on one final note, if you are considering the Pioneer Elite and $$$$ is an issue, save up the extra grand and GO FOR IT!! You will NOT regret it!!!