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"Pioneer 6010 Expensive, but worth it." on by hawk318
Pros: Picture, features.
Cons: Few minor cons.
Summary: Pioneer 6010 Plasma HD-TV.
Having owned this unit for a month now, I’ve found there are few gripes and the couple I have are really minor. So let me start with what is right.
The 6010 has plenty of component hookups. Each has it’s own button that corresponds to the plug in the rear. There are the standard jacks and even a co-axe input, but the nice thing is the 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs with a button for each.
I purchased a Toshiba HD-DVD player at the same time and used that HDMI input in the #4 spot, so all I have to do if I watch a DVD, is hit the #4 button and there in all it’s glory is a 1080p DVD playing.
When done, I hit the Ant. Button and I’m back to my regular cable signal. I can hit my #5 and I’m then watching my HD cable that has the HD DVR hooked to it.
The great thing is I still have two more HDMI inputs for any other gear that comes down the road at some later date…. Maybe a HD-DVD recorder?
Why did I split my cable signal? It’s easy for me having the basic cable allows me to record two programs on my DVR and watch a third on regular cable. And with this 6010 it’s a snap!
Whoever laid out the remote did a bang up job. The buttons for needed functions are well placed and the functions them selves are well thought out.
There are four buttons A-D that you can program up to 10 channels on each one. For instance I have ABC, CBS & NBC (all HD) programmed into the “A” button so I can flip through them during the national news (Yeah ladies it’s a guy thing)
The “C” had several PBS HD channels, while the “D” has several of our favorite sports channels…. You get the idea.
The picture is to die for. On the HD-DVD’s it actually looks better then looking out the window. There are several screen sizes you can flip through using your remote’s screen button as well as a mode you can choose for watching things like movies, optimal, standard and many more.
This function really isn’t needed I while watching HD as this 6010 has an “Auto” mode that chooses the screen size by the over the air instructions hidden within the TV signal it’s self.
Setup was fairly easy for me as I’m not afraid to dig in and try things myself (rather then to pay for the $150.00 set up. I found that most of the 6010’s settings were set to lower less power hungry defaults, but after tweaking them, had a terrific picture. Plus there is a “default” that sets everything back to Pioneer’s factory settings if you give up and decide to call someone out.
Nor did I pay for someone to come out and set it up from the box. I had the delivery guys unbox it so I could check it over (always do this before signing anything)
Setting it up consisted of installing the stand brackets, then the stand. I installed the speaker bar.
NOTE: Nice sound for factory speakers, although sound mavens will want to add better/ more speakers and there are inputs/ outputs for doing so.
After adding the speakers, there were a few easy to attach wires, the included safety straps to keep it from falling over should your child or pet smack or pull it. Then attach your input to the proper connection.
Then it’s a matter of plugging it in, and letting the auto detect do it’s thing.
Set up menu’s are a breeze and there is also a built in “FREE” TV Guide menu that will detect that is available to your TV.
The 6010 also had 2 card slots for “Premium” services and an input so you can hook your PC to it.
Ok now the cons:
There is no signal identification when you change channels to show if you are receiving an analog signal (although you can see the difference) or a HD signal in 720P, 1080i or 1080p (I have a 37” Westinghouse LCD that does and love the feature) Minor, but still would have liked to see this feature.
The remote does have the ability to add other equipment to it, however even though it has a DVD switch, there is no “Eject” button I could find, which makes it useless if you have to manually eject a DVD or have the units remote sitting next to you.
There is a Sat switch, but lets fact it, If you have DSS or DISH this remote might do the basics, but not enough to allow you to get rid of that “Tivo, DSS or DISH” remote.
The remote is great and well laid out, but only will function for other peripherals in a minimal way.
The default grey side bars are horrible (they should have been black) Luckily the programs that use side bars have their own default black side bars… Geez Pioneer what were you thinking? Grey?
And lastly the price…Steep! It has a MSRP of $6499.00 although I found it for $1000.00 less at the Best Buy in my area. And probably even for less by now elsewhere. (That’s how my luck runs)
Just to recap:
Great picture, real nice sound, easy menus & set up.
Remote has well laid out buttons…Useful buttons so you don’t have to go through four or five menus to change something.
Easy to install and setup.
Then there is Pioneers reputation. I at least have several Pioneer products and so far after several years have not had any problems. The few questions I’ve had were answered quickly and to my satisfaction. -
"Great TV for movies" on by dude670
Pros: Picture and contrast look amazing with movies.
Cons: Hard to find good settings. It's either to dark or to bright. Games look better on my other plasma.
Summary: Comparing my 50 inch Panasonic TH-50PZ700U plasma TV with the Pioneer 6010 I just got recently... The Panasonic has an all around better picture when it comes to games or using it as a monitor for my PC. Movies on the other hand are a toss up. The Panasonic has a clear image with nice bright colors. The pioneer has a somewhat darker image but the colors and contrast are just amazing on some movies. I'm somewhat disappointed in the "improved black levels". That's also probably the reason the Pioneer is darker than my Panasonic. One movie I watched on the Pioneer which blew me away was Star Wars: Attack of The Clones. The colors, sparks, explosions, light saber battles were all SOO vibrant.
If you just want a TV next to perfect for watching movies on I would say this is the right choice. But for me going through how much I use my TV's on games/PC/movies If I could choose again would get a 60+ inch Panasonic TV instead. -
"Best pic yet from a demanding owner!" on by diawa944
Pros: Best picture I've ever seen period! I
Cons: Remote control, Auto Picture size changes when channel surfing- seems a little distracting. Cost.
Summary: I also have 2 large Sony LCD's and 1 SXRD rear projection. They do not compare! I am surrounded by a/v professionals on my street with NEW sharps or pana's-They were amazed. One neighbor returned his panasonic to BB that evening and ordered this one. It took a little time to get the settings right but wow. The standard def channels are cleaned up nicely on this set. I have HD from cablevision. The cost is the only thing from rating it a 10 is the best avail for the moment IMO.
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"Stunning picture but flawed" on by daustins
Pros: Picture, picture, picture
Cons: HDMI and PIP
Summary: All that you read about the picture being good is an understatement--it sets the standard for modern televisions. And the set is beautiful itself, and even Apple could take a hint in styling, and that's high praise.
But there is a bug in HDMI. I have four Sony DVD megachangers, and the two new ones work and the two old ones don't. You can't then even find a list of things which don't work and go by it for if half of one model work and half don't, it means that you cannot reliably expect it to work with HDMI. Meaning that for all purposes it's limited to component input.
This may be fixable by a firmware update for it has a USB port.
A less serious, but significant, flaw is that one of the inputs to the PIP must be a tuner. People with satellite or cable boxes don't use tuners, meaning that you will have to convert a signal to RF, the lowest fidelity out there. I'm sure this is not fixable by firmware.
Still, the picture and the presence are utterly lovely. But you can't expect the virtues of 1080p with its fatal HDMI flaws. -
"Pretty much has it all!" on by aaronmarks
Pros: Incredible black levels, beautiful colors, excellent brightness, pleasing aesthitcs, numerous connectivity
Cons: No manual color adjustment, not SED or OLED
Summary: This TV flat out has the best picture on the market for any TV with a street price under $6000. For those willing to pay $1000 more for a TV with color controls then the Pioneer PRO-150FD Elite is the only display that bests the PDP-6010FD.
The picture is really just jaw dropping outstanding. This is from a person who just moved from a Sony KD-34XBR960 which was the best CRT ever released. I have really high standards for black levels and this TV surpassed my expectations.
I spent a lot of time considering either the Samsung or Panasonic 58" models as a cheaper alternative to this and they didn't even come close in performance to this TV in a dimly lit environment. I also considered the Sony 60" SXRD, but when I took it home, it's colors just didn't have the naturalness of the Pioneer plasma; not to mention that the silk-screen effect drove me nuts (sparkly specs all over the screen).
If you have the cash to buy this display, go for it! You won't regret this purchase.
