Mits Diamond vs. Pioneer Elite (1 Viewer)

[Brian_McC]

In a new theater area, where we will be watching movies from DVD and some sports shows, some HD-source, some not, having a tough time deciding between the 2 listed above. Had my heart set on the Mits 73909 until a dealer mentioned the other day that, in his opinion, analog will look much better on the Pioneer. I am not expecting to do alot of analog viewing here, but I know it will come up. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

Brian_McC

 

[Jim FC]

Brian,
Both are great sets; I'm sure you'd be pleased with either one on DVD or HD. Current Mitsu Diamond sets have an integrated off-air HD tuner, and I don't think the Pioneers do, so if you live in an area that's broadcasting HD that might make a difference. But even so, I'd lean towards the Pioneer, because I agree with the dealer who told you the Pioneer would look better on analog inputs.

The Pioneer's line-doubling capability looks better to me, but the big difference is in the 16:9 stretch modes. Pioneer's stretch modes are, IMO, much better than Mitsu's. With the Mits, you have the option for a full stretch, a full expand (chopping top & bottom comepletely), or a wierd one where the center isn't stretched but the edges are... like watching TV through a fish-eye lens. Pioneer gives you full stretch and full expand, but also two steps in between which slightly stretch and slightly chop... these two stretch modes are enough to put the Pioneer over the top for me. Plus, Elites have a two-year warranty, Mits only one. Hope this helps!

 

[David Judah]

Jim summed it up very nicely. It will boil down to which is more important to you: better analog viewing vs. the built-in OTA HD tuner(highly convenient if you have some local HD content).

I own a Mits 55908(last year's diamond)and cable viewing isn't bad, but it certainly would look better with the Elite. Of course, that won't be an issue as more HD is broadcast, which is why I went with the less expensive Mits.

Either way, you'll own a great set, and progressive DVDs will look spectacular.

Good luck,
DJ

 

[Gabriel_Lam]

If you get a chance, watch some 720 or 1080 on both. The 73909 has 9" CRT's and can resolve those resolutions much MUCH better than the 7" CRT's of the Pioneer (though neither can fully do 1080). This will be especially apparent when both are calibrated.

 

[ManojM]

I agree with what Jim said. I was pushing hard to get the Mitsubishi- less money, FireWire, etc., but watching the Pioneer Elite and Mits Diamond side by side there was no issue that the Pioneer was signficiantly better. The less expensive way out is to buy a regular grade Pioneer, which is almost as good as the Elite and still better than the Mits Diamond. Unfortunately no FireWire or DVI, though, as Pioneer is sitting on the fence with this issue.

 

[Larry Hilliard]

I'm picking our 73 mits. up today at a warehouse in dallas.I bought it at the home theater store on Preston rd. Also, the one year no interest, mits. offers didn't hurt. I can't wait to unload that big rascal and set it up. I agree with some post the pioneer has a great picture but I bought the 73"diamond with 9"crt for what the large Elite cost. I know the ntsc won't be that great(it's very watchable). By the years end we will have 4 hdtv stations. The way I figure my old mits 48" was bought in 84 and still running, so in a couple of years most everything will be hdtv.

 

[Dave Moritz]

I have prefered the Mitsubishi Dimond series for a while now. But after seeing the Pioneer Elite and Mitsu side by side I to now prefer the Pioneer picture over the Mitsu. Dont get me wrong I do not think you could go wrong with ether set. They are both the best rptv you can buy right now in MHO. If I was going to buy a RPTV to replace my 31" Toshiba direct veiw tv. I would buy the Pioneer Elite hands down for total picture quality. My preferance is to by a Sony front projection unit that will give me a theater like 100" screen, watching DVD and HD sources.

 

[Dave E H]

I think that once you get a Mits calibrated, it's as good looking as the Pioneer. Every Pioneer Elite I've seen in stores (even when I could do them side by side) has looked just a touch bit better than the Mitsubishi, but neither were calibrated. Now that I've had my Mtis ISF'd, I think it's picture is about the best you'll find.

The decision came down to this - I could get a Mitsubishi + calibration for a lot less than a Pioneer Elite. Got the Mitsubishi.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Hey Dave, lol

Glad to hear that you got your Mitsubishi and that it is all set up. By the way nice choice on the Mitsu .
I do not think anyone could go wrong with ether Mitsubishi or Pioneer Elite RPTV. For myself my choice is a front projection unit, maybe a Sony with a built in line doubler and HD ready. If finances will not allow it or the location I am living in at the time does not allow for a front projection unit. I will buy the one that I get the best deal on. Properly tweeked ether set is capable of outstanding video quality.

Have fun with that Mitsubishi, Dave

 

[Dave E H]

I am! I do occassionally mention 'Front Projection' in my house, but that's immediately followed by "the stare" from the SO, at which point I drop the subject. I'm wearing her down...

 

[Gabriel_Lam]

Keep working on it Dave (E H)! The rest of us with FP's are rooting for you.

 

[Dave Moritz]

You need to take her to a good Home Theater specialty shop that can demo a front projection unit. Maybe that might get the point accross? In So. Cal there is a place called Audio Concepts in San Gabriel,CA and in Utah and some surrounding states there is a place called Ultimate Electronics. And if you have a freind with a front projection unit a few movie nights at there place may help, lol. Just keep workin on her and she may just come around to the idea ?

 

[Michael Hurst]

Dave, Ultimate Electronics in the Phoenix area is nothing more than slightly upscale BestBuys

 

[Jim FC]

That's pretty harsh. Ultimate Electronics is more along the lines of a Magnolia or a Tweeter store. There's Magnolias and Tweeters in California you could check out, and an Ultimate in Las Vegas as well as the couple in Phoenix. There's quite a gap in the quality of both product and service at places like these over stores such as BB. BB is good for CDs and DVDs, but if you're serious about home theater, go to a serious home theater store rather than the wal-mart of electronics.
Wow, I guess that was harsh, too.

 

[David Judah]

Ultimate Electronics in the Phoenix area is nothing more than slightly upscale BestBuys

Talk to one of the seasoned associates or go into one of their theater rooms with a Front projector, Martin Logan speakers, and Krell equipment, then please tell me if you feel the same way.

DJ

 

[Robert P. Jones]

I just calibrated another Elite yesterday, and my opinion is - and has been for quite some time - that Mit has the better looking pic. The de-interlacer/line doubler is better on the Pio, but for HD and progressive DVDP, the Mit has the better pic.

The HD esp. is more stable and has less "ringing" - you can get closer to the screen and have it surround you more, without seeing the instability evident on the Pioneer. Everything is just "busier" on the Elites.

The 9" guns on the 73" Mit carry the resolution effectively to the 73" size, which would be lost if they did it with the same 7" guns they use on the 65s and 55s. Otherwise the resolution is virtually ID to my eyes, one to the other, one's just bigger. This is after having calibrated many of each of them.

At 15' on a 55 or 65, of course, it won't matter whether you have the Mit or the Pio. They'll both look pretty much the same, structurewise.

But my customer, who was viewing his 53" Elite 510 at 10', now sits 8' away, is much more happy with the pic, now calibrated, than he was with it at 10' and uncalibrated, and has a markedly better and bigger pic to look at, and get his peripheral vision surrounded with. I view my fully calibrated 65" Panny - see my website below - at 8' away, and am in heaven.

Be sure in doing comparisons, to get up close and personal with the viewscreen. See how far back you have to stand, in whatever showroom you're in, before the artifacts go away.

Mr Bob

 

[Francesca]

I just set up my new Pioneer Elite 720. I have used it for DVD viewing and tv viewing from a standard direct tv receiver. I have not yet done any changes or calibration using a test CD. I have the set scheduled for a professional calibration with Greg Loewen in late July. I plan to install the new zeinth hdtv satellite receiver when they are released.

My first impression on the set fresh out of the box is the picture is great and with calibration I will see a perfect picture. I feel it was well worth the money. If you went with the Elite Series I believe IMHO you will be very happy with your decision.
Cheers,
Francesca

 

[Michael Hurst]

Talk to one of the seasoned associates or go into one of their theater rooms with a Front projector, Martin Logan speakers, and Krell equipment, then please tell me if you feel the same way.

I am sure that the Ultimate near you is good. I am not trying to be harsh just my experience with several local Ultimates.
I asked one associate in the HDTV dept if the new Mits 55311 had the red push fix. He told me that all the new Mits could now push red.
Another store, I auditioned the Martin Logans, which by the way I like, after the associate fiddeled with the 47 way switch they sounded like a pair of speakers 1/10th their price. I know the way properly set up Logans should sound, this was not even close. At least the associate said it was difficult to do A/B comparisons with their switch box and several hundred feet of cabeling.
Yet another store told me if I set all the settings to factory default my HDTV monitor will be ISF cal'ed. That's why we lock all the remotes up when we put the floor model out. Same associate pointed to the 57" Sony XBR and said, "isn't it ashame, Sony used to be the best". Clearly the set was broken because it would only produce about 4 shades of green.
I'm sorry David I still feel the same way about Ultimate in the Phoenix area. I would like to go to one where the gear is set up properly and the sales team has some training, they do sell some neat stuff. When I compare Ultimate to BestBuy maybe it was a little harsh, just make sure you do your homework first and know what you want. Ultimate does carry a large assortment of gear that tends to be a little more upscale.

 

[Jim FC]

At a place like that it's all about the salesperson you get, and it sounds like you've got a couple goobers... although asking anyone other than a TV tech about a "red push" and you're likely to get dumb stares wherever you go. I still think your chances of finding someone who knows what they're talking about at a store like that are way higher than at Best Buy.

actual best buy experience (liberally paraphrased):

Me: "What High-Definition TVs do you have?"
BB dude: "Well, high definition is kind of a fad, because you'll be able to buy a converter to make any of them look that good."
Me: (playing dumb now, and pointing to a TV obviously showing a DVD movie) "Is this high-definition?"
BB dude: "Yep."

To be fair, that was over a year ago, and I shop at BB all the time, often asking dumb questions to see what answers I get, and most are not nearly that bad. Just shows you can get bad information anywhere. Just yesterday a BB guy helped me track down "A Night at the Opera" on DVD-A when it wasn't where it was supposed to be. They are helpful, just not informed.