Best new 70" to 80" display

BTW, you can call Sharp to verify my info, or look at various you-tube shoot-outs with the Elite PROs where the Sharp rep acknowledges how the sets were designed.

Sony's largest and supposedly "best" is the 65" XBRhx929. As a long-time XBR guy, I was really hoping to like and buy it, but it left me totally unimpressed. Lots of blooming and arguably a step backward from Sony's NX line.

The PRO Elite 70 is a different animal, being a joint venture between Pioneer and Sharp. The combination of Sharp's adding yellow to the RGB pixels and Pioneer's processing and local area LED dimming (apx 6x the number of zones as the Sony) make this a pretty spectacular TV. The support is outstanding and the factory warranty is 2 years and 3 months. Although Pioneer is no longer in the TV business, this TV has been in joint development with Sharp for the past 2 1/2 years, finally out this September. The goal was to build the best TV on the planet, with Pioneer contributing lots of technology and processing power gleaned from its Kuro series.

Admittedly, this is an expensive TV and probably a bit overpriced in today's market. I've decided to go with the superior technology and larger screen, ordering my 70" Pro Elite this past weekend. I'm sure it will cost less in 6 months, just like everything else, but I don't want to wait. It is replacing a Sony 60" KDL-60A3000 SXRD TV in my living room and should be here in a week or so.

I would at least try to see this TV before making any decisions. I just found out about it a week ago!

That's not the way I heard it - Sharp already has 60", 70" and 80" under their own brand and their TV's are VASTLY different from the PRO ELITE 60" and 70". Regardless, there is both Pioneer and Sharp technology inside the ELITEs and the performance is amazing for an LCD/LED TV, IMO.

That's fine - and others have heard it as I have posted. Regardless, the point is that the Elite PROs are worth considering, or at least being used as a measuring stick against which to compare other LCD/LED TVs. Reviews have been outstanding so far.

SHarp had no interest in Pioneer's plasma technology.
I think this will be very informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMwyivGhyG0&feature=related

Put 1 link up already. Here is another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl0dlZfGvXg&feature=related

To my eyes, there was no comparison between the Elite and the Mits. Different technologies and different types of pictures. My preference was the Elite.

Mribob- the 80" Sharp you looked at was NOT a Pro Elite, since Elite only makes a 60 and 70. What you were looking at was just a regular Sharp TV - just to be clear.

The Pro-Elite 70" arrived yesterday. WOW!! Lots of adjustments possible to really tweak whatever kind of picture you want. Very bright, but that is easily adjusted, and nice to have it there when/if I need it. Out of the box, has a similar picture to my 46" Sony XBR-4, only bigger and more detailed. So far the TV is exactly what I'd hoped it would be. I'll probably try 3-d over the weekend.

Thanks - I appreciate it.

TV watching has just become a much more "immersive" event - you really feel like you're "right there". Movies are like going to a movie theater. I wouldn't have thought this possible with a mere TV, until now. I can see why they get serious coin for these sets - no regrets, so far...