Price Paid:  $5000.00

Summary:
I would not buy a Pioneer product again as the sets appear to be poorly made. Further, our Fort Worth Pioneer dealer, Marvin Electronics, did not fully repair the set while in warranty and charged an unreasonable amount to do very little. Avoid the Pioneer unless you have more money than brains.

Strengths:
Great sound and picture when it works.

Weaknesses:
In two and one half years, this TV has gone out twice. It is very expensive to repair. Marvin Electronics who sold the set to us charged $636 to troubleshoot the problem and solder one connection. The repairman said these sets frequently have loose connections and this problem will likely happen again.

Summary:
Took delivery December 1997. To this day we have yet to see a non-HDTV set that tops the Pioneer's crisp detail, awesome color, and perfect contrast/brightness uniformity (DVD source).

Strengths:
Many screen size options including auto-select. The most perfect NTSC RPTV picture!

Weaknesses:
Needs service to correct a horizontal scan-rate problem in 4:3 mode. Not HDTV compatible.

Similar Products Used:
Toshiba Theater-wide and Cinema Series.

Summary:
I have had a Pioneer Pro-1009W for a while now, and I must say that it still puts out a great picture. I have thought about upgrading to the newer models such as the Pro-700HD or the Runco rear projection, but after looking at the newer models, the picture quality hasn't changed. I have yet to see a rear projection that produces a picture as great as this set does, for the price. Runco makes a rear projection that puts out a nice picture, but I can't see the difference between the two. Faroudja makes a new rear projection that I think has a little bit better picture, however, it's thousands more for the Faroudja.Anyway, great set!