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more about #pioneer more comments → Nick: The 5 Best TVs I Can't Buy /fixed more » OMG! Ponies!: All I want is a nice 54" plasma hanging on the wall. more » Bokusatsu_Tenshi: Can anyone translate those to english please? Like, how long to burn a blu-ray in 8x and 12x? I want one of those, but still waiting for the prices ... more » G.O.D.: Will anyone ever need to burn a blue ray. I back up on external HD's that are much cheaper. I stream all my HD movies from my Media center. Isn't t... more » Perk-i: Am I the only one that's tired of the nX speeds on optical drives. Twelve times WHAT? A 12x Blu-ray drive must be slower than my old 52x CD-Rom driv... more » HAZman27: Now, I'm no engineer, but I'm pretty sure 12x is equivalent to 1.5 * the speed of an 8x drive. Calling that a slight increase is like saying that som... more » TheWerewolf - Sotto voce: Two problems: The cost of the burners (which still are over $200) and the cost/availability of the media (ie: high and rare). When you can get a DVD... more » G.O.B.: Come on!: 12x Bag of hurt. more » GiacomoCormorant: Blu-Ray backups dude! more » andrelix: I really struggle with the speeds of Blu-ray and DVD burners. It seems like I have had nothing but problems with all DVD's I burn at high rates of sp... more » -
#tvs
The 5 Best TVs You Can Buy
We've teamed up with the HD Guru himself, Gary Merson, to publish the absolute best five TVs you can buy right now. As you'll see (and might already notice above), there are some surprises on the list. More » -
#nowavailable
Now Available
D-Link's Jack of all trades router is out today, along with a Pioneer professional Blu-ray player. It's less pricey than some other high end players, but still way too expensive. More » -
#bluray
Pioneer Churns Out the World's First 12x Blu-ray Burner
The BDR-205 is pretty much like any other mainstream 5.25-inch internal Blu-ray writer, in terms of looks and features, except for the fact that it, get this, spins slightly faster than the current crop of 8x writers. Slightly! More » -
#music
Pioneer CDJ-2000 Lets You Mix With the Help of a Big, Beautiful LCD Screen
The Pioneer CDJ-1000 CD Turntable was revolutionary when it launched because it was among the first devices to mimic vinyl turntables without the vinyl. Now, upgraded and equipped with a huge, 6.1-inch screen, the CDJ-2000 wants to up the ante. More » -
#ipoddocks
Pioneer's iPod Dock Speakers Can Also Stream Music via Bluetooth
Yeah, iPod speaker docks are a dime-a-dozen, but Pioneer's new XW-NAS3 and XW-NAS5 seem a little better than most. The 2.1 speakers have a digital amp, built-in downfiring subwoofer, and an optional Bluetooth adapter lets them stream music wirelessly. More » -
#hometheater
Pioneer Project ET Hands On: The Ultimate Networked Media Box
We're still wrapping our heads around Pioneer's Project ET. It's sort of every piece of media squeezed into one set-top box—with masterful execution. More » -
#hdtv
Panasonic TC-P54V10 Reviewed: Worthy Successor to Pioneer Kuro
When the lauded Pioneer Kuro plasmas went off-air in May, many mourned the loss of what was arguably one of the world's best HDTVs. With the launch of the Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, however, a worthy successor has apparently emerged. More » -
#wimax
Pioneer WiMax In-Car PMP Streams Audio, Video From Your Home Server
As inadvertently proved in our uncapped tests, one of the great promises of WiMax is streaming media, everywhere. That's exactly what Pioneer's forthcoming PMP is for. More » -
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#imageoftheday
Spotted: The Last of the Endangered Kuro Elite Plasmas?
What have we here? Why, a fresh shipment of what is, after Pioneer's exit from the TV business, now among the most valuable retail inventory around—the sole remaining Pioneer Kuro plasma TVs. More » -
#pioneer
Pioneer's Kuro Plasma, the World's Greatest TV, Dies in May
Pioneer will end the Kuro plasma's storied life in May with a final run of 2,500 50-inch models (RP-500A and KRP-500M) and 500 60-inchers. These are sure to be super-pricey nerd collector's items. [CrunchGear] -
#pioneer
Pioneer Laying Off 10,000
After canceling some of the world's best TVs, Pioneer announced they're laying off 10,000 workers. They're citing the reason as the trapdoor floor in the market for car stereo and TVs. [NYT] -
#pioneer
Pioneer Officially Quits Making TVs
The rumors were true: Pioneer is quitting the TV business, and will "withdraw completely" from displays by March 2010. So you've got a little bit of time to pick up a killer plasma. [NYT] -
#plasma
Vizio Drops Out of Plasma TVs
In what may well be related incidents, Vizio has joined Pioneer in backing out of the plasma business. -
#pioneer
Pioneer Exits TV Business, No More Sweet Plasmas
Our favorite plasma maker and TV tech innovator is exiting the TV business for good, says HD Guru.
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#ces2009
The New World's Thinnest Plasma: Panasonic NeoPDP
By Panasonic, this plasma justinchesmillimeters out Pioneer's 9mm previous best. It's 1/3 of an inch thick on the dot and it uses 33% power than veteran Panasonic plasma tech. Bonus shot: More » -
#ces2009
Pioneer's Low-Priced A/V Receivers Have Full Digital iPod/iPhone Connectivity
Normally I don't get excited about receivers, but Pioneer's new line, starting at $300, have an iPod Digital USB connection that goes beyond plug-and-play access to deliver audio digitally—including DRM content—for super sweet sound quality. More » -
#ces2009
Pioneer Drops Below $300 with BD-Live Blu-ray Player; Crazy Vid Tweaks on Step-Up Models
Pioneer has three BD-Live Blu-ray players out in April, the BDP-120 hits under $300, but the step-up BDP-320 and Elite BDP-23FD actually sense the TV you're watching and tweak video output for max awesomeness. More » -
#bluray
New 400GB Optical Disc Readable in Blu-Ray Players, Pioneer Says
If true, I love this: According to Pioneer, this 16-layer 400GB optical disc can be read in any normal Blu-ray player. And it's only the beginning, because they have planned 1TB for 2013. -
#pioneer
Pioneer Inno XMP3: Portable Satellite Radio that Totally Doesn't Suck
CNET got their hands on Pioneer's new Inno XMP3 portable satellite radio receiver/mp3 player, and found it to be at the top of the heap in its category. Reception isn't stellar, but is significantly better than previous portable receivers, and sound quality and the player's GUI are both excellent. Internal memory is pretty scant, but the MicroSDHC slot takes care of that, and the player has easy-to-use and efficient recording and scheduling capabilities. If you're an XM subscriber who wants satellite radio on the go, the $279 Inno seems like a solid choice. [CNET] -
#laservue
Mitsubishi LaserVue vs. Pioneer Kuro Plasma: The High-End Throwdown
The dudes over at The Tech Lounge sat down for a real-world—not canned—comparison of Mitsubishi's cutting-edge, 65-inch LaserVue HDTV with the current reigning champ, Pioneer's 60-inch Kuro plasma set. Does Mitsubishi's fancy new tech really make for a better high-def experience? The tests show, at the very least, that the LaserVue can certainly hold its own against maybe the best HDTV in the world: "You're not going to find a set that is capable of displaying colors quite like this one." More » -
#ibex
Nasa IBEX Probe to Go Where Only Voyager Has Gone Before
On October 19, NASA will launch the IBEX, or Interstellar Boundary Explorer, into a 130 mile earth orbit to begin mapping the very edge of our solar system. This region of space, also known by the kick ass scientific name "termination shock," is rife with mystery. Only the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft have ventured there, but they weren't armed with the right kind of tech to adequately catalog what's going on at the point where our solar system meets outer space. IBEX is, and from its orbit around our planet it will beam back some of the first detailed measurements of the region. More » -
#ceatec2008
Pioneer 3D Floating Vision: Half Wii, Half Surface, All 3D
Pioneer showed off their new Floating Vision technology at CEATEC this year. It's a system of layers: first, an LCD with built-in computer, then an array of 3D lenses, and finally the "space sensor," or virtual screen, where you can wave your fingers around and watch the 3D animations react accordingly. But the space sensor can also distinguish between and interact with different objects, like the Microsoft Surface: hold your phone under a falling object, say, and it'll appear on your phone's screen with a coupon for that item. Second video after the jump. More » -
#xm
XM's XMp3 Player: Latest DOA Attempt At a Satellite iPod
Having seen—and tested—the earlier evolutions of satellite radio receiver, from dashboard model to in-home unit to hip-connected recorder/player, I've felt like I'm judging contestants in the Special Olympics: The radio service is fine, but the gadgets aren't really expected to measure up to other contenders in the same field. XM's latest, the XMp3, is impressive in that it records five channels at once and records your most popular stations automatically. But it needs this functionality to make up for the fact that it depends on spotty satellite reception for content. More » -
#blackasnight
New Pioneer 50-inch, 60-inch Plasma TVs Show Off Deep, Deep Blacks
Pioneer introduced two new plasma TVs with panels designed for incredibly deep blacks at an industry event in Tokyo. Are these the same Kuro gen 2 panels that are currently shipping in the US? Or are they the even better ones we saw in prototype form at CES? The guys at Akihabara News were able to check out the company's new 60-inch and 50-inch sets at Tokyo's Miyako Hotel. Pioneer said that the black levels were five times deeper than its previous KURO panels. How black? When you turn out the lights, you can't tell where the TV ends and the rest of the room begins. More » -
#th65vx100u
Panasonic's 65VX100U Premiere Kuro-Killing Plasma Reviewed (Verdict: Best Flat Panel to Date)
Just yesterday we got our first taste of Panasonic's new TH-65VX100U plasma technology, which features specs that meet or exceed Pioneer's Kuro. Our initial impressions were extremely positive, but Gary at HD Guru managed to get his hands on an early production sample for a closer look, and he too was impressed. In fact, he called it the "new king of flat panels." More » -
#cedia2008
Panasonic 65VX100U Premiere Plasma Is a Kuro Killer?
Tonight in Denver, Panasonic revealed its newest plasma technology, the 65" custom-install-only VX100 monitor, whose specs meet or beat Pioneer's hallowed Kuro. That means 60,000:1 contrast ratio with 7,160 shades of gradation for visible detail in the darker shadows. At 65 inches, you will pay $10,000 a panel, but not to worry: Panasonic will roll out a 50 incher soon, which is sure to be (a teeny tiny tad) cheaper. We sat in a dark room and got to compare the VX100 with its predecessor, the 65PF. Though the results in the room were startlingly vivid, you can get a sense of what's going on here in our still shots:If you're really crazy about TV technology, jump for a second gallery of slides from the presentation—but, as they say on MythBusters, there's some "science content" ahead, so put the drink down and focus... More » -
#cedia2008
Sony's $2000 BDP-S5000ES Flagship Blu-ray Player: Stuck Between Pioneer and a PS3
Sony is trying to bargain with potential buyers of Pioneer's $2,200 BDP-09FD: For $200 less, you can get yourself the BDP-S5000ES. Meanwhile, it's equally intended to regain the love of all those home-theater enthusiasts who bee-lined it for the PS3 (rather than a dedicated BD player) because of its networking and speed. More » -
#hometheater
Pioneer Sneaks Out $2200 Elite BDP-09FD; First Blu-ray Player That Crushes the PS3
Last May Pioneer told us that autumn would bring a "super duper" Blu-ray player—the most powerful Blu-ray player ever built. It makes up for the current crop, which are lower in price but are missing key features like BD-Live for internet-based content. Well, not a leaf has fallen off a tree, yet here it is already, the $2,200 Elite BDP-09FD. Feature-wise, the best Blu-ray player on the market has been the PS3—turns out, an extra $1,700 will buy you something that kills Sony's game console as far as Blu-ray and other media are concerned. More » -
#toolchests
We Dare You To Find A More Badass Tool Chest
This isn't the tool box you'd likely see at your local garage right now. No, this is straight out of a gearhead's rock n' roll fantasy: A huge tool chest that also comes with an integrated Pioneer sound system and beer fridge. Top that off with self-illumination and built-in power strip and you've got almost everything you'd need. Except tools. At $1600 it's something you might actually start seeing in hobbyist garages soon. I know my stepdad's going to want one. [Kobalt tools via Uncrate] -
#hdtv
Wait to Buy! HDTVs About To Get Even Cheaper
Wait on buying your TV. Fresh off a round of price-cuts barely two months old, Mitsubishi, Sharp, Panasonic and Samsung will drop prices on their sets by as much as $400 in the coming weeks. More » -
#blurayrecorders
Pioneer Going Blu-ray For Set-Top Recorders
Blu-ray set-top players are expected to be hot sellers this upcoming holiday season, but you might want to hold off until early next year when Pioneer and Sharp team up to bring Blu-ray recorders to living rooms in America. The partnership is hardly surprising—Sharp is part owner of Pioneer—and the recorders will launch in Japan this year and be shipped overseas next, with Europe and America likely being the first markets to get them. No word if they'll use those awesome new ultra-high-capacity disks we mentioned earlier, but not likely for this consumer-focused line. [Reuters] -
#besttvever
Pioneer Gen 2 Kuro Elite PRO-111FD Plasma Reviewed: New King of TVs, If You Got the Ransom
Last week we saw Panasonic's latest 50-inch TH-50PZ850U posing a serious challenge to the long-enshrined King of All TVs, the Pioneer Kuro plasma. But now our buddy Gary at HD Guru put the all-new second-gen Kuro 50-incher, the Kuro Elite PRO-111FD, up against the potential throne-usurping Panasonic 850. The verdict? As we predicted, the Kuro is once again "best TV ever," says Gary.
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#bluray
Pioneer Pushes Blu-ray Discs to 16 Layers, 400GB Capacity
Just last month we were reporting 42GB research DVD technology, but Panasonic's scientists have blown that figure out of the water with a 400GB optical disc. The trick's been done by making a 16-layer deep Blu-ray disc, and a player with sufficiently clever optics that it can pick up the light scattered by all those layers. The player is also compatible with standard Blu-ray, and for now it's limited to playback only, designed to demonstrate the technology. But apparently in the future you'll be able to burn 400GB Blu-ray discs, which is mind boggling. [Impress] -
#plasma
Panasonic THX Display Certified Viera TH-50PZ800U New King of Plasmas (for Now)
After months of reigning as the best TVs on the planet, Pioneer's Kuro is finally challenged for the throne by Panasonic's THX Display-certified Viera TH-50PZ800U. It's the THX mode that gives it the edge, with its superior color accuracy and uniformity making it "one of the best-performing plasmas" Cnet has tested, even though the blacks (while very good) still aren't at Kuro level. And of course, this isn't compared to the new super-thin, super-black Kuros rolling out later this year. So enjoy the crown while you've got it, Panny. [Cnet] -
#homeentertainment
Pioneer Kuro 2008 First Impressions: New Thin Plasma and Projector Beat All
Today we took a look at the Kuro 2G plasma compared to the 1G and others. We also had a look at the JVC-made projector that Pioneer is branding Kuro Elite. The hype—if not the price—seems totally worth it. But instead of trying to tell you how much I enjoyed the display of in-yer-face contrast comparison, take a look at the pics I snapped. I marked some with shutter speeds, so you can get a better sense of what we saw. More images of the thinnest Elite plasma monitor and a look at the projector after the jump.
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#homeentertainment
Pioneer Elite SC-07 and SC-05 Flagship Receivers (Plus the VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH)
Pioneer's got new Elite 7.1 receivers, the high end SC-07 and SC-05, and the lesser VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH. The SC-07 has a Burr Brown Sampling Rate Converter (SRC) to upscale audio to 192 kHz 24-bit res, and dual HDMI outputs for multiroom output. The SC-07 and SC-05 also work with Pioneer's new Blu-ray player to activate the "Precision Quartz Locking System (PQLS) that synchronizes data between the Blu-ray Disc player and the receiver, providing listeners with the ultimate precision in CD playback." I kid you not, Pioneer is working on making CDs the yesterday technology of tomorrow! All four receivers do new lossless formats ("DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus" ) and room tuning. More » -
#bluray
Pioneer Confirms BDP-51FD and Elite BDP-05FD Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players; "Super-Duper" BD-Live Player Coming This Fall
When the other Blu-ray heavies Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are in various stages of introducing Ethernet-equipped BD-Live players (aka BD Profile 2.0), Pioneer comes out with two players, the $600 BDP-51FD and the $800 Elite BDP-05FD, that meet just the 1.1 spec, for picture-in-picture BonusView content. We heard about it via a reliable leak, but now we've got models, pricing and another interesting confirmation: Pioneer's Blu-ray marketing manager Chris Walker tells us that the company will launch a BD-Live player, in fact, a "super-duper flagship-status piece," this fall. More » -
#homeentertainment
Pioneer's 2008 Kuro Line: Thinner Blacker Plasmas and an LCOS Projector But No LCDs
Today Pioneer is revealing its official 2008 Kuro TV lineup for the US. As we expected from European announcements, it includes second-generation Kuro plasmas—thinner, with five-times-deeper black levels than the first critically acclaimed Kuro plasma—and a Kuro-branded LCOS projector originally developed by JVC. What's missing here are the smaller-sized Kuro LCDs that Pioneer is offering European flat-panel shoppers. Here's the full product rundown, plus the reason for the missing LCD piece of the puzzle:
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