Gizmodo 
Enter your username and password.
-
more about #pioneer Zanzan42: And yet no mention of Mirasol displays: [www.mirasoldisplays.com] I also find it interesting that HP appears to be describing a display practically ... more » SigmundTheSeaMonster: But..plasma isn't green! (power hungry, heavy, expensive, ...) Yet, watching a movie on a 103", $77K screen was...amazing. more » masonsturtle: What's the difference between a 600Hz Plasma and a 60Hz LCD? more » TheRiseOfRoy: i work at CompUSA. we have better deals than that by far. more » paulrules: 600Hz? MINE! more » Tom Trelvik: Granted, it's hard to see except on a very white screen, but the "USA HD" watermark is definitely burned into my 50" Panasonic that I bought in Februa... more » Michai: I picked up a 40" Sony Bravia S-series for $598, and I love it. There is a slight trail but hardly noticeable, you have to really try to look for it.... more » d1zzle: Er...I usually burn my plasmas in with a propane torch...am I doing it wrong? more » appletoad: is running iPhone OS 4.0 beta: With the amount of Xbox that is played at my place, we went with a 52" Sharp Aquos LCD to be safe. For the bedroom though, I wouldn't settle for anyth... more » izzledizzle28: calling it a non issue is ridiculous... granted i bought a budget 32" vizio that probably doesn't have all the stuff the new TV's do, i get a decent a... more » otus: Wow, his "Trials" involved looking at one image then changing it to see a faint ghost? I can tell you seriously, that my 42" plasma upstairs has horr... more » safeway: There is definitely a plasma burn-in issue. After 24 hours of displaying his Windows XP desktop, my friend's Samsung plasma retained the icons and th... more » PurpleMonkeyDishwasher:: This is a great post. I'm currently in the process of looking at a new TV and the recent posts about the best HDTV's along with posts like this one re... more » Hank Scorpio: I don't know about current generation models, but our first HDTV was a plasma (this was about 4 years ago), and after less than a year it was definite... more » urch: I can see faint sidebar burn-in on a pale image, say a pale sky or something, but the picture on my per-Kuro Pioneer Elite crushes any LCD I've ever s... more » Thorax707: "Plasma burn-in" ... that phrase has a very high pew pew factor. more » aniteshj: I as a best buy employee (I know eh!!) actually told people to shove it and told them the images we run on these plasmas have no effect and to prove i... more » SirDrinksalot: From my experience he's absolutely correct about the 4:3 burn in. I did this with my cheapo Plasma when I first got it. Initially I let the TV user ... more » alpay001: I still do an initial 12 hour burn-in using JscreenFix... it basically hits every pixel with a different color at different shades. looks like psyched... more » Serolf Divad: This is good to hear and will help me overcome my dread of watching 4:3 movies on my plasma. Yojimbo on the plasma tonite, baby... TONITE! 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 » -
#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 » -
#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 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.
More »
-
#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 » -
-
#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 » -
#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 » -
#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.
More »
-
#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.
More »
-
#gizexplains
Giz Explains: Plasma TV Basics
In this week's Giz Explains—if you haven't noticed, it's a weekly series that breaks down a sticky piece of tech into something more digestible for people whose bellies aren't quite made of nerd steel—we're looking at plasma TVs. Plasma. It just sounds sci-fi.
More »
-
#kuro
Confirmed: Panasonic and Pioneer Teaming Up for Plasma Panels
When Pioneer announced it was going to stop making its own plasma panels and outsource them to another company, informed speculation was that they were buddying up with Panasonic. A press conference earlier today confirmed that's the case, and Kuro will use the same Neo PDP panels that are going into Panasonic's Viera plasma sets. More » -
#kuro
Pioneer Giving Kuro Brand to LCD TVs and LCOS Projectors
Pigs officially fly today: Plasma king Pioneer has announced their LCD lineup for Europe, and yep, they're getting the coveted Kuro distinction (equivalent to a "best TV on earth" badge) as is the already released KRF-9000FD LCOS projector. The 1080p LCD sets are on the smaller side (leaving big boy TVs to plasma) in 32, 37 and 46-inch sizes, with a 100hz frame mode and a "specially tuned" picture quality. But do they live up to Kuro? UPDATE: Apparently not, since the Pioneer US gang will not be announcing any LCDs at this time, though it will soon reveal what we assume will be gen-2 Kuro plasma for the US. Pioneer declined to comment on the projector, so it still may come here with the Kuro brand. More » -
#kuro
Pigs Fly and Pioneer Making LCDs
In case you missed it, part of the news about Pioneer's radical restructuring includes this shocker: The Kings of Plasma are about to start making Pioneer-branded and (maybe even) Kuro-branded LCD displays using Sharp's panels. Boom!
More »
-
#kuro
How Pioneer Is Keeping World's Best TV Secret Sauce (Mostly) Secret
Pioneer's Kuro plasma sets are the best TVs on the market, right now, bar none. So it was a little disconcerting to hear that they're officially quitting plasma panel production and outsourcing it. We just talked with Russ Johnston, Pioneer's Executive VP of Marketing and Product Planning for Home Entertainment about the future of Pioneer's plasma business, in particular, Kuro. Good news, plasma theater diehards: Kuro is going nowhere, and they're keeping (most) of its magic to themselves. How?
More »
-
#pioneer
Pioneer Officially Quits Making Plasma Panels
Read it and weep, Pioneer is done making plasma panels: However, we have judged that maintaining the cost competitiveness of plasma display panels at projected sales volumes will be difficult going forward. Accordingly, we have decided to terminate in-house plasma display panel production and to procure these panels externally, after panel production for our next series of models is complete...Pioneer is currently in discussions on the feasibility of procuring panel modules that may incorporate the Company's proprietary technologies.
Translation: Kuro's not going anywhere. More » -
#homeentertainment
Pioneer Will Give Kuro Secret Sauce to Panasonic, Says Nikkei
According to a new Nikkei report, Pioneer is going to cease plasma production, as we suspected, but will not just become a passive buyer of Panasonic's plasma technology. Instead, it will combine forces with Panasonic (aka Matsushita) to make sure that the hot Kuro line doesn't fall in quality. At the same time, Panasonic benefits even more, getting all that sexy intellectual property to make ultra-black panels. The two firms are expected to combine their strengths to develop low-cost, high-quality panels. Plasma TVs based on a jointly developed panel will likely be added to their individual product lineups as early as 2009. Some Pioneer engineers may be transferred to Matsushita in the process.
[Nikkei (Subscription required)] -
#rumor
Reuters: Pioneer Ending ALL Plasma Production, Will Outsource Panels to Panasonic
About a week ago it was confirmed that Pioneer was killing off its 42-inch plasmas to focus on sets bigger than 50 inches. Now Japan's Nikkei and Reuters are reporting that they're going to cease making plasma panels entirely, and will buy them from Matsushita (Panasonic). This follows a similar consolidation trend in the LCD market. But none of them went from putting out the best TVs in the world to effectively buying their heart and soul from their fiercest rival, either, which makes this a bit more shocking. [Reuters] -
#industry
Pioneer to End 42-Inch Plasma Display Production
Pioneer is ending its production of 42-inch plasma displays, as the company hopes to focus all its attention on producing 50-inch models instead. Specifically, Pioneer will be closing the Kagoshima plant in Japan by March 2009, when it will then be put up for sale. So, if you're interested in a factory producing 42-inch displays, you're in luck. Pioneer will continue selling the smaller units, but will purchase parts from Hitachi to meet the demand for sub 50-inch plasmas. [Reuters] -
#rumor
Pioneer Killing Off 42-Inch Plasmas
Sound & Vision has word that Pioneer is going to stop making plasma sets that only size up to the lowly 42-inch mark. Specifically, the intel comes from one of Pioneer's dealer district sales managers, but Pioneer's total non-denial—that everything is still being considered—indicates there might be a bite of truth to this. Speculation is the 42-incher space will be filled by LCD, 'specially since Sharp now owns a decent-sized chunk of Pioneer. Besides, it makes good business sense: If you got the coin to toss at one of their Kuro plasma sets, would you even glance at anything under 50 inches? [Sound & Vision] -
#ces2008
Pioneer Loves Sizemodo
Pioneer compared an iPhone to their 9mm Kuro Plasma. They must be Gizmodo fans. [Pioneer Vid] -
#homeentertainment
The Biggest Losers: JVC, Sharp, Hitachi and Pioneer Battle for the Super-Slimmest TV
UPDATE: LG just dropped a 1.7-inch thin LCD too. Loser! JVC announced it's "the world's thinnest LCD" at 1.5-inches thick (2.9-inches at the center). Pioneer has been bragging about its "world's thinnest plasma" coming in at a mere .35 inches (9mm!). Hitachi, meanwhile, has a .75-inch LCD and a 1.5-inch plasma on the way—the "centerpiece" of its showcase at CES. And we're expecting Sharp to move its .75-inch LCD out of the experimental phase and into production as well. Thin is in at CES this year. JVC supplies a good explanation on how they slimmed-down after the jump.
More »
-
#besttvever
Best Plasma Ever vs. Best LCD Ever (Verdict: Plasma Wins)
Sound and Vision took took the best Plasma TV they could find (Pioneer Elite PRO-110FD Kuro) and the best LCD TV they could find (Samsung LN-T5281F), and threw them against each other in a carefully calibrated match. The winner, which we've actually seen before as the best flat panel ever, was the Pioneer Elite. Not only is it the best flat panel ever, thanks to improvements in both display techs, it's now actually the best TV ever. Period.
More »
-
#homeentertainment
Pioneer's Not-1080p Project Kuro Plasmas For Sale
As they said they would, Pioneer has made their lower res, 1365 by 768 and 1024 by 768 res, 16,000:1 contrast ratio, Project Kuro Plasmas available for sale before July was up. The 1080p models, with the 20,000:1 ratios, 1080p pixel count, and 50 and 60 inch sizes, are coming in September. Until then, these are good enough if you don't mind losing pixels and picking up squid-ink blackness. (And paying the typical Pioneer plasma premium.) For more info on Project Kuro plasmas, see our previous coverage. [Pioneer] -
#exclusive
Pricing and Details of Pioneer's New Plasmas
To recap the news that leaked out of Europe yesterday, Pioneer is rolling out its 8th-generation plasmas, TVs whose black levels are 80% deeper than Pioneer's previous TVs. The end result is a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, and three times as many gradient steps. That means, in dark movie scenes, you'll see be able to see the action but also appreciate the depth of the shadows. Best of all, Pioneer says that because of the way the technology works, there's no sacrifice in panel brightness. More » -
#lcdkiller
Uh Oh LCD: Pioneer's 8th Gen Plasma HDTVs Blacker at 20,000:1
Pioneer Europe just unveiled details on their 8th generation Plasma tech 24 hours before the US event. This is something we heard about at CES, and that HDTV lovers can get riled up about. (Go ahead, woot out loud, it makes sense this time.)
More »
-
#battlemodo
Our HDTV Cage Match Between Sharp's Aquos LCD and Pioneer's Elite Plasma
You might have noticed, but the Giz gang and I are starting to do head-to-head comparisons of gear inspired by all those Macho Man vs. Ultimate Warrior matches we grew up with. Here's my offering: Big, beautiful, flat panels, faced off, side by side.
More »
-
#homeentertainment
Best HDTV Set Ever: CNet Declares the Pioneer PRO-FHD1 the King of Plasma...Kinda
The Pioneer Pro-FHD1 is simply the most stunning TV CNet has ever sweet talked into their labs. The 50-inch 1080p gets praise for: More » -
#homeentertainment
Westinghouse Declares LCD the Winner: Is It Right?
In a rather candid interview with CNET, Douglas Woo, the president of Westinghouse Digital, said that LCD (as opposed to plasma, DLP, etc.) is "probably unstoppable." And obvious move from who's livelyhood comes from shilling LCDs. His reasons are somewhat fresh, though. The main reason for LCD's success, he contends, is that because engineers have been working on the technology since they were merely PC monitors, the tech is nice and mature. More » -
#homeentertainment
Dealzmodo: Pioneer 2-for-1 Sale on 50-Inch Plasmas
Insane. Buy one 50-inch 1080p plasma, get a 1365 x 768 50-inch plasma for free. More » -
#homeentertainment
Top TVs So Far: LCD Up Top, Plasmagasm Coming
Samsung Super High Contrast LCD TV: This one's got the best picture we've seen, with absolute blackness overcoming what was once an inherent weakness of LCDs. That 100,000:1 contrast ratio claim might not be far from the truth. Look for this in 2008. More » -
#homeentertainment
Pioneer Plasma Display Technology Boasts "Immeasurable" Contrast Ratios
Pioneer has overhauled their plasma display technology by recreating and re-engineering the panel, color filter and ASIC video processor in the plasma. The new technology will provide deeper blacks, richer color and better contrast. So good, in fact, that Pioneer says it cannot be measured. Hmm.... More » -
#homeentertainment
Pioneer PDP-5000EX: Plasma Display with 20,000:1 Contrast Ratio
Pioneer stalls the decline of plasma display technology's popularity for a while longer with its 60-inch PDP-5000EX plasma TV that the company says cranks out a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. Take a look at the photo above, and you can plainly see that the higher contrast ratio of the set on the left gives you a better view into the blacks than you get with the conventional Pioneer plasma set on the right. More » -
#homeentertainment
CEDIA 2006: Pioneer's Plasmas Have Built-In Networking, Streams Video From Your PC
Pioneer's three announced Elite PureVision plasma TVs not only have a redesigned glass and a First Surface PRO Color Filter, it's got the Home Media Gallery home networking feature that we saw earlier. The 42-inch PRO-940HD, 50-inch PRO1140HD, and 60-inch PRO-1540HD all have improved brightness and, efficiency and contrast—as if they'd have worse brightness, efficiency and contrast? More »
