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Pioneer Gets Off the Plasma Bus — Your Thoughts?

Posted Fri Mar 7, 2008, 2:23 PM ET

Today Pioneer announced that it would stop manufacturing plasma panels. The company will continue marketing plasmas, probably using panels made by Panasonic. So maybe this isn't exactly the end of an era for the fabulous Kuro plasma line. Still, the news sent a chill through Kuro fans. Do you own a Pioneer Kuro? If so, what do you think of it? And while we're at it, which do you like better in general—plasma or LCD?

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Reader Comments 

Posted Fri Mar 7, 2008, 3:37 PM — By Lupin3

There have been so many headlines about Pio's supposed "exit" from PDP "manufacture" it's hard to keep up. But haven't the rumors of Pio's demise been, well, somewhat exaggerated? Panel manufacture is one thing, unit assembly is another; but why do we hear so little about R&D? Pio has made tremendous investments in PDP tech, and seem just on the cusp of market breakthroughs in terms of black level (approaching 0) and brightness (with 10 lumen tech). It seems clear that, rather than any technological road-blocks, Pio's decision is dictated by market forces. Having found it impossible to establish a profitable luxury brand in this market, is it not possible that Pio has simply found a way to decrease overhead by outsourcing panel manufacture? If so, and if Pio continues with R&D, an arrangement with Panny makes a lot of sense: Panny gets access to some of Pio's patents, and in return Pio can sell competitively priced PDPs while still increasing their margins.

Posted Fri Mar 7, 2008, 3:48 PM — By Mohammad Kahhaleh

Sad news I must say;; Knowing Kuro technology by all standard had beaten all competitors. and this news bring now a question mark on the future of pioneer as the leading company in the best plasma TVs...these days I did actually a fair study on the market to upgrade my old RPTV, my eyes are on Kuro, it is indeed the best in the market now... but with this update news, is it wise to gear on to Panasonic new 65" ?? does this news about Kuro means it's not wise to buy now a technology that is taking a major turn in it's future? I wish someone will shed a light on the right thing to do for someone who is about to be a new member of Kuro family

Posted Fri Mar 7, 2008, 6:26 PM — By david budo

i really don't like the way the home theater business is going. first blu ray wins the format war(not by making the better product) and now pioneer is now ending their in house production of panels. i pray to the home theater gods that using panny panels, they'll still be able to create pieces of art like my pro-150fd. maybe panny will make a tv with blacks that aren't light grey!

Posted Sat Mar 8, 2008, 11:51 AM — By Brad B

Truly tragic! I own two Pioneer pieces, one and Elite and the other just "plain Pioneer" and I will put the latter up against ANY non Elite plasma on the market. While I realize much of the end-product is more than just the panel, I can't help but make the anaolgy to loudspeakers. The panel IS what you see, much as the drivers ARE what you listen to in a loudspeaker. My fear is that Pioneer plasmas wind up looking the like the 37" Panasonic product that has been relegated to my kids' PS3 - just good and not WOW!

Posted Sat Mar 8, 2008, 12:59 PM — By Traveler

Disapointing. More evedence, as if needed, that the great bulk of consumers don't really care about quality.

Posted Sat Mar 8, 2008, 6:02 PM — By Rob W.

Glad to hear that Pioneer will continue to market their plasmas.I had seen the "rumor" stories earlier this week 3 days after I purchased a KURO PDP 4280 for a relative, to get her "up to speed" in the world of HD. In doing the research for her plasma,I convinced myself to get one of their newest Kuros when they come out. I'll pay a bit more for good products, they are truly awesome looking displays.Figures.. when I decided to upgrade from my Sony XBR3 that this comes out. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the NEW KURO does indeed see the light of day. I'm just curious how long this curr I feel that Pioneers lacking sales were due to the general publics lack of knowledge about HD and not fully understanding the technology behind it all, and buying according to others opinions instead of finding out for ones own self. This is from first hand experiences I've had. I already own Pioneer and Pioneer Elite products and am sure will own a Kuro when the time comes, ho

Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 11:45 AM — By jacada45

I recently purchsed the 50 inch Pro Elite Kuro and Elite bdp-95 BluRay player because the 1080p movies were awsome. The experience was not unlike the experience of hearing music through Mac tube equipment and Bozac Concert Grands many years ago. I am conerned that Pioneer's decision may forcast a lack of support for plasma tecnology. I hope not because I prefer it to LCD for the viewing I prefer. My friends with LCD flat screens can tell the difference with good source material. Expense but the best currently!

Posted Tue Mar18, 2008, 5:14 AM — By Marco

Actually, the writing was on the wall. Plasma makers are losing money. To be honest, Plasma has way too many problems to be a sustainable technology. BURN IN is the only issue I am concerned about - but it by far overides all of Plasma's advantages by a country mile. I don't care if it has better blacks and better motion - I don't want to have to worry about watching 2.35:1 films or 4:3 TV natively without causing burn in. BURN IN is seldom mentioned by reviewers but this fact alone means that the best plasma made by Pioneer is worthy of a 3 out of 10 rating - losing 7 for burn in.

Posted Tue Mar18, 2008, 7:40 AM — By joe

Pioneer Official Statement on Plasma Manufacturing March 08, 2008 Pioneer Official Statement Pioneer Corporation has announced that at a meeting of its Board of Directors held today, the Company resolved to restructure its display business and implement measures to enhance corporate values. According to the company, Pioneer will continue to focus on what it does best which includes engineering game-changing plasma technology and producing proprietary components that differentiate Pioneer plasma televisions from the rest of the market. The next generation KURO flat panel televisions will be coming this summer as planned with no disruption in Pioneer production. http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/pioneer-official-statement-on-plasma-manufacturing

Posted Wed Mar19, 2008, 10:22 AM — By david budo

to marco, you will only get burn-in if you are stupid enough to leave a frozen image on you screen for an excess of 48 hours. studies have shown that if an image is frozen on a screen, just play a moving image for th same time and it will be removed. also, i owned a sharp aquos and watched 4:3 images and the lines burned into my display. my elite only displays movies(most are 2.35:1) and have no trace of burn-in. burn-in is something of the past, if only retailers would inform their customers.

Posted Thu Mar20, 2008, 2:00 PM — By Terry

I heard about the news that Pioneer was going to discontinue producing screens a couple of weeks ago as I was doing my research to purchase a new plasma HD. I went ahead and purchased a Pioneer 6010 from Amazon anyway. After doing my research and the prices coming down I figure it was a good buy as long as Pioneer continues to honor the warranty. I have had Pioneer products for many years and have never been disappointed. the Panasonic came in as a close second. With my time schedule being what it was I couldn't wait for the next generation of Panny's to come out to compare. No regrets.

Posted Thu Apr 3, 2008, 6:23 PM — By franko

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Posted Tue May27, 2008, 12:55 PM — By Rich

I own a Kuro 4280... I auditioned 6 flat panels including samsung 1080p lcd, 720 plasma, panasonic 720 plasma,olevia lcd, LG lcd,and pioneer plasma(previous model). I was in love with older pioneer, the panasonic 1080p was close, the samsung products, good picture, but black was dark grey to greenish? I waited for the new kuro, the day Magnolia hi-fi received the shippment, i helped pull it from the box. I returned my older pioneer ( within 30 days)and bought the 4280! nothing looks so natural and true to life. I have it mated with Toshiba hd-a35 HD and Sony PS3 bluray.Monster M1000 HDMI cables. WOW! I did alot of research before buying. 4 HDMI 1.3A ports, screen pixel shift eliminates burn-in(common on most better plasma'a) pure cinema mode for 3:2 pull down,Blackest blacks, almost perfect color, plays 1080p @ 24/fps, deep color ready, flawless. My next purchase will be Pioneer vsx 94 A/V receiver. My friend has the 50" Elite kuro 1080p....even better than my 4280.I can't wait to see what Pionee

Posted Tue Jun 3, 2008, 10:34 PM — By Joel

I'm looking to buy a plasma in the next couple of months, between 42-50". I watch a lot of movies and do some gaming. I can't decide between the Panasonic or the Pioneer. Any suggestions? Recommendations? Thanks.

Posted Sat Jun 7, 2008, 12:00 PM — By Justin

I would do the pioneer every single time. I have the PROFHD1 and still love it!

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