Pioneer Unveils 2008 Kuro 1080P HDTVs

This week Pioneer introduced new Kuro Plasma HDTVs. Pioneer says the new 2008 Kuro models will display black levels up to five times deeper than its 2007 models – talk about new and improved!

If you want thin - the Kuro line has been on appetite suppressants since last year. The 2008 models will include the 50-inch PDP-5020FD and a 60-inch PDP-6020. Both models are only 3.7-inches thick!

The new 50-inch and 60-inch plasmas will sell for $4000 and $5,500 respectively.

Also introduced for 2008 are two Elite Kuro HDTVs. The new Elite line will offer new picture customization features that Pioneer claims will enhance the display of film, sports and TV. An Optimum Mode feature included in Pioneer’s Elite Kuro line claims to simultaneously analyze the audio, video and room lighting environment and make automatic adjustments accordingly.

The new 50-inch Kuro PRO-111FD and 60-inch Kuro PRO-151FD will cost $5000 and $6,500 respectively and will be available in June 2008.

Sure, plasma has taken a beating lately with a couple of major players in the market, including Pioneer and Sony, opting out of manufacturing new panels. But that hasn’t stopped Pioneer from pushing development of its own line of plasma HDTVs.

But how is this possible if Pioneer has quit plasma panel manufacturing?

Pioneer gets its panels from Panasonic, makers of the Viera line. But according to Pioneer reps at CES, it’s not the panel that provides the rich blacks found in second generation Kuro plasmas. Pioneer says "It's how you fire the pixel", claiming it performs that trick with superior filtering and video processing.

In the immortal words of Nigel Tufnel:

"It's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black."

Although the cross pollination of parts among consumer electronics manufacturers is nothing new. I’m not sure how customers will feel about spending premium money Panasonic plasma panels wrapped in Pioneer electronics.