The video processing and deep, inky black levels of Pioneer’s Kuro plasma TVs have set new picture quality benchmarks, and with “five times black improvement”, the Kuro2 range promises even better performance.
The five models all meet the 1080p full HD spec, and comprise a 50 and 60 inch monitor pitched at the custom installer, 50 and 60 inch HDTV ‘LX’ series versions (with HD tuners and speakers) and an an entry-level (non-Kuro) C Series 50 incher. The 60 inch monitor is available now, costs $11,000 and is just 64 mm thin – quite an achievement in such a massive panel. The 50 inch monitor will arrive in November along with the 60 inch TV, and the C Series and 50 inch Kuro are expected in by February 09. No pricing was available for these at the time of writing.
Pioneer’s five new panels are supported by a range of high definition AV receivers, three standalone Blu-ray players ranging from $699 up to $1,199, a $1,500 HD-ready home theatre in a box system (it will decode HD surround from connected PS3s and Blu-ray players), and an integrated stereo music system, the PDXZ9, which has just picked up a gong from the High End Society for ‘Best Value Hi-Fi Stereo’.
