Even though they announced price increases just a few hours ago, Pioneer are still bringing their award-winning 9th-gen plasmas down to Australia – from memory, these rae the last sets to have Pioneer-manufactured glass before they begin getting panels from Panasonic.The two models now on sale include the PDP-C509A, an entry-level 50-inch set with Full HD and an RRP of $5,499, and the PDP-LX509A, the new 9th-gen premium 1080p plasma that incorporates a built-in ethernet port for $6,499.
Full press releases are below, but let’s face it: in the current economic climate, and with Pioneer’s recent price increase, you probably can’t afford one of these. Which is a shame, because Pioneer’s plasmas really are fantastic.
Pioneer welcomes a 5th KURO plasma model to 9th Gen family
Pioneer Electronics Australia strengthens its flat panel division, releasing a fifth KURO plasma TV, the PDP-C509A.
Expanding the company’s 9th Gen KURO product portfolio, the PDP-C509A is Pioneer’s third 50 inch Full-HD model, complimenting a 50 inch Full-HD monitor (KRP500M) and LX model (PDP-LX509A).
Taking yet another groundbreaking step towards HDTV perfection, Pioneer has taken the world’s best plasma (8th Gen KURO) and made it even better.
When undertaking the process of engineering Pioneer’s 9th Generation plasma technology, every single feature on Pioneer’s 8th Gen panel was evaluated. Engineers took each element of the display apart and put it back together with revolutionary improvements. The result is a new flat panel television offering unrivalled performance.
Improvements to Pioneer’s 9th Gen PDP-C509A are courtesy of an advanced ASIC video processor, improved filter for enhanced contrast in bright environments, exclusive cell structure with crystal emissive layer for intense black with added detail, as well as a completely integrated DVB tuner developed exclusively by Pioneer.
Black like never before
There are two reasons why Pioneer’s KURO technology has been widely applauded as the world’s best, the deep black levels and the ASIC video processor – both of which are key features on the PDP-C509A.
Pioneer sets out to develop the world’s best black because simply put, it’s the most important attribute in a television.
In the hierarchy of picture quality, even the acknowledged experts in picture calibration, the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), list black levels and contrast as the most important attributes.
First of all, black is the starting point for accurate colour. It’s the blank canvas of a television upon which all other colours are generated.
In the art world, a plain white canvas represents a blank slate waiting for an artist’s touch. In the world of flat panel displays, a black screen is also a blank canvas capable of relaying the emotional impact a director sets out to achieve with high definition movies and television.
Secondly deep blacks dig deep into the lapels of suits and use contrast to show detail users may otherwise not see.
Finally, blacks give volume and picture depth, providing exceptional definition to shadows and contours, giving a sense of depth that people attach with.
The reason why Pioneer remains so far ahead of the pack when it comes to black levels and picture quality reverts back to the Pioneer DNA – engineered simplicity.
Pioneer engineer’s its flat panel displays so that ‘band-aid’ and counter measures aren’t required.
As far as our KURO displays are concerned, we have one bank of electrodes not two, drastically reducing energy consumption and the need for heat sinks.
As a result of this, we only utilize one layer of glass, not two, improving black levels by reducing reflection off the glass, and most importantly, each of our 2 million pixels idle at such a low luminance compared to our competitors that our black is almost absolute black.
Pioneer understands that colour is a vital tool that enables creative professionals – from visual artists to film and television producers – to evoke emotion.
With varying techniques from the most subtle to intense manipulation of colour, artists possess the skills to arouse a specific feeling within their audience.
A high definition flat panel that can’t produce deep blacks and in turn display an accurate colour spectrum risks neglecting the artist’s intent and losing that feeling.
To create deep blacks which results in the richest, most three-dimensional colours Pioneer further advanced its “Crystal Emissive Layer” to reproduce deep, intense blacks, and redesigned its cell structure, enabling the panel to increase the speed of electrical discharge within the cells. This improves the idling efficiency of the panel and enables it to reproduce more intense levels of black.
Another tech advancement that enables Pioneer’s KURO panels to deliver the deepest blacks every reproduced on a flat panel display is the redesigned Direct Colour Filter, now in its third and most advanced generation, improving contrast in a bright room environment.
Imagery like never before
To overcome a lot of today’s video and broadcasting errors, such as deinterlacing, video noise (mosquito & block), Y/C colour separation and motion judder, Pioneer’s KURO flat panels incorporate a proprietary video processor, known as ASIC technology.
The Pioneer PDP-C09A comes equipped with a new and improved ASIC video processing and scaling for the ultimate in Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) video performance.
The new and approved Application Specific Integrated Circuitry works wonders to deliver a stunning end result:
Deinterlacing – One of the most difficult tasks for a television is to take an interlace signal and convert it to progressive. The outcome is usually a series of jagged lines – but not so with KURO. The ASIC chip’s processing power is so advanced that the conversion to progressive is seamlessNoise – Whilst MPEG compression is great for the efficient transfer of large data such as HD signals, it is also responsible for introducing noise which either appears as distinct blocks (block noise) or buzzing around the edge of fine detail (mosquito noise). Again, the ASIC chip’s processing power eliminates any trace of MPEG noise
PAL 3D Y/C separation – The 3D or “motion adaptive” Y/C separation filter for PAL optimally separates the brightness and colour information, virtually eliminating any cross-colour artefacts and cross-luminance problems. The 3D Y/C Separation process brings superior video quality into your home.
Smooth – During panning shots in a movie (e.g. panning down a staircase or panning across a landscape) many televisions exhibit harsh jagged movement due to the change from 1 frame of content to another. The ASIC chip is intelligent enough to calculate a smooth transition between frames resulting in a smooth panning motion in film content.
A further advancement on Pioneer’s PDP-C509A KURO TV is the improved Optimum Video (living-room) mode, which automatically adjusts audio and video settings according to specific room light conditions. Program content is also monitored and finely adjusted so movies, sports and news are all faithfully reproduced.
With the 9th generation, the intelligence of our Optimum mode has been enhanced further. The panel is now able to make picture parameter adjustments independent of the position on the screen. If you are watching golf for example, the plasma is able to optimise the colour of the sky (blue colour saturation) independent of the colour of the grass (green colour saturation). In addition to this the panel is also able to automatically adjust sound parameters depending on the program being watched.
Unique to Pioneer’s flat panel technology is its Deep Waffle Rib Structure, which means that each plasma cell is perfectly encapsulated on all sides, so that emitted light cannot leak into neighbouring cells and thereby disperse their brightness.
By enlarging the height of the cell walls, the phosphorus surface area increases, resulting in more vivid colours and increased brightness.
TV like never before
Pioneer’s new KURO Full-HD plasma TV, the PDP-C509A, includes a range of features to enhance your viewing experience, including KURO-Link , HDMI terminals, 24 frames per second processing (24fps) and improved audio quality.
The PDP-C509A offers KURO Control, Pioneer’s version of HDMI CEC, which uses the HDMI cable to communicate with other Pioneer devices.
With only the plasma remote users can press ON/OFF to turn all Pioneer devices on and off, access Blu-ray menus, control volume on receivers or home theatre systems. It’s just one of the advantages of owning a complete Pioneer audio and video solution.
Three HDMI 1.3 terminals supports 1080p/50Hz, 1080p/60-Hz and 1080p/24-Hz input signals, and Deep Colour 36-bit (RGB or YCbCr) colour depths for colour reproducibility of greater detail as well as 16-bit, 20-bit, 24-bit and 36-bit (RGB or YCbCr) colour depths.
Most movies are originally captured on film at 24 frames per second and transferred to Blu-ray discs at the same rate. Pioneer’s KURO flat panel range is perfectly matched for bringing the real cinema experience into your home with every panel featuring 24fps source input at 72Hz (3 images displayed per original frame).
Enhanced ISF C3 capability allows a certified calibrator to perform advanced colour calibration with never-before-achieved simplicity, accuracy and reliability.
ISF C3 certified calibration configuration allows an expert video calibrator to:
1. Optimise the output of the connected video devices to the screen.
2. Optimise the screen performance to the ambient light conditions for day-time and night viewingInvesting in plasma like never before
Contrary to reports that Pioneer will downsize its focus on the flat panel market, the expansion of Pioneer’s KURO product portfolio will include a record five new models (ranging between 50-60 inches), all of which are Full-HD.
With Pioneer committed to improving its KURO engineering, the company is resolute with its belief that plasma still holds a prominent place in the delivery of premium flat panel technology.
“Pioneer will continue to maintain an active role in the manufacturing process of its plasma flat panel displays, including the development of its back-end proprietary flat panel technologies and product assembly.
Our relentless plasma innovation will continue well beyond our 9th Generation models, as we persistently refine our KURO technology.
The shared responsibility of manufacturing our plasma screens in the future will help sustain Pioneer’s reputation in plasma quality, rather than hinder it, ” explains Tim O’Leary, general manager for the home entertainment group at Pioneer Electronics Australia Pty Ltd.
The Pioneer PDP-C509A Full-HD KURO plasma TV will be available in Australia from early 2008 onwards.
RRP: $5,499
…..Ends…..
Pioneer expands its KURO product portfolio & welcomes 9th Gen
Pioneer Electronics Australia further expands the company’s KURO product portfolio, releasing the PDP-LX509A, a new 50 inch KURO Full-HD plasma TV boasting black levels five times over the current award-winning 8th Generation models.
Taking yet another groundbreaking step towards HDTV perfection, Pioneer has taken the world’s best plasma (8th Gen KURO) and made it even better.
Enter the next generation of Pioneer KURO, where a picture is worth more than a thousand words and where deeper black levels pave the way for breathtaking detail, added dimension and vibrant colours.
Following the launch of Pioneer’s KURO engineering excellence just over twelve months ago, the PDP-LX509A plasma TV is one of a record five new 9th Generation KURO models (ranging between 50-60 inches), all of which are Full-HD.
The PDP-LX509A joins Pioneer’s PDPLX609A plasma TV, which is Pioneer’s fifth consecutive plasma to win an EISA (European Image & Sound Association) award, granted the prestigious ‘European Plasma TV 2008/2009’.
When undertaking the process of engineering Pioneer’s 9th Generation plasma technology, every single feature on Pioneer’s 8th Gen panel was evaluated. Engineers took each element of the display apart and put it back together with revolutionary improvements. The result is a new flat panel television with a massively improved contrast ratio, offering deeper blacks, richer colours and unrivalled performance.
Improvements to Pioneer’s 9th Gen PDP-LX509A are courtesy of an advanced ASIC video processor, improved filter for enhanced contrast in bright environments, exclusive cell structure with crystal emissive layer for more intense black with added detail, a DLNA-certified Ethernet port offering Full-HD home networking, as well as a completely integrated DVB tuner developed exclusively by Pioneer
Black like never before
There are two reasons why Pioneer’s KURO technology has been widely applauded as the world’s best, the deepest of deep black levels and the ASIC video processor – both of which have been advanced with the 9th generation thanks to the inclusion of the KURO2 engine on board.
Pioneer’s PDP-LX509A KURO TV improves black levels five times over the current award-winning 8th Generation models.
Pioneer sets out to develop the world’s best black because simply put, it’s the most important attribute in a television.
In the hierarchy of picture quality, even the acknowledged experts in picture calibration, the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), list black levels and contrast as the most important attributes.
First of all, black is the starting point for accurate colour. It’s the blank canvas of a television upon which all other colours are generated.
In the art world, a plain white canvas represents a blank slate waiting for an artist’s touch. In the world of flat panel displays, a black screen is also a blank canvas capable of relaying the emotional impact a director sets out to achieve with high definition movies and television.
Secondly deep blacks dig deep into the lapels of suits and use contrast to show detail users may otherwise not see.
Finally, blacks give volume and picture depth, providing exceptional definition to shadows and contours, giving a sense of depth that people attach with.
The reason why Pioneer remains so far ahead of the pack when it comes to black levels and picture quality reverts back to the Pioneer DNA – engineered simplicity.
Pioneer engineer’s its flat panel displays so that ‘band-aid’ and counter measures aren’t required.
As far as our KURO displays are concerned, we have one bank of electrodes not two, drastically reducing energy consumption and the need for heat sinks.
As a result of this, we only utilize one layer of glass, not two, improving black levels by reducing reflection off the glass, and most importantly, each of our 2 million pixels idle at such a low luminance compared to our competitors that our black is almost absolute black.
Pioneer understands that colour is a vital tool that enables creative professionals – from visual artists to film and television producers – to evoke emotion.
With varying techniques from the most subtle to intense manipulation of colour, artists possess the skills to arouse a specific feeling within their audience.
A high definition flat panel that can’t produce deep blacks and in turn display an accurate colour spectrum risks neglecting the artist’s intent and losing that feeling.
To create deep blacks which results in the richest, most three-dimensional colours Pioneer further advanced its “Crystal Emissive Layer” to reproduce deep, intense blacks, and redesigned its cell structure, enabling the panel to increase the speed of electrical discharge within the cells. This improves the idling efficiency of the panel and enables it to reproduce more intense levels of black.
Another tech advancement that enables Pioneer’s KURO panels to deliver the deepest blacks every reproduced on a flat panel display is the redesigned Direct Colour Filter, now in its third and most advanced generation, improving contrast in a bright room environment.
Imagery like never before
To overcome a lot of today’s video and broadcasting errors, such as deinterlacing, video noise (mosquito & block), Y/C colour separation and motion judder, Pioneer’s KURO flat panels incorporate a proprietary video processor, known as ASIC technology.
The Pioneer PDP-LX509A comes equipped with a new and improved ASIC video processing and scaling for the ultimate in Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) video performance. The new and approved Application Specific Integrated Circuitry works wonders to deliver a stunning end result:
Deinterlacing – One of the most difficult tasks for a television is to take an interlace signal and convert it to progressive. The outcome is usually a series of jagged lines – but not so with KURO. The ASIC chip’s processing power is so advanced that the conversion to progressive is seamlessNoise – Whilst MPEG compression is great for the efficient transfer of large data such as HD signals, it is also responsible for introducing noise which either appears as distinct blocks (block noise) or buzzing around the edge of fine detail (mosquito noise). Again, the ASIC chip’s processing power eliminates any trace of MPEG noise
PAL 3D Y/C separation – The 3D or “motion adaptive” Y/C separation filter for PAL optimally separates the brightness and colour information, virtually eliminating any cross-colour artefacts and cross-luminance problems. The 3D Y/C Separation process brings superior video quality into your home.
Smooth – During panning shots in a movie (e.g. panning down a staircase or panning across a landscape) many televisions exhibit harsh jagged movement due to the change from 1 frame of content to another. The ASIC chip is intelligent enough to calculate a smooth transition between frames resulting in a smooth panning motion in film content.
A further advancement on Pioneer’s PDP-LX509A KURO TV is the improved Optimum Video (living-room) mode, which automatically adjusts audio and video settings according to specific room light conditions. Program content is also monitored and finely adjusted so movies, sports and news are all faithfully reproduced.
With the 9th generation, the intelligence of our Optimum mode has been enhanced further. The panel is now able to make picture parameter adjustments independent of the position on the screen. If you are watching golf for example, the plasma is able to optimise the colour of the sky (blue colour saturation) independent of the colour of the grass (green colour saturation). In addition to this the panel is also able to automatically adjust sound parameters depending on the program being watched.
Unique to Pioneer’s flat panel technology is its Deep Waffle Rib Structure, which means that each plasma cell is perfectly encapsulated on all sides, so that emitted light cannot leak into neighbouring cells and thereby disperse their brightness.
By enlarging the height of the cell walls, the phosphorus surface area increases, resulting in more vivid colours and increased brightness.
TV like never before
Pioneer’s new KURO Full-HD plasma TV, the PDP-LX509A, includes a range of features to enhance your viewing experience, including a DLNA-certified Ethernet port, KURO-Link , HDMI terminals, 24 frames per second processing (24fps), Home Gallery (JPEG Picture Viewer), and improved audio quality.
Pioneer’s full-featured PDP-LX509A takes home networking to another level with the Home Media Gallery, enabling users to experience their PC-based HD movies, music and photos on their Pioneer plasma TV.
Connecting via the Ethernet port or USB, the DLNA technology (Digital Living Network Alliance) enables a link with the PC that allows for the sharing of content. Users will be able to access and easily transfer content currently stored on a Windows XP PC using Windows Media Connect.
In addition to favourite photos, music and HD movies, users can download new content straight to their computer for immediate viewing on a Pioneer PDP-LX509A. The TV is Playsforsure™ compliant.
The PDP-LX509A offers KURO Control, Pioneer’s version of HDMI CEC, which uses the HDMI cable to communicate with other Pioneer devices.
With only the plasma remote users can press ON/OFF to turn all Pioneer devices on and off, access Blu-ray menus, control volume on receivers or home theatre systems. It’s just one of the advantages of owning a complete Pioneer audio and video solution.
Three HDMI 1.3 terminals supports 1080p/50Hz, 1080p/60-Hz and 1080p/24-Hz input signals, and Deep Colour 36-bit (RGB or YCbCr) colour depths for colour reproducibility of greater detail as well as 16-bit, 20-bit, 24-bit and 36-bit (RGB or YCbCr) colour depths.
Most movies are originally captured on film at 24 frames per second and transferred to Blu-ray discs at the same rate. Pioneer’s KURO flat panel range is perfectly matched for bringing the real cinema experience into your home with every panel featuring 24fps source input at 72Hz (3 images displayed per original frame).
Enhanced ISF C3 capability allows a certified calibrator to perform advanced colour calibration with never-before-achieved simplicity, accuracy and reliability.
ISF C3 certified calibration configuration allows an expert video calibrator to:
1. Optimise the output of the connected video devices to the screen.
2. Optimise the screen performance to the ambient light conditions for day-time and night viewingInvesting in plasma like never before
Contrary to reports that Pioneer will downsize its focus on the flat panel market, the expansion of Pioneer’s KURO product portfolio will include a record five new models (ranging between 50-50 inches), all of which are Full-HD.
With Pioneer committed to improving its KURO engineering, the company is resolute with its belief that plasma still holds a prominent place in the delivery of premium flat panel technology.
“Pioneer will continue to maintain an active role in the manufacturing process of its plasma flat panel displays, including the development of its back-end proprietary flat panel technologies and product assembly.
Our relentless plasma innovation will continue well beyond our 9th Generation models, as we persistently refine our KURO technology.
The shared responsibility of manufacturing our plasma screens in the future will help sustain Pioneer’s reputation in plasma quality, rather than hinder it, ” explains Tim O’Leary, general manager for the home entertainment group at Pioneer Electronics Australia Pty Ltd.
The Pioneer PDP-LX509A Full-HD KURO plasma TV will be available in Australia from early 2008 onwards.
RRP: $6,499
…..Ends…..