[JP78]

the sales guys just got these in.  normally i don't care about these things, but the new 2nd generation kuros are ridiculous. anybody else seen them?  unbelievable.  the new mac os x looks unbelievable in fd (disclaimer, i work for a theatre installer).  i just hope the pretty new frames live up to the kuro hype.

best,

jp

[giantsteps]

 Ridiculously bad? Unbelievably good? Sorry, Im confused.


 Frank

[mjosef]

Sounds like the kinda bad that is good.

[JP78]

guys, sorry if i didn't come across as clear.  i had never seen these kuro displays professionally calibrated to isf standards before...and so was only marginally impressed.  i finally saw the new models calibrated...they look "unbelievable and ridiculously" good . i guess i deserved those jabs .   i really didn't know display technology looked this good these days outside of front projection in light controlled rooms.  anyway, i strongly encourage anyone to go find a local tweeter or a/v retailer and check it out...these are priced cheaper than the first generation of pioneer kuro to boot! gotta love when technology makes the good life more accessible.

take care,

jp

[Double Ugly]

the sales guys just got these in.  normally i don't care about these things, but the new 2nd generation kuros are ridiculous. anybody else seen them? 

Not yet, but I'm hoping my PRO-151FD will be delivered in the next few weeks. 

I've already contacted Chad Billheimer about making his way back down south to work his ISF magic on it.  I was mightily impressed with his work on my old 57" Sammy DLP, and I'm anxious to see what this beauty can do when he's finished. 

[JP78]

double ugly - you're in for a real treat if you have one of these on the way.  i watched a few minutes of the pixar cuts in blu-ray...it was hard to tear my eyes away.  mac os x looked so crisp and clear as well.

[Double Ugly]

double ugly - you're in for a real treat if you have one of these on the way. 

I pre-ordered with Roman Ogourtsov of AVS fame.  He operates a small business (Clarity Technologies) out of Bellevue, WA, so his orders won't arrive until after the big dogs have been fed.

My biggest problem will be getting Chad back down here to optimize its performance.  It was 9 months from request to show last time 'round.

[Alwayswantmore]

Tweeter and Best Buy (Magnolia) reps speculated a couple months bact that the new Kuro would only be 1080P only and they would drop the 42" screen. (i.e. no small unit or 720P). Can anyone validate???

[tonyptony]

True. 50" and greater only, all at 1080p. If you go to the Plasma forum on avsforum.com you'll get more info than you'll know what to do with, including screen shots of 8G and 9G (the new models) Elites that give you some sense of how they compare.

[Jon L]

  these are priced cheaper than the first generation of pioneer kuro to boot! gotta love when technology makes the good life more accessible.

I sure hope the next gen Kuro looks A LOT better than the last gen Kuro b/c that one sure did not justify its ludicrous price over other competent displays IMO.

[Alwayswantmore]

  these are priced cheaper than the first generation of pioneer kuro to boot! gotta love when technology makes the good life more accessible.

I sure hope the next gen Kuro looks A LOT better than the last gen Kuro b/c that one sure did not justify its ludicrous price over other competent displays IMO.

Retail is high, no doubt. But they are nicely built units (lots of metal in the frame, single plate of glass, access to user adjustments, etc.). They are also assembled in the USA, which IMO beats Mexico and non-Japan Asian alternatives.

When I heard the small ones were probably going to be be discontinued, I nabbed a 42" 720P for closeout price. After it is fully burned in and I get it on the wall, it will also be professionally calibrated. Picked up a couple new Samsung LCDs at the same time, and all I can say is if you can afford the investment, Pioneer is justified in asking more for their product (IMO).

[Double Ugly]

  these are priced cheaper than the first generation of pioneer kuro to boot! gotta love when technology makes the good life more accessible.

I sure hope the next gen Kuro looks A LOT better than the last gen Kuro b/c that one sure did not justify its ludicrous price over other competent displays IMO.

A awful lot of people feel quite the opposite, but doesn't matter.  If you're happy with what you have, it shouldn't matter to you what anyone else has or what they paid for it... right?

FWIW, my ISF guy says last year's KURO was far and away the best picture he's come across (after calibration, presumably), and this year's model is said to be even better.

[rydenfan]

and the 10g next year will have major improvement over this years 

[Double Ugly]

and the 10g next year will have major improvement over this years 

Yes, hopefully so.   

[TF1216]

I thought Pioneer stopped producing plasmas.

[Double Ugly]

I thought Pioneer stopped producing plasmas.

Per the comments and articles I've read (like this one), they'll begin outsourcing plasma panel production after this year. 

That eventuality factored in to my decision to purchase this year's model.

[Alwayswantmore]

I thought Pioneer stopped producing plasmas.

Per the comments and articles I've read (like this one), they'll begin outsourcing plasma panel production after this year. 

That eventuality factored in to my decision to purchase this year's model.

I have heard the same. Panasonic's parent company will make the panels.

[rydenfan]

and the 10g next year will have major improvement over this years 

Yes, hopefully so.   

The 10g's are reported to have a major break through in lumens and infinite backs levels. I am debating in my own head so badly right now as I want a 151 soooo badly some I have seen reports and posts from people that say the 10g's may be the largest improvement yet. Kinda hard to believe with as good as they look right now...

[Double Ugly]

The 10g's are reported to have a major break through in lumens and infinite backs levels. I am debating in my own head so badly right now as I want a 151 soooo badly some I have seen reports and posts from people that say the 10g's may be the largest improvement yet. Kinda hard to believe with as good as they look right now...

That was my take as well.  The quality of this year's model combined with concerns about the quality of next year's product were my primary motivating factors.

The Panny panel-equipped version may be an even higher quality product, but that's not the usual outcome from such changes.  Regardless, I expect the -151 will prove more than satisfactory for my desires.

[rydenfan]

The 10g's are reported to have a major break through in lumens and infinite backs levels. I am debating in my own head so badly right now as I want a 151 soooo badly some I have seen reports and posts from people that say the 10g's may be the largest improvement yet. Kinda hard to believe with as good as they look right now...

That was my take as well.  The quality of this year's model combined with concerns about the quality of next year's product were my primary motivating factors.

The Panny panel-equipped version may be an even higher quality product, but that's not the usual outcome from such changes.  Regardless, I expect the -151 will prove more than satisfactory for my desires.

Panny will be manufacturing the glass for the sets but they will not be handling full production. Everything will still be built to pio's standards and QC'd by Pioneer.

The 151 is an incredible picture!! I have seen it and it is beautiful. By far the nicest display on the market. I also know an excellent ISF calibrator who travels around the country should you need one?