Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business
by Richard Lawler 
posted Feb 6th 2009 at 6:23PM
Say it ain't so (again) Pioneer, Japan's Nikkei is reporting that despite planning a return to profitability by sourcing Panasonic plasma panels, facing a consolidated loss of 100 billion yen ($1.08 billion U.S.) it will end TV development and production entirely. The DVD business will be spun off into a new venture with Sharp as part of a plan to shed several thousand employees over the next year, including a shutdown of its Shizuoka plant, along with already planned closings in the U.S. and Europe. Honestly, we should have seen things were going badly when it let LaserDisc die, but the worsening economy may have proved too tough for the idea that its Kuro and Elite line of products would not be subject to the ups and downs of the economy.[Via Gearlog, registration required on read link]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chas @ Feb 6th 2009 6:41PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Money Mike @ Feb 6th 2009 6:42PM
"may have proved to tough"
I hope that's a typo that will be corrected. It's bad enough that I have to sift through piles and piles of user comments clearly lacking a simple education. Please don't tell me that the writers of engadget don't understand the difference between to, too, and two. It can't be that hard to take a second to proofread what you write before hitting submit.
Money Mike @ Feb 6th 2009 8:36PM
Oh good, it got fixed.
Too bad I can't edit my comment or delete it. =/
Cap BD @ Feb 6th 2009 7:23PM
Thus dies my dreams of one day being a Kuro owner.
Ken @ Feb 6th 2009 7:33PM
WHAT!!!???
FVCK NO, NO, NO, NO!!!
You have GOT to be kidding me, no freaking way!!!
I love Pioneer, but beyond that, they have such a vastly superior product, losing them would be a huge step BACK in terms of what was available to consumers. Lets say, for example, Panasonic announced a new line of TV's (50, 58, and 65-inch) that would be a 'Signature' series with the same quality and performance of the Pioneer's, I would be OK. But even the best Samsung, Panasonic, LG, etc. plasma's are not even close to the Pioneer's.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheTonik @ Feb 6th 2009 7:55PM
I'm... In... Shock...
Roger @ Feb 6th 2009 8:11PM
Engadgethd should check their facts. Pioneer is "idling" production...not ending it. The announcement won't even be made until next week.
Richard Lawler @ Feb 6th 2009 8:13PM
Not quite. This article states that they're going to announce they're shutting down for good.
carljanderson @ Feb 6th 2009 8:45PM
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess the Samsung Series x or the new Panny's will replace my JVC D-ILA.
I wanted a KURO.. Maybe we can one at "close out" prices when the announce the end of TV production.
:(
Roger @ Feb 6th 2009 9:12PM
Wrong again Richard...why don't you take information directly from Pioneer rather than peddling simple rumor?
Charles @ Feb 6th 2009 10:47PM
Market prices might float upwards as news of the raring Kuro inventories becomes more widespread.
David S @ Feb 6th 2009 10:48PM
Good news at least now is that the PDP-5020FD at Best Buy is cheaper than any Samsung 6 Series that's 50" or more. Much less Series 7+ models.
But that 60" is double the price. Wow.
coreylucas @ Feb 7th 2009 12:50AM
i dont know- this headlines a bit hard to swallow. this is isnt the first time ive read this post. Pio's been in and out of financial trouble for a few years. but really guys, why do we need pioneer if we have panasonic? youd have to have test equipment to physically SEE how a 141 performs over a pz850. oh and BTW, the king of contrast title was lost a couple of times last year to the sony xbr8 and the custom install vx100 panasonic...
DEEZNUTZ @ Feb 7th 2009 4:15PM
You're kidding right? Sony XBR8 over a Kuro? Get you're eyes checked.
Sony's are really good LCD's, but just don't beat the Kuro.
corey smith @ Feb 8th 2009 12:06AM
@ deeznuts,
my eyes are fine- you didnt read my comment. i'm saying the kuro's main value prop was their contrast; but they lost their claim to fame for the past 2 years as panasonic eclipsed the kuro's success with the pz750 & 850s, and vx100, and sony even whipped up an unlikely challenger in the form of an lcd with nearly unlimited contrast. so my question remains- why would i take a pioneer over a cheaper panasonic? it's not for unparalleled contrast anymore...
Jeff N. @ Feb 7th 2009 2:36AM
The Pioneer Kuro Plasma's were the industry standard for HDTV's so it sad to see them go. Very sad. Sony xbr8 may have better contrast than Pioneer Kruo right now but it's viewing angles are not very good compared to the Pioneer. They also don't make a 60" HDTV.
The whole industry is suffering and many Audio-Video retail outlets are closing too. Not good.
hdscreens @ Feb 7th 2009 9:26AM
All thanks to the bench-warmers!
By bench-warmers I mean. / The guys that were waiting to buy the next Kuro and then that comes out and they still want to wait for the next Kuro.
titolajko @ Feb 7th 2009 12:12PM
I don't know what the big deal is. Kuro is overhyped. I am all about the best and I gave Kuro a chance to probve that it blows away everything out there. I think that it can not compete with the latest LCD's by Samsung or Sony which make picture come to life (must be 120hz). Yes, Kuro means black and yes the colors may be slightly better, but I saw it in person and was not impressed at all, at all. It looked just as good as Panasonic Plasma, but that it is a life changing experience watching a Kuro, give me a break. I beleive that 120hz tech and the pop of LCD creates sharpness and clarity of motion and overall picture that Kuro can not touch. Yes, I'll get a lot of heat for this comment, but don't buy a TV because someone said it is the best or reviews say it is the best, go into a store and see for yourself and you'll see that in reality, lcds are killing plasmas in every almost every aspect (lighter, brighter, no burn in, more color pop, 120hz, long life, etc. so yes Kuro is good, but not nearly what people think. I bet you that a lot of people that want to get a Kuro never seen it in person. It is like 1080p vs 1080i. On a smaller screen who can tell the difference, nobody but they think they can. it is because they read about it. So you read about Kuro AND THINK IT IS ALL THAt, WELL SORRY TO BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU, IT AIN'T ALL THAT. Death of Kuro is just another step in TV evolution, and I won't miss it, especially when they charge 5,000 for it when you can get state of the art LCD for 2,000. By the way, think hard and read my comment before blowing off steam.
cwnyc @ Feb 7th 2009 4:18PM
Do you have both types at home for direct comparison viewing where all sets are properly calibrated? I do.. 60" Kuro 50" other brand plasma 28" LCD 120 hz and old 32" LCD...
KURO is worth every dime.
Don't get your conclusions from a store display that is poorly calibrated and narrow selection of video material.
Don't make such comments unless you have all the sets at home to do proper comparisons.
Jon @ Feb 9th 2009 2:11PM
Could not disagree more. It's funny you use the 1080i vs 1080p argument and then spout a paragraph full of marketing garbage that seems like it's almost straight from an LCD manufacturers press release. Don't read reviews, no you would never want an experts opinion, "go into a store and see for yourself" ?!?! Yeah that's about the worst way to choose a TV unless money and quality of the product are no option or concern. Extensive online reviews from reputable sources is much more valuable because of 2 things. 1. Controlled and standardized testing environments and materials. 2. They know how to set the HDTV up for actual, optimal usage not the turn everything up to High and blow out the colors in a super bright show room. LCD's have their place and depending on circumstances can be the better choice. But, if we are talking tech specs, response time, color accuracy and things like that? You certainly can't discount or write-off PDP's and especially the Kuro's.
I've helped friends and family buy both LCD's (Samsung) and PDP's (Panasonic) in the last year. I steered them toward sets that met their needs based on their budgets and room requirements. I myself have a Pioneer 5080 (50" 720p) from over a year ago and still get asked why my sets looks so much better than their brand new TVs. Why would that be? Just curious...
skimrn @ Feb 7th 2009 12:34PM
I seriously disagree with you titolajko. I will listen to all of the professional home theater critics over you, with those fancy measurement equipment thingys. I love my 60" Kuro. Too bad Pioneer has to make this tough decision who created the best quality flat panel in the world overall (Critiqued by many professionals).
I told my coworker this story and he bought a Kuro PDP-6020FD 60" for $3500 including shipping today. This is hell of a deal! I bought my 6010 for $4100 (Retailed at $6500) and I thought I got a great deal.
What's next? OLEDs? I love my TV! (Giving a big hug).
Jeff N. @ Feb 7th 2009 12:47PM
I politely disagree with you titolajko. I think 120hz makes movement look unnatural, colors on LCD often can look too bright & vivid giving an almost cartoonish look to many scenes. Whites are too bluish. Pioneer's breakthrough's in HDTV technology pushed other TV manufactures to make better HDTV's. Our economy is in a severe recession maybe even a depression. That is the main reason Pioneer is in trouble. They are a small company and can't withstand the losses during these troubling times. I see nothing good from them folding.
Doug @ Feb 7th 2009 1:33PM
For those of you interested who still want to get a Kuro, Best Buy has a 50 inch, for 2499 as a special promotion, but tomorrow, 2/8 it goes back up to 4599. Throw in 36 month free financing and you can't beat that with a stick.
Go get them while you can, I just got mine this morning. Once there gone, there gone
Gallo @ Feb 7th 2009 3:26PM
Over priced, overated, goodbye Kuros !
DEEZNUTZ @ Feb 7th 2009 4:23PM
Great, enjoy your well calibrated 26" Sylvania LCD.
chuckdaly @ Feb 7th 2009 9:52PM
When Flat panel displays were finally catching up with 6 year old CRT RPTVs in picture quality, the best Flat Panel producer quits. What a sad day it is for consumers.
Simba1986 @ Feb 8th 2009 3:44AM
the game will never be the same again......; (
Declan @ Feb 8th 2009 4:44PM
Little over dramatic don't you think.
clara @ Feb 8th 2009 12:34PM
Extremely sad, disappointing news. They did it right and didn't take silly shortcuts. They make beautiful TVs that nobody else can match. Their design tasteful and performance-oriented and didn't give into silly trends and crowd-pleasing antics.
Even if they shared manufacturing with Panny, their picture/video processing is far superior. I was really looking forward to their version of Panny's thin, high efficiency units.
AL @ Feb 8th 2009 5:11PM
So does "shutting down DVD business" also include Blu-Ray? A strict reading is now- and I hope not!
HDpurist @ Feb 8th 2009 5:49PM
I own a 5010FD and was going to wait for the 10G 9mm panels from Pio. This really sucks....I will now have to splurge and buy a 151FD while I have the chance.
KUROs are in a league of their own. Everything else is completely inferior.
Tom @ Feb 9th 2009 10:11AM
When are the Panasonic screens scheduled to show up in Pioneer sets? I wonder if that will start a run on the last generation of Kuros.
Tony @ Feb 9th 2009 9:47PM
I say : KURO will stay, but assembled by _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/features/pioneer+previews+Fuga+Kuro+tech
wait 'till THUR or FRI for the official word.
maybe I'll be wrong.
meatyb0y @ Feb 9th 2009 2:02PM
*sigh* -
The ever-more powerful forces of mediocrity win yet another battle against the forces of excellence.
Bill @ Feb 9th 2009 7:40PM
this is great news. now that Pioneer is out of the plasma TV market, people can now buy the XBR8 at an inflated price of $7500 for a 52" LCD.
let's face it, Sony's XBR line's biggest competitor was the Pioneer Kuro, with Pioneer gone, Sony can go back and name their price that they "demand", instead of watching consumer trends. afterall, they are "Sony" right?
(sigh)....
cswalsh @ Feb 14th 2009 11:46AM
Very sad - I have come to really on superior build quality and features of Pioneer's DVD line. My collection of 1 player, 2 recorders, and 4 burners are all still working great while their Sony competitors died quickly. I'm still using the first recorder I got eight years ago and love the simplicity of use and quality of final discs. I was looking forward to someday adding a Blu-Ray sibling.
I have to come to feel about Pioneer the way I used to feel about Sony...that the extra cost was worth it for components that worked as promised and were built to last.