Engadget HD http://www.engadgethd.com Engadget HD http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget HD http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Pioneer's 12x BDR-205 Blu-ray burner is so fast it's ahead of its time]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/30/pioneers-12x-bdr-205-blu-ray-burner-is-so-fast-its-ahead-of-it/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/30/pioneers-12x-bdr-205-blu-ray-burner-is-so-fast-its-ahead-of-it/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/30/pioneers-12x-bdr-205-blu-ray-burner-is-so-fast-its-ahead-of-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We're still not sure if that many people are interested in buying Blu-ray burners yet, but Pioneer just unveiled the first 12x capable drive (up from 8x, and with an 8x read speed that gives us a great idea for the next PlayStation 3 revision) the BDR-205. Initially rolling out to OEMs this month, this drive couldn't wait for 12x certified discs to exist, though its full speed has been tested on Panasonic and Sony 6x BD-R blanks, "12x writing on all media cannot be guaranteed." Minus that caveat, expect to see these popping up on Newegg and the like any second now, the only price mentioned is for the full retail package BD-2205 coming Q1 2010 for $249.

Pioneer's 12x BDR-205 Blu-ray burner is so fast it's ahead of its time originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12x6xbd-rbdr-205blu-rayburnerfirstpioneerWed, 30 Sep 2009 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer adds Anchor Bay VRS scaling to VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH and VSX-1019AH-K receivers]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/28/pioneer-adds-anchor-bay-vrs-scaling-to-vsx-23txh-vsx-21txh-and/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/28/pioneer-adds-anchor-bay-vrs-scaling-to-vsx-23txh-vsx-21txh-and/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/28/pioneer-adds-anchor-bay-vrs-scaling-to-vsx-23txh-vsx-21txh-and/#commentsFiled under: ,

Pioneer VSX-23TXH receiver
Video scaling has been a longtime knock held against Pioneer's AV receivers, but Pioneer is addressing those concerns with the inclusion of Anchor Bay VRS processing in its Elite VSX-23TXH ($899) and VSX-21TXH ($699) models, and also the VSX-1019AH-K ($499). Of course, Pioneer's home market in Japan isn't getting the short shrift -- the VSA-LX52 and VSA-1019AH are getting the same treatment. These models will be getting an ABT1015 to ratchet input signals all the way up to the magical 1080p figure; hopefully an indication that Pioneer will take a page from Denon's playbook and include ABT scaling in all of its AVRs from here on out. Full details after the break.

UPDATE: We have sent questions to Pioneer about whether this is a mid-production spec bump, or ABT VRS has been in these models all along. We'll report back with any answers we get.

UPDATE: We got official word back from Pioneer -- the VSX-1019, 21, 23, 25, and 27 models have all had Anchor Bay VRS scaling from the initial production, so there's no need to go throwing your AVR out. We can't imagine why both Pioneer and Anchor Bay haven't touted this feature from day one, but if your eyes told you the new Pioneer receivers had great scaling, give yourself a point.

Continue reading Pioneer adds Anchor Bay VRS scaling to VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH and VSX-1019AH-K receivers

Pioneer adds Anchor Bay VRS scaling to VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH and VSX-1019AH-K receivers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abt1015anchor bayAnchorBayav receiverAvReceiverpioneerpioneer vsx-1019ah-kpioneer vsx-21txhpioneer vsx-23txhPioneerVsx-1019ah-kPioneerVsx-21txhPioneerVsx-23txhreceivervideo scalerVideoScalervrsvsx-1019ah-kvsx-21txhvsx-23txhMon, 28 Sep 2009 15:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer's new soundbar and iPod docks coming this Winter]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/11/pioneers-new-soundbar-and-ipod-docks-coming-this-winter/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/11/pioneers-new-soundbar-and-ipod-docks-coming-this-winter/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/11/pioneers-new-soundbar-and-ipod-docks-coming-this-winter/#commentsFiled under: ,




You probably already have your Home Theater situation well sorted, so the gang at Pioneer (lovely chaps) have brought some slightly less robust devices to CEDIA for that other room in your house. First off, the iPod docks: in case you didn't see them in Europe where they first made the scene a week or so ago, both new XW models pack 2.1 surround sound, 60W output, and Bluetooth connectivity into a single unit. The splashier of the two is the XW-NAS5, which is available in multiple colors, features a radio, and includes some sort of built-in ambient sound player for fans of relaxation, sleep, or hypnosis. If you're not feeling quite as ostentatious, the XW-NAS3 comes in white and features iPod support -- and nothing else. If PMP dockery isn't your bag, you might want to check out the HTP-SB300 soundbar. Featuring 3.1-channels, 250W of power, dual HDMI ins, and support for DTS, Dolby Digital PLUS and Dolby TrueHD audio, it's the perfect compliment to your wall-mounted 32-37-inch display. Both are available this Winter, for a price TBA. PR after the break.

[Via SlashGear]

Continue reading Pioneer's new soundbar and iPod docks coming this Winter

Pioneer's new soundbar and iPod docks coming this Winter originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cediacedia 2009Cedia2009HTP-SB300ipod dockIpodDockpioneersecond roomSecondRoomsoundbarxwXW-NAS3XW-NAS5Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer shoots for the moon with its Entertainment Tap concept]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/10/pioneer-shoots-for-the-moon-with-its-entertainment-tap-concept/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/10/pioneer-shoots-for-the-moon-with-its-entertainment-tap-concept/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/10/pioneer-shoots-for-the-moon-with-its-entertainment-tap-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pioneer ET
What do you get when you take every single source of audio and video content, including Blu-ray with Managed Copy, online streaming content and everything else you can think of (except Hulu), and then combine it with control and remote viewing capabilities? You guessed it, the Entertainment Tap. We understand that Pioneer is shooting for the stars with this one, but it most definitely falls under the category of it sounds too good to be true. Of course Pioneer is just trying to throw everything against the wall to see what sticks, which is great, but the anticipated release of 2010 seems ambitions considering everything included in the demo. We could go on and on listing the media sources and control devices, but Pioneer wasn't exactly giving us any negative responses. Lets just say the new ET concept is a do it all media server as well as a client client that plays nice with everything. For example, the ET can connect to a HR22 DirecTV HD DVR via USB and using the data from the DVR, it'll build its own version of the interface. Of course the whole video part is hard to integrate, so the ET simply instructs the TV to switch inputs at the right time to give you a seamless experience. At this point none of these features are finalized so don't be bashful with your ideas in the comments, because who knows, Pioneer might actually include them.

Gallery: Pioneer Entertainment Tap

Pioneer shoots for the moon with its Entertainment Tap concept originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayDLNAEntertainment TapEntertainmentTapETManaged CopyManagedCopyPioneer ETPioneerEtThu, 10 Sep 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer plots a Kuro-less future in the home theater market]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/08/19/pioneer-plots-a-kuro-less-future-in-the-home-theater-market/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/08/19/pioneer-plots-a-kuro-less-future-in-the-home-theater-market/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/08/19/pioneer-plots-a-kuro-less-future-in-the-home-theater-market/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pioneer empty Kuro
If you were afraid that the post-Kuro Pioneer would retreat to car audio, fear not, because the company has plans to soldier on in the HT space with a marketing message that emphasizes both its A/V specialty roots and "balanced" home-A/V product lineup. As much as we love those Kuro plasmas, there's no denying that the prices didn't exactly jive well with the company's efforts to get consumers to recognize the value proposition in its other products. We'll admit that everyday consumers (read: not Engadget HD readers) looking to assemble a one-brand system could have been scared off of the Pioneer name by the Kuro prices, but we wish Pioneer would have kept its plasmas around as an "aspirational" product and allowed shoppers to cross-shop displays by building in deep, off-brand HDMI-CEC support into its other electronics. Wiping our fanboy tears aside, we have to give Pioneer credit -- its current lineup of electronics (AVRs especially) stack up competitively on the value-o-meter; which is good, because with companies like Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha around, it's in for a tough fight.

Pioneer plots a Kuro-less future in the home theater market originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raybusinesshtibkuroloudspeakerspioneerreceiverspeakersWed, 19 Aug 2009 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer outs DCS-FS30, DCS-585, DCS-590 DVD HTIBs]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/30/pioneer-outs-dcs-fs30-dcs-585-dcs-590-dvd-htibs/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/30/pioneer-outs-dcs-fs30-dcs-585-dcs-590-dvd-htibs/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/30/pioneer-outs-dcs-fs30-dcs-585-dcs-590-dvd-htibs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pioneer DCS-590 DVD HTIB
If you're into an all-Pioneer system, we'd suggest jumping into one of its Blu-ray HTIB offerings, but we'll just hope that these new DVD-centric offerings strike a lower price point that allows more people get started right away and attach a Blu-ray player to the HDMI inputs when their budget allows. Coming to the lineup -- at least in the UK -- are the 2.1-channel DCS-FS30 and 5.1-channel DCS-585 and DCS-590 systems. All kits are based (see that?) on a powered sub, but the configurations vary from there. The DCS-FS30 adds two height-adjustable desktop-sized speakers, and the DCS-590 is comprised of four tall speakers and a center channel, but things get interesting with the DCS-585 that comes with six small cube speakers -- two for center, the remaining four to be sprinkled around the room or stacked and put up front. Correct placement is so staid -- it's all about choices, see? More pics after the break.

Continue reading Pioneer outs DCS-FS30, DCS-585, DCS-590 DVD HTIBs

Pioneer outs DCS-FS30, DCS-585, DCS-590 DVD HTIBs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Already on shelves in their U.S. forms, Pioneer's BDP-LX52 and BDP-320 Blu-ray players are just now going on sale in the UK but Electricpig has already gotten some time with them. It seems they found their audio technology including the jitter-eliminating Precision Quartz Lock System rather impressive, though whether that audio setup is enough to convince buyers to separate themselves from £550 or £400 (respectively) for one of these remains to be seen. Anyway, there's plenty of in the wild pics, we know how much you like gazing at knobs and "BD-ROM BDMV" blinking displays, so we'll just leave you to it.

Pioneer BDP-LX52 & BDP-320 Blu-ray players get the hands on treatment originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdp-320bdp-lx52englandpioneerukTue, 14 Jul 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer refreshes, lowers prices on its Elite receivers]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/01/pioneer-refreshes-lowers-prices-on-its-elite-receivers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/01/pioneer-refreshes-lowers-prices-on-its-elite-receivers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/01/pioneer-refreshes-lowers-prices-on-its-elite-receivers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Pioneer Elite SC-27 receiver
If you love the good stuff -- and who doesn't -- then the four new receivers Pioneer has dropped into its Elite lineup might be your cup of tea. Slotted in at the high end of the range are the SC-27 (pictured) and SC-25; and the prices of $2,000 and $1,700 respectively even manage to shave a few dollars off the outgoing SC-07 and SC-05. The SC-25 and SC-27 both hold up the ICEPower tradition, and the SC-27 wears a THX Ultra2 Plus badge -- the first class D amplifier to earn the distinction. Add in the Burr-Brown DACsADCs and Wolfson DACs on these two and you've got the makings of top-end gear. Lower on the totem pole but continuing the trend of shaving a few bucks off the older models (VSX-01TXH and VSX-03TXH) are the VSX-21TXH ($700) and VSX-23TXH ($900). As you'd expect, all the Elites get loaded up with a heap of Pioneer's best wizardry, including MCACC room correction, network connectivity and (of course) compatibility with iPods and iPhones. There's plenty of other good info in the press release, so hit the link for the full details.

Pioneer refreshes, lowers prices on its Elite receivers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elitepioneerpioneer sc-25pioneer sc-27pioneer vsx-21txhpioneer vsx-23txhPioneerSc-25PioneerSc-27PioneerVsx-21txhPioneerVsx-23txhreceiverssc-25sc-27vsx-21txhvsx-23txhWed, 01 Jul 2009 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer & Sharp Blu-ray joint venture officially official]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/06/26/pioneer-and-sharp-blu-ray-joint-venture-officially-official/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/06/26/pioneer-and-sharp-blu-ray-joint-venture-officially-official/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/06/26/pioneer-and-sharp-blu-ray-joint-venture-officially-official/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Pioneer and Sharp have officially finalized their deal to combine Blu-ray operations, completing the joint venture planned since Pioneer began navigating its way out of several businesses including its Kuro plasma HDTVs. The official PDF has all the details, but the salient points are that Pioneer will have 66% ownership and 3 of 5 seats on the board of the 450-employee joint venture, ready to start up on schedule October 1, for the development, design, manufacture and sale of optical disc products, primarily Blu-ray.

Pioneer & Sharp Blu-ray joint venture officially official originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer BDP-23FD Blu-ray player
Well, that didn't take long, now did it? Right on the heels of the UK announcement, Pioneer's trifecta of Profile 2.0 Blu-ray decks -- the BDP-120, BDP-320 and pictured BDP-23FD (known as the BDP-LX52 in European trim) -- got their official US intro to the tune of $299, $399 and $599, respectively. The specs from the January peek at these models remain intact, but covering three price brackets requires some points of differentiation; in this case provided by various video processing magic, onboard persistent storage for the BDP-320 and BDP-23FD, and missing 7.1-channel analog outs on the BDP-120. Oh yeah, and you just know that the BDP-23FD gets that swank Elite badging.

Pioneer's Blu-ray player trio gets official in the US originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer BDP-320 Blu-ray player
Pioneer has introduced a familiar trio of Blu-ray players to the British market -- entry-level, midrange and a high-end LX model. The company is going to kick things off in the middle in June when the BDP-320 (pictured) shows up on shelves wearing a £400 MSRP, followed in July by the appearance of the £550 BDP-LX52 and £270 BDP-120 for those who need more luxury or cash, respectively. All models are Profile 2.0 and lossless codec support, but it doesn't look like the UK-spec models of the BDP-120 and 320 don't seem to carry the 7.1-channel analog output thats the US models do, so it's either pony up for the LX52 or go the Bitstream route, friends. Persistent storage is handled by an 2GB USB flash drive for BDP-120 buyers, the other two models have onboard storage.

Pioneer brings more affordable Blu-ray options to UK originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filling your need for 1080p sources in digital signage, museums, video walls, houses of worship, public displays, nightclubs, opium dens and broadcast, Pioneer has taken the wraps off of the BDP-V6000 professional Blu-ray disc player, complete with RS-232C support, "enhanced search" through a disc's menus and time code, Pro GUI, BD-Live and rack mount kit. No price, though interested buyers should expect a September launch, though you can get an in-person demo at Infocomm later this month. If you prefer your high res video from SD/SDHC cards, Pioneer's also announced the HD-V9000, ready for stand alone operation or control via RS-232C or over a network for high end applications, no price tag or final specs on that one, though it is due in early 2010.

Pioneer BDP-V6000 is a Blu-ray player for the pros originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K receiver
Much to the unofficial surprise of owners who have been using Pioneer's new receiver models since early this month, they're now officially available. If you've been holding out for seamless integration between the receiver and your iPod/iPhone devices (you do have more than one, right?), you'll take some comfort in the "Works with iPhone" and "Made for iPod" labeling on Pioneer's VSX-819H, VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH (pictured) models that come in at $299, $399 and $499, respectively. In a nod to lifestyle convenience, Pioneer's press release skips over the HT specs for these receivers and plays up the Advanced Sound Retriever and Auto Level Control features that promise to put some life back into your lossy encoded music. We're a little sad to see the HT side of things didn't get more ink -- these units offer good complements of features, especially at their respective price points; if you've been playing with one of these, let us know what you think below.

Pioneer's VSX-819H, VSX-819AH and VSX-1019AH officially available originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 27 May 2009 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneipodpioneerreceivervsx-1019ahvsx-819hvsx-919-ahWed, 27 May 2009 07:14:00 EST<![CDATA[AVReview pits four high-end receivers against each other]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/27/avreview-pits-four-high-end-receivers-against-each-other/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/27/avreview-pits-four-high-end-receivers-against-each-other/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/27/avreview-pits-four-high-end-receivers-against-each-other/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pioneer SC-LX71, Onkyo TX-NR906, Sony STR-DA5400ES, Yamaha RX-V3900
Despite the trickle down of advanced features on many manufacturers' lower-end receivers, there's still plenty of room for their upper-echelon offerings as well, and the UK's AVReview put four £1,200 - £1,500 ($1,750 - $2,200) receivers in a matchup. Entering the ring were the Onkyo TX-NR906, Pioneer SC-LX71 (SC-07 in the US), Sony STR-DA5400ES and Yamaha RX-V3900; we only wish models from Denon and Marantz would have made it to the contest as well. That said, matching up four receivers is not to be taken lightly, and it sounds like each of the contestants would serve you well in both features and absolute performance. We won't spoil the ending for you, but even though only one receiver snagged the overall crown, at this price point you should know that things are more nuanced than a single "winner;" your personal priorities are going to be the biggest variable in choosing the best model for you.

[Boxing glove image courtesy germes-online]

AVReview pits four high-end receivers against each other originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer PDX-Z10 SACD player
We're not sure about how well the SACD (Super Audio CD) format is doing in Japan, but if it's anything like it is here in the US, then the iPod input on Pioneer Japan's PDX-Z10 SACD player will be a welcome addition to those audiophiles who actually want a wide selection of content. To be fair, the PDX-Z10 packs a fair bit of audio utility into its sleek chassis, with a 2x50-Watt amp, USB input, and an ethernet port for DLNA access to media stored around your local network. The PDX-Z10 is set for a late May release, but the ¥150,000 ($1500) pricetag is going to relegate this piece of gear to the executive offices. Again, we're not intimately familiar with the Japanese market, but we're scratching our heads over how Pioneer could shutter the Kuro displays, but keep a light on for SACD.

Pioneer gives its PDX-Z10 SACD player an iPod boost originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiodlnajapanpdx-z10pioneersacdusbTue, 21 Apr 2009 02:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer debuts $249.99 8x BDR-2203 internal Blu-ray burner]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/14/pioneer-debuts-249-99-8x-bdr-2203-internal-blu-ray-burner/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/14/pioneer-debuts-249-99-8x-bdr-2203-internal-blu-ray-burner/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/14/pioneer-debuts-249-99-8x-bdr-2203-internal-blu-ray-burner/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Slowly but surely, these internal Blu-ray drive prices are sinking down to levels we'd consider to be "halfway reasonable." For instance, have a look at Pioneer's latest, the BDR-2203. An 8x BD writer that's totally capable of toasting DVDs and CDs when the BD-R spindle runs dry and very eager to play back Blu-ray Discs on your newfangled HTPC. It's all set to ship this month for a very manageable $249.99, and don't be shocked to see it moving for even less on the streets. Just be careful out there, cool?

Pioneer debuts $249.99 8x BDR-2203 internal Blu-ray burner originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8xbdBDR-2203blu-rayblu-ray burnerBlu-rayBurnerpioneerTue, 14 Apr 2009 19:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer, Sharp agree to joint Blu-ray venture]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/09/pioneer-sharp-agree-to-joint-blu-ray-venture/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/09/pioneer-sharp-agree-to-joint-blu-ray-venture/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/09/pioneer-sharp-agree-to-joint-blu-ray-venture/#commentsFiled under: , ,


As mentioned during Pioneer's reorganization, it's combining forces in the optical disc biz with Sharp, and have signed a basic agreement to start combined operations October 1. The aim is to strengthen the joint venture's stance in the Blu-ray market, but what exactly this means for Pioneer's Elite line of players is unknown. Negotiations are still underway and we should likely hear more by the time a final agreement is reached, anticipated by June 25. [Warning: PDF read link]

Pioneer, Sharp agree to joint Blu-ray venture originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayelitejoint ventureJointVentureoptical discOpticalDiscpioneersharpThu, 09 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer KRP-600M plasma showing up with cracked screens?]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/29/pioneer-krp-600m-plasma-showing-up-with-cracked-screens/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/29/pioneer-krp-600m-plasma-showing-up-with-cracked-screens/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/29/pioneer-krp-600m-plasma-showing-up-with-cracked-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Maybe Pioneer just needs to change shipping companies here, but we're seeing a frighteningly high amount of cracked screens on the KRP-600M over at AVSForum. The problem has become so bad, in fact, that users have started a dedicated thread just to grumble about it. Thus far, 11 responders have seen their precious plasma arrive with a cracked screen, while 18 received theirs in good shape -- not a good ratio in terms of quality control standards. We aren't sounding the fire alarm just yet, but we're curious, have any of you unboxed your shiny new set only to weep for hours due to a busted panel?

[Thanks, Gio]

Pioneer KRP-600M plasma showing up with cracked screens? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500m600mbreakingbrokenissueKRP-500MKRP-600MKUROpdpPioneerplasmaproblemSun, 29 Mar 2009 11:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer outlines KURO plasma exit, insinuates that you should buy one now]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/24/pioneer-outlines-kuro-plasma-exit-insinuates-that-you-should-bu/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/24/pioneer-outlines-kuro-plasma-exit-insinuates-that-you-should-bu/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/24/pioneer-outlines-kuro-plasma-exit-insinuates-that-you-should-bu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Okay, so maybe that harshly translated version of Pioneer's recent KURO-related press release doesn't actually encourage prospective buyers to snag a unit while they still can, but it may as well have. Following up on the outfit's curious decision to abandon a product line that was universally adored, Pioneer has decided that just four of its PDPs will stay in production until April 11th. After 3,000 or so of the KRP-500A, KRP-500M, KRP-600A and KRP-600M units have been produced, the lines will be shut down and we'll all be invited to what will undoubtedly be a tear-filled memorial service. The company has also made clear that warranty service will still be provided for an undisclosed amount of time (at least in Japan), but there has yet to be a statement made specifically regarding the North American market.

[Via Slashgear]

Pioneer outlines KURO plasma exit, insinuates that you should buy one now originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadexitjapankillkilledKRP-500AKRP-500MKRP-600AKRP-600MkuropdppioneerplasmaTue, 24 Mar 2009 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer's SC-07 receiver gets reviewed with an approving nod]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/09/pioneers-sc-07-receiver-gets-reviewed-with-an-approving-nod/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/09/pioneers-sc-07-receiver-gets-reviewed-with-an-approving-nod/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/09/pioneers-sc-07-receiver-gets-reviewed-with-an-approving-nod/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pioneer SC-07 receiver
The loveliness that trickle-down is, Pioneer's flagship SC-09TX receiver is no longer the only member of the family packing the B&O-sourced ICEpower Class D amplification. The $2,200, 110-Watt 7.1-channel SC-07 went under review at digitaltrends and to no one's surprise, it was liked. Taking top honors were the clean front panel and powerful, warm sound. The remote, however, wasn't so well-liked and much like other reviews, the lack of HDMI video processing didn't slip by unnoticed for this target market or price point. As much as we admire Pioneer's purist approach and even feel that it's likely that a display paired with an SC-07 is probably more than capable of handling HDMI scaling duties, it's a notable missing check mark relative to the competition.

Pioneer's SC-07 receiver gets reviewed with an approving nod originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digitaltrendspioneerreceiverreviewsc-07Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer reveals 8x BDR-203BK Blu-ray burner in Europe]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/03/pioneer-reveals-8x-bdr-203bk-blu-ray-burner-in-europe/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/03/pioneer-reveals-8x-bdr-203bk-blu-ray-burner-in-europe/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/03/pioneer-reveals-8x-bdr-203bk-blu-ray-burner-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Blu-ray burners that do their thang at 8x aren't entirely new, but Pioneer is just now deciding to follow those other guys with an 8x BD writer of its own. The BDR-203BK is fully compatible with Blu-ray, DVD-+R/RW, DVD-RAM and CD media, and can toast BD-REs at 2x, DVD-R/+R at 16x, DVD-R DL/+R D at 8x and CD-Rs at 32x. It's available now on an OEM basis across Europe for €250 ($314), but there's no word on when us Yanks can expect a release here on US soil.

[Via CDRInfo]

Pioneer reveals 8x BDR-203BK Blu-ray burner in Europe originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8xbdBDR-203BKblu-rayblu-ray burnerBlu-rayBurnerpioneerTue, 03 Mar 2009 15:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Does the death of KURO signal the end of the plasma?]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/26/does-the-death-of-kuro-signal-the-end-of-the-plasma/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/26/does-the-death-of-kuro-signal-the-end-of-the-plasma/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/26/does-the-death-of-kuro-signal-the-end-of-the-plasma/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's kind of amazing, really. Not even a year ago, Pioneer was busy pimping its second-gen KURO, and by and large, everyone that witnessed one in person came away impressed. So, if Pioneer's plasmas were so spectacular, how on Earth did we find ourselves asking if PDPs even have a future beyond 2010? Not long after the economy began to soften, LCDs began to catch up. Sure, a side-by-side test would likely show that an Elite KURO has deeper blacks than the average LCD, but as GigaOM points out, the average consumer was beyond the point of caring. Since the beginning of this year, we've already seen two plasma players drop out completely, and one must wonder how long those other guys will keep holding on. Is the death of the KURO the tipping point for plasma? We'd love to think otherwise, but our gut is leaning to "yes." What say you, dear readers?

Does the death of KURO signal the end of the plasma? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deaddeatheconomyhdtvkuropdppioneerplasmaripThu, 26 Feb 2009 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer exec touches on exit from plasma business]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/16/pioneer-exec-touches-on-exit-from-plasma-business/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/16/pioneer-exec-touches-on-exit-from-plasma-business/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/16/pioneer-exec-touches-on-exit-from-plasma-business/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Yeah, it seems like hopping off of the plasma bandwagon is the thing to be doing right now, but Pioneer's exit is startling in more than a few ways. For starters, the company has been pushing its KURO line as the PDP set to get for years, and by and large, it actually has been the best around. It's one thing to leave a market you aren't winning -- it's another entirely to drop off while you're on top. Bruce Schepers, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at Pioneer Canada, sat down to speak on the departure with Marketnews. Granted, most of his conversation centered around that fact that no other parts of the company's businesses would be shrinking or vanishing, though he did mention that Pioneer would have ninth generation product "up until summer." He also affirmed that support wouldn't be waning for its heralded receivers and Blu-ray players, and that Sharp was a likely candidate for an optical-based joint venture. For the whole interview, give the read link a look.

Pioneer exec touches on exit from plasma business originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscanadaeconomyexitindustrykuropdppioneerplasmaripMon, 16 Feb 2009 10:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/12/pioneer-officially-leaving-the-tv-biz-by-march-2010-focusing-on/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/12/pioneer-officially-leaving-the-tv-biz-by-march-2010-focusing-on/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/12/pioneer-officially-leaving-the-tv-biz-by-march-2010-focusing-on/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bad news Kuro fans, the rumors were true and Pioneer is leaving the TV manufacturing business. On the upside, the restructuring deadline is March 2010, so a predicted net 130 billion yen ($1.44 billion) loss shouldn't be enough to get between you and the plasma HDTV of your dreams. The company's U.S. and U.K. plants are shutting down by April and February of this year, respectively, and product development for TVs beyond what's currently on the market is ending, seeing no prospects for improving profitability even after combining plasma efforts with Panasonic and LCDs with Sharp. Overall, there will be 10,000 fewer full time and temporary Pioneer employees than there were at the end of last year, while pay and bonuses for execs have been cut. The future for Pioneer? Mostly car audio, including in-car Blu-ray players and networked electronics, while its home electronics business focus on audio, DJ equipment and cable TV boxes, with a focus on using its expertise in improving sound. All other ugly details are contained in the press release, mourning the passing of another plasma supplier is in the comments.

[Via Bloomberg and AV Watch, thanks Carl H.]

Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscar audioCarAudiokurolayoffspioneerplasmarestructuringThu, 12 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/06/pioneer-reportedly-ending-tv-production-spinning-off-dvd-busine/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/06/pioneer-reportedly-ending-tv-production-spinning-off-dvd-busine/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/06/pioneer-reportedly-ending-tv-production-spinning-off-dvd-busine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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]

Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewskurolayoffspioneerplasmashutdownFri, 06 Feb 2009 18:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer prices latest trio of Blu-ray players]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/26/pioneer-prices-latest-trio-of-blu-ray-players/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/26/pioneer-prices-latest-trio-of-blu-ray-players/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/26/pioneer-prices-latest-trio-of-blu-ray-players/#commentsFiled under: , ,


When Pioneer introduced its BDP-120, BDP-320 and Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players at CES, we had a vague idea of how much they'd cost. Now, we're being clued in on actual MSRPs. Potentially most impressive is the BDP-120, which will offer up BD-Live functionality and a Pioneer logo for just under $300. The mid-range unit includes 1GB of inbuilt memory and will cost $400 or less, while the top-end player will demand $599. Kudos on keeping these priced below the stratosphere, Pioneer.

Update: Pioneer pinged us with updated pricing, now reflected in the text.

Pioneer prices latest trio of Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bd livebd-liveBdLiveBDP-120BDP-23FDBDP-320bonusviewDV-420dvdeliteElite BDP-23FDEliteBdp-23fdinteractiveinteractivityKURO LinkKuroLinkpioneerprofile 1.1profile 2.0Profile1.1Profile2.0rs-232Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Multi-region capabilities come to third-generation Blu-ray players]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/26/multi-region-capabilities-come-to-third-generation-blu-ray-playe/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/26/multi-region-capabilities-come-to-third-generation-blu-ray-playe/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/26/multi-region-capabilities-come-to-third-generation-blu-ray-playe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ah, the sweet smell of progress. Just months after Blu-ray Mods hosted up a wave of BD-Live decks with multi-region support, the site is now offering up the next gaggle of units in the same fashion. For those scouting a high-end player with an ICOS HD mod baked right in, you can order up a number of Pioneer players (the BDP-LX91 and BDP-09 Elite included), Denon's DVD-1800BD / DVD-3800BD and Sony's BDP-5000ES. We won't even scare you with the prices here, but you can venture to the read link if you're suddenly curious.

Multi-region capabilities come to third-generation Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdblu-rayblu-ray modsblu-ray playerBlu-rayModsBlu-rayPlayerdenonhackmodmulti-regionpioneerregion freeRegionFreesonyMon, 26 Jan 2009 05:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer responds to recent plasma ban reports with more of the same]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/19/pioneer-responds-to-recent-plasma-ban-reports-with-more-of-the-s/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/19/pioneer-responds-to-recent-plasma-ban-reports-with-more-of-the-s/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/19/pioneer-responds-to-recent-plasma-ban-reports-with-more-of-the-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Just last week, a report in the DailyMail got everyone worked up over the possibility of certain plasmas being barred from sale in Europe. Now, Pioneer is passing along a response made by the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association that seems to say more of the same. We quote: "According to the pertinent EU Directive a technology such as plasma cannot be banned from the market as long as the TV sets (using this technology) comply with energy efficiency requirements." That said, the EU and its member states are still hard at work on new regulations to ensure improved energy efficiency across all display technologies, and we're told that "all manufacturers will be required to meet these minimum efficiency standards in order to continue producing, importing and selling TV sets in Europe." So maybe we're way off base, but is this not confirmation of what we'd already heard?

[Via HDTVLounge]

Pioneer responds to recent plasma ban reports with more of the same originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eco-friendlyenergyeuropeglobalpdppioneerplasmapowerpower consumptionPowerConsumptionukMon, 19 Jan 2009 10:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer launches new KURO plasmas in Australia]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/19/pioneer-launches-new-kuro-plasmas-in-australia/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/19/pioneer-launches-new-kuro-plasmas-in-australia/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/19/pioneer-launches-new-kuro-plasmas-in-australia/#commentsFiled under: , ,


No need to wait for the CEDIA Gold Coast expo to see new plasmas from Pioneer, as the company has just announced a few new KUROs for those residing in Australia. The 50-inch PDP-LX509A and PDP-C509A have both been officially announced (though whispers of 'em have been circulating for a few weeks now), and the MSRPs are expectedly staggering. AU$6,499 for the LX model, AU$5,499 for the C509A -- yeah, ouch.

[Via CNET]

Pioneer launches new KURO plasmas in Australia originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pAustraliaglobalhdtvKRP500MKUROpdpPDP-C509APDP-LX509APioneerplasmaMon, 19 Jan 2009 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer's DV-420V upscaling DVD player somehow makes MP3s sound better]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/09/pioneers-dv-420v-upscaling-dvd-player-somehow-makes-mp3s-sound/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/09/pioneers-dv-420v-upscaling-dvd-player-somehow-makes-mp3s-sound/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/09/pioneers-dv-420v-upscaling-dvd-player-somehow-makes-mp3s-sound/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Pioneer already blew out its good stuff this morning, but it saved this gem for a little afternoon delight. The DV-420V 1080p upconverting DVD player not only makes your existing DVD collection look its best, but it's the first deck to feature "an exclusive MP3 encoding capability for supreme music portability." Oddly enough, those are pretty much the only details we're given on the subject, but the front-panel USB port enables playback of DivX files and JPEG shots if you find that of interest. We're thinking not, so you can feel free to save your $90 when it ships this summer.

Pioneer's DV-420V upscaling DVD player somehow makes MP3s sound better originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2009Ces2009DV-420Vdvddvd playerDvdPlayermP3pioneerupconverting dvd playerUpconvertingDvdPlayerFri, 09 Jan 2009 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer blares architectural loudspeakers at CES]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/pioneer-blares-architectural-loudspeakers-at-ces/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/pioneer-blares-architectural-loudspeakers-at-ces/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/pioneer-blares-architectural-loudspeakers-at-ces/#commentsFiled under: ,


Just in case 16 new speaker models at CEDIA weren't enough, Pioneer is using the spotlight at CES to showcase its high-performance architectural speaker line. All told, there are a half dozen new models in the family, all of which utilize the company's CST driver technology in order to expand the sweet spot. Each speaker houses a titanium tweeter, woven aramid fiber woofer and cast aluminum chassis, not to mention individual treble and bass controls for fine(r) tuning. There's no mention of prices nor release dates, but those that have to ask in regards to MSRP probably shouldn't bother. Per usual, full release is past the break.

Gallery: Pioneer blares architectural loudspeakers at CES

Continue reading Pioneer blares architectural loudspeakers at CES

Pioneer blares architectural loudspeakers at CES originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architecturaaudiocesces 2009Ces2009loudspeakerloudspeakerspioneerspeakerspeakersThu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer intros BDP-120 / BDP-320 / Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/07/pioneer-intros-bdp-120-bdp-320-elite-bdp-23fd-blu-ray-player/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/07/pioneer-intros-bdp-120-bdp-320-elite-bdp-23fd-blu-ray-player/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/07/pioneer-intros-bdp-120-bdp-320-elite-bdp-23fd-blu-ray-player/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Pioneer has put a few new BD-related products of late in other regions of the world, but America has been longing for a fresh line of Blu-ray decks from the outfit for months. At long last, we're being treated to a shiny new Profile 2.0 trio: the BDP-120, BDP-320 and the RS-232C-packin' Elite BDP-23FD (pictured above). From the top, the 120 features HDMI 1.3a, Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD bitstreaming, 1080p24 output, BD-Live with no internal memory (1GB flash drive is included), TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and an Ethernet jack. The 320 steps it up with 48-bit Deep Color support, three noise reduction circuits, KURO Link, 7.1-channel analog audio outs, 1GB of internal memory and a "jitter free audio transmission for CD playback." The Elite deck adds an aluminum front panel, RS-232C control port and little else. The trifecta is expected to hit in April for undetermined prices, though you can find the ultraslim DV-420 upscaling DVD player in June for just $90. The finer details are just past the break.

Update: We're hearing "around $300" for the low-ender and "sub-$400" for the step-up model. Final prices should be out soon.

Gallery: Pioneer intros BDP-120 / BDP-320 / Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players

Continue reading Pioneer intros BDP-120 / BDP-320 / Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players

Pioneer intros BDP-120 / BDP-320 / Elite BDP-23FD Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bd livebd-liveBdLiveBDP-120BDP-23FDBDP-320bonusviewcesces 2009Ces2009DV-420dvdeliteElite BDP-23FDEliteBdp-23fdinteractiveinteractivityKURO LinkKuroLinkpioneerprofile 1.1profile 2.0Profile1.1Profile2.0rs-232cWed, 07 Jan 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer breaks out iPhone-friendly, multi-zone AV receivers]]>http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/07/pioneer-breaks-out-iphone-friendly-multi-zone-av-receivers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/07/pioneer-breaks-out-iphone-friendly-multi-zone-av-receivers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/07/pioneer-breaks-out-iphone-friendly-multi-zone-av-receivers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


No question, the little iPhone / iPod compatible bit is included just to stir up a buzz, but it's hard to say that the inclusion doesn't make Pioneer's latest line of AV receivers a touch more desirable than models past. Here at CES, the firm is delivering four new AVRs, all with "high resolution audio" and HDMI 1.3 repeaters. The higher-end VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH models both feature Pioneer's proprietary Hybrid Amplifier Technology II (P.H.A.T.), Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoding, 120-watts x 7, KURO Link and multi-zone pre-outs, while the latter unit steps it up with a Faroudja 1080p video scaler. Those with smaller budgets / appetites can opt for the 5.1-channel VSX-519V or VSX-819H (pictured above), which include 110-watts x 5, fewer ports and less awesome extras. The foursome will hit shelves in April for $200 to $500 depending on model; full rundown is after the break.

Gallery: Pioneer breaks out iPhone-friendly, multi-zone AV receivers

Continue reading Pioneer breaks out iPhone-friendly, multi-zone AV receivers

Pioneer breaks out iPhone-friendly, multi-zone AV receivers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TAD and Sheffield Labs
Technical Audio Devices (TAD), a subsidiary of Pioneer, has a little something to show audiophiles that may lure them away from their CD transports yet -- a new 2-channel audio format for Blu-ray discs that it unapologetically claims "rivals 2-channel analog sound." We're not sure if that means reel-to-reel or vinyl is in the crosshairs, but the company is putting its apparently-unnamed format up for demo at CES. The demos are being hosted by none other than audiophile classic Sheffield Labs recording engineers Bill Schnee and Doug Sax, who have picked out some choice cuts to be played on pro-level TAD Compact Reference monitors and associated electronics; no word on if whiskey is part of the demo.

Pioneer's TAD shows off a new Blu-ray audio format at CES originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KURO Energy Star
Not to be outdone by their LCD brethren, plasma displays from Hitachi, LG, Panasonic and Pioneer have earned the right to wear Energy Star badges (or sashes). All told, 43 models from the manufacturers successfully navigated the 208-Watt "on mode" and less than 1-Watt "standby mode" limbo stick, and although the Plasma Display Coalition isn't crowing about smashing the requirements like JVC did with its LCDs, it's still a testament to advances to plasma efficiency. For us plasma-philes here at Engadget HD, knowing our obsessive pursuit of image quality isn't destroying the planet is a bit like having our cake and eating it, too.

Plasmas from Hitachi, Pioneer, LG, Panasonic break onto the Energy Star list originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yep, it's already that time of year again folks. That time when you begin to "see" your breath, the air has that "certain chill," shoppers go berserk and PC World readers toss in their votes for the most reliable HDTVs. The latest annual Reliability and Service survey received inputs not from independent researchers, but from 16,000 actual owners who can speak best for the quality of the wares they own. The happy winner was Sony, which notched above-average ratings in seven of nine measures, though LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Vizio didn't fare too bad, either. The biggest loser was Mitsubishi, which showed four below-average scores and a "higher-than-average incidence of severe problems." The four-page writeup can be viewed in full by clicking the read link, but our main question is this: are you in agreement with the findings?

Sony HDTVs found most reliable in PC World study originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Pioneer first introduced its unicorn-like 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, we weren't sure if the thing would make it beyond the drawing board, let alone be compatible with existing BD decks. Over at the IT Month Fair in Taipei, Pioneer showed up to showcase the capacious disc, and better still, a DigiTimes report asserts that these are indeed compatible with Blu-ray readers already on the market. Currently, the 400GB disc is slated to hit mass production sometime between now and 2010, while rewritable versions won't hit until 2010 to 2012. Not like it really matters though -- a 1TB disc is on track for 2013, and you know you'll be waiting for the latest and greatest.

Pioneer shows off 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, affirms compatibility with current players originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Long load times on Blu-ray players have always been a pet peeve of ours, and obviously we aren't alone. The gurus over at CNET UK rounded up four of their favorite decks and popped in a test disc (Vantage Point) in order to find which was the quickest at getting down to business. Trailing the pack was Pioneer's BDP-LX71, which took a staggering 1:54 to load and play the film. Panasonic's DMP-BD35 nabbed the bronze in unceremonious fashion (1:16), while Samsung's BD-P1500 slipped in second with a 1:09 load / play time. As we gave away in the headline there, Sony's PlayStation 3 easily took first with a test time of just 42 seconds. We'd love to know if any other untested decks could outperform that -- anyone care to time their unit and chime in below?

CNET UK hosts Blu-ray player load time shootout, PS3 wins originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't freak out, Americans -- you haven't seen Pioneer's BDP-LX71 hanging around at your favorite A/V store for one simple reason: it caters to the European / Australian crowd. And with an MSRP of AU$1,299, it obviously caters to the affluent, too. The Aussies over at CNET's AU branch were able to get ahold of the spectacularly shiny deck, and while they admired the lovely picture and sound quality, styling and selection of ports, they couldn't easily overlook the elephantine price tag, lack of Profile 2.0 and omission of internal DTS-HD decoding. Additionally, the slow loading speed put more of a damper on things, but all of those knocks still didn't sway critics from recommending it for those with the cash. For everyone else, we'd probably definitely look elsewhere.

Pioneer's pricey BDP-LX71 Blu-ray deck reviewed: great, mate originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember that pair of vivid KUROs we got wind of around a month ago? You know, that limited run set that would only be available to deep-pocketed souls in Europe? Yeah, well we've finally got an official release from Pioneer confirming their existence, not to mention a plethora of drool-worthy images. Both the beige KRP-500ABG and the white KRP-500AW are on sale across the pond for €4,499 ($5,741) apiece, though you'd better hurry -- with an economy like this, the affluent are apt to have these snapped up in no time flat just to rub it in the layman's face.

[Via Marcush]

Gallery: Pioneer's limited edition white / beige KURO plasmas now available

Pioneer's limited edition white / beige KURO plasmas now available originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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