Pioneer stopping TV production and spinning off DVD business!?!?!?

[EvilYoda]

linky linky

If this is true...holy shit! That's horrible I wish I had the money to pick up a KURO before this happens.

I hope they're able to avoid this...

 

[Andrmgic]

It is very unfortunate news..

I just bought a Kuro this past Tuesday.. I'm glad I got in before this announcement.

 

[JackBurton]

Yep. This is REALLY bad news and AVS Forum has been going ape shit all morning. The only good news out of this is, nothing is touching my 141 for at least two years. I'm actually thinking about picking up a 111 for my bedroom before they are all gone.

 

[spidey07]

I'm wanting a new 50" for the living room. JackB, can you please just tell me what to buy and where. I can't keep up with all the models.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I'm wanting a new 50" for the living room. JackB, can you please just tell me what to buy and where. I can't keep up with all the models.

The Pioneer 5020 can be had for a steal at Amazon for <$2000. HOWEVER, Pioneer left out a lot of picture controls in that model. This was Pioneer's way of differentiating the standard model from the Elite model. The 5020 is still an AWESOME TV though and only second to the Pioneer Elite 111.

If you want the baddest of the bad, take a look at the Pioneer Elite 111. Full picture control and best of all, Pure mode. Pure mode gives you a VERY nice and accurate picture. It also provides the most picture control for a great ISF calibration. The Elite 111 retails for $4500 but can be had now for $2800 at your local BB Magnolia. And seriously, if you have the cash, I'd definitely try and get the best Pioneer plasma given the recent turn of events.

You also have the Pioneer Elite Signature series 101 (50") and 141 (60"). The Signature series offers the same exact picture as the standard Elite, but does not come with speakers, tuner, extra external connections, Home Media Gallery and a stand. However it does cost more, and the stand is normally a few hundred more. What it does offer is a 2.5" profile (VERY nice looking), IP based connectivity, and picture settings not only per input but also per resolution (1080p/24, 1080i, 720p, etc.).

I'd say for most people, the 50" Elite 111 is the perfect set. And for $2800, I think it is an AWESOME deal.

Also note, when buying an Elite, you have to buy it from not only a Pioneer authorized dealer, but a Pioneer Elite authorized dealer. BB is an authorized dealer and like I said, they are selling it for a GREAT price.

But I can give out specs and prices all day, but I find that pictures say more about a TV.


Let me know if you need any more info.

 

[spidey07]

Thanks, very helpful. May just have to pick one (elite) up before they're gone.

 

[KeithP]

I am not sure that this is such bad news. Pioneer will no doubt sell/license whatever technology they use in the Kuros if they stop making them. I am guessing that tech would end up in Panasonic's hands. It could end up that we see Kuro quality displays at cheaper prices in the long run.

I will be bummed to see them go though. I currently have a Pro 1150 HD and it is a fantastic set.

-KeithP

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: KeithP
I am not sure that this is such bad news. Pioneer will no doubt sell/license whatever technology they use in the Kuros if they stop making them. I am guessing that tech would end up in Panasonic's hands. It could end up that we see Kuro quality displays at cheaper prices in the long run.

I will be bummed to see them go though. I currently have a Pro 1150 HD and it is a fantastic set.

-KeithP

Probably correct. Why not at this point? They can use the IP to generate extra cash and they won't be helping a competitor anymore.

Panasonic sets are pretty dang good anyway.

 

[yours truly]

this is just rumour atm. no announcements have been made yet

from another forum, pioneer gb says

"What has been reported so far is speculation and no formal announcements on any Pioneer business will be made until the end of their financial year, at which point they are likely to comment on their restructuring and road maps. So any news coming from Japan is speculation on the part of the news sources as nothing official has been announced."

 

[bigdog1218]

This isn't surprising at all. They priced themselves out of the market. There just wasn't enough people willing to pay the huge markups they had on their tvs. The price cuts should have come way earlier.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: bigdog1218
This isn't surprising at all. They priced themselves out of the market. There just wasn't enough people willing to pay the huge markups they had on their tvs. The price cuts should have come way earlier.

How dare they demand more money for a product that's significantly better than all the others.

the bastards.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

*cries*

Guess I won't be buying a Kuro to replace my current Kuro when it bites the dust

I love the Kuro. It's sexy as hell, and amazing.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: bigdog1218
This isn't surprising at all. They priced themselves out of the market. There just wasn't enough people willing to pay the huge markups they had on their tvs. The price cuts should have come way earlier.

Please don't come into a Pioneer thread and post moronic comments. At least have SOME idea of what you are talking about when posting.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: bigdog1218
This isn't surprising at all. They priced themselves out of the market. There just wasn't enough people willing to pay the huge markups they had on their tvs. The price cuts should have come way earlier.

Please don't come into a Pioneer thread and post moronic comments. At least have SOME idea of what you are talking about when posting.

Thank you for your consideration.

well he has a point. If pioneer priced themselves to make themselves more profitable it would have been better.

The 50% price increase over my th50pz81 was too much. I didn't look at them side by side though and I'm more then happy with my tv

Its shame as people will miss out on the best tv that £££ can buy. You always pay a premium foe the very best and people weren't willing to for the kuros.

Koing

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: bigdog1218
This isn't surprising at all. They priced themselves out of the market. There just wasn't enough people willing to pay the huge markups they had on their tvs. The price cuts should have come way earlier.

Please don't come into a Pioneer thread and post moronic comments. At least have SOME idea of what you are talking about when posting.

Thank you for your consideration.

well he has a point. If pioneer priced themselves to make themselves more profitable it would have been better.

The 50% price increase over my th50pz81 was too much. I didn't look at them side by side though and I'm more then happy with my tv

Its shame as people will miss out on the best tv that £££ can buy. You always pay a premium foe the very best and people weren't willing to for the kuros.

Koing

Pioneer didn't price themselves out of the market. Pioneer's problem was that they ONLY sold high end TVs. Their prices were right in line with high end quality TVs. Take a look at Sony's XBR8 series TVs. Also take a look at Samsung's 950 series. In comparison, the Pioneers are much better priced. However, Samsung and Sony have others models to sell to cover the cost when their high end sets don't sell very well (especially in this economy). Pioneer had all their eggs in one basket. And in a sense, I like that from a consumer stand point. I'd rather them keep pushing the envelope and keep producing the highest quality sets, than comprise quality and start pumping out junk (see Vizio). With Pioneer, you got what you paid for, the best. And the best never comes cheap. If you want a balance of price and quality, Panasonic and Samsung are great choices. If you want cheap junk, Vizio is the perfect TV for you.

In the end, and as sad as it may be, I'd rather Pioneer go out of business than compromise what they stood for. And the people that wanted something for nothing, have fun with your Vizio sets of the future. Cheap junk is where the market is headed. I predict Sony is going to have a VERY hard road ahead of them, and Panasonic has a tough fight too. I wouldn't be surprised if Sony bows out of the TV business altogether soon. However, Vizio should be doing great. YEAH for Wal-mart TVs!!!! :roll:

 

[yours truly]

im guessing the kuro name and r&d is going to be sold to panasonic

im gutted at the news though..

 

[erwos]

Didn't Pioneer go into joint production with Panasonic a year or two ago?

 

[Locut0s]

Wow just heard about this yesterday. I might be in the market for a new 50" plasma and was looking at either the Panasonic 800 series or the Pioneer 5020 (maybe). Does this news mean we will start to see places liquidate their pioneer stock, maybe some great deals? Here's hoping.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: erwos
Didn't Pioneer go into joint production with Panasonic a year or two ago?

They were going to but things went worse for them as a company than they were projecting so they scratched those plans and ditched their entire plat panel buisness instead.

 

[cliftonite]

I love my Kuro.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: erwos
Didn't Pioneer go into joint production with Panasonic a year or two ago?

They were going to but things went worse for them as a company than they were projecting so they scratched those plans and ditched their entire plat panel buisness instead.

IIRC, the technology that makes a Kuro "a Kuro" got sold to Panasonic. So we very well might see some new spectacular panels from them instead.

Truthfully, them getting out of the DVD business bothers me more... they made some really nice DVD changers. Maybe I'll finally see some sales on the DVD mega-changers they make.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: erwos
Didn't Pioneer go into joint production with Panasonic a year or two ago?

They were going to but things went worse for them as a company than they were projecting so they scratched those plans and ditched their entire plat panel buisness instead.

IIRC, the technology that makes a Kuro "a Kuro" got sold to Panasonic. So we very well might see some new spectacular panels from them instead.

Yeah.

Panasonic maybe able to get panels out similar to the level the Kuro's were at, but I think that's not the point for the long term. It's only the next generation, maybe two, that their tech will be able to keep them ahead in the market. The real loss here, is the R&D from Pioneer. Everybody else was AT LEAST a generation behind in display tech, so now Panasonic has to develop their own tech after the IP from Pioneer isn't "cutting edge".

 

[SphinxnihpS]

The only problem Pioneer has is that people are stupid.

BB CC and all other large retailers made way more money selling Sonys and Sammys and Pannys, because the markup was HIGHER. The lower end sets have been pushed from the top down at these retailers, so even when someone would have bought the Pioneer based on what they saw would have been actively pushed to lesser TVs.

I have been out looking for Kuros for the past 3 months. Everywhere I went they tried to sell me a different TV because they make more on them. When you're looking at TVs that cost $2500+ and the salesman is steering you to $1500 sets for no reason, your sensors should go off. Mine did, and I started asking questions.

Also, I have yet to see a Kuro in a store playing HD content. No wonder people never buy any, they look WORSE than lesser TVs playing SD content because they show you ALL the flaws.

The cards were stacked against Pioneer from the get go, and consumer ignorance just hastened their demise.

The comment about Pioneer pricing is precious. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: erwos
Didn't Pioneer go into joint production with Panasonic a year or two ago?

They were going to but things went worse for them as a company than they were projecting so they scratched those plans and ditched their entire plat panel buisness instead.

IIRC, the technology that makes a Kuro "a Kuro" got sold to Panasonic. So we very well might see some new spectacular panels from them instead.

Yeah.

Panasonic maybe able to get panels out similar to the level the Kuro's were at, but I think that's not the point for the long term. It's only the next generation, maybe two, that their tech will be able to keep them ahead in the market. The real loss here, is the R&D from Pioneer. Everybody else was AT LEAST a generation behind in display tech, so now Panasonic has to develop their own tech after the IP from Pioneer isn't "cutting edge".

They already stole it, were sued by Pioneer, and lost. Since the settlement, Panny has used Pioneer tech, but do not have the same commitment to quality manufacturing, and no they won't continue with R&D they way Pioneer did.

Black day for TV today.

 

[Andrmgic]

I should have my 5020FD tomorrow or wednesday at the latest. Hopefully it arrives in one piece.. as inventories are getting tighter.

Everything I've read says that the Kuro looks much better in a home environment than the store.. picture wise, even in the least ideal conditions in Best Buy it looks on par with the other televisions on the same aisle.. just not as bright.

Needless to say, I can't wait to get it in my dark living room at the apartment.