Pioneer intros 2008 Signature Series Elite KURO monitors

Not content with just busting out a new pair of Elite KURO plasmas, Pioneer has separately introduced four 1080p Pro models for those with (even more) exquisite tastes and deep wallets to back it up. The whole lot enjoys the firm's highly touted Optimum Mode, which "simultaneously monitors video and room light conditions" and then makes the most appropriate adjustments based on what it senses, and "industry leading" calibration features. As for the 50-inch PRO-111FD ($5,000) and PRO-151FD ($6,500), you can expect a bolstered two year warranty and a ship date to be determined, while the Signature Series PRO-101FD (50-inch) / PRO-141FD (60-inch) units will arrive in October and August (respectively) with prices not yet disclosed.

[TrentD @ May 7th 2008 9:04AM]

Where are the Elites?

[TrentD @ May 7th 2008 10:02AM]

Whoops, I see now.

[Andrew @ May 7th 2008 9:04AM]

For 5k I think I'd just finish my media room, and ensure the lighting conditions never change instead of relying on "Optimal Mode".

http://pixblix.com

[RichardBronosky @ May 7th 2008 11:01AM]

Amen!

[LondonConsultant @ May 7th 2008 9:26AM]

A Pioneering virus invaded Engadget's home page today...

[Frank Furter @ May 7th 2008 9:47AM]

If by 'virus' you mean paid advertising, then yes.

[Josh @ May 7th 2008 9:32AM]

Optimum Mode? Sounds exactly like what my Samsung has...called Auto Power Saving Mode. It changes the light from the display based on the light in the room. Appears to be the same to me...

[Loban @ May 7th 2008 12:00PM]

Perhaps, but this is a Pioneer KURO. Please don't try to convince anyone that Samsung is even in the same class as a KURO.

[fraz @ May 7th 2008 9:55AM]

true, but auto power save mode sounds cheap, and elite sounds rich bastard money grabbingly expensive.

reminds me of when i was buying some speakers, the guy was touting how the amp he was using (£800 denon) could autocalculate the centre of the room with microphones and it was way better than my £200 yamaha, which I'm sure it was until i said 'oh yeah, I've got a microphone thing too, works really well, sounds amazing'. he wasn't impressed I'd broken his sales pitch on his assumption that anything under £400 he didn't sell clearly was inferior.

[Joshua @ May 7th 2008 1:30PM]

@Loban

Very good? Yes...

Better than Samsung and Panasonic? Yes...

Worth the money? No...

They are amazing sets, but definitely not worth the price they demand for them. And most consumers in the world feel the same way, considering Pioneer is like #6 in sales.

[andyg8180 @ May 7th 2008 9:52AM]

i have an elite kuro... best purchase hands down... I play my 360 and ps3 on it constantly... zero-signs of burn-in or image retention...

Upconverted DVDs look a shit-load better than on any TV i've seen... And ive had a samsung plasy before this one... (thank god for bby service plans :-))

[Bad Beaver @ May 7th 2008 10:22AM]

As long as you can turn those "optimizers" 100% off I'm fine with them, though I'd rather have r&d focussed on making these displays less hungry for power.

[TrentD @ May 7th 2008 10:59AM]

Pioneer already has lowest in class power consumption. They're anywhere from 20-40% less power hungry than similar plasmas.

[Herbal Ed @ May 7th 2008 10:32AM]

Pioneer released today lots of new products and made a sent out several world-wide press releases .... and you're reading the press releases.

How do you know that engaget is being paid to print this? You don't .... so why say it?

[Frank Furter @ May 7th 2008 10:39AM]

How do you know they're not, so why dispute it?

[wompa164 @ May 7th 2008 1:31PM]

@Frank

You're obviously a moron, just do the world a favor and kill yourself.

You're making borderline libelous against Engadget and your only defense is 'well if you can't prove I'm wrong then don't question me'? How about YOU provide one shred of evidence to back up your very serious, pointed claims?

Aho.

[Blair @ May 7th 2008 10:46AM]

I doubt Engadget gets paid to print this.

Pioneer makes very good products. Very expensive but very good products.

It's because there so good lots of people know about them and want to know about new models. The Pioneer Kuro HDTVs are some of the best HDTVs you can buy. If it was my tech blog I'd post all the Pioneer press releases too.

New Kuro releases make a lot of people excited, many people have been waiting for these 2008 models to buy.

[lakersin2025 @ May 7th 2008 11:34AM]

I got to get one of thee for my next display.

[XpacTa @ May 7th 2008 11:53AM]

Shouldn't a monitor be cheaper than a TV - I mean - no tuner, no speakers, higher pricetag... wtf?!?

[Blair @ May 7th 2008 11:58AM]

The prices of the monitors are TBD. The prices you are looking at are the Kuro Elite's. A even higher end version of the Kuro's.

[Loban @ May 7th 2008 12:09PM]

Who even uses the tuner or speakers in the actual TV anymore? If you're spending $5000 on a KURO, the least you can do is spend $500 more for surround sound.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ May 7th 2008 12:30PM]

You are giving up sound and a tuner in lieu of a better display with better display capabilities than a TV with the tuner built in to it.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ May 7th 2008 12:40PM]

I should also add that omitting the speakers means Pioneer can make the overall dimensions of the display smaller, allowing it to fit in to spaces where previously a smaller display with intergreted speakers would have resided.

My Sony KD-34XBR960 has speakers but I opt to use my Onkyo-Integra (Pioneer Elite audio is worth considering) reciever with Paradigm speakers instead. Most people buying a high end set will have their own preferred audio equipment to begin with. It's a better experience.

[jake_dalton @ May 7th 2008 12:47PM]

I just wish they still had a 40" model. My apt. would be a bit overwhelmed by anything much bigger. It kills me that the 40" was discontinued. I've heard similar complaints by others like me that are living in smaller NYC apartments.

[phanbouy @ May 7th 2008 2:36PM]

KUROSAWA!!!

oh wait.. wrong forum

[S4Rs @ May 16th 2008 2:39PM]

Should I get this or try to buy a Pro 150FD discounted?