Pioneer intros 60-inch KRP-600M KURO plasma in Japan

Here in North America, we already saw Pioneer get official with its second-generation of KURO plasmas, but today is all about Japan. Said outfit has just revealed the dazzling KRP-600M, which checks in at 60-inches diagonally and 64-millimeters in depth. Pioneer is being its typical self when it comes to specs by simply tossing the 1,920 x 1,080 resolution out there and insisting that it pretty much looks better than any other TV on the entire planet. Not that we really dig that Bose approach™, but at least we're told that there are component, VGA, DVI, HDMI, Ethernet, RS-232C, IR repeater and audio in / out jacks. The set should hit Japanese shelves later this month for around ¥850,000 ($7,970), while the optional table stand, wall mount and speaker system will run you quite a bit less.

[Via Tech-On]

[Danakin @ Jun 11th 2008 4:51PM]

wow, that depth is crazy! And so is the price :(

[Glen @ Jun 11th 2008 5:10PM]

Hmmm... $8k for 60 inches of HDTV...

Or... just under $2k for the new Samsung 67" LED-based DLP.

And the DLP uses half the power.

[kjb434 @ Jun 11th 2008 5:11PM]

I never understood plasma TV's.

LCD is really getting better and it won't run your electric bill up.

Also, ever felt how hot a plasma TV gets compared to an LCD.

I personally use DLP since I don't need the extremely slim design in my house.

[Brendan Sheehan @ Jun 11th 2008 5:41PM]

"I never understood plasma TV's."

More expensive. Better black levels. Better image quality.

Does that help you?

[Godskitchen @ Jun 11th 2008 5:52PM]

"I never understood plasma TV's.

LCD is really getting better"

You fucking clown.

Getting better, thats like saying "Yeah I am covered in poop but now someone has pissed on me, so its getting better"

LCD is marketing, wake up, its not possible for LCD to display black and never will be, do some reading on the tech or lack of it in LCD to find out why.

I am sick of explaining why LCD is crap to people on here, I expected people who read a tech blog to know better............

[kjb434 @ Jun 11th 2008 5:57PM]

I guess 42" Samsung Plasma that I had for 30 days and viewed all lighting conditions must have been a lemon.

I returned it for the Samsung DLP that I still have today and great.

My Dad chose LCD over Plasma because he thought the picture was much better. He really didn't care about price.

Also, Plasma does cost so much more the operate. You'll see your electric bill go up from it.

[jdang @ Jun 11th 2008 6:37PM]

LCD is getting better, yet hasn't caught up to Plasma in PQ. Tha'ts what you don't get.

And price is fairly comparable in the larger sizes. LCD's are trying 120Hz etc. just to try and match plasma, plasma generally has better blacks, good color, better viewing angles, no motion blur etc.

LCD's are brighter, lighter, in general may be less power hungry (properly calibrated plasmas get close ... until LED LCD's come along) ... no burn in, but burn in is not that much of an issue except for extreme examples. Colors are good on LCD too.

Both are good, both have their place, just know what the strengths are then buy.

[lexxdiamons @ Jun 13th 2008 9:41AM]

@godskitchen

wow, hostile much? So big deal, kjb is not up on his HDTV facts, apparently either are you.

"LCD is marketing, wake up, its not possible for LCD to display black and never will be, do some reading on the tech or lack of it in LCD to find out why." -godskithen

That statement is simply not true, LCD's are making improvements in black level with every generation. In fact Samsung with the LN-T4681F and the new Sony xbr's use LED lighting as opposed to CFFL to produce pictures with nearly infinite contrast levels.

"You fucking clown."

"Getting better, thats like saying "Yeah I am covered in poop but now someone has pissed on me, so its getting better""

Well, he's right, LCD is getting better. Check out CNETS reviews of the 12 top rated HDTV's on the market, 6 of those TV's are LCD.

Not to mention LCD TVs can give you a better picture in real world applications. Sure, as of now, the best LCD can not match the best plasma in a darkened test room or home theater, but compare the two TVs in you're living room where I would think the majority of them wind up. Plasma has a glaring weakness in the living room, and that weakness is glare. Even the newer Panasonics with the anti glare coating, still give off enough glare to be distracting when you have a light source such as a window in the room. This is a case where a top level LCD such as Sony's new xbrs would give you a better picture. I want to watch whatever programing I have playing on my TV, not a reflection of myself. I own an LCD and a plasma, and I am not tring to downgrade either, it just seems that people are really quick to make uninformed and nasty comments. Now its my turn "you fucking clown, keep you're ignorant comments to yourself next time, douchebag. "

[tuaamin13 @ Jun 11th 2008 5:15PM]

"while the optional table stand, wall mount and speaker system will run you quite a bit less."

So you get a discount for buying more stuff?

[tuaamin13 @ Jun 11th 2008 5:16PM]

Nevermind... I just re-read what he wrote. The speakers and whatnot will cost less than the TV. Poor wording IMO.

[Eugenia Loli-Queru @ Jun 11th 2008 5:20PM]

>I never understood plasma TV's.

Then you need glasses. :)
It's about the quality. Personally, I love our Pioneer plasma TV, much better than any LCD or other consumer TV out there today (I don't count experimental technology and OLEDs of course).

Plus, for me, the big-big feature on the Pioneers are their algorithms for their 24p support at 72Hz. And my husband digs the dot-by-dot mode that lets you play 1080p PS3 games without missing a pixel or resizing (like other 1080p TVs do).

[Low Ranked @ Jun 11th 2008 5:27PM]

I love your avatar.

[Bryan Thornsberry @ Jun 11th 2008 6:02PM]

No doubt, after so much research I was set on LCD.

Then I went and saw a plasma in a GOOD a/v retailer (not a big box retailer that shows rows of tv's next to eachother.)

It took five minutes, and I was out the door with a brand new LG Plasma. GORGEOUS tv, and any of my friends who come by and compare it to my room mates LCD think his TV is washed out or faded. Plus when you see fast movement, depending on your settings, the plasma seems to make it look a lot cleaner. HD is amazing on plasma.

[Taylor @ Jun 11th 2008 6:08PM]

ummm, whatever happened to Pioneer doing away with Plasma. Am I dreaming? There was this big uproar that they had come out with KURO and were going to have someone else make their panels with KURO. Is that what this is? Just someone else actually made it and it's got their name stamped on it?

[Ari @ Jun 12th 2008 1:36AM]

I believe they were still producing another generation of Kuro's.

[Bradley Clarke @ Jun 13th 2008 8:04AM]

They are still producing them, using there software and processing system, but using panasonic plasma screens, but not till 2009.

[Ari @ Jun 11th 2008 6:59PM]

Once you see a Kuro in action, there's no denying its worth the price for the quality.

[Reader @ Jun 11th 2008 9:03PM]

Perfect to go with my new Voodoo Omen. Now just need some 7k+ speakers, any suggestions?

[Bakes @ Jun 12th 2008 7:00AM]

I have a feeling that you are being sarcastic, but just in case you are not a pair of BeoLab 5 speakers would definitely do the trick.

[colonelbob @ Jun 12th 2008 1:48AM]

I did a ton of research a few months ago (online/in store) before buying my current flat screen display. LCDs and plasmas have their respective advantages and both are great nowadays. But if you want an absolutely amazing picture for movies or sports, the Pioneer high-end plasmas are the way to go.

Only downside is that they're pricey, which is why I got a Panasonic plasma - excellent value, no regrets.

[gus @ Jun 12th 2008 5:59AM]

This is signiture series, it is in no way to compare pioneers top notch plasma performance, this is for those custom instalers that have $$$

This is the exact version of the 2nd gen aka 9g pioneer kuro plasma with the exception of barebone thing screen only, oh and it was hand picked by oopma loompa to meet willy wonka specs (joke though about the willy really its about QA being more strict)

and fianly this is the last batch (9g seriee not just this expensive panel) of pioneer in house production, by 10g pioneer will have panasonic glass/panel and will be on specs to pioneer's standards.

i own a 42px75u and will be getting the PRO-111FD it will be around 4gs i'd say (street price not msrp) and its 50" full 1080p elite pioneer, for those lcd fanboy's and uneducated people walk away.