Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio

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.]

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 12th 2009 3:41AM]

Vizio is also dropping plasma.

Very crafty excuse. See, it's not anything to do with plasma, it's that they don't look good under store lighting.... Well, that and they want to make room for other technologies that sell better.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 12th 2009 11:30AM]

Wow, AOL deleted the URL out of my post, presumably because it went to a competing site?

That's pretty low.

I only linked to it because engadget didn't have the info yet. Maybe instead of deleting URLs you could ensure your info is up to date so the issue doesn't arise?

[Wwhat @ Feb 12th 2009 11:34AM]

What? I've never seen engadget remove an URL to any other company, are you sure they deleted it and it's not you trying to put it in html format which gets stripped from comments?
Try reposting it without any brackets, just the URL.

[Richard Lawler @ Feb 12th 2009 1:35PM]

Our information is up to date. That was posted yesterday. I'm not sure how you missed it.

[Aidan @ Feb 12th 2009 3:58AM]

TV technology is advancing to a point where plasma no longer offers the best picture. Without the resources to invest in next generation options (OLED / LaserView / etc), Pioneer needs to let this ship sail.

Was fun while it lasted!

[Adderz @ Feb 12th 2009 5:00AM]

I own a Pioneer plasma from about 3 years back and it will STILL beat almost any LCD today, although i did pay dearly for it.

My honest opinion is its simply cheaper to manufacture LCD's. They can use existing plants and research. Plus they are lighter which cuts down on packaging and shipping.

They have tried to convince everyone LCD's are superior but we all know they arent...yet...

[disciple83 @ Feb 12th 2009 9:19AM]

Aidan, I want you to meet the new Panasonic Z1

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/panasonic-officially-premieres-z1-wireless-hdtv/

Panasonic Z1, I want you to take offense to Aidan's comments about dying technology and missing funds for research and different technologies offering better results, they're naive and don't know any better.

To me, it's easy why Pioneer is backing out of the TV biz. When you can get a Viera 50" 1080p for $1800, why in the world would you want to spend $3200 on a similar TV with a different label? I've made the comparisons, don't tell me about Pioneer TVs absolutely blowing away anything else.

[fonixdunmegood @ Feb 12th 2009 1:00PM]

Oh my friend, you have much to learn about which display is best. LCD is absolutely horrible, LED backlight LCD is just as bad as LCD, but with bloom. OLED is too far away to be relevant, LaserVue costs too much to make, Plasma is the only display technology to show acurate blacks with high contrast (you know so you can actually see whats happening in a dim picture), the only one with NATURAL color, the one that doesn't need 120hz processing so you don't get motion blur (which still happens with 120hz). I will miss Pioneer dearly, they were always so good and reliable... Better start saving for a Runco now...

[Bill @ Feb 12th 2009 4:16AM]

Noooooo,

I was always a huge fan of the Pioneer sets, especially the Kuros. What the hell... how do you not make money selling $6000 plasma sets?

Any chance of Pioneer getting back into the game in a few years when OLED screens hit the scene???

[Why should I have all the fun? @ Feb 12th 2009 4:19AM]

Considering Pioneer made some of the best sets, this could be the death knell for all plasma tech. Welcome LED and OLED.

[Information Central @ Feb 12th 2009 6:28AM]

OLED? Yes, let's all cheer the technology that burns out the most rapidly.

[dannysmell @ Feb 12th 2009 10:48AM]

@ Information Central

Yes let's discourage OLED because it burns out rapidly. Everyone knows that technology never moves forward and this problem will surely never be solved.

Oh wait, http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/25/toshiba-and-panasonic-double-oled-lifespan-exceeds-lcds/

[Richard @ Feb 12th 2009 4:29AM]

that sux, will that mean kudos tv will drop like a rock?

[Zane @ Feb 12th 2009 5:42AM]

It's "Kuro" boy..

Chavs..

[Magallanes @ Feb 12th 2009 6:55AM]

kuro black?

[michas_pi @ Feb 12th 2009 4:53AM]

Goodnight, sweet prince ;_;

[Pasky @ Feb 12th 2009 5:29AM]

I just bought a 50" 9th generation Kuro. Simply the best, but I must forget about having any further firmware upgrade :-(

Hey! Pioneer guys: Wy don't you OPEN SOURCE your firmware just to let us go on upgrading your beast? It won't compete against you because you leave the TV business.

[Pasky @ Feb 12th 2009 6:56AM]

My supplier just told me Pioneer is about to officially announce they'll provide 10 years support on supplies and firmware updates.

Too good to be true.

I do insist on having an open source firmware super dupper tv set. Anyone supporting?

[Onesolo @ Feb 12th 2009 5:43AM]

Arghhh!!!!
And I was waiting for the Kuros 10G.... what a pity!!!

[ian9outof10 @ Feb 12th 2009 5:47AM]

There will be a 10G, it's likely to arrive this year, before they shut manufacture down.

[Zane @ Feb 12th 2009 5:44AM]

They keep getting their ass kicked in home audio by better manufacturers, so is riceboy car audio the only way out?

[ian9outof10 @ Feb 12th 2009 5:46AM]

I've got an LX-5090 and I just hope it lasts its full 100,000 hours, because it's going to be a while until another manufacturer will make a TV as good.

[Onesolo @ Feb 12th 2009 5:52AM]

Geez, your right, March 2010, we're on 2009, uff!!!
I just hope that the rumors for a kuro 1080p 42" are real...
No matter what it happens I'm going to have a kuro plasma!!!

[Arsenal @ Feb 12th 2009 9:02AM]

This is like saying you're hoping for a ferrari economy car.

[Information Central @ Feb 12th 2009 6:27AM]

"there will be 10,000 less full time and temporary Pioneer employees"

less != fewer

Will there be fewer motivation to buy a Pioneer now? No. There will be less motivation.

[ian9outof10 @ Feb 12th 2009 7:19AM]

Your points, they has validity.

[Gavin @ Feb 12th 2009 8:26AM]

This is a huge loss for A/V enthusiasts.
Aren't there any investors who want to "help" Pioneer?
I guess I better save up for a 60" Kuro.

[Ry @ Feb 12th 2009 8:26AM]

Sad news..good thing im getting my 5020fd!

[Murray @ Feb 12th 2009 8:41AM]

A sad day for videophiles. :(

[aj @ Feb 12th 2009 9:07AM]

Ohh for the love of god...

I just bought my 5020 after months of working at best buy and comparing everything from a 55a960 from samsung to a kdl52xbr7 from sony...and on my life in those bright, store conditions the Pioneer absolutely destroyed those two sets.

Factor in that when I got home, it was amazing. I always had a half heart about the whole "best black on any flat panel" claim, but holy @$#% it actually does. Its a bajillion times better then any LCD as far as I am concerned.

Its such a pittance that Pioneer is dropping out, they did make the best flat panel out there; atleast to me.


Stick with the 9Gs if you want Pioneer at its best. I know I love my 5020 to death. And somewhere in my wallet there is room for a Elite 151..somewhere...

[Rick @ Feb 12th 2009 9:29AM]

They are ditching the Kuros to do Blu-Ray car players which then deem more profitable? Seriously?

[humps @ Feb 12th 2009 10:44AM]

such a shame. On SD tv and there still is a LOT of SD tv to watch, Kuro TVs are the one to have. LCD, as goo as they are now, still lags behind even the 1st gen Kuro. However, I don't think it is all because of 'plasma' it has more to do with Pioneer making good circuitry and signal processing. When I bought mine, there were the best Sony and panasonic LCDs right next to panny plasmas and Kuro on the source signal. It was a no brainer if you can afford it, else the Pannasonic. Plasma tech helps the picture, but ultimately, Pioneer has the best processing to get the best out of plasma too. Look at their Kuro LCD, the same Sharp panel, but looks so much better with the Pioneer magic!

Don't know about the US, but when I bought the 42" Kuro, it was £1250 compared to £1800 for a 40" Sony Z-series. I wasn't going to buy an inferior TV for more money and 2 inches smaller either! It is a shame Pioneer is out. I hope someone at least pick up their brilliant signal processing tech.

[Wwhat @ Feb 12th 2009 11:36AM]

Audio? Is that really something to float a big company on? I somehow doubt it.

[fonixdunmegood @ Feb 12th 2009 1:05PM]

Whenever you buy anything audio, you're paying about 50% of that to straight margin. Audio is insanely profitable, so yes, that is what they're going to float on.

[Josh @ Feb 12th 2009 11:48AM]

Ugh. Lame.

[TrueDis @ Feb 12th 2009 11:53AM]

AUDIO IS THE FUTURE!

[John Gasparre @ Feb 12th 2009 12:37PM]

The Kuro's are the best televisions made for under $10,000. 'I will hold onto my 8G (eight generation) Kuro for as long as it lasts, and perhaps run out and snap up a 10g Kuro when they're released. Tis a shame, but it isn't what the public wants.

[Bootleg Zani @ Feb 12th 2009 5:08PM]

Yeah that's the problem with the public. They are buying shit like Vizio.

[FILA @ Feb 12th 2009 2:35PM]

Mann this recession is really a bitch. Its kinda goin into the great depression, this summer is goin to be really bad

[Michael Neumann @ Feb 12th 2009 2:36PM]

This news seriously breaks my heart. I own a Pioneer Plasma on every level of my house and they are without a doubt the best pictures I have ever seen on HDTV's. I was never planning on buying another brand HDTV as long as I lived. Pioneer had me in their pocket and I really looked forward to seeing what they could do to continue to improve these sets. I am now honestly thinking about picking a couple more of thm up while I have the chance. That way I can be assured of having one for a very long time to come.

Very sad news indeed.

[Bootleg Zani @ Feb 12th 2009 5:07PM]

What will we do now for the best HDTV money can buy?
Time to buy a PRO-111FD before this shit happens.

[Montusama @ Feb 12th 2009 6:09PM]

well, it had to come eventually....maybe they'll come back....eventually...

[xB Owner @ Feb 12th 2009 8:30PM]

Sad to see them make it official. At least my 5020FD should be arriving soon. Glad I snatched one up before production ceased and/or the next gen PDPs hit the market at retail. Something tells me that you won't be able to find the deep discounts on the next gen. Pioneers, even when they get close to end of run.

[Ron @ Feb 13th 2009 1:22PM]

Hopefully, they keep making DVD Recorders, which are the best ones on the market - but I guess that market is dying down with all of the cable providers having their own proprietary systems anyways... :(

[wes @ Feb 14th 2009 3:54AM]

this is some bull good thing i got my 5020 lcd fanboys brainwashed everyone

[Mike @ Feb 18th 2009 8:36PM]

It is such a shame that people arent prepared to pay for the quality Plasma TVs that Pioneer produced

[Brian @ Feb 24th 2009 8:32PM]

To all you guys hoping and praying that this is a temporary measure, a friend of mine who used to work for ***** Laboratories, known for licensing their audio and surround technology to everybody who is willing to pay the bill, says that the order to cease and desist on the TV market came from the TOP, as in the CEO/executive board. And if you know anything about Japanese culture, that's the final say. Product support for either 7 or 10 years where required by law, otherwise, Sayonara, ichiban TV.

[Kraftastic @ Apr 1st 2009 10:57PM]

9g is the last we will see of the Pioneers. The March 2010 cutoff date is for exsisting product only. the 10g was going to be built with the Panasonic minted panels which never got produced because Panasonic delayed the opening of the new PDP plant.

So buy soon or regret forever