Pioneer outlines KURO plasma exit, insinuates that you should buy one now
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]
[Via Slashgear]
























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bozster @ Mar 24th 2009 3:29PM
Now they can invest all that money into Blu-ray ;)
Josh @ Mar 24th 2009 4:38PM
No, that's Oppo's gig!
Murray @ Mar 24th 2009 3:44PM
I got my 111FD on 3/14. From everything I've heard all warranties will be handled like normal.
RGS @ Mar 24th 2009 3:45PM
RIP Kuro! We all love you! :)
Kuro TVs are awesome and simply the best out there. I'm so glad I picked one up.
Video Master 2 @ Mar 25th 2009 1:11PM
PANASONIC is the only company doing plasma right. Kuro was good, but overpriced. Hence their demise.
Mike @ Apr 2nd 2009 9:29AM
Your out of your cheap mind. The Pioneer blows away any Panasonic PDP out there. Get your eyes checked.
Andy Sullivan @ Mar 24th 2009 4:11PM
I wonder how much of their technology will be passed on to Panasonic or anybody else. Obviously excellence came at a price that Pioneer could not live with but you hate to think that even a small portion of that excellence will be lost forever.
Josh @ Mar 24th 2009 4:37PM
Great point. I hope Panasonic got the inside scoop, although, based on their 2009 models, they will may hold the key.
Gallo @ Mar 24th 2009 4:06PM
Goodbye, LOL and kiss my.............
Fargus @ Mar 24th 2009 4:16PM
is this just for reaction purposes? Name a better TV on the market. 2009 models included....
corey smith @ Mar 25th 2009 2:23PM
@fargus,
OK then. compared to the 111FD, how bout the L65A90, pz750u, pz850u, or the 2009 Z1? or how bout the XBR8?
Josh @ Mar 24th 2009 4:31PM
Quick...before the Kuru dies, tell it about the gospel...maybe the Kuru can be saved and reborn...?
Ron @ Mar 24th 2009 4:32PM
Everyone knows they are good tv's but some people carry on like everything else is something black and white from 1965.
germanplumber006 @ Mar 24th 2009 6:46PM
Ron @ Mar 24th 2009 4:32PM
Everyone knows they are good tv's but some people carry on like everything else is something black and white from 1965.
Grey and White.... OHHH SNAP!!!
Andy Sullivan @ Mar 25th 2009 9:11AM
If you believe the many professional reviews, then saying the Kuro's are good TV's is like saying a Porterhouse is a good cut of meat. When we lose what those pro's state, that the Kuro is the best picture they have ever seen. When the benchmark falls it's just sad.
FM @ Mar 24th 2009 8:46PM
Yes, the Kuro was the best flatscreen ever made, but the one thing they'll leave us with is the memory of $7K for a 60".
If they sold these for $4K, they would have ruled the market and could have still been in the TV business!
NoAndThen @ Mar 24th 2009 11:36PM
Research and development to become the best in something costs a looooooot of money. Unless you steal it. But clearly they didn't.
Does this mean I can find a kuro on craigslist in 3 years for a reasonable price?
Probably the opposite unless OLEDs actually get off their ass.
kevon27 @ Mar 26th 2009 12:56PM
I don't think pioneer is getting out of the plasma business. It's like those stores you see here in New York City that say "Going out of Business" so they can get customers to come in and buy. Then they will say "Under new Management" (some old store with the same people running it).
Pioneer needs to sell more TV's and to sucker people in, they claim they are going to stop making TV's. The folks who wanted a Kuro but were holding off on buying one are now forced into buying because that product line is "coming to and end".
Kuro Sales will skyrocket in the next few months then Pioneer will change their minds and say they are keeping the Kuro TV around a little while longer. They don't want to dissappoint their fans.
You will see, in 2012 they will be still making Kuro TV's and they will continue to claim they are ending production..
Don't be fooled.