Why Pioneer chose Plasma technology

Ten years ago, Pioneer began designing and building flat screen TVs. But the story really began back in 1980, when Pioneer first launched laser disc. At that time TV was sized between 14-20 inches and had a resolution of 240 lines.

Laser disc had a resolution of 440 lines, but there was no display available to match with this source. At that time Pioneer launched the SD-26, which was considered to be one of the most advanced screens of its time, and it made a strong impact.

Following the SD-26, Pioneer produced a 40-inch projection TV. However the actual tube in Pioneer's projection TV had to be purchased from an outside supplier, so there was no way that Pioneer could improve the picture quality of this product as Pioneer wanted.

Pioneer then decided to make their own ideal high quality display.

This prompted Pioneer's research in 1991, where Pioneer evaluated various technologies, including PDP, LCD, EL, OEL, Thin CRT and others.

Pioneer's conclusion was straightforward: because plasma is self emissive in red, green and blue, it can reproduce the entire colour spectrum from black to white. It became clear, that in striving for the highest quality picture, that plasma would be the right technology for us.

Ever since, Pioneer's mantra has been to create the world’s best flat panel displays with the best quality pictures. For people who demand the best.

The result is Pioneer's new line-up, launched under the name 'Project KURO' (which means 'black' in Japanese).

Flat screens have become commodities; Pioneer's new screens break the mould. They are designed for people who demand the best in quality, performance and design.

Why black is so important

Black creates the perfect canvas for rich colours.

In the art world, a plain white canvas represents a blank slate waiting for an artist to create. In the world of television, a black screen is similarly a blank canvas ready for content to be displayed.

If black encompasses the entire spectrum of colour, the ability to create the deepest black results in the ability to create the richest colours. To create the deepest blacks, it is necessary to create a world completely absent of colour or light reflection.

Pioneer's engineers reached a significant achievement by creating black levels that are 80% deeper than previously possible, and with a true contrast ratio of 20,000: 1. This defines the ultimate "blank canvas" ready for high definition movies, television and sporting events. The deep blacks and vivid colours are the result of Pioneer's new deep encased cell structure, crystal emissive layer and first surface colour filter.

Oscar-winning cinematographer Dion Beebe ("Memoirs of a Geisha", nominated for "Chicago") spoke rabout the importance of black, light and color in his work. "Where light becomes interesting to me is not just in blacks and whites but the shades between light and dark and the subtle tones and textures within shadows," Beebe said.

"In terms of what I do as a cinematographer, it’s the ultimate tool in terms of creating a situation and imposing a look on a situation. The interplay of light, darkness and color captures everything, without a word being said."

Innovation in the new line-up

Pioneer's engineering goal was to create video signal processing without error, noise or compromise. What you will see in Pioneer's new line up is pure and original – just as the director intended.

The new screens also have an 'Optimum Mode', or what the designers call "Intelligent brightness control", which intelligently controls brightness so that you get the best picture, regardless of the lighting conditions.

This automatically processes the images based on the source and the room conditions.

For example, a dark image will be processed differently than a bright one, so, for example, a football game during the day will be processed differently than a night game. The signal will also be processed based on your actual living room conditions. So, the screen will make adjustments for a day game recorded and viewed in a dark room at night.

Pioneer have a rich audio heritage, too. And the incredible innovations with the PDP motivated Pioneer's sound engineers, too.

Historically, TV manufacturers had not paid much attention to high quality audio, often integrating low grade components. This time, however, Pioneer's sound engineers developed a carefully tuned system; even without using the television picture in their tuning process.

The result is speakers and an amplifier that are made of high-grade parts. The best sound you can expect from a flat panel display.