Pioneer isn't abandoning Kuro plasma, expects same-quality panels from Matsushita

If you're all broken up about Pioneer's seeming exit of the plasma business, take heart. Pioneer Executive Vice President Russ Johnston claims Pioneer's plans aren't to abandon Kuro-quality plasma displays in any way. The move to an outside manufacturer (Matsushita, parent company of Panasonic) is designed to cut cost in plasma production, but Pioneer still plans to maintain its premium edge over competitors. "The number-one goal is to make sure we can maintain our differentiation," said Russ, "and specifically our Kuro difference in the marketplace." Apparently Pioneer will be still be responsible for the video circuit and processing, the color filter strategy and other such secret sauce, and the company is confident Matsushita can step up to the Pioneer level of panel production -- even if it might involve sharing a few trade secrets along the way. Apparently Matsushita is slated to start providing the modules by 2009.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2008 1:16PM]

Greatest news ever!! Whew... those other reports made it sound like they were exiting the business as a whole. As a KURO owner I have never seen a better HDTV in my life. Keep up the good fight of making a higher class product Pioneer.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2008 1:11PM]

this is nice! since Matsushita can now make more panels, maybe the prices will come down a little, no? assuming they can meet supply...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2008 7:40PM]

This is good. Pioneer Kuro Plasma = best TV's ever.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2008 1:10AM]

intresting.... maybe this is the plan pioneer had in mind, if production is moved somewhere else cost will be less and everyone assumes build quality would be worse but thanks to this article build quality and Picture Quality is going to be retain at the same level while being cheaper. This could show a sign for lower cost flat screen in general not just PDP. meanwhile pioneer gets back on their feet analisty thank by 2010 but one years time?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 10th 2008 8:22AM]

Hmmmm. Although it's a bit of a relief to read this, I'm reminded of another company from years back doing a reformulation of its product much to the chagrin of it's consumers.

I can see it now: New Kuro being a dissappointment and eventually being replaced by Classic Kuro, which itself is pale shade of Original Kuro.

It will be interesting to see the first reviews of the "reformulation".