Pioneer, Sharp agree to joint Blu-ray venture

As mentioned during Pioneer's reorganization, it's combining forces in the optical disc biz with Sharp, and have signed a basic agreement to start combined operations October 1. The aim is to strengthen the joint venture's stance in the Blu-ray market, but what exactly this means for Pioneer's Elite line of players is unknown. Negotiations are still underway and we should likely hear more by the time a final agreement is reached, anticipated by June 25. [Warning: PDF read link]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 9th 2009 6:22PM]

This is nothing but bad news a disgrace that seems to keep destroying a company that makes so many great products, they started but eliminating the Kuro plasmas now we may not even get to see their promising high-end Blu-ray players.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 9th 2009 7:36PM]

Sharp has owned Pioneer for a long time now, at the end of the day when a company is not making money you need to do something, I see this as a good move, they need to do these things to become efficient.
If Pioneer didn't do this they may not even exist, is that a good thing?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 10th 2009 8:38AM]

I'm stoked about this. Maybe I will be able to get a Pioneer elite receiver that has working HDMI-CEC for my Sharp 52" LCD.