QUOTE(bananalow @ Apr 1 2010, 09:03 PM)
may i know what make kuro pioneer plasma TV so expensive compare to other brand like penasonic?
50" inch Kuro cost around 20k?
just want to know thx~
Good question! Depending on the model you're referring to the original retail price of a 50" KURO costs more than the price you've indicated above.
In layman terms, I assume it is safe to use the analogy of comparing a Toyota and a Lexus. Loosely defined, that would mean better build quality, better performance, more bells & whistles, etc....
The main contributing $$$ factor is R&D (research & development) of the plasma panel that is produced in-house (other brands outsource). In terms of the 'black' levels, word is that the panel has a deeper cell structure, filter, high quality glass, etc.
In my own personal observation, the plasma panel is pitch black when my KURO is turned off compared to my Sammy which is a greyish. There is hardly any reflective light. Deeper black levels = higher contrast and more detailed PQ
There are a lot of comparison made between the KURO and the latest LCD/LED that is available on the Internet. To date, KURO remains the benchmark to beat even though production was ceased awhile back.
Sadly, like all things that is focused on the purist niche market and not intended for the mass market, Pioneer's KURO achievements also lead to its demise when it is not able to compete in price-point against the overcrowded cheaper HDTV alternatives out there today
I hope some TV sifu's (I know there's one forumer here

) can help explain the technical performance of the KURO as compared to the other brands/HDTV alternatives out there.
Here's a little something to show the difference in black levels
I hope this helps to a certain degree to answer your question

Added on April 2, 2010, 10:55 amQUOTE(formalin @ Apr 2 2010, 10:11 AM)
Where? your Seremban shop? and when...might be able to drop in..

Bro,
I know you're in the market for an AVR. This would be a great opportunity to check out a reference AVR.
Too bad, I'll be flying off for a biz trip again.
Do tah pau some siew pau for me on the way back, ya?

Added on April 2, 2010, 11:10 amQUOTE(htkaki @ Apr 1 2010, 09:23 AM)
I might have Susano at my place next week. On testing purpose.
Kudos to you for organizing this!
Allow me to echo your intention. This beauty below is definitely worth checking out if you're serious into AVR. One thing for sure, it is rarely seen as display model out there as dealers would be crazy to put it on the shelf as this beast is so flucking expensive! Hmm... I can only imagine 9.1 setup test, perhaps?

Btw - I'm also very curious about the
Pioneer TAD-R1 speakers. Will it be available for testing someday too?
This post has been edited by serendipity168: Apr 3 2010, 12:37 PM