Pioneer's Elite KURO's Hitting the Streets

The Elite KURO Signature Series are finally shipping. Life is good. This long-awaited line of monitors takes the KURO to the next level. The Signature Series are handpicked at the factory for the deepest blacks and highest levels of color accuracy, with a signed certificate of authenticity (get it, Signature Series?) "validating Pioneer's commitment to providing only the best-in-class panels for this limited run series."

Notice that these are limited run sets. They offer extensive controls through an online site available when the serial number is submitted. The Elite KUROs offer self-diagnostics, signal support and more that give installers complete control, so the custom installer-folks are grabbing them up.

The PRO-101FD (50-inch class) is selling for $5,500, and the PRO-141FD (60-inch class) monitors  has a suggested price of $7,000.

Keep reading for the complete press release.

Pioneer's Elite KURO Signature Series Monitors Capture Industry-Leading Black Levels with Heightened Flexibility Crucial to the Custom Installation Market

Denver, CEDIA, Booth # 620 9/4/2008

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is now shipping its highly-anticipated line of Elite® KURO™ Signature Series monitors designed to deliver KURO's reference-class picture quality with a bevy of features designed and built for high-end home theater installations. Each Signature Series monitor is carefully selected at the factory, representing the highest-level of Pioneer® technology and craftsmanship. Every monitor is accompanied by a signed certificate further validating the Company's commitment to providing only the best-in-class panels for this limited run series.
"The development of our new Signature Series monitors began over two years ago when we set out to deliver a panel that addressed the specific needs of high-end custom installers," said Paul Meyhoefer, vice president of displays for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "Our Signature Series line embodies the unsurpassed KURO black levels combined with a wide range of advanced installation features that offer complete flexibility and control for our customers."

Signed by Pioneer KURO Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Yoichi Sato
Packaged with an elegantly-boxed certificate of authenticity unique to each panel, the Signature Series monitors assure custom installers that each monitor will perform and can be calibrated with the finest increments for the most precise picture possible. The new Elite monitor line embodies Pioneer's highest performance standards by exceeding capabilities and settings found in the highly acclaimed line of KURO televisions. Many of the precision parts used in the monitor line are carefully selected by factory engineers and undergo further hand and machine inspection, including measuring for the deepest black levels, peak brightness, white balance and heightened color accuracy that collectively are vital for extensive professional in-home calibration.

A Monitor Worthy of Professionals
Long known for its best-in-class picture performance, Pioneer takes the lead again with the new Signature Series line. With pinpoint accuracy at the forefront, studio and movie professionals are seeking the new line of monitors as their new reference standard and a replacement to the CRT in editing. Sighting the ability to produce intense black levels combined with the power to finely tune each picture setting to the precise measurement studio professionals agonize over for days in production.

Flexibility, Control and Customization at the Forefront
Pioneer has addressed the needs of custom installers by building a monitor equipped to handle the demands of the most complex installations. With a host of control options, including IP control, integrators are able to set up, monitor and run self-diagnostics on the panel for an entirely new level of customer service. A broad range of signal support, multiple menu structures and finer steps of adjustment for picture and gamma widen the gap between the new line of monitors and Pioneer's KURO televisions, giving custom installers another alternative within Pioneer's offerings.

"Pioneer Elite continues to set the benchmark in video performance, and the new Signature Series monitors will raise the bar even higher - they could be the finest flat-panel products ever offered," said Joe Barrett, president of Barrett Home Theater. "It's great Pioneer is taking the Elite brand to the next level with these Signature Series monitors, addressing the discerning needs of the upscale custom client who is always looking for best-in-class products."

Built for Installers from the Inside Out
Pioneer designed its Signature Series monitors with an integration-friendly design for improved versatility and consumer convenience:

-Slimmer Profile – With a depth of only 2.5-inches, the new monitors are 35% thinner than Pioneer's KURO televisions. A thinner design gives installers maximum flexibility for a variety of high-end home theater spaces. This enhanced form factor also brings Pioneer one step closer to its ultimate goal of producing a stunning picture that appears to be floating on a wall.
- Slimmer Wall Mounts – To maintain the sleek installation appearance, Pioneer brings to market a uniquely designed optional wall mount that maintains the monitor's minimal design and aesthetics.
-White Balance Certification – Using the unique serial number, Signature Series owners can access the white balance their monitors had when leaving the factory. This microsite gives owners the confidence in knowing their monitor is a one-of-a-kind piece offering optimum performance.

The Elite KURO Signature Series PRO-101FD (50-inch class) and PRO-141FD (60-inch class) monitors are now shipping for the suggested price of $5500 and $7000, respectively. -Leslie Shapiro

X