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Pioneer to completely exit the TV market?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Feb 2009 8:29 User comments (11)

Pioneer to completely exit the TV market? According to the daily Japanese Nikkei paper, it appears Pioneer is on the verge of completely exiting the TV market.
Back in March the company said it would halt Plasma production to focus on LCD production. "We have judged that maintaining the cost competitiveness of plasma display panels, or PDPs, at projected sales volumes will be difficult going forward," Pioneer said at the time.

Despite the great commercial success of its Kuro plasma line, the company has been losing money for a few quarters now on TV sales. If the report holds true, then Pioneer will cut their losses and move completely out of the market, instead joining forces with Sharp to make a stronger move into the DVD and Blu-ray standalone business.



Pioneer declined comment on the report but did note that they have been "actively evaluating" the company's TV business since at least last March when it decided to cut out PDP production.

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11 user comments

19.2.2009 00:55

It's kinda okay to see these guys leaving that market just to have a small "percentage" in it. At least they can stick to what they do best; making amazing home audio systems.

29.2.2009 03:22

Didnt know they made TVs.
Car Audio is really all I knew them for...

39.2.2009 11:43

Isn't moving into the blu-ray stand alone business more of a risk than making the tv's required to use said players? I know the article states dvd and blu-ray but one would assume the emphasis would lean towards the latter. (not trying to start a flame war)

Maybe pioneer is going to start a new line of reasonably priced htibs that gives consumers an easier way to create an hd home theater? For those first making the jump or who are not as keen to buying many different components this would seem like a logical option. Buy the tv and the htib and your set to go. This sort of thing usually falls flat on its face, but if the price is reasonable the average consumer will see the pioneer name and feel more confident in their purchase.

49.2.2009 15:17

Pioneer makes good stuff and at one time, they were respected as one of the best. But if you cant get Wallmart to buy it, well. Good luck with the warrantees on the newer one's sold

510.2.2009 00:18

I did not even know that they were in the TV market :)
I reckon they should stick to stereos and DVD and Blu-Ray Players and media along those lines it is what they do best.

610.2.2009 02:57

Originally posted by mike.m:
It's kinda okay to see these guys leaving that market just to have a small "percentage" in it. At least they can stick to what they do best; making amazing home audio systems.
Although Pioneer is a major electronics company and have their Elite brand, they are nowhere near the quality of home audio electronics as Krell, Mark Levinson, Theta Digital,VTL, Cary Audio, Boulder and the like. Their home audio equiptment can be classed as higher end mid grade, nothing near true high end.

Speaker companies as Martin Logan, Definitive Technologies, Wilson Audio Specialties make superior sounding speakers than Pioneer (least I forget Wisdom Audio)

710.2.2009 08:42

Originally posted by borhan9:
I did not even know that they were in the TV market :)
I reckon they should stick to stereos and DVD and Blu-Ray Players and media along those lines it is what they do best.
Their best products IMO are actually the KURO line of plasma displays particularly their 8th and 9th generation of plasma panels. These have been the most desired by videophiles because of their industry-best black levels, color accuracy and detail. I have the 8th gen 50 inch PRO-110FD.

http://ultimateavmag.com/flatpaneldispla...plasma_monitor/

Quote:
When Pioneer first introduced its Kuro plasma TVs a couple of years ago, everyone was amazed at their deep blacks, stunning detail, and gorgeous colors. Those first Kuro models represented Pioneer's eighth generation of plasma TVs, including the 50-inch PRO-110FD from Pioneer's upscale Elite line. The current offerings are referred to as 9G and include the 50-inch Elite PRO-111FD, which exhibits even deeper blacks than the previous generation.

In addition to Pioneer- and Elite-branded plasma TVs, the 9G lineup also includes two Elite Kuro Signature Series monitors, such as the 50-inch PRO-101FD reviewed here, that have no built-in audio or tuner. These monitors are said to be the best of the best, with more adjustability and better performance than ever before.
Those who have been waiting to get their hands on a reasonably-priced Kuro panel must be disappointed at this news.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 10 Feb 2009 @ 8:51

810.2.2009 15:31

Wow...I am amazed at the lack of knowledge that Pioneer was in the TV business. If this article is true then I will be biting the bullet and purchasing a 60" Kuro for my living room and moving the 50 inch Kuro there now to my bedroom.

Pioneer was not just 'in' the TV business but makes hands down the best looking plasma panel of any manufacturer out there.

I knew speculation was that Panasonic was going to start making the glass for Pioneer and they (Pioneer) were going to continue using their processing and do the final assembly.

If this is true, it is indeed a sad day.

911.2.2009 05:31

They're mostly in the TV business in Japan, and really didn't flock to the States for business, although it's kind of ironic that they had their stereos and DVD players come stateside (mainly for more profit), though. You would've thought that they would try to maximize their revenue with their TVs (since they don't get much profit from this), but it just comes to show that when something doesn't work, DON'T force it to work, or you could end with a mess at the end.

1011.2.2009 08:51

Originally posted by blueboy09:
They're mostly in the TV business in Japan, and really didn't flock to the States for business, although it's kind of ironic that they had their stereos and DVD players come stateside (mainly for more profit), though.
Pioneer HDTV's are widely available here in the states. Most major retailers carry them including Best Buy and amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1234360147/r...2Cp_4%3APioneer

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...sc=abcat0100000

1111.2.2009 08:56

Originally posted by Toshibot:
Originally posted by blueboy09:
They're mostly in the TV business in Japan, and really didn't flock to the States for business, although it's kind of ironic that they had their stereos and DVD players come stateside (mainly for more profit), though.
Pioneer HDTV's are widely available here in the states. Most major retailers carry them including Best Buy and amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1234360147/r...2Cp_4%3APioneer

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...0100000


I was wondering how he could get the impression that Pioneer's HDTV business was mainly in Japan. I see Pioneer plasmas all over the place. The Pioneer HDTV owner's threads are very active over at avsforums. The 9G owners discussion thread is over 280 pages long!
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 11 Feb 2009 @ 9:14

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