will the kuro ever be beaten ?

[Anonymous]

Bazzy:
I would say that your Kuro at £1645 with a 5 year warranty was an absolute bargain!

Bazzy!

Yes I think I was lucky to have wanted an upgrade at the right time. This is one of the best purchases I've made in a while, I think I'd say the same thing had I paid the correct price.

 

[Alec]

Thanks Clare. I must admit theres a huge gap in my knowleedge of what the panels (as opposed to the other electronics and engineering you refered to earlier) actually consist of, so i thought of them all as being pretty basic things that everyone gets needlessly hung up on as its the other gubbins that really matters. Ive a lot to learn it seems.

 

[mgillespie05]

still waiting on my krp600a , rang today still no del dates,and thats another problem who is going to make a 60" kuro beater ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
Someone from Pioneer surmised that other manufacturers have definitely closed the quality gap this year - but they predicted it'd be 2010 before you saw a true Kuro-beater (ie clearly better, not just in same ballpark) at the same or less money. From what we've seen so far, that seems a reasonable statement.

However, as mentioned in another thread, still new high-end fare from Samsung, Sony and others that we haven't done a direct Kuro comparison to. ..

Hi Clare,

Would you advise someone who owns a Pioneer 8G Kuro 428XD to grab a Pioneer 9G 500A while they are still available? Or should I just wait until 2010 as the Pioneer would have been beaten by then. Would I be able to notice a big difference between the 8G HD Ready Kuro versus the 9G Full HD Kuro?

Are there any plans to do a direct comparison of the Kuro versus the new high-end fare from Samsung, Sony, etc. anytime soon? I think it might be a good time for a Supertest of these TVs before stocks of the Kuro run out!

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Not replying for Clare, but as I have posted in the past, I have a Panasonic 37PX60 plasma, a Kuro LX5090 and a Samsung 46"7020 (they are all calibrated)and in all honesty the only difference to the casual observer is obvious screen size.

Even the jump from 3yr panny plasma to the kuro, current 'best tv of all time' is somewhat underwhelming. Side by side there are obvious improvements, I'm compulsive enough to have done this, but when compared to the samsung, bar me, none of my friends/family could tell the difference.

I suspect this'll be the case with next year's models too, small incremental improvements but not ones that merit over analysis and depriving yourself of a great tv now, which'll still be great next year, regardless of the next best things released and reviewed.

I hope that helps.

 

[Clare Newsome]

You'll certainly notice the difference with HD content between an 8G HD Ready and 9G Full HD Kuro, but unless you only watch back-to-back Blu-rays - and have £2K spare - then I wouldn't rush to upgrade, especially as the competition is catching up so fast.

And with TV technology continuing to evolve (Freeview HD etc), there'll be plenty more reasons - other than just pure quality ones - to upgrade sets in the next few years.

Re testing. Under advice from Pioneer and retailers, we're not formally putting Kuros into any more tests. However, we continue to use them as our reference, so they'll continue to be our benchmark as long as they're available (and maybe even afterwards - again, existing Kuro owners are going to want to know how newer rival models stack up).

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the prompt reply Clare! Really appreciate your advice on this issue and you've convinced me to hang on to my 8G Kuro until something significantly better comes along in a couple of years.

Can you explain how the evolution of TV technology will be a reason to upgrade? Aren't the current HD sets able to handle any "upgrade" in TV transmission standards?

Why did Pioneer and retailers advice against putting the Kuros in any more test since they are still currently available on the market?

 

[Clare Newsome]

There's a thread here where Andy Kerr, our Ultimate Guides editor, explains the technical differences that Freeview HD will bring here in the UK, which will necessitate new TVs or set-top boxes for those wanting to view those broadcasts (when they arrive).

Re the Kuros - stocks (esp of the 50in sets) running very low here in the UK, and as we know, once they're gone they're gone. So the demand any potential test-win could create is unlikely to be met!

In the meantime, we keep the Kuros on our Best Buy list, and - as mentioned - continue to use and refer to them as our benchmark.

 

[Anonymous]

titanIQ:
Not replying for Clare, but as I have posted in the past, I have a Panasonic 37PX60 plasma, a Kuro LX5090 and a Samsung 46"7020 (they are all calibrated)and in all honesty the only difference to the casual observer is obvious screen size.

Even the jump from 3yr panny plasma to the kuro, current 'best tv of all time' is somewhat underwhelming. Side by side there are obvious improvements, I'm compulsive enough to have done this, but when compared to the samsung, bar me, none of my friends/family could tell the difference.

I suspect this'll be the case with next year's models too, small incremental improvements but not ones that merit over analysis and depriving yourself of a great tv now, which'll still be great next year, regardless of the next best things released and reviewed.

I hope that helps.
Do you mean Samsung UE46B7020 is equally good as Kuro 5090? Asking because I either have to buy UE46B8000 or Kuro5090 there is just £400 difference. Samsung is quite thin and looks nice so is Kuro, both have good picture quality ...so basically little confused

 

[Anonymous]

Do I mean the UE46B7020 is equally good as the Kuro? That's not necessarily what I said and I don't want to get involved in a war about which is better. Personally I have no agenda and no need to validate my buying decisions, wrong or right, so objectively, in most cirumstances and depending what you like in either tv, they're 'equally' good.

The one glaring difference is the Kuro's extra 4" screen size, which as I said above is the only difference anyone notices - the screen's bigger. No-one has been able to differentiate between them on picture quality.

The Samsung 7020 and 8000 have a cool media player function, which is genuinely good - they've replaced my PS3 for streaming video. It's also very, very thin, if that interests you - it's certainly a talking point that everyone that's seen mine, comments on.

I imagine the 8000 slightly better than the 7020 but again we're talking small increments that most wouldn't notice.

Take your pick; I'd have either if forced to choose.

 

[The_Lhc]

titanIQ: Take your pick; I'd have either if forced to choose.

Errr....

 

[Alec]

the_lhc:

titanIQ: Take your pick; I'd have either if forced to choose.

Errr....

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry that last bit made sense in my head!

I'm sure it doesn't need spelling out, but I will for the sake of pedantry - if I were forced to choose, it'd be a difficult decision, one upon which I may just as well toss a coin. I like them both equally for various reasons.

 

[Anonymous]

titanIQ:
Sorry that last bit made sense in my head!

I'm sure it doesn't need spelling out, but I will for the sake of pedantry - if I were forced to choose, it'd be a difficult decision, one upon which I may just as well toss a coin. I like them both equally for various reasons.

I totaly respect what you have said about 7020 and 5090. I went for the demo to my local store for second time today. Both TVs were side by side.

Being a LCD tv, UE46B8000's picture was very sharp and bright with lots of detail. So thats why its picture was looking more attractive then 5090 in the begining. Having said that, after looking both TVs for 10-15 mins, my eyes were more comfortable with plasma due to its soft picture and there was class feeling (may be because in my mind Kuro belongs to class

) .....I have to buy one of them this weekend, so really need your help.

Can you please answer following questions, specially titanIQ as you have experience of both of them:

1. As LCD picture is very sharp , can we watch LCD tv in dim light or in totally dark room?

2. Is there any screen better or worse than other for your eyes?

3. Can we make LCD picture soft by reducing contrast?

4. TitanIQ (and others who have these TVs), which TV you will prefer for (a) SD viewing, (b) HD viewing, (c) for gaming and (d) for sports?

5. TitanIQ (and others who have these TVs), which tv you will prefer for watching (a) daily use, (b) special use e.g. blue ray movie with your guests?

Many - many thanks in advance!

 

[Anonymous]

Harry,

If it were me, I'll get the Kuro - if for nothing else than the extra 4 inches which does make a significant difference. When it comes to TVs, size does matter!

You yourself found watching the Kuro more "comfortable" so what is stopping you? Go for it and enjoy!

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
There's a thread here where Andy Kerr, our Ultimate Guides editor, explains the technical differences that Freeview HD will bring here in the UK, which will necessitate new TVs or set-top boxes for those wanting to view those broadcasts (when they arrive).

Re the Kuros - stocks (esp of the 50in sets) running very low here in the UK, and as we know, once they're gone they're gone. So the demand any potential test-win could create is unlikely to be met!

In the meantime, we keep the Kuros on our Best Buy list, and - as mentioned - continue to use and refer to them as our benchmark.

Hi Clare,

Thanks for the link.

Strange that Pioneer would want to surpress sales. As WHF magazine is available worldwide, a test win could also help to boost sales in other parts of the world where they still have ample stock. And I think nobody is going to blame them for not meeting demand since they have announced that they are exiting the business. Any idea whether they have already stopped production or are they continuing to manufacture these sets until March 2010 as per the announcement?

Which would be the 2nd best set after the Pioneer Kuro? The Philips LCD that won the recent supertest?

 

[Systematic]

Kuro is good but in my opinion, it's been done over by the B8000 series from Samsung.
It will further get pwned by the 9000 series.

 

[Anonymous]

Being a LCD tv, UE46B8000's picture was very sharp and bright with lots of detail. So thats why its picture was looking more attractive then 5090 in the begining. Having said that, after looking both TVs for 10-15 mins, my eyes were more comfortable with plasma due to its soft picture and there was class feeling (may be because in my mind Kuro belongs to class

) .....I have to buy one of them this weekend, so really need your help. Well my 7020 is calibrated and the picture is at first much like my kuro, dimmer, muted, but once used to it far more natural and revealing, as the filmmaker intended. But the settings are yours to play around with to whatever you prefer - they are endlessly adjustable.


Can you please answer following questions, specially titanIQ as you have experience of both of them:

1. As LCD picture is very sharp , can we watch LCD tv in dim light or in totally dark room? Absolutely - see above.

2. Is there any screen better or worse than other for your eyes? After calibration, both as good.Initially Kuro is easier on the eyes.

3. Can we make LCD picture soft by reducing contrast? Do you mean less sharp? Or less vivid? Either way you can do both.

4. TitanIQ (and others who have these TVs), which TV you will prefer for (a) SD viewing, (b) HD viewing, (c) for gaming and (d) for sports? a) 7020 b)either, but Kuro is bigger, but 7020 if both were same size c) 7020 d) kuro - bigger

5. TitanIQ (and others who have these TVs), which tv you will prefer for watching (a) daily use, (b) special use e.g. blue ray movie with your guests? the 7020 gets more use generally especially during the daytime and as a media player. For blu-ray, I go for the kuro because it's bigger and the sofas are more comfy in that room!

Many - many thanks in advance!

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well we reviewed the 40in version of the Samsung B7020, and we loved it. Not quite in the Kuro league, however, in our opinion (especially with SD broadcasts), but a strong portent for the 8000 sets.

Re Pioneer's decision: From what I gather, nowhere in the world has 'ample stocks' as you put it, and I think that March 2010 is at the extreme end of likely sell-out status (we'll be lucky to make it through the summer here in UK).

Also, as mentioned, we'll continue to feature the reviews here on-site, and use the Kuros as a benchmark until we feel they are surpassed.

 

[Andrew Everard]

seakingadvice:Any idea whether they have already stopped production or are they continuing to manufacture these sets until March 2010 as per the announcement?

It's my understanding that production is already finished, and that we're living on stocks now.

The March 2010 date is for a complete exit from the TV business, not the cessation of production.

 

[Anonymous]

Does the Panasonic professional range ie TH-50PF11series get close ? There seems to be no info around on this model ?

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
Well we reviewed the 40in version of the Samsung B7020, and we loved it. Not quite in the Kuro league, however, in our opinion (especially with SD broadcasts), but a strong portent for the 8000 sets.

Re Pioneer's decision: From what I gather, nowhere in the world has 'ample stocks' as you put it, and I think that March 2010 is at the extreme end of likely sell-out status (we'll be lucky to make it through the summer here in UK).

Also, as mentioned, we'll continue to feature the reviews here on-site, and use the Kuros as a benchmark until we feel they are surpassed.

Hi Clare,

In SD picture quality, do you think Kuro 5090 is better than 46B7020 even though its 4'' big screen.

And what about HD picture quality? Is B7020 or 5090

I have to buy either kuro 5090 or B8000 (I beleive B8000 will have same pic quality as B7020 as diff is just o fmore 100Hz) this weekend, so really need your advice. BTW ..as I told here if form before, at a first look B7020 looks better due to sharpness and detail BUT not sure if it will be the same for every day watch as kuro seems to be having soft and natural colours. There is only £400 diff which i don't mind. Pleas advice as your opinon counts the most.

 

[Clare Newsome]

To confirm, we've tested the 40in, not the 46in, so I haven't seen that model side by side with the Kuro, nor the 8000 model, which could be a different story again (every tech-spec tweak can change a set's performance, as can different screen sizes).

If you prefer the look of the Samsung, buy it - that range looks glorious, so i'm sure you'll be v.happy with it! It's YOUR opinion that counts the most.

 

[Anonymous]

Many-many thanks Clare. To be honest, looks are not really important for me. I'm just after picture quality ....and which I don't have to replace very soon... and which should be useful for everyday use (i.e. not only for gaming, not for just movies but for all day to day use)

Thank you, once again, for your comments.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Happy to help - and to clarify, when I said the Samsung range looks glorious, I was referring to its on-screen potential as well as its styling.