Published On: October 10, 2008

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD Plasma HDTV Reviewed

Published On: October 10, 2008
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
We May Earn From Purchases Via Links

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD Plasma HDTV Reviewed

The top of the line Pioneer Elite series provides "more advanced image adjustments and features" according to Adrienne Maxwell including four HDMI, two component video and one PC input. It also features Pioneer's Home Media Gallery which allows you to play digital movies, music and photos...

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD Plasma HDTV Reviewed

By Author: Adrienne Maxwell
Adrienne Maxwell is the former Managing Editor of HomeTheaterReview.com, Home Theater Magazine, and HDTVEtc.com. Adrienne has also written for Wirecutter, Home Entertainment Magazine, AVRev.com, ModernHomeTheater.com, and other top specialty audio/video publications. She is an ISF Level II-certified video calibrator who specializes in reviews of flat-panel HDTVs, front video projectors, video screens, video servers, and video source devices, both disc- and streaming-based.

PioneerKURO-PRO-150FD1.jpgThe $7,500 Elite KURO PRO-150FD is the largest and most expensive model in Pioneer's highly touted 2007 KURO plasma line. Compared with the standard Pioneer-branded KURO displays, the Elite line features more advanced image adjustments and features. This 60-inch plasma HDTV has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and boasts a generous connection panel includes four HDMI, two component video, and one PC input, as well as a CableCARD slot and dual RF inputs to access the internal ATSC, NTSC, and Clear-QAM tuners. One component input is located on the side panel for easy access, and the HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24. Picture-in-picture and the TV Guide on Screen program guide are available, and RS-232 is included for integration into an advanced control system. This TV features Pioneer's Home Media Gallery: You can easily play digital movies, music, and photos via the side-panel USB port, or add the TV to your home network via the back-panel Ethernet port and stream digital media from a PC or DLNA-certified media server.

Additional Resources
• Read more plasma HDTV reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore Blu-ray player options in the Blu-ray Player Review section.

As we mentioned above, the PRO-150FD offers a lot of advanced picture controls. The menu offers seven picture modes, including an Optimum mode that, using a light sensor on the front panel, automatically adjusts the image brightness to suit your viewing conditions. Along with five preset color-temperature options, you get a manual mode that lets you precisely adjust the white balance. The Pro Adjust menu also offers gamma control, four types of noise reduction, two color-space options (one more vivid, one more natural), and a color management system to precisely adjust the six color points. Pioneer also offers three different ways to convert 24p film sources for output on this display: The Standard mode applies traditional 3:2 to convert 24fps film to 30fps video; the Advance mode outputs 24fps to 72fps for a smoother, less juddery presentation; and the Smooth mode appears to do frame interpolation to present even smoother movement. Several features are available help prevent or counteract image retention, a common plasma concern. There are six aspect-ratio options, including a Dot by Dot mode to view 1080i/1080p sources with no overscan.

The PRO-150FD has an attractive gloss-black cabinet with detachable, side-mounting speakers and a subwoofer output to send bass to an outboard subwoofer. Treble, bass, and balance controls are available, as is SRS WOW audio processing.

High Points
• KURO models produce the deepest black levels in the flat-panel world, resulting in a beautifully rich, three-dimensional image.
• The PRO-150HD does an equally good job with high-def and standard-def sources.
• Because it is a plasma, it doesn't suffer from motion blur or viewing-angle issues.
• The PureCinema film mode includes an Advance mode that converts 24-frames-per-second film to 72 fps to reduce film judder, as well as a Smooth mode that renders even smoother motion.
• Connection options are abundant, and the Home Media Gallery allows for viewing and streaming of HD video, music, and photos.

Low Points
• The anti-reflective screen helps minimize light reflections off the glass panel, but plasmas generally aren't as bright as LCD and therefore aren't the best choice for a really bright room.

Conclusion
The Elite KURO PRO-150HD is an outstanding performer with a thorough connection panel and lots of worthy features. Pioneer recently released the new 60-inch, 1080p PRO-151FD, which offers slightly better performance at a lower MSRP of $6,500. However, the new model does not have a CableCARD slot and sports only one component video input, making the original PRO-150FD a better choice for those who want a more versatile connection panel. Either option delivers in performance, and both cost a premium over similarly sized panels.

  • Ken Taraszka, MD
    2009-02-16 04:22:21

    <p>I am in total agreement with the rest of the world, tis is the best TV made right now, yet even I have an issue buying it! Video has morphed so quickly and radically it's tough to spend big $ on a display nowadays.</p>

Subscribe To Home Theater Review

Get the latest weekly home theater news, sweepstakes and special offers delivered right to your inbox
Email Subscribe
HomeTheaterReview Rating
Value: 
Performance: 
Overall Rating: 
© JRW Publishing Company, 2023
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

magnifiercross
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram
Share to...