SINGAPORE--The Pioneer A/V launch today marks a significant development for the Japanese company and its renowned plasma TVs. That's because the G9 models will probably be the last batch of Kuros featuring made-by-Pioneer panels. Furthermore, the Japanese company has dropped its HD-ready lineup altogether with three full-HD entries in 50- and 60-inch screen sizes. The KRP-500A is a two-box solution with a separate TV tuner and media box, while the KRP-500M and KRP-600M are barebone monitors with speakers positioned for home theater applications.

The KRP-500A, KRP-500M and KRP-600M share many fundamental enhancements. Most notable is their underlying G9 plasma panel. This is said to offer five times better blacks than the 2007 Kuros, though its spokesperson was tight-lipped about the TVs' actual contrast specifications. To deliver better performance, Pioneer has refined its previous Optimum mode to optimize audio and visual quality on-the-fly. For more accurate analysis, the processing is based on a combination of displayed content and the actual room environment (via light and optional color sensors).

Besides housing the KRP-500A's analog TV tuner, the KRP-M01 media receiver also doubles as an important connectivity hub. It offers three film-centric 1080p24-ready HDMI terminals, dual component-video, PC, USB for direct JPEG playback and other legacy A/V inputs. As for the display-only KRP-500M and KRP-600M, you're not losing out much with their onboard twin HDMIs, one DVI and a single port for just about everything else. That's aside from a remote infrared repeater, network and serial jacks for custom installation and remote administration using computers.

More importantly, the cost to own these sleek 68mm-thick panels has nose-dived with prices starting at S$8,499--a 20 percent premium over other high-end 1080p plasmas and almost half the asking price of the G8 predecessors.

Pioneer Kuro plasma TV lineup

Model name	In a nutshell
Pioneer KRP-500A (Click for more information)	Notable features: 50-inch plasma TV (with integrated TV tuner) 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution External media receiver Optimum mode for auto A/V optimization Enhanced audio subsystem using its reference EX-series speakers 18W x 2 stereo speakers Onboard JPEG playback via USB 1080p24 input-ready Kuro Link (HDMI-CEC) Three HDMI 1.3 inputs Availability: Now (Singapore), November (rest of Asia) Price: S$8,999
Pioneer KRP-500M/600M (Click for more information)	Notable features: Plasma monitors without built-in TV tuner Available in 50- and 60-inch sizes 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution Optimum mode for auto A/V optimization 9W x 2 stereo speakers 1080p24 input-ready Kuro Link (HDMI-CEC) Two HDMI 1.3 inputs One DVI input Network and serial ports for computer-based administration. Availability: Now (Singapore), November (rest of Asia) Price: S$8,499 (KRP-500M), S$16,999 (KRP-600M)

Oh look, Blu-ray players, too

Along with three new Kuro offerings was a trio of companion Blu-ray players. On one end of the spectrum, Pioneer unveiled the relatively affordable S$999 BDP-51FD. On the other end, it showcased the premium LX-series S$1,999 BDP-LX71 and flagship BDP-LX91. The latter's pricing was not available at press time (it's selling in Japan for around S$6,000), though we do know it will be launched earliest in December. In line with the Kuro (which means black in Japanese) theme, all models also come in classy black piano finish and an oversized tank-like chassis with a clutter-free front bezel.

Common features among the players include full compatibility with the latest Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio/High Resolution surround sounds. They can be output in raw bitstream format through HDMI for external A/V receiver decoding or processed internally for legacy equipment via their 7.1-channel discreet audio output. For enhanced sound reproduction, Pioneer is using quality Wolfson digital-to-analog converters. Video playback-wise, the HDMI 1.3a terminal supports the native film 24-frame mode and Deep Color (think richer hues).

While the BDP-51FD and BDP-LX71 are only Bonus View (Profile 1.1)-enabled, the latter has added performance and luxurious touches such as gold-plated sockets and touch controls. The BDP-LX91, on the other hand, is a no-holds-barred videophile player with premium parts, unique capabilities and BD-Live (Profile 2.0)-compliancy. For example, it sports a pair of HDMI ports for flat-panel and projector hookup or independent audio and video relay to an A/V receiver and display, respectively. Another interesting bit is its 24-frame mode for US NTSC DVD playback.

Pioneer Blu-ray player lineup

Model name	In a nutshell
Pioneer BDP-51FD (Click for more information)	Notable features: Blu-ray/DVD/CD player Blu-ray Profile 1.1 1080p DVD upscaling 1080p24 video output Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD bitstream output Onboard Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD bitstream decoding Onboard MP3/WMA playback Wolfson digital-to-analog converter HDMI 1.3 output 7.1-channel discreet audio output Availability: Now (Singapore), November (rest of Asia) Price: S$999
Pioneer BDP-LX71 (Click for more information)	Notable features: Blu-ray/DVD/CD player Touch control Blu-ray Profile 1.1 1080p DVD upscaling 1080p24 video output Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD bitstream output Onboard Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD bitstream decoding Onboard JPEG/MP3/WMA playback Marvel QDEO video processor Wolfson digital-to-analog converter 297MHz/12-bit video digital-to-analog converter HDMI 1.3 output 7.1-channel discreet audio output Availability: Now (Singapore), November (rest of Asia) Price: S$1,999
Pioneer BDP-LX91 (Click for more information)	Notable features: Blu-ray/DVD/CD player Blu-ray Profile 2.0 (pending firmware upgrade) 4GB internal memory 1080p DVD upscaling 1080p24 video output for Blu-ray and DVD Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD bitstream output Onboard Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD bitstream decoding Onboard JPEG/MP3/WMA playback Marvel QDEO video processor Wolfson digital-to-analog converter 297MHz/14-bit video digital-to-analog converter Dual HDMI 1.3 outputs 7.1-channel discreet audio output Torodial power transformer Availability: Between December 2008 and January 2009 (Asia), Price: TBA