Pioneer KRP500 50" 1080p Pioneer KURO plasma HD monitor

Your home theater, your way

One word sums up the 50" Pioneer KRP500: customization. But what does "customization" mean? It means a spectacularly brilliant, detailed high definition 1080p video image optimized to meet even your sophisticated videophile tastes. Not only is this KURO® plasma monitor constructed of hand-selected and hand-inspected components, but it is designed with a variety of features that allow the image you enjoy to be customized to your preferences. Thirteen-position aspect-ratio control, six picture-detail settings, and five color-detail settings allow your or your installation professional a broad degree of control in setting picture preferences. Further, eight A/V memory modes let you set and save different setting preferences for different types of video content, including film, sports, and games. Not sure if you like the changes you made? Use the picture-adjustment comparison function to compare the before-and-after pictures. Need additional professional adjustments? Integration of IP network protocol and connectivity allows your professional installer to monitor, re-calibrate, and re-adjust your picture without even entering your home. Now, the video performance for which Pioneer Elite KURO panels are known can be matched to your wishes.

Optimum mode for optimum performance

At the very heart of the matter, video reproduction is all about light. An HDTV's panel emits light to communicate a visual image to your eyes. However, the ambient light conditions in your viewing area can interfere with the light coming from a plasma or LCD panel. With most flat panel TVs, you have one choice: close the curtains and settle for a muted effect. With the KRP500, on the other hand, you have another choice. The panel's Optimum Mode uses a built-in room light sensor to measure levels of ambient light, and then analyzes video content and adjusts the panel's performance for a video picture that's optimized for the conditions in your home theater. Settle for nothing less.

Perfect synchronicity

Film doesn't translate directly to a format that a TV can process. To display a movie on film, six frames per second (fps) must be added to the film's original 24fps to equal 30 fps, the video format. Called 3:2 pulldown, this interpolation process improves NTSC reproduction of film-based material, but generates uneven motion known as jitter. Pioneer developed Advanced Pure Cinema to eliminate jitter. This exclusive technology enables 3:3 pulldown, which synchronizes perfectly the frame rate of film and eliminates the need for interpolations. Now, when viewed on the KRP500 monitor, your film-based material on DVD, videotape, and regular TV will match the smooth, natural reproduction of film.

Deep encased cell structure

Pioneer's deep encased cell structure means that each individual pixel in the KRP500's display is encased in its own cell, with walls on all sides so that light doesn't bleed into neighboring cells. This energy-efficient design allows each pixel to deliver a more concentrated beam of light, for truer colors and brighter images. The clear front surface of the KRP500's display is actually a precisely manufactured optical-grade, non-glass color filter bonded directly to the plasma panel. This filter increases the spectrum of light emitted by the plasma, for a fuller range of colors and exceptional color accuracy compared to front filters made of glass. It's also much lighter than a glass filter and increases contrast by limiting ambient light reflections in bright viewing environments.

The magic word . . .

When it comes to creating a seamless home theater system, there's a one word solution for all component integration — connectivity. The more versatile and advanced the connectivity options offered by any given component, the easier it is to integrate that component into your existing system. Following this maxim to the last letter, the Pioneer KRP500 offers a wide range of audio and video connections. First, two HDMI inputs offer the most advanced, single-cable audio/video connection available (for more on HDMI, read "HDMIncredible", below). Second, one DVI input with HDCP serves up additional HD connectivity. Third, one composite video input offers a versatile analog connection. Finally, expanding the KRP500's capabilities beyond traditional video sources, a PC input gives you the ability to hook this LCD panel up to a computer or laptop source for viewing internet-streamed video content.

HDMIncredible

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Pioneer's KRP500 features two HDMI connections. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i, and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on this single cable. Also, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI. (Please note that a physical adapter, sold separately, is needed to make the conversion from HDMI to DVI.)

Avoid the 'No Wire' ire

The advent of HDMI has been monumental in the advancement of all your favorite audio and video gadgets. Don't miss out on all that your new Pioneer KRP500 offers — in terms of high definition audio and video connectivity — by leaving a set of HDMI cables off the list. Vann's sales representatives are here to explain all your options, so you can make the best purchase and get the most out of your HD system. Call the 800 number at the top of this page for expert advice.

Write A Review

a steal deal (May 11, 2009)

Ease of Use		(4/5.0)
Value		(5/5.0)
Performance		(5/5.0)
Overall Rating		(5/5.0)

Reviewed By: Sergey F. - San Antonio, Texas

I dont want to talk much about picture quality, although its the main strong point here. Its just that there are tons of reviews talking about it and they are all true. Its amazing. I want to stress some features instead that are usually missing from reviews.

Wonderful scaling and deinterlacing. I compared an old badly interlaced dvd playing on my Pioneer bdp-51fd in direct and in 1080p upscale modes. The players upscaling was actually horrible. But in direct mode the picture on tv was nice, smooth and with no combing artifacts at all.

This display is missing some features. And thats how its so cheap with such amazing quality. The good news is, you are not gonna miss the missing parts. It doesnt have speakers -- people who spend $2000 on a tv usually have a surround system anyway. Tv tuner not included -- Im not even sure why would you need it these days. The only thing that I am really missing on this set is a closed captions decoder, quite a rare requirement.

Ease of use is only 4, because I couldnt find a master ON switch for quite some time. And the description in manual was confusing. There is onoff switch on one side and onstanby switch on the other side. How the options are grouped in the menu is also not very intuitive. But nothing you cannot figure out.

Over all, like I said in the title, its a steal. Kuro is the best tv you can get today. And its the latest kuro model for only $2000. I am completely happy with my purchase.

The whole buying experience was very nice from order placing to delivery. Ive had a little problem with my online order, but Vanns stuff resolved it quickly and very friendly.

If you are looking for the best picture, this is it! (April 30, 2009)

Ease of Use		(4/5.0)
Value		(5/5.0)
Performance		(5/5.0)
Overall Rating		(5/5.0)

Reviewed By: Alfred F. McClelland - Riverton, Wyoming

I have owned four HDTVs and have viewed several others but this Pioneer Kuro monitor KRP500M has such a drop dead gorgeous picture with any source it beats them all! It is so life-like it seems you could reach through the picture and touch the object. I also purchased a Pioneer blue ray player model BDP-51 to complement the Pioneer monitor. The 1080p picture was stunning! I never knew the Hollywood stars had so many imperfections. With Vanns having the best prices, best service, no sales tax, and fast free delivery, why would you purchase electronics anywhere else?

Comparison Specifications

Screen size: 50" class (49.85" measured diagonally)
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen (1920 x 1080p resolution)
Progressive features: 1080 progressive scan with True24/60Hz signal capabilities
Best video inputs: 2 HDMI v1.3 inputs
Other inputs: 1 DVI with HDCP, 1 component video, 1 composite video, 1 LAN (10/100 base-T ethernet) for IP control, 1 PC, 1 stereo mini, 1 RS-232C, audio in
9W x 9W stereo digital amplifier with optional 2-way stereo speakers
Mounting options: Table-top mountable (mount sold separately) / Wall mountable (mount sold separately) / Intended for in-wall installation
Remote control: Illuminated, learning remote with Preset mode

Additional Specifications

Optimum mode with room light sensor
Image orbiter
8 A/V memory modes: Optimum / Standard / Dynamic / Movie / Pure / Sport / Game / User
13-position aspect-ratio control: Auto / Full (SD & PC) / Full1 (HD) / Full2 (HD) / Full 14:9 / Dot by Dot / Zoom / CINEMA / CINEMA 14:9 / 4:3 / WIDE (SD)
Advanced, 4-position Picture-in-Picture / 3-pattern Picture-side-Picture / SWAP and still-picture capability
Advanced PureCinema with 3:3 pulldown (72Hz), Smooth (60Hz) / Standard 3:2 (60Hz) pulldown
Noise reduction settings: 3 DNR / Field NR / Block NR / Mosquito NR
Color detail settings: Color temperature (5 presets or manual adjustment) / CTI / Color management
IP control for setup, control, configuration, and self-diagnostics