Pioneer Kuro vs Elite Kuro

[Schultzy]

Does anyone know if the Elite uses a better/different video processing chip?

[rragland]

Originally Posted by schultz

Does anyone know if the Elite uses a better/different video processing chip?

No, they both use ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) Video Processing and scaling.

Elite KURO advantages:

2 year warranty
Urushi finish
Home Media Gallery
ISFccc Calibration ready
illuminated remote
better A/V selection memory
better picture-in-picture
intelligent mode

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by rragland

No, they both use ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) Video Processing and scaling.

Elite KURO advantages:

2 year warranty
Urushi finish
Home Media Gallery
ISFccc Calibration ready
illuminated remote
better A/V selection memory
better picture-in-picture
intelligent mode

They actually do use different video processing chips. I had to go through training when I first got hired on by magnolia and that was actually one of the biggest differences, although I am not sure of the names of the chips. That was training done by pioneer themselves, not by Best Buy

[ManUtd]

I read somewhere that the Elites used different ASICs but I can't find that now. Anyways, a complete rundown of the Elite vs. non-Elite differences can be found here.

[HDTV1080P]

The contrast ratio and black level is a little better on the Elites also.

[rragland]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

I read somewhere that the Elites used different ASICs but I can't find that now. Anyways, a complete rundown of the Elite vs. non-Elite differences can be found here.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pi...3PRO-150FD.pdf

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pi...PDP-6010FD.pdf

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by rragland

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pi...3PRO-150FD.pdf

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pi...PDP-6010FD.pdf

Now I know why I couldn't find it, it's at Pioneer USA's website. I rarely go there because it's so slow and inconsistent. Maybe the slowest website in all CE manufacturers. Even when I'm at work where the internet connection is blazing fast, that website is crawling. Heck even Pioneer website in other countries are faster. Go figure.

Anyways to the OP, you didn't buy the Elite yet?

Seriously, it's really up to you if the price difference between Elite and non-Elite is worth. One of the differences I care about the Elite is the pure mode. It bypasses the internal video processing which is great for 1080p 24fps sources. I watch all my BD movies this way.

[Schultzy]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Anyways to the OP, you didn't buy the Elite yet?

Seriously, it's really up to you if the price difference between Elite and non-Elite is worth. One of the differences I care about the Elite is the pure mode. It bypasses the internal video processing which is great for 1080p 24fps sources. I watch all my BD movies this way.

LOL, thanks Art, you have been very helpful here. I have pretty much decided to jump on the PRO1150HD while it is below $2500. Since it will be going on a stand in a cut-out in the wall, I am trying to make sure it will fit @ 56" wide(w/speakers). My current stand is only 48" wide, so I'm not sure how it will look hanging over by 4" on each side. I did not know about the Pure mode thought, that sounds great.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by schultz

LOL, thanks Art, you have been very helpful here. I have pretty much decided to jump on the PRO1150HD while it is below $2500. Since it will be going on a stand in a cut-out in the wall, I am trying to make sure it will fit @ 56" wide(w/speakers). My current stand is only 48" wide, so I'm not sure how it will look hanging over by 4" on each side. I did not know about the Pure mode thought, that sounds great.

Remove the speakers and that leaves with only 3/16" of overhang.

[Schultzy]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Remove the speakers and that leaves with only 3/16" of overhang.

I wish I could, but there are times I do not want to have the surround on. I just got back from a BB Magnolia and compared the 1150 to the 110 to see if I could see any difference. Unless I was inches from the screen, I could not tell which one had the higher resolution. The guy who worked there said I would "DEFINATELY" notice a difference with blu-ray. I'm not so sure, but I can't do a direct comparison.

[ManUtd]

Simply judging these sets with their default setup at Best Buy isn't the best way to shop IMO. At least check if they have the same source (preferably BD) and if they allow you to change the settings and go from there.

[Schultzy]

Art, do you have your Elite mounted or on a stand? Also, did you have it calibrated? I ask because I know the Elites are already very accurate and am wondering if a calibration would be worth it. The only reason I would pay $300, is if they could reduce the heat output of the set. Thanks for all you help Art.

[ManUtd]

It's on a DIY stand for now. I'm pretty much set on the Sanus VMDD26 wall mount but I have to figure out what to do with the cables (in-wall or out) first. Once it is wall mounted maybe I can finally post some pics in that hometheater pics thread.

I plan to have it calibrated this summer. I have to find someone who is really familiar with the Elites, not just some kid from Best Buy. For the price, there better be some real improvement.

[Schultzy]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

It's on a DIY stand for now. I'm pretty much set on the Sanus VMDD26 wall mount but I have to figure out what to do with the cables (in-wall or out) first. Once it is wall mounted maybe I can finally post some pics in that hometheater pics thread.

I plan to have it calibrated this summer. I have to find someone who is really familiar with the Elites, not just some kid from Best Buy. For the price, there better be some real improvement.

Do you have the side speakers attached? If so, how does it look out of the store and on a stand. I noticed that they are not quite as deep of a black as the actual TV and they significantly widen the TV.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by schultz

Do you have the side speakers attached? If so, how does it look out of the store and on a stand. I noticed that they are not quite as deep of a black as the actual TV and they significantly widen the TV.

My speakers are not even unpacked yet. The bezel is piano black and the cloth on the speakers as you said isn't as dark as the bezel. Personally I think the speakers are unattractive so I never even considered using them. I want the clean look. Yes it makes the TV look very wide with the speakers on. Incidentally I think the speakers on the non-Elite is even worse, it sits below the TV which makes the whole thing look tall as opposed to wide.

Of course without the speakers you lose the advantage of being able to watch with just the source and the TV and not bother with the receiver or amp. So you'll have to decide which way to go.

[Schultzy]

Originally Posted by rragland

No, they both use ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) Video Processing and scaling.

Elite KURO advantages:

2 year warranty
Urushi finish
Home Media Gallery
ISFccc Calibration ready
illuminated remote
better A/V selection memory
better picture-in-picture
intelligent mode

What is Urushi finish? They both seem to have the same piano black bezel.

[Psiweaver]

They use a different coating on the glass and the image processor is different ASIC in standard line ASIC II in Elite or that may be 2 in the standard line and 3 in the elite line now. The filter on the glass makes a big difference and is why the elites have more natural color a little bit better glare resistance and better black levels. The elite can be easily calibrated which makes a huge difference and also has more out of the box color and picture controls. The pure mode makes a big diffrence as well. The elite are 2 years in home warranty as well.

[rragland]

Originally Posted by schultz

What is Urushi finish? They both seem to have the same piano black bezel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Corporation

"Most Pioneer Elite branded electronics have the gloss black "Urushi" finish. "

http://www.allbusiness.com/electroni...6270964-1.html

"New Elite plasma models continue to feature the Urushi gloss-black bezel finish"

However, I might be mistaken about the 8G KURO's offering the urushi finish.

[Schultzy]

So, is it confirmed that the Elites are better at reducing glare in the daytime?

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by schultz

What is Urushi finish? They both seem to have the same piano black bezel.

The urushi finish was a heavy, detachable, bezeled metal frame that came on older models of Elite plasmas. The new frame is more elegant and is the same on the elite and non-elite models.

Originally Posted by schultz

So, is it confirmed that the Elites are better at reducing glare in the daytime?

No, both elite and non elite kuros use the same materials.