Advice Needed for New Plasma to Replace Stolen Pioneer Kuro

[Mahatma]

Either a 65" Panny or the Philips 58" LED 3D 21:9-you know you want it

[ManUtd]

Sorry for your loss. Although nothing in the market can replace your Kuro except another Kuro (which a reasonably priced brand new unit is near impossible to find) I would choose between the Panny VT30 or Sammy 8000 series. It won't have the same PQ but IMO close enough. If it's any consolation, you will get a slightly larger display (4 or 5 inches more).

[sarge1976]

Sorry for your loss I hope you find something worthwhile to replace it with

[dchesney]

maybe a Panasonic VT30?...I mean this is like trying to replace Scarlett Johansson....it's tough to find a replacement and I'd probably wait a year to get something closer to what you had...

[Sonny]

I agree with the above poster, next year, with things go how they have been the VT should be darker by 50%. It's be measured at 0.004fL. Next year I can see 0.002fL on the flagship model, but who knows maybe they will work some magic and pull off a 0.000fL (kuro dark). The question is how long will the insurance company let you hold out on buying a new display?

[oildude]

I left work early today and went to Best Buy near my office with a couple of my own blu-rays to test on the VT30. It was mid-afternoon and slow, so they let me have the run of the 55" display TV in one of the Magnolia side rooms. I started with Alien, which I think is a real test of dark levels with so many shades of black and near black with lots of contrast between light and dark, especially the scenes where Dallas is moving around in the air ducts. The Kuro handled this so amazingly well on Optimum pre-set mode, no calibration needed to my eyes. In fact, that is one thing about the Kuro, the Optimum pre-set mode was astonishingly good for movies.

Put the VT30 through its paces, viewing scenes in different pre-set modes like THX, Cinema, etc. One thing I noticed right away is that the black bars on top and bottom that were truly black on my Kuro under all pre-set modes and melted into the bezel were more of a muddy black on the VT30. However, in the film itself, THX mode was pretty good for the blacks and dark shades, but I admit I have been spoiled and viewed everything with a critical eye.

Then I began playing around with custom settings and by adjusting the brightness, contrast, and color, things got better. It is no Kuro, but it ain't bad. Maybe it really benefits from professional calibration (and, of course, the Best Buy salesman was really trumpeting how good their service is, but to his credit he left me alone for over an hour to view my test movies).

I will go back later to check out the Samsung. Maybe I will get really lucky and the insurance will cover full replacement cost minus my deductible. The agent said they have a team specializing in locating hard to find items, and they also will look on eBay and Amazon too to value the TV.

[Canada]

I would have to say go for a Panasonic they are widely considered to be the best since Pioneer stopped making the Kuro!

[oildude]

Thanks for all the sympathy posts. Yeah, I lost a Mona Lisa for sure. Nice to be among those who understand. I saved up for a long time to buy that Kuro and got it at a price I could afford when they were on sale in late 2009.

No word yet from the insurance, they are still working on the claim. I have pretty much decided on the VT30 if I have to get something else. The VT30 may not have Kuro blacks, but it is still pretty darn good. Unless the insurance reimburses me fully for a replacement of a Kuro, I can't justify paying for another one at the prices they are going for these days.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by oildude

Thanks for all the sympathy posts. Yeah, I lost a Mona Lisa for sure. Nice to be among those who understand. I saved up for a long time to buy that Kuro and got it at a price I could afford when they were on sale in late 2009.

No word yet from the insurance, they are still working on the claim. I have pretty much decided on the VT30 if I have to get something else. The VT30 may not have Kuro blacks, but it is still pretty darn good. Unless the insurance reimburses me fully for a replacement of a Kuro, I can't justify paying for another one at the prices they are going for these days.

If I had a Kuro and it was stolen from me, I would have been punching holes through walls. Hopefully, you kept the receipt of the Kuro from where you purchased it.

[fathergll]

Originally Posted by oildude

Thanks for all the sympathy posts. Yeah, I lost a Mona Lisa for sure. Nice to be among those who understand. I saved up for a long time to buy that Kuro and got it at a price I could afford when they were on sale in late 2009.

No word yet from the insurance, they are still working on the claim. I have pretty much decided on the VT30 if I have to get something else. The VT30 may not have Kuro blacks, but it is still pretty darn good. Unless the insurance reimburses me fully for a replacement of a Kuro, I can't justify paying for another one at the prices they are going for these days.

Well look at the bright side. You're going to get a TV with 17% more screen real estate and 3D capabilities.

It sucks what happened but no point on just looking at what your losing. Looks at the pros as well. With a legit guy to give you pro calibration(if you find you need it) you could be extremely happy with your new set.

[Wingman1977]

I just found a retailer (in Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn of all places) that still sells Pioneer Kuro: LINK They are a physical store that one can go to as well.

[wafi]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I just found a retailer (in Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn of all places) that still sells Pioneer Kuro: LINK They are a physical store that one can go to as well.

Wow! I haven't seen the 111 being sold anywhere in ages, and these guys seem to have it, I'm impressed, a tad skeptical, but impressed if they do have it.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I just found a retailer (in Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn of all places) that still sells Pioneer Kuro: LINK They are a physical store that one can go to as well.

Thanks for posting this. I sent the link to my insurance to help with pricing the Kuro. It has been two weeks since submitting my claim and the they have come to agree the Kuros are hard-to-find items, which is delaying their evaluation of the loss amount. Should know more in a few more days.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I just found a retailer (in Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn of all places) that still sells Pioneer Kuro: LINK They are a physical store that one can go to as well.

Today, for some odd reason, the site is down.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by oildude

Man, what a bummer. Came home from work to find my home broken into. Front door jimmied open and my 60" Kuro Elite Pro-151 fd plasma stolen

Have not looked into plasmas since I bought the Kuro in 2009. Any recommendations on a replacement are appreciated.

Man, my condolences. I have the same unit, if mine got ripped off, I'd probably start reading books again.

I wish I had a recommendation, but with a Kuro, I haven't really been interested in looking into other specs since. I hope I don't have to, either...I can only imagine the mood you're in.