The BDR-203BK is our first Blu-ray writer to achieve write speeds of 8X on Single Layer (25GB SL) and Dual Layer (50GB DL) BD-R discs.

The BDR-203BK is our first Blu-ray writer to achieve write speeds of 8X on Single Layer (25GB SL) and Dual Layer (50GB DL) BD-R discs.
Now available on an OEM basis across Europe via our distribution network, the BDR-203BK is expected to cost in the region of €250 (although prices will be set by distributors).

The BDR-203BK is also compatible with a wide range of Blu-ray, DVD-R/RW, +R/RW, DVD-RAM and CD media types, with key specifications also including:

2X write speed for BD-RE (SL and DL)
16X write speed for DVD-R/+R
8X write speed for DVD-R DL/+R DL and
32X write speed for CD-R media.
With strong performance and features to enhance read/write accuracy, the BDR-203BK adds further momentum to the growing demand for Blu-ray devices.

Writes up to 8X speed on recordable Blu-ray Discs.

Product highlights:
BD/DVD/CD compatible OPU
The optical pickup unit on the BDR-203BK achieves a maximum recording speed of 8X on Single and Dual Layer BD-R media and 2X on BD-RE Single and Dual Layer rewritable media.

Proprietary high-quality technologies for both BD and DVD discs
A range of technologies are incorporated into the BDR-203BK to enhance read/write capabilities. These include:

Ultra DRA: suppress vibration when reading and writing , a technology based on know-how that Pioneer has been cultivating in the development of DVD writers.
Limited Equalizer LSI : dramatically improves reading reliability
Multi-Effect Liquid Crystal Tilt Compensator: this advances recording and playback characteristics by adding correction to the laser beam which compensates for disc impurities such as titled media and media of various thickness.
Software support
The BDR-203BK includes CyberLink’s Blu-ray Disc Suite 6 to enable the creation and playback of BD movies and the creation and playback of DVDs and CDs.

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The BDR-203BK is our first Blu-ray writer to achieve write speeds of 8X on Single Layer (25GB SL) and Dual Layer (50GB DL) BD-R discs.

The BDR-203BK is our first Blu-ray writer to achieve write speeds of 8X on Single Layer (25GB SL) and Dual Layer (50GB DL) BD-R discs.
Now available on an OEM basis across Europe via our distribution network, the BDR-203BK.

 

Writes up to 8X speed on recordable Blu-ray Discs.

The BDR-203BK is also compatible with a wide range of Blu-ray, DVD-R/RW, +R/RW, DVD-RAM and CD media types, with key specifications also including:

2X write speed for BD-RE (SL and DL)
16X write speed for DVD-R/+R
8X write speed for DVD-R DL/+R DL and
32X write speed for CD-R media.
With strong performance and features to enhance read/write accuracy, the BDR-203BK adds further momentum to the growing demand for Blu-ray devices.

Writes up to 8X speed on recordable Blu-ray Discs.

Product highlights:
BD/DVD/CD compatible OPU
The optical pickup unit on the BDR-203BK achieves a maximum recording speed of 8X on Single and Dual Layer BD-R media and 2X on BD-RE Single and Dual Layer rewritable media.

Proprietary high-quality technologies for both BD and DVD discs
A range of technologies are incorporated into the BDR-203BK to enhance read/write capabilities. These include:

Ultra DRA: suppress vibration when reading and writing , a technology based on know-how that Pioneer has been cultivating in the development of DVD writers.
Limited Equalizer LSI : dramatically improves reading reliability
Multi-Effect Liquid Crystal Tilt Compensator: this advances recording and playback characteristics by adding correction to the laser beam which compensates for disc impurities such as titled media and media of various thickness.
Software support
The BDR-203BK includes CyberLink’s Blu-ray Disc Suite 6 to enable the creation and playback of BD movies and the creation and playback of DVDs and CDs.

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Corporate Announcement: 12 February 2009

Corporate Announcement: 12 February 2009

Pioneer has announced that it wishes to primarily focus on car electronics, navigation and audio A/V products.
In the future, Pioneer will concentrate its investments and commercial efforts on these fields as well as on pro-DJ products. As you may know, these are the domains in which Pioneer historically has always held a strong market position with top-class products. New product introductions will follow soon.

This means that Pioneer will withdraw from the flat screen market, both plasma and LCD, by March 2010. We regret that we will no longer be able to offer these highly appreciated products in the future.

Naturally we will continue to guarantee the reputable quality of our products. This also means that the after-sale service will be fully maintained so that all customers will be able to continue to benefit from the applicable Pioneer warranties. In other words, you can continue to count on Pioneer.

We trust that you understand this decision. We thank you for your confidence in the Pioneer products

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Reference Series BD-Live Blu-ray Disc player is “Highly Recommended”

Reference Series BD-Live Blu-ray Disc player is „Highly Recommended”

Pioneer’s Reference Series BD-Live Blu-ray Disc player the BDP-LX91 has been „Highly Recommended” by AVForums, the online consumer electronics resource.

AVForums noted that the DBP-LX91 is a „[Blu-ray] disc player built to exacting audiophile standards”, awarding it „Reference” scores for Build quality, Connectivity, Picture Quality HD, Audio Quality HD and Audio Quality DVD.

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Flagship BD-Live Blu-ray Disc player unveiled

Flagship BD-Live Blu-ray Disc player unveiled

Introducing the BDP-LX91: a true, reference-quality BD player with exceptional picture and sound performance – not just for Blu-ray Discs, but also for CD and DVD content.
Pioneer is pleased to announce the introduction of its anticipated BDP LX91, the company’s flagship BD-Live™ Blu-ray Disc player that is designed to take the audio and video experience to the next level. The reference-quality player features unique technologies and is built with the industry’s most advanced components including a Pioneer-Renesas jointly developed core processor chipset.

“For over 30 years, we’ve been a frontrunner in optical disc innovation all in the pursuit of manufacturing unequalled products for consumers. It’s with this mindset that our engineers were given just one objective: to develop a true, reference-quality BD player that provides exceptional picture and sound performance, not just for Blu-ray Discs, but also for CD and DVD content,” says Jim Catcheside, Product Manager for Pioneer GB.

The Reference in Blu-ray Disc players: BDP-LX91

The Ultimate Video Performance
Pioneer’s flagship Blu-ray Disc player incorporates a newly developed 16-bit video engine to provide impeccable video decoding, I/P conversion, video scaling and video adjustments. Superior picture performance is guaranteed not only for high definition images from Blu-ray Discs, but also for DVD standard definition content – that can be enjoyed at 1080p.

Pioneer’s proprietary Adaptive Bit Length Expansion technology reproduces the colours of a movie in their purest form, as if they were coming straight from the original studio master. Restoring the 8-bit video signals from Blu-ray Disc movies back to a vivid 16-bit deep colour gamut, results in an HD picture with an unprecedented range of more natural colour tones, similar to what the human eye sees in the real world. And with the smoothest gradation transitions enabled by HDMI 48-Bit Deep Colour, the BDP-LX91 creates an extraordinary image dynamic.

The inclusion of these innovative technologies ensures a stunning image, whether the BDP-LX91 is connected to a KURO flat screen TV or front projector.

BD-Live™ Compatibility
To take full advantage of the extra features becoming available on Blu-ray Discs, the BDP-LX91 features BD-Live™ , which will further enhance and personalise the consumer’s entertainment experience. The player is equipped with an Ethernet port that allows movie enthusiasts to connect to the Internet to download data such as subtitles, images and bonus trailers, synchronise viewing with other BD-Live™ players and join in live chat sessions, online gaming and video messaging when viewing BD-Live™ compatible titles.

Additionally, when future firmware enhancements become available, users will be able to upgrade their player via the BD-Live™ connection.

Built for Purity & Performance
Exceptional build quality, featuring an aluminium chassis and ultra-rigid steel bottom plate, gives this Blu-ray player a reassuringly solid feel, which is supported by a stable centre player mechanism. A low-leakage toroidal transformer and separate audio and video boards minimise interference and noise, while rugged TAOC insulators help dampen external vibrations and lend to uncompromised audio and video reproduction quality.

Ease-of-use & Synergy
An easy-to-control graphical user interface (GUI) makes it extremely straightforward to use all of the player’s functions, while a built-in KURO LINK feature allows users to control the BDP-LX91 with the remote of compatible Pioneer KURO flat screens.

The BDP-LX91 BD-Live™ Blu-ray Disc player will join Pioneer’s BONUSVIEW™ Blu-ray Disc players – the BDP-51FD, BDP-LX71 and the design-oriented BDP-LX08.

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New CD Tuner with integrated SD-card slot: DEH-P4100SD

New CD Tuner with integrated SD-card slot: DEH-P4100SD

Enjoy Your Digital Music Your Way in Supreme Quality with Pioneer’s Latest SD Card CD Tuner

Pioneer is pleased to announce the launch of its new CD Tuner the DEH-P4100SD, compatible with all common digital audio formats and virtually any digital audio device. Of course, it also plays the traditional CD, but it’s the first Pioneer head-unit to include an integrated SD slot – a feature that turns your car into a travelling ‘jukebox’ that plays your music collection.

“The DEH-P4100SD is engineered to our renowned standards and is completed with technologies to enhance digital audio. This means you’ll enjoy your tracks, in your format, in high quality. The sleek design of the DEH-P4100SD incorporates an ‘invisible’ SD slot, it’s accessed behind the unit’s front panel which is closed again when the card is in place” comments Martin Fuller, Product Manager for Pioneer GB Limited.

Other versatile connections include a USB high-speed 2.0 direct interface to simply link USB audio devices and immediately enjoy your tunes. iPod or iPhones are also easily plugged in using an iPod to USB cable.

Searching for music is straightforward, track information is displayed on the unit’s crystal clear screen and can be searched using the ‘list’ key and the ‘rotary commander’. Key iPod and mobile audio player features, such as artist/album/track selection and playlist access are simply commanded. All functions are managed through the optional remote or Pioneer’s single ‘rotary commander’ which works very much like a joystick – essential for navigating through your audio files. Further audio versatility is provided by Bluetooth® (via an optional CD-BTB200 adapter). This enables audio to be streamed from mobile phones that can be used as hands-free with conversations relayed over your vehicle’s speakers. .
The trademark of Pioneer’s in-car products is serious audio performance and the DEH-P4100SD is no exception. The unit integrates a 24-bit Delta Sigma D/A converter along with Pioneer’s ASR technology. By adjusting frequency response and sound pressure, especially in the high and low frequency ranges, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) puts the harmonics lost during compression back into your music.

Put simply, audio is revitalised and depth returned to reproduce sound in exceptional quality, quality that’ll provide you with the confidence to unleash the full power of Pioneer’s celebrated MOSFET 4×50 amplifier set-up. Should you require extra muscle, an RCA pre-out connector is available for an additional amp.

The unit ensures subwoofer control is very convenient with an on-board low pass and high pass filter. And the audio can be further tuned to your tastes through the 3-band parametric equaliser. It allows you to adjust the equalisation to match the distinct interior acoustic characteristics of your car.

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KURO and home audio products win iF Product Design Awards

KURO and home audio products win iF Product Design Awards

Four products in our KURO plasma television and home audio line have won a prestigious iF Product Design Award, recognising design excellence.

The mark of design excellence
International Forum (iF), the German-based influential industrial design association, selected our:

KRP-600A 60-inch KURO TV,
KRP-500A 50-inch KURO TV,
LX03 home cinema system and
PDX-Z9 Super Audio CD receiver
… as winners and praised these products for their innovativeness, functionality, design quality and material choice.

iF also honoured Pioneer’s ability to successfully assert itself in a highly competitive international environment.

Founded in 1953, the iF Product Design Award is a celebration of superior product design and is known throughout the world as one of the most prestigious distinctions for manufacturers. This year the authoritative association’s members judged 2,808 products from more than 1,000 contestants in 39 different countries on criteria such as degree of innovation, ergonomics, workmanship, high-quality design and environmental friendliness.

The 2009 iF Design Awards ceremony will take place in Hannover, Germany, on March 3rd 2009, together with the opening of a six-month long iF design exhibition, where all award-winners will be showcased.

This is the 5th consecutive year for which we have had the honour of winning an iF Product Design Award.

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Serato Scratch Live updated for use with the Pro DJ MEP-7000

Serato Scratch Live updated for use with the Pro DJ MEP-7000

The Serato Scratch Live is a DJ solution designed to lighten the load for the professional DJ, but stay true to the art of DJing by enabling full control at all times.

The latest version of their software, 1.9 BETA, gives the Pioneer Pro DJ MEP-7000 plug-and-play native support. Scratch Live already has support for the CDJ-400, so the software update is a welcome addition to expand the ways you’re able to use DJ hardware and software together.

The Serato Press Release
“New for 2009, Serato Scratch Live 1.9 now arms DJs with more tools than ever. This free upgrade places a stunning array of features at DJ’s fingertips, enabling creative possibilities never seen before. Major new features include SP-6 Sample Player, LiveFeed, native MEP-7000 support, Loop Roll, enhanced History, and support for Video-SL 1.1.

The Pioneer MEP-7000 gains plug-and-play native support, joining the popular Pioneer CDJ-400 as a Scratch Live control surface. Control CDs are not required, and song data is shown directly on the MEP-7000’s displays.”

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The Pioneer & GQ Magazine Competition to win a KURO PDP-LX5090

The Pioneer & GQ Magazine Competition to win a KURO PDP-LX5090

In the November 2008 edition of GQ Magazine, Pioneer offered you the chance to win a PDP-LX5090 50-inch Pioneer KURO plasma TV, with stand and speakers.

The competition is now closed, and we are please to announce that Ian Skerritt of Lancashire is the proud winner of the PDP-LX5090 50-inch Pioneer KURO plasma TV.

The KURO Plasma TVs give you the purest colours and deepest black levels to bring you the best picture quality possible on a flat screen. The range is the perfect synergy between film, video and high-quality sound and we hope that Mr Skerritt enjoys the KURO experience.

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TV power consumption: the truth

TV power consumption: the truth

Recent press reports claiming that Plasma TV technology may be banned from the market soon for energy efficiency reasons are factually incorrect.
In a statement made on behalf of the European electronics industry, EICTA* said:

„According to the pertinent EU Directive a technology such as plasma cannot be banned from the market as long as the TV sets (using this technology) comply with energy efficiency requirements.

The EU and its member states are currently working on new regulations to ensure improved energy efficiency of TV sets across all technologies, including:

Plasma TVs
LCD TVs
CRT TVs

All manufacturers will be required to meet these minimum efficiency standards in order to continue producing, importing and selling TV sets in Europe.”
* EICTA is the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association.

Additionally, an article on CNET UK „Plasma TVs: Are they really killing the planet?” Ian Morris explains the differences in peak power useage from Plasma TVs and LCDs, but concludes by suggesting „ignore the scaremongering and remember to engage your TV’s energy-saving features”. The Pioneer KURO range have Energy Save options to help you customise your experience.

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