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Pioneer lowers prices on Elite A/V receivers again, the well-heeled respond with derision

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:32:00 +0000

Pioneer is introducing a new batch of Elite A/V receivers aimed at making the line more affordable (if less, well, elite). The VSX-30 and VSX-31 feature iPhone and iPod control via Pioneer's iControl AV app, HDMI 1.4a with 3D support, THX Select2 Plus audio, and an Ethernet port for accessing Sirius XM, Rhapsody, and files off of your home network. If that weren't enough, they've even thrown in an composite video cable for your iPod / iPhone so you can enjoy your portable audio and video on the big screen. The VSX-30 will run you $550, while the VSX-31 (with a second A/V zone) is going for a cool $650. It's not exactly a Swarovski-bejewled HTPC, but we guess it'll do in a pinch.

Pioneer lowers prices on Elite A/V receivers again, the well-heeled respond with derision originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio

Richard Lawler — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Pioneer, Plasma

Bad news Kuro fans, the rumors were true and Pioneer is leaving the TV manufacturing business. On the upside, the restructuring deadline is March 2010, so a predicted net 130 billion yen ($1.44 billion) loss shouldn't be enough to get between you and the plasma HDTV of your dreams. The company's U.S. and U.K. plants are shutting down by April and February of this year, respectively, and product development for TVs beyond what's currently on the market is ending, seeing no prospects for improving profitability even after combining plasma efforts with Panasonic and LCDs with Sharp. Overall, there will be 10,000 fewer full time and temporary Pioneer employees than there were at the end of last year, while pay and bonuses for execs have been cut. The future for Pioneer? Mostly car audio, including in-car Blu-ray players and networked electronics, while its home electronics business focus on audio, DJ equipment and cable TV boxes, with a focus on using its expertise in improving sound. All other ugly details are contained in the press release, mourning the passing of another plasma supplier is in the comments.

[Via Bloomberg and AV Watch, thanks Carl H.]

Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business

Richard Lawler — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Displays, Pioneer, LCD, Plasma

Say it ain't so (again) Pioneer, Japan's Nikkei is reporting that despite planning a return to profitability by sourcing Panasonic plasma panels, facing a consolidated loss of 100 billion yen ($1.08 billion U.S.) it will end TV development and production entirely. The DVD business will be spun off into a new venture with Sharp as part of a plan to shed several thousand employees over the next year, including a shutdown of its Shizuoka plant, along with already planned closings in the U.S. and Europe. Honestly, we should have seen things were going badly when it let LaserDisc die, but the worsening economy may have proved too tough for the idea that its Kuro and Elite line of products would not be subject to the ups and downs of the economy.

[Via Gearlog, registration required on read link]

Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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