Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD Price Drop!

PDP-5020FD/6020FD Markets Stabilize, Prices Drop

(July 15, 2008 HDTV-News.org) After an initial run-on-the-bank that depleted initial stocks of Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD HDTVs and drove would-be buyer's into a panic, the market seems to have stabilized with adequate supplies available at most online and retail outlets. In fact in recent days prices dropped. Yesterday the PDP-5020FD was available on Amazon for just under $3000, the lowest price we've seen so far, and the PDP-6020FD was available at Amazon for $4000, also the lowest price we've seen so far.

Prices of last year's model, the 50-inch PDP-5010FD, have also dropped. The PDP-5010FD can be had at Second Act for $2399 (using coupon code 2nd1120), about $500 less than the newer PDP-5020FD. We've seen both models and would seriously consider saving the extra bucks, and go for the PDP-5010FD. At $2400 there is no other HDTV, LCD or Plasma, that even comes close to matching the incredible picture quality of the 5010FD. However we do agree that the 5020FD blacks are deeper. In the end it comes down to personal preference and budget and have no criticism whatsoever of anyone that choses to spend the extra bucks for the newer PDP-5020FD.

Here's the market as of July 16, 2008:

50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2939 at Amazon
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $3199 at J&R
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $3499 at OneCall

50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5010FD $2499 at SecondAct
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5010FD $2599 at TigerDirect

60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4299 at J&R
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4003 at Amazon
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4499 at OneCall

Concerned Buyers Flock to Pioneer 5020FD & 6020FD

(July 3, 2008 HDTV-News.org) Pioneer today acknowledged that consumer feedback reveals that the primary driver behind the huge demand and resulting supply shortage of new generation Pioneer KURO 9G models PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD is buyer concern that future models may not live up to the standards set by the current models.

Pioneer recently announced an outsourcing partnership for future plasma models. This year's models will be the last of the in-house Pioneer plasmas. Pioneer claims that future models will meet or exceed consumer expectations. But buyers are not convinced, and they want the world's greatest HDTV today.

Initial sales of PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD models are at record levels. Many large B&M stores and internet retailers sold out their initial shipments within 48 hours. In fact in some cases the sets never hit the floors. They were pre-committed to a huge backlog of pre-orders, many at MSRP no doubt.

Currently availability is a mixed bag. For example earlier this week Amazon indicated they were out of stock of 5020FDs, but over the course of the day the set popped up on their site at three different prices through two different third party sellers. As of this writing Amazon is offering both models, at substantial discounts no less. It will be interesting to see how long they last.

Pioneer KURO PDP-5010FD and PDP-5020FD

50-inch 1080p Plasma--World's Best HDTV

The incredible 2007 Pioneer KURO series (PDP-4280HD, PDP-5080HD, PDP-5010FD, and PDP-6010FD) received near unanimous rankings as the best HDTV available. The early reviews of the new 2008 Pioneer KURO series HDTVs are receiving similarly high praise, apparently living up to Pioneer's hype of "…5 times deeper blacks…" than their predecessors. The value priced 720p sets (PDP-4280HD and PDP-5080HD) sold out months ago, but the 1080p 50-inch PDP-5010FD and 60-inch PDP-6010FD are still available, and prices are dropping as stocks are cleared to make room for the 2008 models. At their lower price points the PDP-5010FD and PDP-6010FD ranked not only as the best HDTV currently available, but a Best Buy as well. If you're looking for a value priced top rated 50 or 60 inch set, don't overlook the Pioneer PDP-5010FD and PDP-6010FD.

The 2008 KURO models include the 50-inch PDP-5020FD and the 60-inch PDP-6020FD, both measuring 3.7-inches thin and offering networked Home Media Gallery for playback of digital content from a PC or via USB. The new HDTVs also come with a new remote control and redesigned high-definition graphic user interface for seamless integration with other A/V equipment. Both models offer a 1080p resolution and should be available in June 2008. The 50-inch PDP-5020FD has an MSRP of $4000 (about $2850--$3500 street price, if you can find one), while the 60-inch PDP-6020FD has an MSRP of $5500 (about $4500--$5000 street price.

The PDP-5020FD 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV from Pioneer will thrill your senses with breathtaking imagery and sounds. A new GUI (Graphic User Interface) makes it easy to use and Optimum mode monitors content and room conditions for seamless audio and video adjustments. The true 1080p resolution plasma display in 16:9 will exhibit movies and HD content in your home with incredible detail and contrast. 36W of digital power will course through the 2-Way TruBass speakers with SRS technology for realistic sounds and the subwoofer output makes it easy to add a powered subwoofer. The PDP-5020FD has flexible input options such as 4 HDMI ports, Component, Composite, S-Video, USB, Ethernet and even VGA for your PC.

50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $2939 at Amazon
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $3199 at J&R
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5020FD $3499 at OneCall
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5010FD $2499 at SecondAct
50" Plasma Pioneer PDP-5010FD $2599 at TigerDirect

60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4299 at J&R
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4003 at Amazon
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6020FD $4499 at OneCall
60" Plasma Pioneer PDP-6010FD $4600 at Amazon