Utilizing the advantages of self-emitting plasma displays

Pioneer Corp. has unveiled new concepts for extreme contrast and advanced plasma display design under the code name “Project KURO.” The extreme contrast concept realizes the reproduction of absolute black, and the advanced design concept becomes the world’s thinnest 50-inch display at only 9mm thick.



The extreme contrast concept is the industry’s first plasma that can achieve absolute black with no measurable light emitting from the display, when reproducing black. Contrast ratio is defined as the ratio of the luminosity of the brightest color (white) to that of the darkest color (black). A high contrast ratio is desirable to recreate ideal picture quality. In televisions, the truer the black, the more accurate the color.



Exploiting the advantages of self-emitting displays, Pioneer has succeeded in reproducing absolute black by achieving zero-idling luminance in more than six million cells. Ultimately, the KURO extreme contrast concept has a contrast ratio that is literally beyond measurement, rendering the debate of contrast ratio irrelevant.



At 9mm thick – the world’s thinnest in 50-inch class – the groundbreaking Project KURO technology results in a picture that appears to be floating on a wall, creating an experience for consumers where the television becomes simply a canvas for great entertainment. In addition, its extremely light weight (18.6kg/41lbs) allows the television to easily be wall-mounted, contributing handsomely to interior decor.