Pioneer has unveiled a new range of high-definition TVs (HDTVs) that it claims take plasma picture technology to a whole new level.

Codenamed ‘Project Kuro’ (Kuro is Japanese for black), its eighth-generation panels feature a contrast ratio of 16,000:1 – four times that of its existing screens. Along with improved image processing, this results in images with far deeper black levels, richer colours and more enhanced detail.

A recent demonstration in Rome showed a clear improvement on current models, which have already earned a Buy It! award.

With the rise of Blu-ray and HD DVD, the company has also started to emphasise the option on its TVs to play back video at 24 frames per second – or, as Pioneer says, ‘exactly as movie directors intended’.

As pointed out in Active Home, this feature removes the juddering seen on slow camera pans and scrolling text, such as credits, when watching HD movie discs.

The new range starts at 42in with the HD-ready PDP-4280XD and 4280XA, featuring digital terrestrial and analogue TV tuners respectively. Moving up, the 428XD incorporates a USB socket and a memory card slot for displaying camera pictures plus options for professional picture calibration.

Those looking for larger screens can opt for the 50in PDP-5080, 5080XA and 508XD.

Prices for the new screens have yet to be set but are expected to be set around £500 higher than the current seventh-generation models, starting at around £1,700.

At the same time, Pioneer also announced the BDP-LX70 Blu-ray player and the LX01 – a minimalist home cinema system with a 250GB hard disk DVD recorder with digital tuner, HDMI with 1080p video scaling and surround sound speaker design technology unique to Pioneer.

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