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Pioneer Project Kuro 'Extreme Contrast' first look

Pitch Black

CES Pioneer proudly premiered its Project Kuro "Extreme Contrast" presentation at CES, and Register Hardware was exclusively invited to see this awesome, absolute black TV in action.

Shown only as a concept, with no indication of when it might come to market, Pioneer has been working on the top secret "Project Kuro" in a bid to finally put an end to the contrast ratio discussion.

Upon taking a seat in a specially sealed, black enclosure, a few select journalists were treated to a demonstration of what this new technology is capable of.

Pioneer Project Kuro "Extreme Contrast"

An ordinary Kuro HDTV on the left, the awesome, absolute black TV on the right

Two same-sized screens both displayed colourful images of firework displays, paint exploding in a modern-day manner similar to the Sony Bravia commercial, and other such scenes that showed vibrant colours in motion. The screen on the left was a Pioneer Kuro 50in, 1080p flat-panel display and the screen on the right was the same - except it was equipped with the "non-priming, self-emissive technology" that makes the "extreme contrast" concept possible.

Pioneer Project Kuro "Extreme Contrast"

Black beauty: could end the contrast ratio discussion

Gasps of "Awesome", "Wow" and "Look at that" were whispered around the small, utterly darkened chamber.

The new display is capable of complete black, with no measurable light whatsoever emitting from the television, which provides a truly immersed viewing experience. There isn't even a contrast ratio measurement that can be provided.

No technical information was released by Pioneer, and unfortunately no photographs can really do it justice, but trust us when we say this is going to revolutionise the home entertainment experience when it does become available.

Latest Comments

Never take photos of light using a flash.

@Drew Cullen; You can inform Scott, even if it was flames, it's a light source.

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Couch Potato

That'll be my fault for thinking inside the box.... getting outside and enjoying the weather with maybe a G&T is a far better idea of course!

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So if I watch...

"Pitch Black" on this TV, it'll actually be "Pitch Blacker"?

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How they did it...

Nathan Explosion was called in to write a song, and the score was directly etched onto every single pixel on the screen.

"Blacker than the blackest black, times infinity." indeed.

But the truely important question is... Can I get it for my iPhone?

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Anonymous Coward

resist the couch potatory

"Personally i'd shut the curtains on the odd occasion the British weather was that bright rather than sacrifice the improved quality Plasma offers over LCD."

Personally I'd switch the TV off and go outside to enjoy the lovely weather.

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