Pioneer has completely re-engineered this 42-inch plasma panel to produce a high performance TV that touts a 16,000:1 contrast ratio - a spec triple that of competitive brands - which should yield much deeper blacks and richer colours.

Pros

Kuro is a Japanese word meaning black (or "deep, black and penetrating" in Pioneer marketing-speak). Whatever the connotation, it's the name the company gave to a project to completely re-engineer and redesign its entire plasma display line-up. Rather that tweak last year's seventh-generation series with a spec enhancement here and another HDMI connection there, Pioneer claims that every single feature on the upcoming Kuro models, the PDP428XDA and the PDP508XDA, has been re-evaluated and rebuilt.

The result is a panel with improved black levels that Pioneer boasts produce a contrast level of 16,000:1. On the features front, there is a built-in HD tuner, three HDMI ports, an optical audio output for digital surround sound, and a media gallery function that lets you connect a flash drive or memory stick via the USB port to view your digital photos on screen. There is also an ISF mode, so if you choose to have this TV professionally calibrated, the ISF settings can be locked to optimise the display for your particular viewing environment.

Cons

Although Australian pricing for either the 42-inch or 50-inch models has yet to be announced, we've already been forewarned that Pioneer intends to chase the high-quality end of the market with premium pricing accordingly. We're not too sure how premium they mean, but don't expect the Pioneers to follow others in the market with more pocket-friendly plasmas.

The new Kuro line-up will not be available until October, so don't hope to buy one in time for the Rugby World Cup or the NRL and AFL Grand Finals. Bad timing, Pioneer.

Bottomline

We're always a bit sceptical where we read PR announcements that make claims like the doozies that came with this one - a la "your senses will need to adapt in ways never before imagined" and "it will change the way you look at TV forever".

Nonetheless, early reports we've seen from overseas and gossip from an Australian industry insider who has seen the PDP428XDA in action confirm that the picture is pretty awesome. While its features are nice, they can be found on other brands, so at the end of the day, it's the premium picture that will be its biggest draw card.