Home > Consumer Reviews > Pioneer PDP-6010FD 60-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

I had been waiting for the Kuro line of plasma panels to arrive, and about a month ago, the 50" 720p unit went on display at the local stores. It clearly had deeper blacks than anything else on the wall, and the screen was among the best in rejecting room reflections.

On this first impression, I pre-ordered a PDP-6010 (60" 1080p), and it arrived two days ago. What can I say? It is better than I had hoped for. The last unit I had the pleasure of viewing was a new Samsung plasma, and it's great, but this is the next level. Reflections are muted and unobtrusive, even in a brightly lit skylight illuminated room. False contouring has been reduced, especially in HD. But what makes this TV stand out is the shadow detail. This technology has brought shadow details and reflective images into a new era.

A few unexpected and pleasant surprises: 1) The unit has a beautiful acrylic surround/bezel. Really sharp and you don't see it in the photos.
2) Made in the USA!
3) Subwoofer output. I threw out the surround sound mess; no more extra wires, speakers and confusing remote. Just kept the powered subwoofer (not Pioneer brand), attached it to the new set and have GREAT sound that's simple and simple. No, it isn't full surround sound, but it is very clean and more than loud enough. Our family members can all operate it without incident, which is an improvement.

The only down side: You must assemble the stand and speaker bar to the unit. This is not complicated, but definitely requires two strong people and a LARGE table with a clean, protective sheet or blanket. Even if you hire someone to do this, you'll need the table for them to do it. Can't be done on the floor. Wouldn't risk using the couch. A bed could be suitable.

I've always been a fan of LCD flat panels and rear-projections but I'm glad I've taken a small leap of faith to try a technology that I've always been skeptical of (burn-in issues, pressure-sensitive buzzing). After exhaustive research online at various forums and visits to see floor models at stores accompanied by chats with knowledgeable sales people, it wasn't hard to come this decision. It looks like plasma has come a long way and sets like this Pioneer Kuro are the epitome of this technology. The blacks, the colors, the contrast, the overal picture quality, are astounding and has met and in some ways exceeded the very high expectations I've already set for myself on this TV from all the online research I've done and glowing reviews I've read. This is certainly better than the any LCD I've ever had and even the latest crop of 120Hz Sony's and Samsungs that came to market.

Ordering this from Amazon turned out to be another excellent decision. Not only was it the best price, but it was comforting to know that Amazon was an authorized Pioneer dealer with an excellent return policy to boot. The TV arrived via EGL "white glove" delivery in record time (I ordered on a monday and it was delivered the following saturday!) It was brought up to my apartment, unpacked from the box and foam, and the stand was assembled on the spot. This was the best delivery experience I've ever had despite the fact that it was one of the largest and seemingly fragile. I'm glad Amazon uses EGL because they are truly a top notch and service-oriented company based on this experience.

Do I have anything bad to say about the TV? Not really. I can go on and on about how great it is but it won't be any different than what's already been said on the reviews you see online and on forums. But if I had to be nitpicky, I'd have to say that I wish the included stand was height-adjustable for when the user decides not to install the speaker when using a multi-channel setup. Without the speaker, the TV looks too perched-up with an exposed area beneath that is not very esthetic. The "Elite" version (PRO-150FD) has the shorter stand and from my understanding, will fit the PDP-6010FD but Pioneer wants $400 for one. There is also a slight buzz in my unit but it's very minor and to be honest, it's not any worse than most plasmas I've heard. Even low volume drowns it out so it was not a big issue. Perhaps I have just become accustomed to the many buzz-free LCD panels I've had. None of these nitpicks warrant detracting from the 5 stars I will give this TV.

One word of advice when you get this TV and plan on using it for gaming and viewing sources with lots of static images or aspect ratios that don't fill the whole screen: do a proper break-in. Yes this TV has an orbiter and all the new technology that prevents "burn-in" but regardless, image-retention can still be an issue even with the newest plasmas despite what some store sales person might tell you. If you do a search on the web, you will be able to find a free downloadable "plasma break-in dvd" that you burn on a dvd-r. The one I use runs for 24 hours and the recommended break-in is 100-150 hours. I've done the break-in and frequently play PS3 and Xbox 360 games and often view movies with 2.4:1 aspect ratios and standard definition 4:3 programming with the black side bars, and at least so far, no issues and none expected since the break-in was done properly.

Buying this TV was my first step into the realm of HD and if you've done any homework on this model, you'll find that it's pretty universally praised as the best flatscreen TV currently on the market. Believe me when I say that this TV lives up to the hype of anything and everything you may have read. It took 2 tries before I got a working model to my doorstep (see my freight shipping company rant at the end of the review), but once I had this TV fired up, all I can say is I was in absolute mouth-breathing awe. (and I hate mouth breathers!) From the jaw-dropping perfect picture clarity to colors so vivid they defy explanation, for me to say that this TV exceeded my expectations would be the understatement of the decade. Compared to any other flatscreen TV I've seen, the Kuro is bordering on reverse-engineered alien technology! If, like me, you upgrading from a standard definition set to this TV, regardless of the quality of your current TV (mine was a Sony WEGA, which we loved), this is about the equivalent of going from driving an rusty old Datsun with a rag for a gascap (for the Sandler fans) to upgrading to a Ferrari.

I was watching some of the island scenes from "Castaway" from an upscaling Sony DVD player on this TV and the color and clarity was so mindblowing, there were scenes that almost looked like they were jumping off the screen in 3-D. I also popped in Dream Theater's "Score" DVD, a concert that my wife and I attended live, and it was like being there at Radio City Music Hall all over again.

As just about every review you've seen here will attest, you pretty much can't go wrong with this TV and it's about as user friendly as can be even for the not-so-technically inclined. About my only complaint from that dynamic are all 4 HDMI ports being on a bottom panel in the back of the TV and a little tough to connect unless you're looking directly up at them. If you can afford it though, the Kuro is worth every penny and buying on Amazon saved me $2000 off retail and $1,000 off even the lowest local store price I could find.

Just as an aside having nothing to do with the TV itself, Amazon needs to seriously explore other freight shipping options as they currently use Eagle Logistics exclusively for freight and based on my experience with Eagle, they just plain suck at what they do. White glove service it certainly wasn't in my case. The local warehouse told me that they only have one 2-man team for larger shipments and it took them a full week to schedule delivery in my case (even after the 5 day wait for it to arrive at the local warehouse) and on the date we scheduled, they informed me that they would deliver between 10 am and 2 pm...The "2-man team" ended up showing up at 5:00 pm that day in the form of ONE man, so I had to help unload the truck. On the first delivery, we pulled out the screen only to find that it had spider cracks all the way across it as though someone had either dropped the box from about 3 feet in the air a couple of times or some warehouse guys took turns doing target practice on the box with a sledge hammer. I don't where it got mishandled, but someone had done a number on this thing. Fortunately, the second time was the charm, but they still couldn't schedule the 2-man team until a week after the shipment arrived locally, so we had them send a one man truck and helped him unload it again. Eagle also does not offer expedited delivery, so count on a week plus for these guys to get anything to your doorstep and don't be surprised when Larry, Darryl and Darryl show up minus Larry and Darryl.

I have nothing but great thing to say about This TV!
But I figured I would warn some of you if you are thinking about buying a television on amazon.

I bought this TV about 3 weeks ago.
Shipping was about 4 days late from amazons estimated ship date.
I was supposed to get free white glove delivery with amazon but only one driver showed up so I had to get my suit dirty and help eventhough amazon promised white glove.
The box it came in was kinda beat up. So I figured we would make sure the set works before I sign off on the delivery.
Well, I plugged TV in and no power. Called Pioneeer support and they said "D.O.A.".
So I rejected delivery.
I called amazon customer service to report this problem and boy was that fun!
Amazon out-sources thier customer support to India and other countrys to save money (Amazon saves money but the customers are the one who end up paying ). the language barrier was horrible. Could not understand anything this guy was saying and vice versa (thanks amazon). I will tell you this: If you live in the U.S. then get ready to speak to a guy from india who reads all of his answers from a monitor. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SUPPORT!!

After battleing the language barrier they finally sent me a new set (Oh and by the way, Amazon will not expedite shipping for you replacement, they make u wait another week or 2 for your replacement set.
A week later the new set arrived and I could not believe it but they did not send white glove delivery again. I had to help unload the truck again!!
And guess what? The box was damaged badly again.
So we took the TV inside and tried to power it up and it was ANOTHER DEAD TV!
Amazon uses Eagle (CEVA) to ship Televisions. They obviously do not handle with care.
So I had to call amazon customer support AGAIN and deal with some guy from India who can't understand a word I am saying.
Instead of dealing with this nightmare again, I requested a refund.
It has been over a week and they still have not credited my credit card.
So I guess I will have to call India again and deal with Amazons horrible customer support again.

IF you are thinking of buying this TV from Amazon (AMAZON, not one of the dealers that sell on Amazon) DONT DO IT!!! You would be better off buying from someone who specializes in Televisions. They only use respectable delivery carriers and handle with care. Eagle (Ceva) is who amazon uses and they do no know how to handle fragile plasma displays that can be badly damaged if tipped over. They do not put a "tip and tell" sensor on the box like specialists do either. The reason i picked amazon was becasue of the 30 day return policy but what good is that policy if your TV never works in the first place.

I rated the 60" Kuros strictly on the quality of the picture. I purchased a PDP-6010 FD Kuro and a PDP-5010 FD Kuro. The quality of the picture is incredible. However, My PDP-6010 FD failed after only 9 weeks of use. Service technicians have been working on it since Mar 22, 2008 and today is Apr 4, 2008 and they still haven't fixed it. I think they are slowly rebuilding the set in my den. I had to remove the Plasma (at some expense) from my wall before the technicians would do warranty work. Beware of Pioneer warranty service. I am still trying to get my Plasma fixed. And then I will have to pay someone to put it back on the wall.