Pioneer TVs were once the holy grail of Plasma TV performance, and believe it or not, the Pioneer KURO brand still has a small but loyal following despite its discontinuation in March 2010.
The Current Pioneer TV Brand
Since the demise of Kuro Plasma HDTVs, the Pioneer TV brand has been licensed and fallen most recently into the hands of TCL as a secondary TV line.
However, the Pioneer TV Brand Name appears to be gaining some steam as Comcast/Charter-owned XUMO is partnering with Pioneer and Best Buy to bring Pioneer/Xumo TVs to market in the U.S.
However, these new TVs do not carry on the Pioneer Kuro legacy. These new TVs are standard LED/LCD TVs with basic direct LED backlight with no local dimming support. In other words, these are designed as budget-priced TVs targeted for mass-consumers.
Instead of emphasizing high-performance video display tech, Xumo TVs rely on their smart features to attract consumers.
Key Features
Voice Control: This allows viewers to discover content quickly from across available apps and services with a simple voice command into the remote.
My List: Viewers can create a personalized playlist to save and quickly access shows or movies from apps and services right from the home screen.
Content Access: Convenient access is provided to recently viewed apps, services, content, HDMI inputs, and over-the-air channels on the first row of the home screen.
Recommendations: A curated interface combines automated suggestions with editorial recommendations to help viers discover programming from across streaming apps and services.
Built-In Subscription Apps: Hundreds of streaming apps and services including Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Peacock, Prime Video, YouTube, and more.
Built-in Ad-Supported Free Apps: Immediate access to tens of thousands of free movies and TV shows from ad-supported services like Xumo Play, Pluto, Tubi, and more – all seamlessly blended alongside consumers’ subscription content to help them discover something new.
Tip: Compete List of Xumo Apps and Streaming Services
Specifications
- Display Type: LED/LCD
- Backlight Type: LED Direct Lit
- Display Resolution: 4K UHD (2160p)
- Screen Size Availability: 43, 50, 55, and 65-inches
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR 10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)
Tip: Although HDR support is indicated, no info has been provided as to how many Nits these TVs can output, nor their tone mapping capabilities to optimize HDR for their actual light output capabilities.
- Smart Platform: Xumo TV
- HDMI Support: 3 Inputs (includes 1 HDMI 2.1, 1 HDMI ARC)
- Composite Video Inputs: 1 Set
- Audio Outputs: 1 x Digital Optical, 1 x Analog
- USB: 1
- RF Antenna Input: Yes (ATSC ver 1.0 tuner built-in)
- Screen Mirroring: Yes, including Apple Airplay, Content Sharing from Mobile to TV
- Bluetooth: Version 5.2
- Network Compatibility: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
- Wall Mountable: VESA Wall Mount Standard (200mm x 200mm)
- Audio: Built-in down-firing Speakers
- Remote Control: Wireless IR remote included
Availability & Pricing
Pioneer Xumo TVs are expected to become available in November 2023 through Best Stores and Best Buy.com in the following screen sizes:
Tip: Best Buy also offers two Hisense-branded Xumo TVs:
Tip: The Xumo Play app portion of the Xumo OS, which provides access to several hundred free Ad-supported channels, is available on Vizio, Samsung, Hisense TVs, and Roku TVs and devices. Xumo Play is also available for iOS and Android mobile devices. and well as Windows PCs. Xumo Play for LG TVs is referred to as LG Channels (pdf).
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