Conclusion
There's no doubt about it—Pioneer's Kuro TVs are far and away the best plasmas on planet. Will they remain so after Pioneer starts outsourcing its plasma panels as UAV reported in a recent news story? That's the question on everyone's mind, leading consumers to wonder if they should jump on a current model. I'm completely confident that anyone who does will not be disappointed, but I'm also reasonably sure that the next generation will still be based on Pioneer-made glass.

Will the next-gen models be even better than the current crop? Probably—'tis ever thus. But if you're hankering for the best plasma that money can buy today, the PRO-110FD and its siblings have no equal and will serve you exceedingly well for years to come.

Aside from a few minor annoyances, I'm thrilled with the Pioneer Elite PRO-110FD. Its colors are gorgeous, its detail is exquisite, and its blacks are to die for. It's difficult to compare this set to others in the market, none of which can touch it for sheer picture quality. Granted, $6000 is more expensive than just about any other 50-inch plasma; if Home Media Gallery, ISF calibration modes, and detachable speakers aren't important to you, consider the Pioneer-line PDP-5010FD for $1000 less. If you can afford either one, there really is no other choice.

Highs
Deep, rich, inky blacks
Exceptional color & detail
Excellent shadow detail
Superb video processing
Displays 1080p/24 at 72Hz
ISF calibration modes
Home Media Gallery is cool

Lows
Picture controls associated with AV modes, not inputs
Onscreen controls buried several levels deep
Bug in deinterlacer-selection menu causes unpredictable behavior with progressive signals Pricey