How Long Do Pioneer TVs Last? (We Checked)

Pioneer has moved out of the TV market to focus on other consumer electronic products, such as car audio and even DJ equipment. However, if you have a Pioneer TV that’s still working, you may wonder how long it has until it finally gives up.

If you want to make the most of it, then read further.

So, how long do Pioneer TVs last? 

Here’s What You Need to Know About How Long Pioneer TVs Last.

Pioneer TVs have a good lifespan of 6-10 years. However, since Pioneer shut down its TV operations in 2015, the Pioneer TV you’re using may be in its last stretch. You also likely won’t get any support should it break.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Pioneer TV?

The last TVs that Pioneer made before leaving the TV market in 2015 had an average lifespan of 30,000 hours before they reached their half-life.

Once it reaches its half-life, the picture quality degrades and will not be as bright when compared to brand-new.

All that said, with proper care, Pioneer TVs can last more than ten years. 

What’s the First Thing that Breaks on Pioneer TVs?

The last type of TV that Pioneer made before leaving the market was plasma TVs.

As such, the most vulnerable component inside Pioneer TVs is the plasma screens. 

Plasma screens are sensitive and also prone to burn-in, and that damage is irreversible.

Do Pioneer TVs Last Longer than Average TVs?

Pioneer TVs won’t last as long as the average TV on the market today, as they are older.

The existing Pioneer TVs that are still working today already have degraded components, since they are already at least a few years old.

If you still have your Pioneer TV, it can’t go head to head with the newer TVs when it comes to durability. Newer TVs now use better components, as well, making them more durable.

How Long Do New Smart TVs Typically Last?

The newer TVs on the market have a lifespan of seven years before showing any signs of deterioration.

When the TV begins to deteriorate, you will usually see the picture quality decrease, and it may lose brightness.

If you observe these signs, it probably means your TV has started degrading.

How Long is the Warranty on Pioneer TVs?

Pioneer no longer offers warranty support for its TVs.

The company bowed out of the TV market by 2014, ending all sales and support a year later.

Are Pioneer TVs Good for Video Games?

You can use Pioneer TVs for video games, but you won’t be able to maximize the newer features of games and consoles.

As Pioneer exited before features such as OLED and 4k resolutions became a standard, the last TVs from the brand were not able to adapt to these trends.

On top of that, the refresh rates of Pioneer TVs are still stuck at 60 Hz and never reached 120 Hz.

What Are the Most Popular Pioneer TV Models?

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy a brand new Pioneer TV, given that their TV line has been phased out.

But if there was a favorite among their TVs, it was the Pioneer Kuro. 

  • Some people still use this TV, meaning it’s survived over ten years of use. Even if it doesn’t have a 4k resolution, its picture quality is still good.
  • The Pioneer Kuro was one of the last plasma TVs released before the company decided to close its TV division and focus on other endeavors.
  • If this TV had an equivalent based on today’s standards, it would be the OLED TV. The Kuro can depict deep blacks that enhance the image quality on the screen.
  • This TV may not have 4k resolutions and is not even a smart TV, but it does a good job of upscaling 720p video to Full HD. And you can always plug a Fire TV Stick if you want to take advantage of its sharp blacks as it features three HDMI ports.
  • The Pioneer Kuro sometimes produces unclear pictures, but this is usually evident only when watching content from analog sources. You won’t encounter this issue when watching digital content.

The sound quality of the Pioneer Kuro is clear and the frequencies don’t overpower each other.

  • Although quite good already, a subwoofer could movies even more realistic.
  • Unfortunately, there’s no support for eARC on this one, since it hasn’t been implemented when the Pioneer Kuro was released.
  • Meanwhile, you also get presets for sound to match the picture settings, so you get the best quality audio to match the content you are viewing.
  • The Pioneer Kuro also features a volume stabilizer that makes volume levels stable when you switch between types of media.

The Pioneer Kuro puts an important emphasis on blacks.

  • During its time, the Pioneer Kuro had one of the deepest blacks you could get from a TV.
  • For one, Kuro in Japanese means black, but more importantly, having the deepest blacks mean colors stand out.
  • Aside from making images stand out more, having improved color quality helps show subtleties in film. You will notice different tints and hues.
  • And thanks to the color accuracy of the Pioneer Kuro, you become more immersed in the overall viewing experience.

Other features worth looking into are the program timers and USB ports. The Pioneer Kuro lets you share content through the USB port. You can plug in a flash drive or camera cable and set the speed for an instant slide show.

The remote control of the Kuro comes with an aluminum surface for a premium feel. Unfortunately, the response of the remote can be slow at times, particularly with Digital TV channels.

What Can I Do to Prolong the Lifespan?

If you want to make the most of this TV, you have to provide sufficient care to make it last.

Remember that Pioneer no longer makes TVs, and you’re probably going to get very little support from the brand. That’s why you need to use extra care to maintain these TVs, especially if they’re older.

Here are some tips to consider.

Switch off the TV when not in use

Leaving the TV on when not in use speeds up its degradation, as the backlights burn out faster. Thus, you should turn it off if you will be out for prolonged periods.

Take advantage of power-saving features such as timers so that your TV shuts down in case you forget to turn it off. You can even integrate it with your smart home system for a more centralized solution.

Provide a safe space for your TV

As much as possible, keep your TV away from the windows.

  • TVs contain sensitive components that break when exposed to harmful elements, such as the sun or even the rain if you forget to close that window!
  • You should also keep it away from other appliances that emit high amounts of heat, including ovens and heaters.

Your TV must also have enough space for ventilation.

  • There should be at least two inches of space behind it and four inches on the side so that it can circulate air and dispel the heat.
  • For those using cabinet consoles, there should be an allowance for air circulation. You can also improve breathability with cooling fans.

Clean the TV regularly

Dust can damage your TV, including the screen. It can reduce ventilation, and cause overheating when it covers crucial parts, such as the backlight.

  • When dusting your TV, use a microfiber cloth or any soft material, and wipe the TV gently.
  • Plasma screens are sensitive and may scratch when rubbed too hard.
  • Avoid wiping in a circular and back and forth motion, and wipe in a single direction.

Don’t set the Brightness too high

The backlights are usually the first to break in any TV. And while many people equate higher brightness to better image quality, that is not the case.

The truth is, you only need to set the brightness at a level high enough to mitigate glare and reflections on the screen. And when watching at night, you can set the brightness to a lower level.

You should take advantage of any brightness presets to help you get the right levels for your room.

Use an Automatic Voltage Regulator

The last thing you want is a sudden voltage spike to destroy your TV. Power surges may happen anytime, and that is why you need to be prepared for them.

An Automatic Voltage Regulator can help reduce the risks of damage during power surges.

Damages from power spikes may vary. Sometimes it only needs a capacitor replacement, and there are times that the whole board requires a replacement, which is an impractical repair process.

Final Thoughts

Pioneer TVs are reliable, but they also need care and maintenance to last.

As Pioneer no longer makes TVs, you have to be extra cautious about your handling. 

One mistake could spell the end of your Pioneer TV, so take care of it!

 

Sources:

Pioneer Kuro PDP 5090

How Long Do Plasma TVs Last? (Explained)

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