PIONEER’s Kuro G9 series of HD-ready plasma TVs achieves black levels five times deeper than its previous Kuro G8.

The benefits of this, the company explained, are finer detail, greater contrast and, most importantly, the ability to generate richer colours not before possible.

“The driving force behind Project Kuro is to produce absolute pure black and, with the G9 series, we have moved closer towards our goal,” said Heidi Johnson-Cash, general manager for marketing at Pioneer.

To enhance the viewing experience, Pioneer has also integrated several sound settings associated with each of its video settings – dynamic, standard, movie and game, and an auto volume stabilisation feature, which controls the volume level when switching between different types of programming.

Another feature designed to “synchronise sight and sound” is Optimum Mode, which automatically monitors the content and room light conditions and then adjusts the picture and sound settings. According to Pioneer, the result of this is that movies feel more like in the cinema, televised sport makes viewers feel like they are on the field and the narration in newscasts is ‘crystal clear’ so people can focus on the message.

Measuring just 94mm thick, the screens are nearly 20 per cent slimmer than those in the G8 range and they are available in 50in and 60in sizes.