Pioneer Corporation

This article is about the Japanese company. For other companies, seePioneer (disambiguation) § Companies and organizations.

Pioneer Corporation(パイオニア kabushiki gaisha,Paionia Kabushiki-gaisha),commonly referred to asPioneer,is a Japanesemultinational corporationbased inTokyo,that specializes indigital entertainmentproducts. The company was founded byNozomu Matsumotoon January 1, 1938 in Tokyo as aradioandspeakerrepair shop. Its current president is Shiro Yahara.

Pioneer Corporation

Pioneer headquarters inBunkyō,Tokyo
Native name	パイオニア kabushiki gaisha
Romanizedname	Paionia kabushiki gaisha
Company type	PrivateKK
Industry	Consumer electronics
Founded	1 January 1938(1938-01-01)inTokyo,Japan
Founder	Nozomu Matsumoto
Headquarters	28-8, Honkomagome 2-chome,Bunkyō,Tokyo113-0021, Japan
Key people	Shiro Yahara (President＆CEO)
Products	Car audioandautomotive navigation systems,Televisions(CRT Lens and Plasma, former product), PC DVD drives including PC DVD recorders, "set-top"DVD playersandDVD recorders,Misc. DJ equipment
Revenue	¥365,417 millionYen(2018)
Operating income	¥1,194 million Yen (2017)
Net income	¥−7,123 million Yen (2017)
Number of employees	16,763 (2017)
Website	Pioneer Corporation (Japan) Pioneer global network

Pioneer played a role in the development of interactivecable TV,theLaserDiscplayer, the first automotiveCompact Discplayer, the first detachable face car stereo, Supertuner technology,DVDandDVD recording,the first AV receiver withDolby Digital,plasma display(with the last 2 years of plasma models being branded asKuro,lauded for their outstanding black levels) andOrganic LED display(OLED). The company works with optical disc and display technology and software products and is also a manufacturer.BMW,Volkswagen GroupandDaimler AGof Germany jointly acquired a 3% ownership stake in Pioneer through a joint venture company called Here B.V. Most of Pioneer's shares are held byMitsubishi.

In March 2010, Pioneer stopped producing televisions as announced on 12 February 2009.On June 25, 2009, Sharp Corporation agreed to form a joint venture on their optical business to be called Pioneer Digital Design and Manufacturing Corporation.In September 2014, Pioneer agreed to sell Pioneer Home Electronics (Home A/V) toOnkyo,and in March 2015, Pioneer sold itsDJequipment business division toKKR,which resulted in the establishment ofPioneer DJas a separate entity, independent of Pioneer. In June 2021,Voxx Internationalannounced that it had finalized a licensing agreement with the Pioneer and Pioneer Elite brands "for all markets, except China" as part of their acquisition of Onkyo.

Timeline

• 1937: Pioneer's founder,Nozomu Matsumotodevelops the A-8 dynamic speaker.
• January 1938:Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho(precursor of Pioneer) is founded in Tokyo.
• May 1947:Fukuin Denkiis incorporated.
• December 1953: Hi-Fi Speaker PE-8 introduced.
• June 1961: Company name changed toPioneer Electronic Corporation.
• October 1961: Shares are listed on theTokyo Stock ExchangeSecond Section.
• June 1962: Introduces the world's first separate stereo system.
• March 1966: Establishes sales companies in Europe and the U.S.
• February 1968: Shares are listed on theTokyo Stock ExchangeFirst Section.
• April 1968: Shares are listed on theOsaka Securities Exchange.
• February 1969: Shares are listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (nowEuronextAmsterdam). U.S.GAAPconsolidated financial reporting starts
• November 11, 1970: EstablishesWarner Bros.-Pioneer CorporationwithWarner Bros. RecordsandWatanabe Productions,becoming a new Japanese distributor of Warner Bros. Records releases.
• August 1971: Introduces theHiPaccartridge format
• 1972: Warner Bros.-Pioneer Corp. changes its name toWarner-Pioneer Corporationand extends its distribution to catalogs ofAtlantic Records,Reprise Records,Elektra RecordsandAsylum Records,along with other labels owned by WEA.
• 1973: Introduces the reel to reel recorderRT-1020L
• November 1975: Introduces the world's first componentcar stereo.
• 1976: Hi-Fi Speaker HPM-100 introduced.
• December 1976: Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
• December 1977: Introduces the world's first two-way addressableCATVsystem in the U.S. (withWarner Cable).
• 1978: IntroducesSX-1980receiver, Pioneer's most powerful receiver manufactured to date.
• February 1979: Introduces the industry-use Laserdisc player.
• June 1980: Introduces VP-1000 LD player for home use in the U.S.
• March 1981: Warner-Pioneer Corp. establishes theLaserDisc Corporationin Japan.
• October 1981: Introduces LD player for home use and 70 LD software titles in Japan.
• October 1982: Introduces the LDKaraokesystem for business use.
• November 1982: IntroducesCDplayer.
• September 1984: Introduces the world's first LD combination player compatible with CDs and LDs.
• October 1984: Releases the world's first carCD player.
• December 1985: Introduces the 40-inchprojectionmonitor.
• 1989: LaserDisc Corporation changes its name toPioneer LDC.
• June 1990: Introduces the world's first CD-basedGPSautomotive navigation system.
• 1990: Warner-Pioneer Corp. dissolves after Pioneer's shares were bought byWarner Music Group.Shortly after the company renamedWarner Music JapanInc.under which is active today.
• 1990: Pioneer invests in motion picture production companyCarolco Pictures
• June 1992: Pioneer establishes its regional subsidiary inSoutheast Asia,Pioneer Electronics AsiaCentre Pte. Ltd.
• October 1992: Introduces the world's first 4xCD-ROMchanger.
• 1993: Pioneer acquires a 50% investment in Live Entertainment from Carolco Pictures
• 1993: Pioneer establishesPioneer Entertainmentin the U.S. as the American division of Pioneer LDC.
• April 1995: Pioneer writes off $90 million of losses from its investment in Carolco and Live.
• June 1996:
  • Tokorozawa Plant earnsISO 14001certification.
  • Pioneer inaugurates and launchesPioneer Karaoke Channel,anAstrosatellite televisionchannel for music video and karaoke programming consists for nightclubs.
• December 1996: Introduces DVD/CD player and the world's first DVD/LD/CD compatible player for home use.
• May 1997: Starts supplying digitalsatellite broadcastset-top boxes inEurope.
• June 1997: Introduces the world's first DVD-basedGPSautomotive navigation system.
• October 1997: Introduces the world's firstDVD-Rdrive.
• November 1997: Introduces the world's firstOEL-equippedcar audioproduct.
• December 1997: Introduces the world's firsthigh definition50-inchplasma displayfor consumer use.
• June 1998: Introduces the world's first DVD-based GPS automotive navigation system featuring 8.5GB dual-layered DVD.
• January 1999: Introduces new corporate logo.
• April 1999: Starts supplying digital CATV set-top boxes in the U.S.
• June 1999: English company name changed toPioneer Corporation.
• December 1999: Introduces the world's firstDVD recordercompatible with theDVD-RWformat.
• March 2000: Shares of Tohoku Pioneer are listed on theTokyo Stock ExchangeSecond Section.
• June 2001: Introduceshard disk-based GPS automotive navigation system.
• July 2001: Introduces the global brand slogan "sound.vision.soul".
• November 2002: Introduces GPS automotive navigation system with a wireless communication module.
• November 2002: Introduces aDVD recorderwith hard disk.
• March 2003: Introduces in the U.S. digital CATV settop boxes with high definition TV signal reception capability.
• July 2003: Pioneer LDC is acquired by Dentsu.
• September 2003: Total shipment worldwide of PC-use recordable DVD drives surpasses 5 million units.
• October 1, 2003: Pioneer LDC is renamed Geneon Entertainment and Pioneer Entertainment is renamed Geneon USA.
• July 2004: Introduces thePioneer DVJ-X1,the world's first DVD player for professional DJs and VJs.
• Circa August 2004: Introduces DVR-108, first 16× DVD burningoptical disc drive
• October 1, 2004: Pioneer Plasma Display Corporation (previously NEC Plasma Display Corporation) starts operation.
• January 2006: President Kaneo Ito and Chairman Kanya Matsumoto, son of the company's founder, leave their posts to take responsibility for the recent poor performance of the maker of DVD recorders and plasma TVs. Vice President Tamihiko Sudo is appointed the new president, effective from January 1 by the board of directors.
• December 2006: Pioneer closes its car audio division in Singapore.
• January 2007: Pioneer displays their 9 mm (0.35 in) thick concept plasma,as well as their "extreme contrast" concept plasma.
• July 2008: Pioneer develops 16-layer Blu-ray Disc capable of storing 400 GB.
• November 2009: Pioneer moves its head office from Tokyo to Kawasaki.
• September 2009: Pioneer announce two new players to theirDJ equipmentportfolio, theCDJ-900andCDJ-2000.
• March 2010: Pioneer stops producing TVs.
• May 2010: Pioneer releases two new DJ software controllers, theDDJ-S1,and the DDJ-T1.
• May 2011: Pioneer announces the release of the Smart Concept Car with a full DJ setup.
• October 2011: Pioneer officially released a new 2-channel DJ controller called theDDJ-ERGOat the BPM Show 2011.
• May 2012 – Pioneer introduced Cyber Navi AR-HUD, the world's firstautomotive navigation systemhead up display (HUD)to projectaugmented reality (AR)using laser beam scanning technology developed by MicroVision, Inc.
• August 2012: Pioneer officially launches theXDJ-AERO,Pioneer's first wireless DJ system that plays music from smartphones and tablets via Wi-Fi.
• April 2013: Pioneer officially launches the DJM-750.
• September 2014: Pioneer would sell its disc-jockey equipment business to private equity firmKKRfor about 59 billion yen($550 million).
• March 2016: Pioneer moves its head office from Kawasaki to Tokyo.
• September 2018: after Pioneer became heavily indebted following its failed forays into car navigation and audio systems,Baring Private Equity Asiainjected the company with 60 billion yen ($540 million), allowing Pioneer to settle some of their outstanding bank loans.
• March 2019: Pioneer removes its shares from public listing on theTokyo Stock Exchangeto focus ondebt restructuring,after the bailout was accepted following an extraordinary shareholder meeting.
• October 2020: A significant incident occurred that impacted Pioneer Corporation's ability to provide replacement logic boards for flagship digital mixers. During a three-day inferno, AKM's semiconductor factory, a key supplier for Pioneer's components, was completely burned down. This unfortunate event had a negative effect on Pioneer's supply chain, leading to extended delays in replacing logic boards for their equipment. As of 2023, the replacement of a logic board still takes at least 7 months due to the aftermath of the fire. Despite these challenges, Pioneer continued to release and sell new equipment that used the same shortage-affected chips. This situation left consumers with limited options, as they faced extended waiting times for repairs. This incident also raised concerns regarding Pioneer's compliance with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and gigging professionals experienced missed opportunities for wealth generation due to the prolonged equipment downtime. The situation has generated speculation about the possibility of class action lawsuits arising from Pioneer's perceived negligence and unwillingness to allocate a suitable number of new chips to address the needs of purchased boards requiring repair.(AKM, 2020; Korosec, 2021; Pioneer DJ, 2023)
• December 2020: PIoneer releases an in-car WiFi router.
• June 2021: enters partnership with Cerence to develop conversational AI solutions.

Brands and devices

Pioneer logo (1969–1998)

• Pioneer – car electronics
• Pioneer Elite produces premium electronics that are usually higher in quality and price. Most Pioneer Elite branded electronics have the gloss black "Urushi" finish.

  Pioneer Elite products includeAVRs,Laserdiscplayers,CDplayers,DVDplayers, plasma computer monitors and televisions [Now discontinued], and rear-projection televisions. Pioneer Elite debuted their firstBlu-ray Discplayer, the BDP-HD1, in January 2007.Pioneer released the first 1080p plasma display, the PRO-FHD1.

  In Summer of 2007, Pioneer released the Kuro line of plasma displays, that the company claims has the best black levels of any flat panel display which leads to greater contrast, and more realistic images.Kuro means black in Japanese.

• Pioneer Cycle Sport – GPS bicycle computers and single/dual-sided crankset-based power meters.
• Carrozzeria (Japan only) – car electronics
• Pioneer Premier (North America only) – high-end car electronics [Now discontinued]
• TAD – Technical Audio Devices. Primarily noted as a manufacturer of high-efficiency audio loudspeaker components and complete speaker systems for the commercial sound reinforcement and recording studio markets. The base for US operations is located in southern California, with limited design/manufacturing done on site. Operations commenced in the early 1980s and continue to this day with a limited offering of speaker components and expanded the offering of consumer speakers and electronics.
• Pioneer DJ– DJ equipment. A 85.05 percent majority stake of the brand was sold toprivate equityfirmKKRin 2015 for 59 billion yen ($551 million), but KKR resold it yet again to photo processing machine manufacturerNoritsuin March 2020 for 35 billion yen ($324.9 million).
• Pioneer Premium Audio- a brand of factory-installedOEMpremium sound systems forGMvehicles:Chevrolet Cobalt,Chevrolet Cruze,Chevrolet Malibu,Chevrolet Equinox,GMC Terrain,Pontiac G5,andPontiac Torrentas seven-speaker premium sound systems, and a premium sound system for theFord Ranger,Honda Ridgeline,andMazda B-Seriescompactpickup trucks.

Сurrent logo used since 1999

Pioneer also supplies genuine audio equipments and head units installed forDaihatsuautomobiles marketed in Indonesia since the launch ofDaihatsu Xeniain 2004.

Pioneer Karaoke Channel

Pioneer Karaoke Channel
Tiên phong karaoke kênh

Country	Malaysia
Broadcast area	Nationwide
Network	Pioneer Corporation (Japan) Astro(Malaysia)
Headquarters	Kuala Lumpur
Programming
Language(s)	Teochew Chinese Cantonese Taiwanese
Picture format	SDTV(480i4:3) PAL(576i4:3)
Ownership
Owner	Pioneer Corporation (Japan) Astro(Malaysia)
History
Launched	January 1996

Pioneer Karaoke Channel(Chinese:Tiên phong karaoke kênh;pinyin:Xiān Fēng Kǎ Lā OK Pín Dào) is asatellite televisionchannel that featuresAsianmusic videosand karaoke 24 hours a day. Pioneer and Malaysian satellite broadcasterAstroofficially launched on 1 June 1996.

Subsidiary

• Sanken Argadwija (Sanken Electronics Indonesia)
• Vitron Electronic Industry (Vitron Electronics Indonesia)

Slogan, motto and tagline

The Art of Entertainment

Devices

• The GPS device Pioneer Avic, includesTMCfeatures.

Optical drives

• BDR-X13U-S
• BDR-X13UBK
• BDR-XD08UMB-S
• BDR-XD08B
• BDR-XD08S
• BDR-XD08G
• BDR-XS07UHD
• BDR-XS07S
• BDR-S13U-X
• BDR-S13UBK
• BDR-2213
• BDR-212DBK
• BDR-209MBK

Pioneer is one of the major vendors ofoptical drives.

Operation modes

More recent optical drives allow the user to specify different operation modes using bundled software:

• "Entertainment Mode”– Reduction of acoustic drive noise
• "High-performance Mode"– Prioritizes reading and writing speeds
• “Quality Mode”– Prioritizes reading and writing accuracy
• “Eco Mode”– Minimizes power consumption

See also

• Car audio
• CDJ
• Automotive navigation system
• List of Japanese companies
• List of phonograph manufacturers
• Geneon(formerly Pioneer LDC)
• DVJ-X1
• List of music software
• List of studio monitor manufacturers

Sources

• Pioneer HPM-100, Advertisement. 1976: 1-4.
• 40-inch Projection Monitor has been seen in Switzerland on second hand sales

External links

• Official website