The Legend Returns (Sort of)
If you are old enough to remember when Pioneer made the “Kuro” plasma TV—the Mona Lisa of televisions that cost as much as a used Honda Civic—let me stop you right there. This is not that TV.
The Pioneer PN65-R851-26U is what industry experts call a “Zombie Brand” product. Pioneer (the audio legends) licensed their name to Compal Electronics (a massive factory that makes everything else), and Best Buy put it on a shelf with a price tag that screams, “I am a bargain.”
But here is the twist: It’s actually pretty good at its main job.
While it lacks the bells and whistles of a $2,000 OLED, this TV leans heavily on the Roku Operating System to deliver a surprisingly competent, user-friendly experience. It is a massive, 65-inch vessel for streaming apps, designed for people who value screen size and simplicity over cinematic perfection.
1. Usability Test
The hardware here is basic, but the software is world-class. In the budget TV sector, the Operating System (OS) matters more than the pixels, and Roku is the undisputed king of “it just works.”
The Experience
The PN65-R851-26U feels less like a traditional TV and more like a dedicated, web-based app portal.
- Speed: Unlike Android TVs in this price range that start lagging after three months, the Roku interface remains snappy. It treats your PS5 input exactly like your Netflix app—just another tile on the grid.
- The Bluetooth Hack: Hardware-wise, this TV does not have Bluetooth. That sounds like a dealbreaker in 2025, right? But Pioneer/Roku solves this with a clever web-based workaround. You use the Roku Mobile App on your phone for “Private Listening.” The TV sends the audio over Wi-Fi to your phone, and your phone sends it to your AirPods. It’s a software solution to a hardware problem, and it works flawlessly.
- Smart Integration: It plays nice with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. You can yell at Siri to turn off your Pioneer TV, and it actually listens.
Usability Score: 9/10 (Grandma-proof).
2. Capabilities & Testing: The Hardware Reality Check
We put the specs under the microscope. Here is what happens when you strip away the marketing fluff.
The Display: Big, Sharp, and Dark(ish)
- The Good: It’s a Direct-Lit LED panel, meaning the light is behind the screen, not just on the edges. This makes the brightness relatively uniform. It uses a VA Panel, which provides great contrast and deep blacks—as long as you are sitting directly in front of it.
- The Bad: If you sit 30 degrees to the side, the colours wash out. Also, while it supports HDR10, don’t expect fireworks. With a peak brightness of around 300 nits, it can read the HDR signal, but it can’t get bright enough to truly show it. It’s like a Toyota Corolla with a “Sport” button; it tries, but we know what’s under the hood.
- Missing in Action: There is No Dolby Vision and No Local Dimming. Blacks are dark gray in a pitch-black room.
Gaming Performance
- The Verdict: It’s fine for Mario Kart.
- The Limitation: The HDMI ports are standard 2.0b. This means you are locked at 60Hz. If you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X and demand 120fps gaming or Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), this TV will bottleneck your console.
Audio: Please Buy a Soundbar
The down-firing speakers sound exactly like you’d expect: hollow and sad. They fire sound into your TV stand. Because this TV saves you so much money, take $100 of those savings and buy a soundbar. The HDMI ARC port makes setting one up instant.
3. The Quirks (Funny & Informative)
Every budget TV has a personality. Here is what you need to know before you wrestle this 35lb plastic beast out of the box.
- The “Fat Feet” Problem: The stand legs (calipers) are positioned at the far edges of the screen. You need a TV stand that is at least 57 inches wide. If you put this on a tiny IKEA table, it will fall off.
- The “Exorcism” Reboot: Some users report the TV getting stuck in a “boot loop” or turning on by itself at night (spooky, right?). It’s usually a cache issue. The fix is a “Hard Reset” sequence on the remote that looks like a cheat code: Home x5, Up, Rewind x2, Fast Forward x2. Memorize this. It saves lives.
- The Infrared Remote: The remote is not “point-anywhere.” You must point it directly at the Pioneer logo. If your new soundbar blocks the bottom of the TV, the remote won’t work. It’s 1990s tech in a 4K world.
Final Verdict: The “Guest Room” King
The Pioneer PN65-R851-26U is a triumph of pragmatism. It cuts every corner that the average user won’t notice (plastic build, lack of 120Hz, no Dolby Vision) to deliver the two things they do notice: Size and Streaming.
Buy this TV if:
- You want a massive screen for under $400.
- You hate complicated menus and just want to watch Netflix.
- You are putting a TV in a bedroom, playroom, or rental property.
Avoid this TV if:
- You are a hardcore gamer needing 120Hz.
- You are a cinephile who demands perfect HDR highlights.
- You have a narrow TV stand.
It’s not the Pioneer of old, but for the price of a high-end toaster, it’s a fantastic window to the internet.
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