Although mastering, pressing and image quality all advanced over the years, many LV fans hoped that Pioneer would provide an upgrade in the LV format, one that would increase the resolution to near high-definition quality. Pioneer did explore several image-enhancing options, even fully developing a compatible Extended Definition format called LD-XR.  Kurary, Mitsubishi and Sony also upgraded the format somewhat by using the Faroudja SuperNTSC Y/C encoder for all LV mastering. And, of course, the Hi-Vision MUSE format LV system was introduced in Japan in 1991. In the links to the left you can read more about these advanced LV formats.