You heard it here first: Plasma TV is dead. As we predicted several years ago, plasma technology is on its way out. Putting one of the nails in the lengthy coffin is Pioneer Corp, who is stopping ALL production of plasma display panels. Last week we reported that they had decided to stop all 42-inch panel production, however that has now been expanded to its entire plasma line. Rather than panic, Pioneer shares immediately jumped to a four-month high following the report - up 11.2 percent. Pioneer is the world's fifth-largest plasma TV manufacturer and has constantly struggled for relevance against the larger Panasonic brand (Matsushita). Now, Pioneer will buy its panels from the competing brand and it will begin picking up LCD panels from... you guessed it - Sharp.
Discuss "Plasma TV is Dead - Pioneer Exits" here. Read the article.
It's obvious why this happened. They shot themselves in the foot, by being perceived as "high-end" in a market that sees the high end shrinking only to an elite (no pun intended) few. Panasonic's efforts were smarter from a business point of view, bring a high quality product to market, make a smaller profit per unit, but clean up in volume, and they've done this to a Tee. Inch per inch Pio's TVs are the most expensive and the PQ difference isn't that great to warrant the prices they were asking. The KURO line at a better price point would have mopped the floor with Panny, but alas it tain't so sheriff. As for plasma exiting the market, well, LCD still has light years to catch up in PQ before it can best color rendition offered by plasma.
It has been rumored for the longest time that Panny was looking to leave the plasma market behind, but after billions of dollars in tech investments, that rumor might just be that, a rumor.
This is pretty dissapointing. I was planning on a nice 50" Plasma for my next display. I really am not fond of LCD's for critical viewing. Maybe they'll have some nice Plasma fire sales?
__________________
This species has amused itself to death.
Actually I can see the truth to the story. Although I personally love plasma technology and own a plasma (by Panasonic) myself. In its price range and size it clearly won me from competing LCD panels.
Yes, I suppose I do see the current generation of plasma as superior to LCD in picture quality. Since we now know plasma burn-in is a myth there is no real drawback.
Except of course - heat and energy efficiency. But in terms of contrast and pixel 'rise-fall' speed, LCD is still playing catch up.
No, I'm not a plasma fan-boy. I really don't care which is superior, based on the information available I see plasma as the one.
__________________
Wayde
Tell me what you think in real time on Twitter @wayder I'm now tweeting Audioholics stories and looking to extend the AV conversation.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Wayde Robson For This Useful Post:
It's rather sad, actually. It's just another case of inferior technologies winning mass market acceptance.
Let's see, comparing plasma with LCD, LCD uses less power, generates less heat, is lighter weight, is better for viewing in lighted rooms (which is how most people view), zero chance of "burn in"...how do you come to the conclusion that an "inferior" technology won? In my case, the absolute determinant was the "burn in" issue, as I hate distorted and cropped images, and watch quite a bit of material that is not 16:9. So I often have black bars for hours at a time. And for those who say, "burn in is no longer an issue with plasma", I say, I will believe that when manufacturers give warranties against burn in. If the makers of the screen admit the fault, I will continue to believe them, because if it were really not an issue, they would want to brag about it as it would help sales. I have seen burn in on a screen before, and it isn't pretty.
Anyway, Panasonic will probably continue with plasma for a while, and you can still get a Pioneer in the stores, if you really want a plasma screen. Eventually, though, I expect plasma will die. I doubt many, if any, will be made 10 years from now. And it may die sooner; perhaps in 5 years it will all be over for plasma, but we will see.
__________________
__________________
A fool and his money are soon parted.
__________________
Too many people seem to spend too much time reading between the lines for what is not there instead of paying attention to what is there.
Well from personal experience and use I can tell you that my soon to be 5 year old Panny plasma hasn't suffered any maladies, and my kid leaves it on for hours at a time with the black bands and what have you, screen looks as good as when it was installed. My newer lcd in my master is crap and the PQ doesn't come close to the Panny's.
LCD became the de facto format due to its smaller form factor. At equal sizes, plasma is cheaper than LCD. However, LCD's come as small as 9" diagonally. Plasmas generally bottom out around 32 (really 42) inches. Therefore, a lot of people bought smaller LCD's. I know a lot of people (raises hand) with 37" or smaller LCD's that they bought for less than $1k.
All the FUD about burn-in and image retention didn't help plasma. Moreover, the not at all FUD issue about power consumption is another one.
LCD is still a visually inferior technology to CRT, plasma and (yes, I'm saying it) DLP. It's going to come out on top. Flat panel sexy is in except for enthusiasts with projectors. They're in the minority. I figured plasma would outlast RP DLP. We'll see.
Wow, I was not expecting this. It is very dissapointing. I wouldn't buy an LCD as my main set for any amount of money. They just can't compete. I really hope Panasonic sticks with it. Maybe they'll even make a deal with Pioneer and adopt some of the techniques that made Kuro so wonderful.
__________________ URC MX-900 Remote with MRF-350 RF Base Station / Yamaha RX-V2700 / Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-Ray / Panasonic VCR / Dish Network VIP722 HD DVR / Xbox 360 / Panasonic TH-42PZ77U 1080p Plasma / Mitsubishi HD-1000 Projector / DIY 70" Screen / DIY Speakers and Sub
Plasma TV is Dead - Pioneer Exits
Linear Mode
