100,000 hour plasma

[stratman]

"Panasonic became the first company to announce that it extended the phosphor half life of its consumer 1080p plasma displays to 100,000 hours from 60,000, exceeding the announced performance of competitor's plasmas", this applies to the 2007 line up at stores now, according to Panasonic if a household watches six hours of tv per day it take almost 46 years for the display to dim to half its original brightness. Interestingly Panasonic is working on it's 1080p displays to accept a native 24Hz video signal from high-def disc players, the current displays only accept 60Hz signals after a high-def disc player converts the 24Hz content to 60Hz (3:2 pulldown), also on the horizon 20,000:1 contrast ratio which according to Panasonic:"in most living rooms with room lights on, consumers would see no big difference at 10,000:1, with no lights on, consumers might see a difference at 20,000:1". More numbers to crunch.

 

[no. 5]

oo, I'd like to see that (in my living room).

 

[ace55]

Panasonic pretty much owns the plasma market at the moment but obviously they're not sitting back.

 

[1tribeca]

In terms of market share no doubt...but still nowhere near the panel that Pioneer is producing! Panasonic is known for build quality and reliabilty, not to mention excellent service (even post warranty!)

I literally JUST got home from comparing the new Panny top line 1080p panel and the Pioneer Elite PRO-1150HD (right next to these two was the 1080p 50" Aquos but it's not even in the running) Both of these panels were running the Blu-ray demo disc...the one with Chronicles of Narnia etc...brilliant disc! The Pioneer is still out in front...I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself, and I'm a Panasonic fan! These Pioneer Elite panels are awesome. I can imagine how nice the 1080p model will be when released in a few weeks. Obviously you're paying a premium for an Elite, but it's worth it to some. Panasonic is good value no question!

As far as 100,000 hours is concerned, it's a sales tool for the manufacturer more than anything. I have no doubt the actual panel has been made to last, but it's the endless plethora of components BEHIND the panel that don't have the longevity. The electronics wear out much faster than the panel itself...and it gets to a point rather quickly that the repairs don't justify the cost. A friend of mine (who incidentally has worked in the service dept. of this particular shop for a couple decades) swears he has never seen a panel last more than 12,000hrs without needing something or other. Eventually it's not worth dishing the coin to try to make your TV last 100,000hrs!!

Usually these inflated numbers are based on leaving the panel on or off. It sounds crazy, but a panel left on will have a longer life than one constantly being switched on/off...especially when you're talking tungsten bulbs...hot/cold hot/cold etc. Same principle as a kitchen faucet...the washers and other components wear faster with turning on/off than they do with a constant flow...any plumber will tell you that.

 

[no. 5]

Tungsten bulbs?

I agree, a life expectancy of 100,000 hours is probably not anywhere near typical, but hay, an improvement is an improvement.

 

[stratman]

In terms of market share no doubt...but still nowhere near the panel that Pioneer is producing! Panasonic is known for build quality and reliabilty, not to mention excellent service (even post warranty!)

I literally JUST got home from comparing the new Panny top line 1080p panel and the Pioneer Elite PRO-1150HD (right next to these two was the 1080p 50" Aquos but it's not even in the running) Both of these panels were running the Blu-ray demo disc...the one with Chronicles of Narnia etc...brilliant disc! The Pioneer is still out in front...I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself, and I'm a Panasonic fan! These Pioneer Elite panels are awesome. I can imagine how nice the 1080p model will be when released in a few weeks. Obviously you're paying a premium for an Elite, but it's worth it to some. Panasonic is good value no question!

As far as 100,000 hours is concerned, it's a sales tool for the manufacturer more than anything. I have no doubt the actual panel has been made to last, but it's the endless plethora of components BEHIND the panel that don't have the longevity. The electronics wear out much faster than the panel itself...and it gets to a point rather quickly that the repairs don't justify the cost. A friend of mine (who incidentally has worked in the service dept. of this particular shop for a couple decades) swears he has never seen a panel last more than 12,000hrs without needing something or other. Eventually it's not worth dishing the coin to try to make your TV last 100,000hrs!!

Usually these inflated numbers are based on leaving the panel on or off. It sounds crazy, but a panel left on will have a longer life than one constantly being switched on/off...especially when you're talking tungsten bulbs...hot/cold hot/cold etc. Same principle as a kitchen faucet...the washers and other components wear faster with turning on/off than they do with a constant flow...any plumber will tell you that.

Curious, what was the price difference between the Pioneer vs the Panasonic? 12,000 hrs would equal roughly 5.5 years, my 2003 Panny is getting there, I'll let you know when it does, so far it's been bulletproof, not the lcd in my master (Dell/Olevia) that's another story!

 

[1tribeca]

Can't recall difference in price...it was large!! The Pioneer was $4799 (sticker price, Canadian$$) The Panny was much less. Like I said, Panasonic is great value and a robust TV...good quality, just not on the same level as an Elite.

 

[stratman]

Can't recall difference in price...it was large!! The Pioneer was $4799 (sticker price, Canadian$$) The Panny was much less. Like I said, Panasonic is great value and a robust TV...good quality, just not on the same level as an Elite.

Kind of comparing a Nissan 350Z and a Porsche 911. For the money and performance I'll take the Panny, I've seen them side by side at BB and I don't think the difference justifies the amount of money Pioneer asks for their sets. Of course this is my opinion.

 

[Tomorrow]

The Panny is a tremendous value. It's not the best plasma...it's the best value IMHO. I have to agree with s-man.

By the way, s-man, I bought a 50" Panny rplcd with a company stated 10,000 hour bulb life. Ha! It was a gonner before even hitting 2,000 hours and was only replaced after a class action lawsuit nailed Panasonic with thousands of complaints. As part of the settlement, they had to extend the warranty for the bulbs to nearly 5 years (for some), instead of the THREE MONTHS they originally warrantied their 10,000 hour bulbs.

That'll teach 'em.

 

[stratman]

The Panny is a tremendous value. It's not the best plasma...it's the best value IMHO. I have to agree with s-man.

By the way, s-man, I bought a 50" Panny rplcd with a company stated 10,000 hour bulb life. Ha! It was a gonner before even hitting 2,000 hours and was only replaced after a class action lawsuit nailed Panasonic with thousands of complaints. As part of the settlement, they had to extend the warranty for the bulbs to nearly 5 years (for some), instead of the THREE MONTHS they originally warrantied their 10,000 hour bulbs.

That'll teach 'em.

Isn't that something?! All these big corporations, if they can stick it to you.....

 

[1tribeca]

I agree on the value part...like I said in my original post. Panasonic is excellent value for the buck. I just have this dreadful "caviar taste, sardine budget" problem my wife likes to remind me of!! I'm hoping to scoop one of the Pioneer Elites since the shop I volunteer my time for has no probs giving me whichever panel for dealer cost. Prolly won't be able to afford the 1080p regardless!

The whole bulb thing doesn't surprise me in the least!