Home audio & video forum: Downfall Of Plasma Televisions?

Could this be a major factor in my decision to purchasing a plasma? I hear good things about LCD's but Plasma is better I just want to make sure, It's taken me so long to purchase a flat-panel because I want a reliable television that can meet my movie/ gaming needs and I don't to have to buy specific components after owning the TV in such a short time. I'm also being cautious because I don't want to regret purchasing the wrong television.

Consumers are being taken for a ride and I shared the simplest part that you wouldn't give a second thought to until you start finding it's life span. Yes it could be longer but here's my question for you to answer.

-> What do you think of the shortened designed life span of these products?
Bob

I picked out a part used widely now. You seem to here to want a discussion about part life spans and what is used in today's common LCD, Plasma and electronic gear in general. To do that, start your own new post.

My offering was narrowed down to one simple part that was not used in prior designs.
Bob

...going with a Kuro is a wise choice. I've yet to meet someone who did not appreciate the amazing PQ. Just because the neighbor went with an LCD, I'd still follow your gut if it already lead you to the Pio brand.

-Pedro

Hi Adeoku.
To answer your question, it shouldn't be about popularity but rather personal preference and quality. Of course people are gonna run out and by an LCD tv when it's selling for under 500$ at Walmart! That doesn't make it a wise investment! If you want a plasma, I recommend a Panasonic. Yes it is true that Pio Kuros have received some of the highest overall ratings in plasma picture quality and their blacks are truly gorgeous. Pio, however, has turned their plasma production over to Panasonic. Panasonic happens to also be one of the highest rated manufacturers of plasma TV's. Now if Pio has turned to Pana, that should tell you something.

I too had been long awaiting my first flat screen purchase for quite sometime. I was adamantly against plasma from its inception. With the burn-in and the off-gas of the plasma cells, you have a $4k paperweight in a few years. The top manufacturers have improved their plasma technology over the last year, isolating the cells and containing them in a manner that prevents off-gas, reduces burn-in and extends quality and tv life exponentially. There's no reason that a well cared for plasma shouldn't last 20-30 years.

You just can't beat plasma for it's richness, blackness, and smooth yet crisp, clear picture. It far exceeds that of LCD. The latest technologies include LED and 240Hz LCD. The LED is a purer light source and much to my delight, is considerably more power efficient. The 240Hz LCD improves clarity during action/movement on the screen. As with any new tech, however, you're going to pay for it! $4-6k + depending on size.

After much research and much frugal comparison, I finally sprung for the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U. I bought it online for 1700 while MSRP was still 2500. It is an astonishing tv! The picture quality, the blacks, the clarity, the sound, all are phenomenal! I also have an Xbox 360. Let me tell you, playing Fable II or Star Wars Force on this baby is jaw dropping! I see things I didn't even know existed! It is so incredibly crisp, clean and rich! And the HDMI puts to great use the THX of the tv's 4 speakers.

I hope this helps, good luck with your purchase and keep us posted!

yes, plasma is dying. but plasma dies like a king!

LCD cannot kill plasma. they complement each other too well. pioneer running out of the plasma game has little to do with the plasma industry and more to do with panasonic producing a tv comparable for half the price.

OLED's will kill all competition. these panels are light weight, durable, and beautiful. they're not affordable yet, and probably wont be consumer-priced until 2013. until then, the best pictures will be pioneer 2009, panasonic 2010, samsung 2011.

and LED backlit 240hz LCD's with very high contrast ratios, I'm not sure OLED will take over the way I would have thought a few months ago. Both plasma and LCD will use significantly less power than current models, too. OLED's look great but so do the others for a lot less money (at least so far). By the time the dates you list for OLED come and go, there will be 1/3" thick plasmas and LCD's available. Honestly, I'm wondering if Sony isn't making a strategic blunder not manufacturing any LED backlit LCD's. I think it's still any bodies ball game.

Rusty

I asked in the Sony booth and they said all their LCD's were CCFL. I guess they just meant the new '09 sets. The XBR9's are CCFL but clearly the XBR8's are LED backlit. I just looked up the thickness of the XBR8's and they are over 5" thick and 120hz. So, the next generation will be 240hz CCFL and noticably thicker than the next generation LCD's that will be introduced by the competition. If I had to pick, it would still be next years Panasonic plasmas but the next generation LCD's are a big improvement in contrast. They're thin and look great. I still wonder if Sony isn't putting their hopes in OLED prematurely.

Rusty