Are Plasma TVs "on the way out?"

TripleB · 07-15-2008, 07:49 PM

As I'm considering the purchase of a 50" Panasonic plasma I'm wondering if plasma tvs are slowly being 'discontinued' (so to speak)?

I did a check at two local/online stores and the numbers:

Store One: LCD sets 124, Plasma sets 19

Store Two: LCD sets 149, Plasma sets 33

Is there an explanation as to why there are so many LCDs and so few Plasmas?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

TripleB

Loves2Watch · 07-15-2008, 09:03 PM

Plasma is not on it's way out. As for why there are more LCD TV's in the stores, there are many more manufacturers of LCD and the smallest plasma you can get is 42", I believe. Since there are so few manufacturers of plasma, LCD's dominate their position in retail stores but it certainly doesn't mean they are any better or that plasma is going away anytime soon. As others have put it, plasma is the closest thing to CRT currently available.

Jim Bob Jones · 07-16-2008, 11:34 AM

Yes. Like every human endeavor, it is eventually on its way out.

rm00k · 07-16-2008, 11:46 AM

and OLED will be replacing both LCD and Plamsa, and then holographic projectors replace OLED, and then...

ping.brady · 07-16-2008, 11:47 AM

People at stores are a little biast twards LCD from what I've seen here localy. These are also the same kids who don't know the difference between 60 and 24 fr & how it relates to 120.

Love my panny plasma, gonna (hopefuly) soon get another one for the bedroom.

Cheers

daleb · 07-16-2008, 12:11 PM

There were a lot of DLP and Rear Proj LCD on the floor of showrooms...hmmm wonder what happened?

Plasma has been around long before that, and will still be around quite a while IMO.. especially as the price keeps dropping and the quality improves.
Likely the same for LCD.

markfoto · 07-16-2008, 05:46 PM

I believe LCD's are cheaper to manufacture, and command a higher markup than plasma; hence more LCD's. As far as plasmas going the way of the dinosaur:
Back in the day, stereo receivers were mass market, and component stereo was more of an esoteric nitch. In many ways, modern audio hasn't changed; lots if surround receivers, and a smaller market for component surround. LCD's are analogous to these receivers, while plasma attracts more of a discriminating crowd. Plasmas (and even high end CRT) will be around long after LCD is phased out. Remember, a good plasma will last 60,000 hours. Thats a lot of TV, folks. If you are on a pace to burn that puppy up, then you need to get outside more...just MHO.
And another poster asked about plasma sizes; Panasonic Professional makes a 37"...
http://www.panasonic.com/business/plasma/home.asp

Scottnot · 07-16-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markfoto

plasma attracts more of a discriminating crowd.

I guess everyone's entitled to their Very Humble Opinion . . .

Quote:

Plasmas (and even high end CRT) will be around long after LCD is phased out.

Helluva prediction . . .

Quote:

Remember, a good plasma will last 60,000 hours.

As will a good LCD . . . so . . . .

stonedog23 · 07-16-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Plasma is not on it's way out. As for why there are more LCD TV's in the stores, there are many more manufacturers of LCD and the smallest plasma you can get is 42", I believe. Since there are so few manufacturers of plasma, LCD's dominate their position in retail stores but it certainly doesn't mean they are any better or that plasma is going away anytime soon. As others have put it, plasma is the closest thing to CRT currently available.

Vizio has the smallest plasma I've seen at 32". WalMart is selling it for $547.

Loves2Watch · 07-16-2008, 09:18 PM

Glad to hear that. But they seem to be the only ones making that small of a screen size in plasma.

Joe Las Vegas · 07-17-2008, 06:19 AM

Plasma tv's are losing ground to LCD's because of the bad rep they got with burn-in issues, and plasma TV's will reflect background lights and images on the screen, which sucks, LCD's don't reflect anything.
Now that LCD's have good response time, they're taking over quickly, as it used to be a problem before with slow response times, but that's no more.
Also, Palsma tv's are mostly 720p and LCD tv's are becoming more and more 1080p, that's a selling advantage here too.
Plasma tv's have better contrast ratio, even though the blacks on my LCD look fine, and plasma tv's have near zero response time, but LCD TV's are fast now and that's not an issue anymore, so the more you look at it, the more an LCD TV makes a better choice, that's my opinion.
5 years ago might have been the other way around but nowadays LCD tv's are great overall, good response time, no screen reflection, no burn-in issues, many are 1080p, contrast ratio could be better but frankly, that's not an issue, black still looks black so that's not a problem IMO.

daleb · 07-17-2008, 11:28 AM

I don't think burn-in is as great a concern for plasma anymore, and the number of 1080p models is increasing all the time and for the same price as the older 720p versions.
There is room for both technologies. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but the differences between them are getting smaller all the time.
I like LCD for the lightness, compactness, etc. of a nice bright display.
But the best plasmas I think are hard to beat for the best movie image. That's just my opinion too.

unotis · 07-17-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Las Vegas

Plasma tv's are losing ground to LCD's because of the bad rep they got with burn-in issues, and plasma TV's will reflect background lights and images on the screen, which sucks, LCD's don't reflect anything.
Now that LCD's have good response time, they're taking over quickly, as it used to be a problem before with slow response times, but that's no more.
Also, Plasma tv's are mostly 720p and LCD tv's are becoming more and more 1080p, that's a selling advantage here too.
Plasma tv's have better contrast ratio, even though the blacks on my LCD look fine, and plasma tv's have near zero response time, but LCD TV's are fast now and that's not an issue anymore, so the more you look at it, the more an LCD TV makes a better choice, that's my opinion.
5 years ago might have been the other way around but nowadays LCD tv's are great overall, good response time, no screen reflection, no burn-in issues, many are 1080p, contrast ratio could be better but frankly, that's not an issue, black still looks black so that's not a problem IMO.

The above in blue are not exactly true anymore, there are many 1080p plasmas coming on or are on the market right now.

And also many of the newer plasmas are coming with a coating for the screens that address a lot of the earlier complaints about light reflection.

And screen burn in has ceased to be a major concern for plasmas, if it is at all anymore, improvements in the plasmas have addressed that concern very effectively in the last couple of years.

I personally like both HDTVs for different reasons and think both are good choices.

redsheanazar · 07-18-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unotis

The above in blue are not exactly true anymore, there are many 1080p plasmas coming on or are on the market right now.

And also many of the newer plasmas are coming with a coating for the screens that address a lot of the earlier complaints about light reflection.

And screen burn in has ceased to be a major concern for plasmas, if it is at all anymore, improvements in the plasmas have addressed that concern very effectively in the last couple of years.

I personally like both HDTVs for different reasons and think both are good choices.

If you keep up with this industry at all, you will be able to tell Plasma is on it's way out and LCD will be here for a while. LCD is rapidly catching plasma on picture quality and when they do catch up......well......there will no room for Plasma's. JMHO

gosmosis · 07-18-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleb

I don't think burn-in is as great a concern for plasma anymore, and the number of 1080p models is increasing all the time and for the same price as the older 720p versions.
There is room for both technologies. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but the differences between them are getting smaller all the time.
I like LCD for the lightness, compactness, etc. of a nice bright display.
But the best plasmas I think are hard to beat for the best movie image. That's just my opinion too.

I personally dont' think burn in is an issue now either. But - it still is a talking point at CC and BB type places. IMO - people go to BB/CC to get someone to tell them either LCD or plasma. And, well, it's an easy way to direct folks to LCD if they seem on the fence/confused.

07-15-2008, 07:49 PM	#1
TripleB High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 41	Are Plasma TVs "on the way out?" As I'm considering the purchase of a 50" Panasonic plasma I'm wondering if plasma tvs are slowly being 'discontinued' (so to speak)? I did a check at two local/online stores and the numbers: Store One: LCD sets 124, Plasma sets 19 Store Two: LCD sets 149, Plasma sets 33 Is there an explanation as to why there are so many LCDs and so few Plasmas? Thanks for your thoughts on this. TripleB

07-15-2008, 09:03 PM	#2
Loves2Watch Former Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Flux Posts: 20,284	Plasma is not on it's way out. As for why there are more LCD TV's in the stores, there are many more manufacturers of LCD and the smallest plasma you can get is 42", I believe. Since there are so few manufacturers of plasma, LCD's dominate their position in retail stores but it certainly doesn't mean they are any better or that plasma is going away anytime soon. As others have put it, plasma is the closest thing to CRT currently available. __________________ It's always time for pie Live everyday as if it was your last and plan on living forever...

07-16-2008, 11:46 AM	#4
rm00k High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 227	and OLED will be replacing both LCD and Plamsa, and then holographic projectors replace OLED, and then... __________________ (bedroom 1) Vizio VOJ320F <-- Channel Master 2016 Antenna (bedroom 2) Panasonic Tau CT-20SL14 <-- Zenith DTT-901 <-- CM2016 (den) LG 37LB4D <-- CM2016 (computer) Samsung LNT-2342H <-- Comcast Internet/CM2016

07-16-2008, 12:11 PM	#6
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,657	There were a lot of DLP and Rear Proj LCD on the floor of showrooms...hmmm wonder what happened? Plasma has been around long before that, and will still be around quite a while IMO.. especially as the price keeps dropping and the quality improves. Likely the same for LCD. __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83SE, Roku Digital, Furman Elite power conditioner Last edited by daleb; 07-16-2008 at 04:03 PM.

07-16-2008, 05:46 PM	#7
markfoto Ah, HDTV Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West of the Rockies, from Montana to Mexico Posts: 204	I believe LCD's are cheaper to manufacture, and command a higher markup than plasma; hence more LCD's. As far as plasmas going the way of the dinosaur: Back in the day, stereo receivers were mass market, and component stereo was more of an esoteric nitch. In many ways, modern audio hasn't changed; lots if surround receivers, and a smaller market for component surround. LCD's are analogous to these receivers, while plasma attracts more of a discriminating crowd. Plasmas (and even high end CRT) will be around long after LCD is phased out. Remember, a good plasma will last 60,000 hours. Thats a lot of TV, folks. If you are on a pace to burn that puppy up, then you need to get outside more...just MHO. And another poster asked about plasma sizes; Panasonic Professional makes a 37"... http://www.panasonic.com/business/plasma/home.asp __________________ In My Motorhome: Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY Plasma Monitor (w/Component and HDMI blades) Samsung BDP-UP5000 Duo Format Player Panasonic XR55K Receiver Polk Surround Bar Polk sub Dish Network ViP 211 receiver 1000.2 dish Harmony 880 remote 51 HD DVDs 12 Blu Ray discs Last edited by markfoto; 07-16-2008 at 05:54 PM.

07-16-2008, 11:34 AM	#3
Jim Bob Jones High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,181	Yes. Like every human endeavor, it is eventually on its way out.

07-16-2008, 11:47 AM	#5
ping.brady Ignorance Expert Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 157	People at stores are a little biast twards LCD from what I've seen here localy. These are also the same kids who don't know the difference between 60 and 24 fr & how it relates to 120. Love my panny plasma, gonna (hopefuly) soon get another one for the bedroom. Cheers

07-16-2008, 09:18 PM	#10
Loves2Watch Former Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Flux Posts: 20,284	Glad to hear that. But they seem to be the only ones making that small of a screen size in plasma. __________________ It's always time for pie Live everyday as if it was your last and plan on living forever...

07-17-2008, 06:19 AM	#11
Joe Las Vegas LED TV's look awesome Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Las Vegas Age: 43 Posts: 1,427	Plasma tv's are losing ground to LCD's because of the bad rep they got with burn-in issues, and plasma TV's will reflect background lights and images on the screen, which sucks, LCD's don't reflect anything. Now that LCD's have good response time, they're taking over quickly, as it used to be a problem before with slow response times, but that's no more. Also, Palsma tv's are mostly 720p and LCD tv's are becoming more and more 1080p, that's a selling advantage here too. Plasma tv's have better contrast ratio, even though the blacks on my LCD look fine, and plasma tv's have near zero response time, but LCD TV's are fast now and that's not an issue anymore, so the more you look at it, the more an LCD TV makes a better choice, that's my opinion. 5 years ago might have been the other way around but nowadays LCD tv's are great overall, good response time, no screen reflection, no burn-in issues, many are 1080p, contrast ratio could be better but frankly, that's not an issue, black still looks black so that's not a problem IMO. __________________ Check out my ride

07-17-2008, 11:28 AM	#12
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,657	I don't think burn-in is as great a concern for plasma anymore, and the number of 1080p models is increasing all the time and for the same price as the older 720p versions. There is room for both technologies. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but the differences between them are getting smaller all the time. I like LCD for the lightness, compactness, etc. of a nice bright display. But the best plasmas I think are hard to beat for the best movie image. That's just my opinion too. __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83SE, Roku Digital, Furman Elite power conditioner

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