RIP Plasma TV - Flat Screen Format Going Way Of Betamax

nypost.com ^ | May 7, 2009 | MAXINE SHEN

[Free ThinkerNY]

THE plasma TV isn't dead yet -- but it looks like it's not long for this world.

Like the Betamax videotape format and laser disc DVD before it, the plasma TV set -- the favorite of techies -- is losing out to the more popularly priced LCD TV.

Pioneer and VIZIO -- the nation's No. 2 set maker -- say they're abandoning the plasma business.

With a 22 percent sales drop in the first quarter of 2009 compared to last year -- when the sale of flat-screen TVs overall is sky rocketing -- "the writing is kind of on the wall" for plasma, says Wired.com senior editor Dylan Tweney.

"The market has really shifted dramatically towards LCDs in the last year or two," he says.

The success of LCDs can be attributed to the fact that they're available in a wide range of sizes.

[tx_eggman]

They’re - not Their"

One of my pet peeves. I learned in 5th grade English an ' is a connector for 2 words. In this case, "they are".

Tragic how the once great American education system has fallen into a failed state....and the worse is yet to come.

In my 5th grade English class they taught me about the past tense ... so, yes ..

The worse worst is yet to come.

[TC Rider]

My 52” Noname (maxent) plasma is still doing great. Burn in was never an issue, there were no comparably priced 52” LCD when I bought mine 3 years ago.

Mine had better motion, plus could be viewed from any angle. Plasma works better in dim light, but who watches in a bright room anyway?

I'm glad to hear that LCD screens are finally catching up and have overcome their flaws. (Actually, we just got a 42” LCD for the bedroom, it's pretty good, but blacks are still not as good)

The fallacy in comparing plasmas to the Betamax is that there will always be content for the plasmas, while eventually new movies quit coming out in Beta.

In another 10-12 years my plasma will be at about half brightness and I'll be happy to hang a new 215” OLED on the wall at a price of around $300 (or $30,000 with Obamaflation)

TC

[SpinnerWebb]

The worse worst is yet to come.

Technically, newfreep would be correct if he feels the *worst* is behind us, although it will in the future not be as good as it is now, but not our all-time worst.

[NoDRodee]

Not really comparable to Betamax. In betamax you bought movies that you could no longer play or bought a system that was worthless because movies were no longer produced in that format.

With plasma you will still be able to view everything you want if the standard became LCD. not like you have to go out and get new TV to pick up new cable format, of DVD format.

[al_c]

Not lately, no. That’s good to hear.....they are really cool. Neat how you can have so massive a screen it’s like your own theater.

A bright room does still indeed affect the picture, but to have enough to read/write by is certainly not out of the question anymore. A lamp shouldn't have much affect while bright sun or an overhead light would. But still, with the high lumen count of the newer projectors, it's become less of an issue. However .... the cost of the units and the cost of replacement lamps can be quite expensive.

[longtermmemmory]

Plasma TV’s used to be the more mature tech that reporduced better black and was superior for movement video in things like sports.

LCD’s have caught up and may surpass.

I am curious whatever happened to the laser based TV?

[tx_eggman]

technically, newfreep would be correct if he feels the *worst* is behind us,

If he feels like the worst fallout from our current educational system is already behind us, he's huffing glue.

[SpinnerWebb]

he's huffing glue.

it would be a bad time to stop huffing... it's what helps me through the national newscasts...

[SJSAMPLE]

Better color, better contrast (blacks are supposed to be black, not gray), better viewing angles.
Plasma’s had their place while LCDs lagged in those areas.

LCDs are catching up so the the differences aren’t as appreciable.

Love my plasma, but my next TV will be a LCD.

[Jmouse007]

"Besides BIG TV's will go the way of record player. Projectors and Media Walls will become the norm."

You are correct; when it came time to replace our ancient 300lb 35" Toshiba we went with a SONY VPL-VW60 1080p projector (trememdous reviews and picture) and a STEWART Firehawk SST Electriscreen (much, much bigger viewing area than a 50 to 70 inch lcd screen).

It serves as our TV and movie projector. When not in use we simply retract the screen and the room can be used for whatever we want. The picture is outstanding, especially with Blu Ray and high def TV programing. Best investment we ever made.

[dfwgator]

he's huffing glue. it would be a bad time to stop huffing.

[newfreep]

Thanks for the clarification as I was comparing the situation now vs. in the future. The future will be worse than what we are now experiencing.

[willgolfforfood]

Such an easy solution...hang 4 or 5 big LCD TV's on the wall.

Don't forget to ask the little lady for permission, first!!

[SpinnerWebb]

Thanks for the clarification as I was comparing the situation now vs. in the future. The future will be worse than what we are now experiencing.

In that case, tx_eggman's smackdown of your grammar stands.

[newfreep]

Sorry, you’re wrong on your grammar rules.

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from May 7, 2009.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Thanks, but I don't see all of the manufacturers stopping plasma production anytime soon. VIZIO and Pioneer are the only two that I recall.

In terms of picture quality, IMO plasma tv's have poorer PQ then LCD tv's.

[SunkenCiv]

Some may have worse than some.