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Just saw an article that read pretty much like an obituary for plasma TVs - basically saying that while plasma is better than LCD, it is still going the way of the dinosaurs due to various reasons.
There is no arguing that a good plasma is better than most LCDs, and that even a cheap on will certainly be better than a cheap LCD.
The main reason for the lack of support for plasma TVs is that manufacturers just don't want to make plasma TVs, because LCDs are so common in all sorts of devices, the increased production has meant a decrease in costs, and so manufacturers have greater profit margins with LCDs. This is why Pioneer pulled out of the plasma market - they simply cannot compete on price with LCDs, despite offering picture quality that only OLED TVs can beat.
And the fewer the manufacturers willing to take on plasma, the higher the production costs. Only Panasonic, LG and Samsung are still producing plasma TVs, but all three also produce LCDs. Panasonic is keen to promote plasma, and has tied in new 3D technology in their plasma sets with James Cameron's upcoming 3D movie, Avatar.
I for one hope that plasma doesn't die, even if it has to be content with just 7% market share (which as the article points out, is about the same as Apple's market share in the PC arena - and I don't think Apple will stop making computers anytime soon). Until new technology such as OLED become mainstream (I'm sorry Sony, but I'm not going to shell out $2000+ for a eleven inch OLED screen, no matter how thin or how good it looks), plasmas still have a place and if you're serious about getting the best possible picture quality, the deepest blacks, the most vibrant colours, no viewing angle issues - then plasma is still the way to go.
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There is no arguing that a good plasma is better than most LCDs, and that even a cheap on will certainly be better than a cheap LCD.
The main reason for the lack of support for plasma TVs is that manufacturers just don't want to make plasma TVs, because LCDs are so common in all sorts of devices, the increased production has meant a decrease in costs, and so manufacturers have greater profit margins with LCDs. This is why Pioneer pulled out of the plasma market - they simply cannot compete on price with LCDs, despite offering picture quality that only OLED TVs can beat.
And the fewer the manufacturers willing to take on plasma, the higher the production costs. Only Panasonic, LG and Samsung are still producing plasma TVs, but all three also produce LCDs. Panasonic is keen to promote plasma, and has tied in new 3D technology in their plasma sets with James Cameron's upcoming 3D movie, Avatar.
I for one hope that plasma doesn't die, even if it has to be content with just 7% market share (which as the article points out, is about the same as Apple's market share in the PC arena - and I don't think Apple will stop making computers anytime soon). Until new technology such as OLED become mainstream (I'm sorry Sony, but I'm not going to shell out $2000+ for a eleven inch OLED screen, no matter how thin or how good it looks), plasmas still have a place and if you're serious about getting the best possible picture quality, the deepest blacks, the most vibrant colours, no viewing angle issues - then plasma is still the way to go.
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