Digital Home Thoughts: Marking the Death of Plasma TVs

"Likewise, tech historians may point to February 12, 2009 as the official fall of the plasma empire—even though new models have just been announced. That’s the day that Pioneer—arguable the maker of the best plasmas ever—announced its complete exit from the TV business and that Vizio—the number-three plasma retailer in the US—gave up on the tech in favor of LCD. That leaves just Panasonic, LG and Samsung defending the diminished borders of the once-great empire. (And the latter two are also the two largest makers of LCD panels in the world. Only Panasonic still stake its life on plasma.)"

Word of Pioneer's exit from the Plasma TV market has got Plasma afficionados in a panic, wondering if the market is viable anymore. Sean Captain of Popular Science believes so. Plasma TVs have been given a bad rap from the beginning. Cited as being extraorindarily expensive and power hungry, they were discounted as a niche product in comparison to their LCD bretheren. The past few years have seen this change. Plasma TVs are much closer in cost and power consumption to LCD TVs while providing a stunning experience. Unfortunately, I believe that it lost the war because of the "race to the bottom" syndrome. People as a whole largely buy based on price, and LCD TVs were able to reach the sub-$1000 and now even the sub-$500 price points first. I admit that I too bought largely due to financial constraints, and with the economy going the way it is, I don't see many people spending enough extra cash to get a Plasma. For those of you who have been eyeing one, better act quick before they all dry up!