Panasonic Ends Plasma Production

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I don't buy that for a second. The audiophile/videophile segment makes up a very tiny minority of the purchasing crowd.

I agree with this. Most people just want a TV that is bigger than their last one, has Netflix built in, and works.

When I was buying a TV, most people didn't understand why I was going to spend up to $4,000 on a 65" inch TV, when I could get one for $1,500.

[ken0042]

I also think they are more likely to be looking at the thickness of the TV; and then even the power consumption before comparing the actual picture quality.

[Bill Bumface]

I just picked up a Panasonic Plasma a month ago. I much prefer them to my LCD's and I'm sad that it looks like this will be my last. Hopefully I get quite a few years out of it and other technologies catch up in the meantime.

[Bobblehead]

A few years ago when LED was just coming on the scene, the LED backlight units were able to give better black levels (still not approaching plasma) than the LED edgelit units, but the edgelit ones were thinner and so they won the mindshare.

I didn't go plasma simply because the room where I would watch it has large windows and I was worried about the glare.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by karl262

I just bought an ST60 a week ago and am very happy with it. One of the highest rated TVs ever on cnet and its under 2 grand for a 60 inch 3D smart tv with excellent picture quality. I suggest people pick one of these up or something similar before they are gone.

I got one these from Costco. PS64. Same louver as the ST60 (something the S60 doesn't have). Very happy with it, especially for the price.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I don't buy that for a second. The audiophile/videophile segment makes up a very tiny minority of the purchasing crowd.

You would be surprised how much Consumer Reports sells just for TV reviews. It's so easy nowadays to take the model number and google it over the internet for reviews to which there are numerous places. Not saying everyone does that but people don't take $1500+ purchases as lightly as some of you seem to believe.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

It is pretty easy to discern on a well calibrated plasma, but much like other plasma benefits, is only readily seen in a dark or dimmed room. On a showroom floor, plasmas do not fare well against LCDs, and it's no surprise that the market for plasmas has fallen out when retailers aren't showing them in their ideal conditions.

That's a problem with Plasmas. Ideal conditions for a Plasma isn't usually the average living room.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Not saying everyone does that but people don't take $1500+ purchases as lightly as some of you seem to believe.

I never said anyone takes it lightly. I'm sure anyone making a $1500 purchase takes it seriously. However seriously for me is taking 6 months of back-issues of Home Theater Magazine and old posts on AVS to make a decision. Serious to my father is going to Soundsaround, and spending 2 hours with the salesmen whom he assumes is an expert. Serious to someone else is hemming-and-hawing in the store for 30 minutes to see which set looks the best brightest. You are giving the average consumer way too much credit. I know how easy it is to pick up a consumer guide or use google. Many people do - but they're still in the minority. I worked retail sales long enough to realize that your average joe is looking for one thing - perceived discount, and usually has his mind made up before he gets to the store. Which is exactly why you see droves lining up on Christmas Eve to spend $50 more on a TV on boxing day than the week prior, because it's listed as a doorcrasher.

And in TV's, as Esoteric mentioned, "is it bigger than my last one" and "can I run the netflix on it" are two big drivers.

I'm going to stop before I get off on a soapbox about home electronics...

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You would be surprised how much Consumer Reports sells just for TV reviews. It's so easy nowadays to take the model number and google it over the internet for reviews to which there are numerous places. Not saying everyone does that but people don't take $1500+ purchases as lightly as some of you seem to believe.

In my opinion, consumer's reports would be the last place I'd look for an unbiased and in depth review of anything I was considering buying.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I never said anyone takes it lightly. I'm sure anyone making a $1500 purchase takes it seriously. However seriously for me is taking 6 months of back-issues of Home Theater Magazine and old posts on AVS to make a decision. Serious to my father is going to Soundsaround, and spending 2 hours with the salesmen whom he assumes is an expert. Serious to someone else is hemming-and-hawing in the store for 30 minutes to see which set looks the best brightest. You are giving the average consumer way too much credit. I know how easy it is to pick up a consumer guide or use google. Many people do - but they're still in the minority. I worked retail sales long enough to realize that your average joe is looking for one thing - perceived discount, and usually has his mind made up before he gets to the store. Which is exactly why you see droves lining up on Christmas Eve to spend $50 more on a TV on boxing day than the week prior, because it's listed as a doorcrasher.

And in TV's, as Esoteric mentioned, "is it bigger than my last one" and "can I run the netflix on it" are two big drivers.

I'm going to stop before I get off on a soapbox about home electronics...

Quoted for truth. When I was buying my latest set, I was in Future Shop looking at the models in person. I was discussing with my Dad the pros/cons of the Sony XBR vs Samsung 8 series vs. Panasonic Plasma. A guy was looking as well, heard my conversation and came over. He said he had looked around and liked the "look" of the same LED sets I was looking at.

He asked me what I thought. After a 5 min discussion on the pros/cons, I thought I had him up to speed. He looked at me and said "I am going with the Samsung", I asked why, "It's got a cooler bezel, the color is brighter, and it's a bit cheaper"

He didn't make the wrong choice, both are great sets. Just made it due to what I see is the wrong reasons. Bezel/form factor, brightness (keep in mind both were going in a basement), and cost.

There is nothing wrong with that. It is just that many people fool themselves into thinking they are doing hard core research when in fact these simple drivers are what ultimately make those decisions for people.

[Vulcan]

Unless the TV is terrible, I don't take much value in looking at it in a store. I just tell people to look at them in store so that I'm not responsible for their choice.

I happened to see my last purchase in store (panasonic plasma) but really it made little difference. I waited until the price came down and it was matched by a local store and bought it. The Brick is the only big box store without getting on a boat and despite my not wanting to deal with them, the salesman went way out of his way to help, even helping to carry it into my home.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If the difference was as discernible you claim then Plasma's wouldn't be on their way out as most buyers crave the best looking picture when they purchase TV's.

There have been numerous examples of inferior tech prevailing in the marketplace, your argument is flawed. LCD is popular because it's cheaper to produce, offers more options/models versus plasma, and is usually cheaper to the consumer.

[BloodFetish]

^ And furthermore, Betamax says "hi".

[Bill Bumface]

Is LCD cheaper to produce? I thought for large panels it was the opposite.

[chemgear]

Confirmed now. TV makers continue to price themselves into oblivion.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31/5...production-end

After the heartbreak of losing Pioneer's excellent Kuro line, Panasonic's plasma displays were the last bastion of hope for plasma TV enthusiasts, but now even they are going extinct. Panasonic today confirmed a Reuters report from earlier this month that it is exiting the plasma TV market with almost immediate effect — production of new units will end in December and all related operations will be wrapped by March next year. Two of Panasonic's three factories have already stopped building new units and the third will join them in about a month's time.
That leaves HD enthusiasts with a few months to save up the money to buy a ZT60, the last in a proud line of beautiful TVs.

[rubecube]

So it looks like Samsung is still making plasmas, or have they discontinued their line as well?

I'm looking into buying this Panasonic. Reading some of the reviews it sounds like a great bang for your buck.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...439b8b8763en02

[RW99]

I have the GT50 and loooove it.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So it looks like Samsung is still making plasmas, or have they discontinued their line as well?

I'm looking into buying this Panasonic. Reading some of the reviews it sounds like a great bang for your buck.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...439b8b8763en02

Read this great write up in this years line. The only question is how bright the room is and if you are gaming on it. That will help you decide between the s and st line.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7...hould-you-buy/

I bought my in laws the st, and it is an awesome tv for the price

[rubecube]

I do most of my TV watching at night, in a living room with one lamp that's about as far away from the TV as possible, or completely in the dark. I'm guessing the S60 will be fine for what I need. The lag would also be a bit of an issue for me as I do a fair amount of online gaming. Thanks for the link.

[Fire]

Is the Panasonic VIERA 60" 1080p 600Hz 3D Plasma Smart TV (TCP60ST60) a good TV for gaming?

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/produ...20709e8995en02