Pioneer and Vizio to drop Plasma TVs

[white_s2k]

http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-02/plasma-going-way-romans

Pioneer is exiting the TV business all together and Vizio is going to just LCD. This certainly came out of left field, especially with Pioneer making the best plasma displays (of course with a bigger price tag). Pioneer has also announced that they are cutting 10,000 jobs. Hmmm, is plasma a dying technology?

[BORIStheBLADE]

Don't quote me on this, but I read that those companies only account for about 5% of the plasma market.

I hope / don't think Plasmas are going to be dropped. I prefer a Plasma over a LCD.

[white_s2k]

5% sounds a bit low. Pioneer is a big player in plasmas, but their prices do keep sells lower than say Panasonic. One of the articles I read today stated that Vizio is the 3rd biggest seller of plasmas. But I'm with you on preferring plasma over LCD, I have two of 'em :D

[icehog3]

First Pioneer, now Vizio. As a flat-screen TV technology, plasma's days appear numbered.

Vizio, the Southern California-based upstart that's built a successful business selling relatively inexpensive HDTVs in warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam's Club, will stop selling plasma TVs and focus on LCD sets. The news is the second blow this week for plasma proponents. Pioneer, maker of ultra-pricey plasma sets for home theater aficionados, earlier announced that it's leaving the TV business altogether.

As The New York Times points out, the departure of Pioneer and Vizio leaves just three major players in the U.S. plasma TV market: LG, Panasonic, and Samsung. Given consumers' overwhelming preference for LCD models, Vizio's decision to ditch plasma isn't too surprising. According to industry researcher Display Search, LCD outsells plasma by a 7 to 1 margin. And since Vizio's current product lineup on its website shows just 5 plasma versus 20 LCD models, the change shouldn't prove too jarring for its customers.

Despite consumers' preference for LCD, many videophiles believe that plasma offers the superior picture, particularly for home theater settings. Plasma sets cost less than comparably-sized LCD models too. Then again, LCD displays are brighter are often work better in light-filled family rooms.

But don't write off plasma just yet. Shipments of plasma TVs actually rose 28 percent during the 4th quarter of 2008 (the holiday shopping season), and were up 10 percent for the entire year, according to Display Search. By comparison, LCD shipments in the 2008 holiday quarter actually fell 2% versus the same period in 2007

Tough call.

[Genetic Defect]

I don't believe Pioneer will drop plasma.

[Genetic Defect]

looks like I need to sell some things to get a 9G Pioneer Elite Kuro :bh I hope this changes soon.

[Genetic Defect]

http://pioneer.jp/press-e/2009/pdf/release_3q09e_02.pdf

car audio :rolleyes:

[icehog3]

I don't believe Pioneer will drop plasma.

CONSUMER electronics company Pioneer, manufacturer of what many regard as the best quality plasma panel in the world, has announced it will pull out of the display business by March 2010.

The company decided to withdraw after recording its fifth straight year of losses in the plasma division which, coupled with the economic downturn, forced a restructure of the business.

They already have.

[Genetic Defect]

after I posted it I went to my garden of eden for AVS info a sad day indeed :( Pioneer made the best plasmas on the market. first DLP goes bye bye, now plasma lost the front runner for PQ, a hard hit to the chest for me.

[icehog3]

after I posted it I went to my garden of eden for AVS info a sad day indeed :( Pioneer made the best plasmas on the market. first DLP goes bye bye, now plasma lost the front runner for PQ, a hard hit to the chest for me.

Pioneer was just too expensive even if they were the best.....you can get a Plasma that is almost as good to almost any untrained eye by Panasonic or Samsung for a fraction of the price.

Good news is that if you already have a Plasma, the technology should still serve you well for many years.

[Genetic Defect]

Pioneer was just too expensive even if they were the best.....you can get a Plasma that is almost as good to almost any untrained eye by Panasonic or Samsung for a fraction of the price.

Good news is that if you already have a Plasma, the technology should still serve you well for many years.
true but I was waiting for the "holy grail" ( how fitting as that as well has been elusive)

unfortunately my eyes are trained and spoiled by the beauty that is an Elite set. I will set out to spy for a 50 or 60 inch Elite 9G. for those not immersed as I am wont understand what a blow this is. just add it to the list for this years crappy start :rolleyes:

the price has always turned the general buyer off. as my old boss used to say "oh well"

[icehog3]

true but I was waiting for the "holy grail" ( how fitting as that as well has been elusive)

unfortunately my eyes are trained and spoiled by the beauty that is an Elite set. I will set out to spy for a 50 or 60 inch Elite 9G. for those not immersed as I am wont understand what a blow this is. just add it to the list for this years crappy start :rolleyes:

the price has always turned the general buyer off. as my old boss used to say "oh well"

If they are still in the game until March 2010, maybe you can get one before they discontinue them?

[Genetic Defect]

If they are still in the game until March 2010, maybe you can get one before they discontinue them?

from what I am reading production has stopped, plants will close in April. bestbuy has very few if any in stock and none local in the Elite models. Pioneer was far ahead tech wise in plasma. I will have to wait for OLED. Im thinking the March 2010 is for the LCD tvs in Europe or UK

[Genetic Defect]

also will look into FPTV again.

[Don Fernando]

there has been some talk in the Euro parliament about forbidding plasma as a plasma used 4 times more electricity then LCD.

[Genetic Defect]

there has been some talk in the Euro parliament about forbidding plasma as a plasma used 4 times more electricity then LCD.

govt, at there finest.

[Genetic Defect]

I place partial blame on Panasonic :mad:

[King James]

interesting when plasma has actually been catching up to LCD in the past few years. I think they have always had better color, but their screen life and that has been greatly improved. Weird.

[BORIStheBLADE]

Man this does suck! I was going to buy a plasma when my RPT goes.

I thought LCD's costed more to make?

[icehog3]

there has been some talk in the Euro parliament about forbidding plasma as a plasma used 4 times more electricity then LCD.

Wow, they have their figures pretty messed up, Ferdinand....The Plasmas use more electricity, but no where near 4 times as much from all I have read.

[Genetic Defect]

interesting when plasma has actually been catching up to LCD in the past few years. I think they have always had better color, but their screen life and that has been greatly improved. Weird.

catching up:confused:

[King James]

catching up:confused:

I prefer LCD (or have so far) because they had better screen lives and you can watch LCD in a room that has light. Plasma screen sucks if light is hitting it. And I believe LCD has (or at least had) a better viewing angle

[bazookajoe]

true but I was waiting for the "holy grail" ( how fitting as that as well has been elusive)

unfortunately my eyes are trained and spoiled by the beauty that is an Elite set...

:tpd: I much prefer the contrast and richness of a plasma, and was waiting until I could afford the Pioneer... well I've got the waiting part down... OLED?

[BORIStheBLADE]

I prefer LCD (or have so far) because they had better screen lives and you can watch LCD in a room that has light. Plasma screen sucks if light is hitting it. And I believe LCD has (or at least had) a better viewing angle


If all LCD's had the glossy screen finish that Plasmas do people would be saying that they suck too when light hits them too.

If all LCD's had better blacks and no motion blur LIKE all plasmas then I can see all the hype. but....

[Genetic Defect]

:tpd: I much prefer the contrast and richness of a plasma, and was waiting until I could afford the Pioneer... well I've got the waiting part down... OLED?

If you are looking for a non Elite Pioneer the 50 inch is around $1,900. The 9G is still far ahead of the curve.

OLED is Organic Light Emitting Diode, I am on my iPhone otherwise I would post a link :)

[Genetic Defect]

If all LCD's had the glossy screen finish that Plasmas do people would be saying that they suck too when light hits them too.

If all LCD's had better blacks and no motion blur LIKE all plasmas then I can see all the hype. but....

Once I got. The plasma in the house I didn't notice anymore glare than a CRT tv. At the store you notice it more

[Genetic Defect]

Lets not turn this into a LCD vs plasma thread ;)

[BORIStheBLADE]

Lets not turn this into a LCD vs plasma thread ;)


Agreed, I actually own one. Its only because they don't make plasmas under 40":c hahah

[bazookajoe]

If you are looking for a non Elite Pioneer the 50 inch is around $1,900. The 9G is still far ahead of the curve.

OLED is Organic Light Emitting Diode, I am on my iPhone otherwise I would post a link :)

I didn't mean what is OLED, just wondering if my waiting for the Elite will turn into waiting for an OLED. I have a small Sony Bravia LCD and the picture just isn't what I would spend money on in a larger screen.

[MikeyC]

there has been some talk in the Euro parliament about forbidding plasma as a plasma used 4 times more electricity then LCD.

Now I know why my electric bill is so high. :ss

[AD720]

Bottom line is the today's consumer wants lots of inches for little bits of dollars and really isn't interested in the picture quality.

This fact is evident due to the people that buy the $750 42 inch at Sam's club and leave it in factory torch mode with every setting at 100% and say "Hey it's a 1080p look how good it looks." while it's being feed with a composite cable and the colors are so over saturated that the grass on the football field is blue.

I am not surprised in the least that companies are dropping Plasma in favor of LCD, they are cheaper to make, cheaper to transport and move faster of the shelves due to the lower price.

I don't want it to seem like I am knocking LCD at all, there are some that look absolutely amazing when they are set up right. I went with a Plasma but with one of today's higher end LCD's I would probably be happy too.

[JE3146]

Bottom line is the today's consumer wants lots of inches for little bits of dollars and really isn't interested in the picture quality.

This fact is evident due to the people that buy the $750 42 inch at Sam's club and leave it in factory torch mode with every setting at 100% and say "Hey it's a 1080p look how good it looks." while it's being feed with a composite cable and the colors are so over saturated that the grass on the football field is blue.

I am not surprised in the least that companies are dropping Plasma in favor of LCD, they are cheaper to make, cheaper to transport and move faster of the shelves due to the lower price.

I don't want it to seem like I am knocking LCD at all, there are some that look absolutely amazing when they are set up right. I went with a Plasma but with one of today's higher end LCD's I would probably be happy too.

Lately Plasmas have been the bang for buck, not LCD's. Companies just like the higher profit margins of LCD's. Even though they're inferior when compared dollar for dollar, inch for inch in most A/B tests that I witnessed while shopping for TV's and helping people shop for TV's over the past few years.

Only thing LCD's offer is no burn in :rolleyes: Which is non-existent anymore.

[ChINaMaN1472]

You can find great deals on plasma TVs if you spend the time to look. In which case if you're ready to drop a few hundred or thousand dollars on something you use hours a day everyday, why not do the research right?

Plasmas do produce the better picture. The general public just still believes they have horrible life span, high power consumption, and burn in, because it was true 10-15 years ago when it first came out.

I refuse to believe burn in is a problem, since I use my plasma as my computer monitor. Surfing the 'net all day hasn't made any burn ins yet.

[AD720]

Lately Plasmas have been the bang for buck, not LCD's. Companies just like the higher profit margins of LCD's. Even though they're inferior when compared dollar for dollar, inch for inch in most A/B tests that I witnessed while shopping for TV's and helping people shop for TV's over the past few years.

Only thing LCD's offer is no burn in :rolleyes: Which is non-existent anymore.

Bang for the buck maybe...but as far as out and out cheap I've yet to see a $399.99 plasma at the grocery store.

[ChINaMaN1472]

Plasmas are really limited like 37" and up I think. LCDs are just cheaper to manufacturer if I'm not mistaken, so it's easy to drive the price (usually with quality).

[acruce]

there has been some talk in the Euro parliament about forbidding plasma as a plasma used 4 times more electricity then LCD.

I have a 60" Hitachi director series plasma and I haven't noticed using more electricity. I think the newer plasma's have come along way when it comes to the power issue.

[acruce]

You can find great deals on plasma TVs if you spend the time to look. In which case if you're ready to drop a few hundred or thousand dollars on something you use hours a day everyday, why not do the research right?

Plasmas do produce the better picture. The general public just still believes they have horrible life span, high power consumption, and burn in, because it was true 10-15 years ago when it first came out.

I refuse to believe burn in is a problem, since I use my plasma as my computer monitor. Surfing the 'net all day hasn't made any burn ins yet.

My plasma has 100,000 hours until you get to the half life.Even then I don't the untrained eye could tell it is at it's half life.

[ChINaMaN1472]

You're more likely to get a new TV before your plasma TV reaches the half life.

In any case, I think it'll hurt the market a bit since the "king" is retiring, but I doubt plasma TVs are going anywhere, at least not until OLED becomes affordable for the average consumer.

[DrDubzz]

I've had a couple friends with plasmas who have had burn in problems with comedy central and espn

I've only owned LCDs, and I "tune" them after I get em. My Vizio looks a lot nicer than a lot of my friends more expensive TVs since they never touch them after opening the box

[JE3146]

Bang for the buck maybe...but as far as out and out cheap I've yet to see a $399.99 plasma at the grocery store.

You don't see many 19" Plasmas either... outside of 'The Office' :r

[Genetic Defect]

You're more likely to get a new TV before your plasma TV reaches the half life.

In any case, I think it'll hurt the market a bit since the "king" is retiring, but I doubt plasma TVs are going anywhere, at least not until OLED becomes affordable for the average consumer.

killed is more like it

[AD720]

You don't see many 19" Plasmas either... outside of 'The Office' :r

That is a 200 dollar plasma TV you've just killed. Good luck paying me back on your zero dollars a month plus benefits salary, babe!



FWIW The TV at the supermarket was a 42 inch LCD for $400 (come to think of it it might have been $500) right before X-mas. I've never heard of the brand and I am a big enough nerd to know a lot of the off brands. I wouldn't have bought it but I'm sure someone did. If I recall correctly they had a 32 inch Plasma (yes, a 32 inch Plasma is what it said on the box) for around the same price.

[poker]

And I believe LCD has (or at least had) a better viewing angle



Ummm, not in my opinion. I have both a Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD (50" plasma) and a Pioneer PureVision Elite PRO940HD (42" plasma). The viewing angle is unreal. I can virtually view whatever is being displayed as long as I can see the screen.



In a nutshell heres a side by side comparison for plasma vs LCD by cnet:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4351-12658_7-6583301.html

[icehog3]

killed is more like it

Perhaps killed themselves by pricing the Plasmas out of reach of the average consumer, Perry?

[RGD.]

Bottom line is the today's consumer wants lots of inches for little bits of dollars and really isn't interested in the picture quality.



Yep - My neighbor bought this huge 56 or 60 inch LCD at 720dpi. He thinks it looks great. :r


Ron

[Junior]

there has been some talk in the Euro parliament about forbidding plasma as a plasma used 4 times more electricity then LCD.

That is what I understand the problem is. You know the nut job eco's are going to save the world one company at a time. Don't get me wrong I like the eco friendly tech, but they are going too far on a few things.

[Genetic Defect]

Perhaps killed themselves by pricing the Plasmas out of reach of the average consumer, Perry?

no, by having the competitor build the panels.

[icehog3]

That is what I understand the problem is. You know the nut job eco's are going to save the world one company at a time. Don't get me wrong I like the eco friendly tech, but they are going too far on a few things.

From all I have read, this talk of "4 times the elcetricity use of LCDs" just isn't the case at this point.

no, by having the competitor build the panels.

You have researched this more than I have, Brother, so I will defer to your thoughts. :)

[Genetic Defect]

From all I have read, this talk of "4 times the elcetricity use of LCDs" just isn't the case at this point.



You have researched this more than I have, Brother, so I will defer to your thoughts. :)

this is one subject I have spent loving more than cigars. :) this is to me what hockey is to you. I will tell you that I agree that the pricing and anal marketing didnt help Pioneer.

If I don't get the Elite I will buy the JVC projector and screen :)

[icehog3]

If I don't get the Elite I will buy the JVC projector and screen :)

Movie Herf at your place! :D

[Genetic Defect]

Movie Herf at your place! :D

If I get the JVC yes ;) I wonder if 106 inches is big enough though :hm

[icehog3]

If I get the JVC yes ;) I wonder if 106 inches is big enough though :hm

I can't make it unless you get at least 107". ;) :r

[croatan]

I wonder if 106 inches is big enough though :hm

I had to stop at 100". Ran out of wall space :mad:

It is a huge improvement over my last screen (84"), though.

[icehog3]

I had to stop at 100". Ran out of wall space :mad:

It is a huge improvement over my last screen (84"), though.

Show off! :p :r

[Genetic Defect]

I had to stop at 100". Ran out of wall space :mad:

It is a huge improvement over my last screen (84"), though.

Nice :)
I was thinking of looking at the RS2U for my projector any insight on that? As for wall space I have about three feet on both sides but the seating will only be about eleven feet

[croatan]

Show off! :p :r

Come on down and we can show off some larger-than-life Jessica Alba :ss

I was thinking of looking at the RS2U for my projector any insight on that? Supposed to be a hell of a projector from what I've read. Haven't had the chance to play around with one personally.

[icehog3]

Come on down and we can show off some larger-than-life Jessica Alba :ss

I was hoping to come visit you anyway, now I have added incentive, James! :tu