Originally Posted by PC World

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

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 235879)

I don't believe Pioneer will drop plasma.

Originally Posted by Business Week 2/13/09

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.

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 235953)

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.

Originally Posted by icehog3 (Post 235964)

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.

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 235981)

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"

Originally Posted by icehog3 (Post 235990)

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

Originally Posted by Don Fernando (Post 236018)

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

Originally Posted by Don Fernando (Post 236018)

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