Will 2014 be the last year to buy a plasma TV???

[MadScientist]

http://www.cnet.com/news/why-samsungs-f8500-is-the-last-great-plasma-tv/

 

[Midwayman]

It might live into 2015, but clearly they are content to sit on their laurels with no real competition in the plasma market. Probably mostly depends on the demand through the end of the year.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The problem is that these companies can't market a high-end TV that is not 4k, there is no cost-effective way to make plasma 4k, and companies don't want to sell a product they can't market.

Now, Samsung might keep theirs on the market as long as customers are willing to pay high-end prices for it. Lord knows they will love the review circuit this year when their last year's model gets declared the best TV of 2014.

 

[lupi]

Ah WTF. Except the kids room I've got nothing but panny and sammy plasmas. This is some real crappy news.

 

[Revolution 11]

I don't want to start a rant in here but being a TV noob, what is the practical difference between a LCD and a plasma TV? Aren't they both pretty mature techs by now? What are the unwashed masses missing when they skip plasma?

I am not talking about tech spec lists but the view itself when you stand in front of them.

 

[MongGrel]

Someone will buy em for awhile, I'm sure.

It's hard to argue they look bad, as they just flat out look good and I don't own one, mine are all LCD's but pretty good ones.

Probably will never buy one again though.


I'll be looking at a projector next one I get personally.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I don't want to start a rant in here but being a TV noob, what is the practical difference between a LCD and a plasma TV? Aren't they both pretty mature techs by now? What are the unwashed masses missing when they skip plasma?

I am not talking about tech spec lists but the view itself when you stand in front of them.

Biggest difference is the black level, accurate colors, and motion resolution. The last one is the biggest for me and is what I miss when I watch an average LCD/LED.

 

[swilli89]

Second the motion resolution. Also my living room is wide and shallow so viewing angle is huge, something plasma still dominates

 

[Revolution 11]

What is the advantage of LCDs then? Because if plasmas are better in every way, why would people get LCDs?

 

[SithSolo1]

What is the advantage of LCDs then? Because if plasmas are better in every way, why would people get LCDs?

Cost and PR brainwashing

 

[poofyhairguy]

What is the advantage of LCDs then? Because if plasmas are better in every way, why would people get LCDs?

LCDs can get brighter (so they work better in an open concept house or a Best Buy store), they lack image retention, and it has two fewer letters in the name.

 

[Wingznut]

What is the advantage of LCDs then? Because if plasmas are better in every way, why would people get LCDs?

I'm not sure many would agree that plasmas are better in EVERY way. Just the majority of ways, the most important ones, in particular.

In the history of buying and selling goods, there are many many examples of a superior product fading away.

 

[Pacfanweb]

What is the advantage of LCDs then? Because if plasmas are better in every way, why would people get LCDs?

It costs more to make Plasma. So they pushed LCD.

Plasma did have issues with screen burn-in (image retention) in the early days, but that's not been an issue for years now. But it was an issue for long enough that people still think it is.

Mostly, they pushed LCD because the made more money on them.

If you buy a Plasma at any price level from Samsung (or Panasonic when they still made them), they crapped all over any LCD at the same price level. You have to spend considerably more for an LCD just to get "almost" to the Plasma's picture.

But for whatever reason, the advertising and loads of different levels of LCD's has worked, and people buy them. Now we're stuck with that technology....just when the best technology had gotten to a really reasonable price, they've quit making them, and once Samsung quits making Plasma, we're back to spending 4k or more to get the best picture.

 

[SheHateMe]

AFAIK, Panasonic Plasmas are super rare now. I wanted an ST60, finally saved up the money...and they're gone.


meh.

 

[poofyhairguy]

AFAIK, Panasonic Plasmas are super rare now. I wanted an ST60, finally saved up the money...and they're gone.


meh.

Yah, unless you can find them locally they disappeared online back in January.

With that said, it is worth calling around locally. I have 4 Best Buys in my metro area and one had one final S60 I nabbed a month ago.

 

[Midwayman]

What is the advantage of LCDs then? Because if plasmas are better in every way, why would people get LCDs?

The only really legit plus is that they are brighter. If you watch TV in direct sunlight they might be a better option. Everything else is pretty immaterial. And well, LCDs do have a lower bottom price point (with terrible quality screens) But they are also way more expensive (for a LCD that kinda sorta approaches a mid range plasma.)

 

[poofyhairguy]

Looks like Samsung plasma is dead too:

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/arti...iness-unit-samsung-sdi-likely-be-restructured

If you want plasma, buy it now!!!!

 

[SlitheryDee]

The problem is that these companies can't market a high-end TV that is not 4k, there is no cost-effective way to make plasma 4k, and companies don't want to sell a product they can't market.

This is the big one, though I can't help but think that if plasmas were a bigger part of the market they'd find a way to make them 4k at a decent enough price to sell.

 

[lupi]

I have a fairly new 60 in the den and 50 in the bedroom. Only issue is the 42 in the living room is getting old but hopefully it last long enough to see the lcd perform more like a plasma.


Really crappy news overall.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I have to admit, I do really like my ST60. I thought I wouldn't see a huge difference between the ST50 and the ST60, but on scenes with dark content (like GOT with the villages) I can really tell a difference.

According to measurements found on AVS Forum the ST60 was just between the Kuro 8th gen and 9th gen in black level. Given that is the case I can see why there is such a large Kuro fanclub. I wish I could have afforded that last ZT60 I found in February.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I have an aging S60. Love it, but pretty sure the power bill is much higher than my LCD.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I'll be looking at a projector next one I get personally.

I'd highly recommend this. I got a Benq w1070 and it has been a big hit with my family and friends. Oh, and I am thinking of leaving my wife for it.

j/k Love you honey!

 

[Pacfanweb]

I'd highly recommend this. I got a Benq w1070 and it has been a big hit with my family and friends. Oh, and I am thinking of leaving my wife for it.

j/k Love you honey!

Projectors have their place. They are a great way to get a HUGE picture, no doubt.

I just don't think I could live with the big decrease in picture quality, though. There's no projector that comes close to a good TV, even an LCD.