I have a built in wall unit with a 42" plasma now because a 50" won't fit inside.
Finally Panasonic brings out 46" which will fit but only in 1080P that costs quite a bit more than their PX50U. I sit about 12' from the screen so 1080P is not an issue with me.
With the price of 46" LCD sets falling , I feel Panasonic made a mistake by not offering the 46" in an entry level model for about $1399-$1499 MSRP.:(

Anyone else feel this way?

I wish they did not produce this unit at all. That is my feeling. However, their seems to be niche market for this display, but I believe they should have concentrated their efforts on a 9G killer rather than PZ80U series and 46" series displays.

Chris

If plasma is going to survive, it has to offer more screen sizes to compete with LCD. I need a size that fits inside a 12' wide built in wall unit, 50" is a bit to big to fit inside the tv area of the cabinet. I love plasma and would like to stay with it but would rather not spend 2K on a 46" set. My question had to do with the rationale of offering a 50" 720p set and not including a 46" 720P in the line also.

I bought a Sharp 46" LCD because 42" was too small and 50" wouldn't allow me to mount my Mythos speakers on the sides. Besides, I'd like some of the wall to be visible. Defeats the purpose of building the corner fireplace wall otherwise. I would've gone with the Pany 46" if it was available. Not that I don't like the Sharp. The size of the bezel would be a concern as well.

My question had to do with the rationale of offering a 50" 720p set and not including a 46" 720P in the line also.

The answer is simply that it did not make sense to invest any more money into the manufacture of new sizes of 720p glass because that type of glass will be gone by end of decade and probably as early as next year.

If plasma is going to survive, it has to offer more screen sizes to compete with LCD.

The question is not of size but of resolution, since they have indeed answered the call for 46" plasma televisions. Its true that you can get a 720p 46" LCD but those too will be obsolete soon. Panasonic simply chose to focus on products that would have longer life and better ROI and a 720p 46" doesn't make the cut.

The answer is simply that it did not make sense to invest any more money into the manufacture of new sizes of 720p glass because that type of glass will be gone by end of decade and probably as early as next year.



The question is not of size but of resolution, since they have indeed answered the call for 46" plasma televisions. Its true that you can get a 720p 46" LCD but those too will be obsolete soon. Panasonic simply chose to focus on products that would have longer life and better ROI and a 720p 46" doesn't make the cut.

But they brought out a new 50" 720P set, please read what I posted!
By your logic, I guess 720P looks better on a 50" than on a 46" set:rolleyes:

I agree that 720P will die fairly soon, but by getting more plasma sets sold now, plasma may be around for a longer timespan.
I didn't intend this thread to start a pissing contest about 720P vs 1080P but about pricing a 46" set at a more reasonable price NOW. I'm sure if they still make a 46" 1080P plasma in 2 years it will sell for around $1100-$1200 because that is what LCD's will be at by then.

I like plasma over lcd and would like it to have a chance to stay in production.
Try and think about this at as a marketing postion to gain more share.
Just look at Pioneer as an example, they raised the bar on picture quality and PRICE, how did that work out for them.

I can understand Panasonic not releasing a 720p 46" since its main purpose is to fill the gap and compete with the LCD 46" market. All consumers see is 1080 or 720, most of the time not even able to distinguish 1080i vs 1080p. Continuing the 50" 720p is understandable as many other brands will be continuing, but to compete in a market you must keep up with what people demand from other manufacturers so in reference people looking at the 46" plasma will be many people who were coming from looking at LCD's where 99% at that size are a higher resolution.

But they brought out a new 50" 720P set, please read what I posted!

By your logic, I guess 720P looks better on a 50" than on a 46" set:rolleyes:

Please, refrain from sarcastic remarks like this - especially when you do not understand what you are talking about. Extremely rude.

The 50" display (and the 42") do not require the fabrication of a brand new size of glass. Panasonic has been making 50" and 42" 720p glass for years; their infrastructure is already setup to handle this. Making a new 46" size would likely have required too much investment for little gain. Instead they wisely invested in just 46" 1080p glass, since that is all they will be selling soon anyway.

was just typing that actually. Also, you don't see 46" LCD in 720 anymore, at least new models. All the 720p sets are at closeout prices. So if they are making the 46" to compete with the LCD market it also doesn't make sense to make 720p. Between the competition and production costs, it just doesn't make sense.


The 50" display (and the 42") do not require the fabrication of a brand new size of glass. Panasonic has been making 50" and 42" 720p glass for years; their infrastructure is already setup to handle this. Making a new 46" size would likely have required too much investment for little gain. Instead they wisely invested in just 46" 1080p glass, since that is all they will be selling soon anyway.

I think they did it because if you going to want/need a 46" set then your going to pay for it because they don't have any competition with any other plasma's in the 46" size & they had to keep the 50" 720p to compete with other brands.

The big mistake I think Panny is making is the PZ80 series plus no 32" - 37" sizes for bedrooms, offices & etc & at least have one small enough that people could throw in the back seat of a "Regular" car because I've seen a lot of people who are just buying 2nd & 3rd sets go with smaller LCDs because they can take them right home with them in the car.

I wish they did not produce this unit at all. That is my feeling. However, their seems to be niche market for this display, but I believe they should have concentrated their efforts on a 9G killer rather than PZ80U series and 46" series displays.

Chris

For those who do not care about Blu Ray and just want a low end model to give them hi def is why the PX80 models are out. I like it that Panasonic is making screens for everyone and not limiting them to just 1080P.

Please, refrain from sarcastic remarks like this - especially when you do not understand what you are talking about. Extremely rude.

The 50" display (and the 42") do not require the fabrication of a brand new size of glass. Panasonic has been making 50" and 42" 720p glass for years; their infrastructure is already setup to handle this. Making a new 46" size would likely have required too much investment for little gain. Instead they wisely invested in just 46" 1080p glass, since that is all they will be selling soon anyway.

I'm sorry I don't understand what I'm talking about.
I'm sorry you feel I'm rude.
I will do my best to be a better person.