I've noticed most plasma displays in the $900-$1200 range are 720p. Are all 1080p plasmas pricey or is it that they have higher manufacturing costs?

You can find a 42" 1080p plasma for $1300 easily online, it's the 50" models that I'm waiting for huge price drops.

You can find a 42" 1080p plasma for $1300 easily online, it's the 50" models that I'm waiting for huge price drops.

I'm also going 50" so I guess I'll be waiting right along with you.

The traditional cost-advantage that plasma had over LCD REVERSES when you talk about 1080p sets. This is the reason why you see stuff concerning plasma's long-term viability.

The shortcomings from 1998-2007 were bearable so long as the MARGINAL production cost per unit (as opposed to average cost, given the larger base of LCD production facilities) was lower for plasma than LCD. But now with 1080p technology plasma faces a 30% cost disadvantage which is tough to surmount, particularly if LCD closes the mms-speed gap and other disparities.

I've noticed most plasma displays in the $900-$1200 range are 720p. Are all 1080p plasmas pricey or is it that they have higher manufacturing costs?

top tier 50" 1080p plasmas have comparable prices to 52" 1080p LCDs.. and even some 46" 1080p LCDs. I don't think they are pricey.

I got my panasonic 42pz77u for $1299 at bestbuy. 1080p....

I got my panasonic 42pz77u for $1299 at bestbuy. 1080p....
How? It's $1,500 on their website.

How? It's $1,500 on their website.It wasn't that high a few days ago. Retailers change their prices several times per month sometimes - over the past week Sears changed the price of the 42PX77U like 3 times - it seemed every time i checked (for a family member) it was a few hundred higher or lower.

Thanks for the replies so far. I suppose that once you go up to 50" 1080p the game changes a bit.