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Panasonic May End Plasma Production in 2014

post #1 of 225
3/17/13 at 10:36pm
Thread Starter 
Panasonic may end production of plasma televisions in 2014. That's the news coming out of Tokyo this morning, reported by Nikkei. Adoption of OLED technology is cited as the main reason behind the rumored manufacturing ramp-down and exit. The same article claims Panasonic is partnering with Sony to develop OLED technology, and that both companies will outsource manufacturing to save costs.

Plasma technology introduced the world to flat-screen television. Panasonic's latest high-end Viera Plasma models are considered some of the best televisions ever made, successors to Pioneer's legendary Kuro plasmas. Is it too soon to declare plasma obsolete? Is it time to switch to OLED?


Quote:
"The Nikkei is reporting that Panasonic may stop using the technology in fiscal 2014. Without citing sources, it claims Panasonic will shut down production at its main Amagasaki plant, reducing production gradually to avoid angering partners and retailers. A Panasonic spokesperson tells Reuters that the company has not made any decisions on the future of its TV business yet." source: engadget
Quote:
"The Japanese firm has already halted new development of plasma TVs, and decided that handling both plasma and LCD models would be inefficient, especially in Japan, where the flat-TV market is shrinking, the newspaper said." - source: reuters

Edited by imagic - 3/19/13 at 9:42am
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post #2 of 225
3/17/13 at 10:50pm
well that sucks if true. but i can see why, panasonic is bleeding money like crazy.
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post #3 of 225
3/18/13 at 3:53am
That is to bad. Best TV I've seen, I guess it could never get over the faults that came with older plasma technology.
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post #4 of 225
3/18/13 at 4:06am
Thats a shame.. I always loved Panasonic's plasma lines... Best TV's i've ever bought.. Guess it was just a matter of time..
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post #5 of 225
3/18/13 at 6:57am
if they do, and something better hasn't come along, I'll buy the BIGGEST and BEST that year!!!
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post #6 of 225
3/18/13 at 7:02am
Sad if true. But wasnt this rumor floating around before and Panasonic denied it? IF it is indeed the case and they are partnering up with Sony to produce OLED then hell I am all in and OLED will be my next tv.
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post #7 of 225
3/18/13 at 7:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve1971 View Post

Sad if true. But wasnt this rumor floating around before and Panasonic denied it? IF it is indeed the case and they are partnering up with Sony to produce OLED then hell I am all in and OLED will be my next tv.

It is still classified as a rumor, apparently the original article does not cite a source. However it was published by Neikkei, which is Japan's Wall Street Journal. Most of the tech press has picked it up as a legitimate news item by now. I do not have a subscription to Nikkei so I could not read the original article, but their English language homepage has this as the headline: "Panasonic Eyes Exit From Plasma TVs".

Edit - Here's the english-language version of the original article: http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKBRE92G0LG20130317?irpc=932
Edited by imagic - 3/19/13 at 9:39am
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post #8 of 225
3/18/13 at 9:20am
Doesn't make much sense as they've already put in so much to the new ZT60s coming soon. Just reminds me of when i bought my PRO-111FD and Pioneer bailed. Now the Pioneer gurus at Panasonic are about to release the hounds on a KURO Elite with a Z and they will bail?
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post #9 of 225
3/18/13 at 9:21am
Good riddance. Not only is my local dimming Sony 65" a better performer than my multiple past plasmas (though way more expensive), it also doesn't burn power and heat my up living room, or has me terrified of image retention. It doesn't buzz, bleed its lines, or give me weird patches of discoloration either. OLED will be the final nail in the coffin for plasma. The OLED screen on my Vita is the most amazing screen I've ever seen.
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post #10 of 225
3/18/13 at 9:25am
Seems Sony and Panasonic are all in on OLED, hard enough to support the infrastructure for two competing technologies let alone three.
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post #11 of 225
3/18/13 at 10:04am
Lame. Get your ZT60s while you still can!
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post #12 of 225
3/18/13 at 10:17am
I just want to know how Sony is going to manufacture OLED and 4K? Thats alot on ones plate if you ask me.
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post #13 of 225
3/18/13 at 11:08am
That is sad (if true)
I love my plasma TV. Never been able to switch to LCD or LED after experiencing plasma
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post #14 of 225
3/18/13 at 11:13am
Well this something new...a "news story" predicting that panasonic is going to stop making plasmas...sometime.

I'm confident this one is much more credible than than those of 2009, 2010, 11' and 12'.

I mean they have to get it right eventually.

James
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post #15 of 225
3/18/13 at 11:17am
There are 3 good types of tv's that give good black levels.

#1 Oled

#2 Lcd full array with local dimming

#3 Plasma

I hope in the future either #1 or # 2 will get lowered to plasma like price points.

I'm also concerned with how long Oled displays will last.
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post #16 of 225
3/18/13 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flavius View Post

Good riddance. Not only is my local dimming Sony 65" a better performer than my multiple past plasmas (though way more expensive), it also doesn't burn power and heat my up living room, or has me terrified of image retention. It doesn't buzz, bleed its lines, or give me weird patches of discoloration either. OLED will be the final nail in the coffin for plasma. The OLED screen on my Vita is the most amazing screen I've ever seen.

I have an xbr55hx929 and it is a nice display, but its blooming and narrow viewing angles would gladly have me trade it for a 55" gt50 any day of the week.
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post #17 of 225
3/18/13 at 11:44am
How many Forum Members even keep their TVs long enough for it to fail (Not counting pre-mature failure.), before they're onto the next bigger, better?
Current sets 3 Years old, and will keep them going until the OLED 4K with Passive 3D is here at not too much of a loan price!
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post #18 of 225
3/18/13 at 11:54am
This stinks. Panasonic plasma's are the best TVs on the market now.

I understand their decision. They're not making money and a newer, better technology is on the horizon. I thought they would make a few 4K plasma's before calling it quits.
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post #19 of 225
3/18/13 at 12:04pm
If (big if, as this has been reported numerous times and never come to fruition) Panny leaves plasma, I'll get the 65ZT60 to hold me over for the 7-9 years it'll take OLED prices to come into the mainstream and the teething pains of the technology to get worked on. I've tried 2 different LCDs (one with local dimming) and neither lasted in my house more than a week (we frequently view TV shows from rather wide viewing angles, the death knell of LCDs). Hopefully OLED doesn't have the same (extremely) narrow viewing angles of LCD.
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post #20 of 225
3/18/13 at 12:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmanick View Post

If (big if, as this has been reported numerous times and never come to fruition) Panny leaves plasma, I'll get the 65ZT60 to hold me over for the 7-9 years it'll take OLED prices to come into the mainstream and the teething pains of the technology to get worked on. I've tried 2 different LCDs (one with local dimming) and neither lasted in my house more than a week (we frequently view TV shows from rather wide viewing angles, the death knell of LCDs). Hopefully OLED doesn't have the same (extremely) narrow viewing angles of LCD.

"Wider viewing angles & improved brightness: OLEDs can enable a greater artificial contrast ratio (both dynamic range and static, measured in purely dark conditions) and viewing angle compared to LCDs because OLED pixels directly emit light. OLED pixel colours appear correct and unshifted, even as the viewing angle approaches 90° from normal." - Wikipedia
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post #21 of 225
3/18/13 at 12:18pm
I saw this one coming. Panasonic plasma sales were far below expectations last year. I want to say that I read sales were 60% lower than their projections. Plus, it seemed like Samsung's F8500 stole the show at 2013 CES as far as plasmas are concerned. Those sets have made me very excited about the potential future of affordable plasma televisions.

Furthermore, what is the motion resolution of OLED? I have read that it suffers from similar afflictions as LCD. Any truth behind this? If so, it will be sad to say goodbye to plasma.

I am not drooling over 4k OLED TVs yet because they are sort of like concept cars at this point; not practical. First more content must be converted to 4k. Then there has to be a practical delivery method. Blu-ray will not work, and streaming would require very high bandwith at a price. Then watch how fast you hit your monthly data cap. Plus there is currently a price tag that of an entry level car for an OLED.
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post #22 of 225
3/18/13 at 12:35pm
My Pan;asonic Viera 65" arrives from Abt this Wednesday. I had just missed the Pioneer Kuro bandwagon several years ago, so I am grateful I am finally a proud owner! cool.gif
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post #23 of 225
3/18/13 at 12:43pm
So what happens warranty wise with anyone that buys a 2013 set? Or 2014 if they make em?

Or maybe 2013 is in fact the last year for them? Which is why they made the ZT? Go out with a bang bringing the best picture they've made in plasma tech.
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post #24 of 225
3/18/13 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Icon13 View Post

Furthermore, what is the motion resolution of OLED? I have read that it suffers from similar afflictions as LCD. Any truth behind this? If so, it will be sad to say goodbye to plasma.

From what I've read - it has a response time faster than plasma with no risk of motion blur.
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post #25 of 225
3/18/13 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Icon13 View Post

I saw this one coming. Panasonic plasma sales were far below expectations last year. I want to say that I read sales were 60% lower than their projections. Plus, it seemed like Samsung's F8500 stole the show at 2013 CES as far as plasmas are concerned. Those sets have made me very excited about the potential future of affordable plasma televisions.

Furthermore, what is the motion resolution of OLED? I have read that it suffers from similar afflictions as LCD. Any truth behind this? If so, it will be sad to say goodbye to plasma.

I am not drooling over 4k OLED TVs yet because they are sort of like concept cars at this point; not practical. First more content must be converted to 4k. Then there has to be a practical delivery method. Blu-ray will not work, and streaming would require very high bandwith at a price. Then watch how fast you hit your monthly data cap. Plus there is currently a price tag that of an entry level car for an OLED.


It would be naive to think the major display manufacturers would heavily invest in new technology without due diligence. I'm sure the method of content delivery and availability are as important as the display technology itself. Why make a car without any seats.
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post #26 of 225
3/18/13 at 2:15pm
It would leave you to install whatever seats you chose! Custom!
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post #27 of 225
3/18/13 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JukeBox360 View Post

So what happens warranty wise with anyone that buys a 2013 set? Or 2014 if they make em?

Or maybe 2013 is in fact the last year for them? Which is why they made the ZT? Go out with a bang bringing the best picture they've made in plasma tech.

Unless Panasonic goes under, I'm not sure them not making Plasma would have any effect on the warranty. If the unit needed replaced, they'd replace it with an equivalent or the best thing. It may not be what you want to hear, but I wouldn't imagine it would be much different other than you getting it replaced with an LCD or LCD/LED.
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post #28 of 225
3/18/13 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rucnok2 View Post

My Pan;asonic Viera 65" arrives from Abt this Wednesday. I had just missed the Pioneer Kuro bandwagon several years ago, so I am grateful I am finally a proud owner! cool.gif

If this rumor turns out to be true, there will be another bandwagon coming our way soon..........the ZT bandwagon. I would definitely jump on THAT bandwagon if I were in the market for a new plasma. But there probably won't be too much discounts though.
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post #29 of 225
3/18/13 at 3:30pm
Suck that it may happen but at the same time, it's great to see OLED be taken in full stride. Once OLED gets the hiccups worked out, it's gonna be by far the best option we'll have.
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post #30 of 225
3/18/13 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fatuglyguy View Post

Lame. Get your ZT60s while you still can!


I concur......................these OLED are not going to cheap or lack defects when they come out.
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