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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
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5

Manufacturers Drop Plasma TVs as LCD Takes Over

Pioneer, Vizio axe plasma production lines; retailers slash prices

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(Newser) – TV buyers are increasingly choosing liquid-crystal-display over plasma as LCD manufacturers beef up the technological capabilities of their sets, the Wall Street Journal reports. With 30 million LCDs sold in North America in 2008, compared with 4 million plasmas, Pioneer and Vizio are discontinuing their plasma lines. The shift means consumers can find deep discounts on plasma sets, once a strictly luxury item.

Plasmas used to beat LCDs in picture quality and viewing angles—how far off to the side of the TV one can sit and still see an undistorted picture. But recent advances have boosted the refresh rate and contrast ratios for LCDs. Plasmas are also dogged by stories of “screen burn,” though manufacturers insist newer sets don’t have the problem.

A woman walks in front of LCD monitors at the Samsung stand ahead of the opening evening at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair, Aug. 28, 2008, in Berlin.
A woman walks in front of LCD monitors at the Samsung stand ahead of the opening evening at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair, Aug. 28, 2008, in Berlin.   (Getty Images)
A man looks at LCD television monitors at the Samsung stand ahead of the opening evening at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair, Aug. 28, 2008, in Berlin.
A man looks at LCD television monitors at the Samsung stand ahead of the opening evening at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair, Aug. 28, 2008, in Berlin.   (Getty Images)
A Panasonic plasma TV is displayed at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
A Panasonic plasma TV is displayed at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.   (Getty Images)
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5 comments
VIEWING:
 
TerrifiedCitizen
Jul 2, 09 3:06 PM CDT
The only thing that matters is what you like. If it looks like you want it to; then it's better than following any fashionable trends. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
paul123
Jul 2, 09 3:44 PM CDT
a good check of consumer reports doesn't hurt either.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
AClotfelter
Jul 2, 09 6:55 PM CDT
Here in Colorado most of those plasma sets will emit a annoying buzzing noise anyway. Reply
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0
riffran
Jul 3, 09 2:30 AM CDT
plasma tv is OK, but has a limited life span compared to other methods, as the plasma properties change with usage and gradually dim...LCD on the otherhand.....as long as the elctronics on the screen dont fail, they last a lot longer...AND..you can replace the backlighting bulb, if it goes out...you cannot recharge the plasma types Reply
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0
nikko11
Jul 3, 09 11:52 PM CDT
Plasma is by far the better technology. Watch a sporting event on a good properly calibrated Plasma and you will never be able to watch one on an LCD screen again, even if it is 120Hz. Permanent screen burn in hasn't been an issue for quite a while on plasmas, and the lifespan of current generation plasma televisions is very comparable to LCDs. You really need to keep a tv longer than 15-20 years? Reply
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+1
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