There was some dismay – but not a great deal of surprise – back in 2013 when Panasonic announced that it would stop selling plasma TVs in 2014. But why has one of the largest manufacturers of plasma TVs come to this decision?
Why the Change?
Panasonic has always made excellent TVs. However, the television business has not proved to be such a great area for the Japanese company lately, and plasma has been hit especially hard due to the rise in LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), which is quickly taking over from plasma as the TV technology of choice. Seeing as Panasonic was one of the main providers of plasma, it is no surprise that it has decided to finally pull the plug on the ailing technology.
The Plasma Paradox
The big question surrounding the downfall of plasma is that there is no real reason why it should have happened. It is understandable that more advanced technologies will inevitably take over from their predecessors, but in the case of plasma and LCD TVs, plasma remains the superior option on nearly every count.
Plasma boasts better viewing angles than LCD, and it also has a faster response rate so that motion is displayed incredibly clearly, both of which make plasma screens ideal for watching sports. In addition, plasma boasts better colors, better contrast and more detailed images.
So surely it must be a price issue? Well, no. Plasma is not even that more expensive than LCD, so that is not really the issue.
At the end of the day, it simply seems to be the case that LCD is now widely perceived as being the better option, and it is this that is driving sales.
What Does LCD Have Over Plasma?
LCD sales are booming while plasma sales are in terminal decline. So what could be some of the reasons behind this?
It is true that LCD provides a much brighter screen, but this is not always really necessary. LCD screens also use less power, and they tend to be cheaper, all of which have led to more sales. Another feature is the better resolution provided by LCDs. LCD TVs will often boast a higher resolution, and this higher number is popular with buyers irrespective of the fact that plasma still offers excellent quality with a lower resolution.
Plasma Still Popular with Many
Despite the downfall of plasma, it remains a popular technology for many people. Plasma has always been popular with people who care about the quality of the content they are watching. If you download a lot of content online, perhaps using something like YTD to do so, and you are keen to watch it in the best possible quality, then plasma is often the best choice.
Is This the End for Plasma?
It is hard to see plasma making a comeback now that Panasonic has announced its exit from the scene. It is a shame for many who have come to enjoy the quality of plasma TVs, but in the world of technology, nothing lasts forever. With the growth of LCD TVs and the fall in plasma sales, Panasonic’s decision to abandon plasma could well be the beginning of the end.
