Panasonic undercutting its own LCD HDTVs, focuses on plasma?
By Darren Murph 
posted Jan 1st 2007 2:56PM
posted Jan 1st 2007 2:56PM
Anyone who's strolled through a big box retailer's HDTV department has probably seen a variety of Panasonic plasmas, but you may not have paid too much attention to the company's own LCD TV lineup while you were there. According to Panasonic, that's to be expected, as the firm is somewhat undercutting its own LCD lineup by "extolling the benefits of plasma compared with LCDs," and has even went so far as to "offer picture comparisons for journalists at electronics shows" demonstrating plasma as the superior format. This holiday season, the firm took things to another level by not only opening up their plasma concierge service for free to potential buyers, but it even ran a national ad that "pointed out plasma's superior contrast, color rendition, crisp motion, viewing angle and durability when compared with LCD TVs." The self-inflicted undercutting isn't quite as surprising as it may seem on the surface, however, as profit margins on LCD HDTVs have plummeted over the past year, and the firm is also attempting to "segregate the market" by insinuating that LCD TVs (which Panny conveniently makes 23- to 32-inch flavors of) are the "right choice for kitchens and rooms needing smaller sets," while plasmas fit the bill for rooms needing larger screens. But hey, if Panny doesn't mind giving up those LCD TV sales, we're sure plasma-free Sony would gladly pick up the lost business.
As an owner of a Panny lcd rear projection I have to say the are shooting themselves in the foot.
Panasonic must be losing a lot of business these past couple of monmths to the LCD display manufacturers (Vizio et al). Sorry Panasonic, your days are numbered. Just wait until OLED and SED come into the marketplace.
Oh, I do agree on the contrast performance of plasma. It why I an waiting for the next +50" plasma from Vizio.
I went with neither. Got me a CRT HDTV - heck it does 1080i. It has none of the disadvantages of LCD or Plasma ;-) and I'm not planning to compete with my local movie theater or help fund my banker's 72" DLP.
Inteller...would u care to describe how they are shooting themselves in the foot? plain and simple, as far as picture reproduction, plasmas have LCDs beat...period
Well, no surprises here. Panny has had a neatly separated line of TVs for some time now: LCD-TVs up to 32'' and plasma for anything above that.
If profit margins on small LCD-TVs are plummeting it makes sense to concentrate on the more lucrative (and IMHO far superior in terms of PQ) plasmas.
Pioneer has also been trying to establish plasma as the best display technology for which you have to pay a premium over LCD.
Get a non reflective surface, no pixel burn in and energy star usage and I'll think about a plasma. I can run 2-3 LCDs at the same wattage as a plasma. I can't see the screen when there's a window or light on in the room and 80% of channels are 4:3 (stretching is not an option) Sure plasma has a better picture, but so does CRT and look where that's going.
LCD profits are going down just like the CRTs they are replacing. You don't drop LCDs because of that, you make larger, thinner, better ones. Small companies like Vizio is smiling I'm sure.