Robert Van Soolingen Electronics manufacturers like Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer, Philips, Fujitsu, Sharp, LG, and Samsung started releasing plasma TV model after plasma TV model, even going as far as to launch special limited editions (including one plated in gold) that reinforced their luxury status. Back in 2006 they were the most popular option in the 40-inch and more flat screen segment of the market.
Prices started to go down, and one would think plasma televisions would become even more popular because of that. And they probably would have, except that manufacturers of liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions started to release screens in bigger sizes to compete in the large flat panel TV segment that had been the domain of plasma screens.
But the decline in plasma TV prices, while good for consumers, wasn’t so good for manufacturers since it was reducing their profit margins. Add to that the decision of high-profile manufacturers like Sony, Philips, and Fujitsu to drastically curtail or even cease their production of plasma televisions in order to focus on LCD TV’s, and it’s no wonder quite a few people were predicting the end of plasma TV’s. Even Japanese company Matsushita, the parent company of market leader Panasonic, announced plans to scale down its plasma TV production plans and make more LCD TV’s.
But as events have shown, plasma TV is far from dead. At the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, there were quite a few new models introduced. The show stopper was Panasonic’s gigantic 150-inch plasma TV, called the Life Screen, but some of the other new plasma HDTV’s were noteworthy in their own right. There was Vizio’s range of plasma TV’s, which come with Silicon Optix HQV processing and which are more affordable than most other brands; LG introduced bezel-less plasma TV models; and Samsung featured plasma screens capable of showing images in 3D.
A few years ago plasma TV manufacturers tried to outdo each other in terms of screen size (Panasonic presently has the biggest model, its 150-inch life screen). Today, though, the trend seems to be to come up with the thinnest plasma screen possible. Hitachi came up with one that’s only 1.5 inches thick; Panasonic will be launching a one-inch-thick plasma TV; and Pioneer has a concept plasma TV – part of their Project Kuro series – that’s even thinner than that: a plasma television that is only a third of an inch thick.
Industry analysts say that the rejuvenation of the plasma TV industry was caused by the inability of LCD manufacturers to fulfill market demand. Market demand for plasma televisions, on the other hand, is expanding. For instance, even though it’s the large plasma TV’s that get the most attention, smaller versions have become bestsellers in emerging economies like China. The outlook for plasma TV sales is just as positive for other areas in Southeast Asia and elsewhere, such as Latin America.
To be sure the plasma TV industry still faces numerous challenges such as the emergence of technologies like OLED television and laser television, not to mention its ever-present nemesis, the LCD TV industry. But the efforts of plasma TV manufacturers to position their products in the marketplace by introducing innovations and adding more features are paying off, giving the industry a much-needed boost. Will plasma televisions still be highly desired by consumers when 2009 rolls around? Only time will tell.
Author: Robert Van Soolingen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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