This is a sad and grim day for video enthusiasts all around the world. Having been the flag bearer for plasma display panel (PDP) technology for the past few years since the demise of Pioneer’s legendary Kuro plasma, Panasonic has confirmed today that it too is quitting the plasma TV business.
Going ahead, there will not be any 2014 Panasonic plasma models at next year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show), meaning that the current generation of Panasonic PDP, namely the ST60, GT60, VT60/VT65 and of course the ZT60/ZT65 – the best plasma panel the company has ever produced – will be the last in a long line of excellent plasma TVs from the company.
Panasonic said that it will cease production of plasma display panels (PDPs) at the end of the year, and close down business operations at its three Amagasaki factories (only one of which is still operating) at the end of March 2014. All sales of Panasonic plasmas will end on the 31st of March 2014, so we strongly suggest that you snap one up before they are all gone.
The Japanese manufacturer will be concentrating instead on its 4K Ultra HD LED LCD television models like the Panasonic WT600, as well as bringing its 4K OLED TV technology to market. Only time will tell if Korean rivals Samsung and LG Electronics will continue to make and sell plasmas now that Panasonic has confirmed its exit from the PDP market.
Source: Panasonic Japan via FlatPanelsHD.com
This news suck, but hopefully they’ll speed up OLED production process.
This is a sad day indeed.
I’m relieved!! there are far too many who eulogised the product of this company when
for others their TVs were problematic and the aftersales dreadful!!
I still maintain that online technical reviews bare very little to the real user
experience of awful Panasonic UK/Europe.
THERE is no compelling reason to buy future technology from this company
when the likes of Samsung or Sony can comfortably give you a better user
experience, pre/post sales too! ;-)
RIP Panny PDPs
If I had any Paint talent , I would have drawn a gravestone covered by vertical bands and green splodges.
I’ll miss you.
I don’t understand the ‘sadness’ at the passing of plasma. IT’S A TELLY. It had its shot at the big time, and it’s over. End of. You yourself said that silly curved OLED is the best TV you’ve ever seen, and that’s only one manufacturer’s first crack at it. I recall seeing the first plasma on sale, it was total cr*p, and cost way more than this Samsung.
So roll on OLED please. When my 55ST50 needs replacing, which won’t be for years yet, I expect OLED will be developing nicely…
@joeb The release of Pioneer KURO was one of the most exciting moments in AV industry for years – it was a breakthrough made exclusively by PDP.
Then the release of 50- and 60-series Panasonic brought highest performance to even more people at more affordable price. ST-series plasma can’t be replaced with anything right now at the price. And OLED is far, far away from being priced at £1000 for 50-55″ size.
CNET said it better here: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57606658-221/panasonics-exit-from-plasma-will-sour-tv-value-sweet-spot/
Rattlehead86 – Panasonic are losing hundreds of millions of dollars a year because nobody will buy plasma. Time to give it the boot and concentrate on OLED – it’s a better technology than plasma – get over it.
@joeb First of all, millions of videophiles around the world are not “nobody”. Also, there are lots of professional plasmas in stores, restaraunts, etc.
Secondly, I also thought that OLED is immaculate, until I tested one made by LG. You know what? It acts precisely like plasma, but its motion response is inferior.
Panasonic was loosing millions of dollars not because plasma is a bad technology, but because buyers are generally pretty dumb to figure it out. They buy TVs judging by the looks and frame thinness, not by picture quality.
Basically, we’re stuck with crappy LCD TVs and 4K madness for years until OLED gets reasonably cheaper and gets rid of its own problems. What a holiday for videophiles, let’s take hands and celebrate!
So much for the so called experts including one on here stating at the Value electronics shootout that they Know for a fact that Panasonic were working hard to make next year’s model even better.
@John Davis: They probably were… until management decided otherwise. No need to bad-mouth experts for how management decisions work in business.
@ John Davis
Panasonic hired Bill Schindler as a consultant for the 2014 range, which was the basis of this comment. Plasma was on the cards for 2014.
@joeb
It might be “just a telly” to some people, but speaking personally as someone who spends most of his time fine-tuning film transfers on Blu-ray, it’s very nice to know that the hard work will be seen on a high quality screen affordable to the average person. Near-OLED quality for a fraction of the price. If that isn’t a loss, what is it?
Depending on what Samsung do, we are about to see a huge void where only the very rich can enjoy top-grade picture quality. And even then, Panasonic’s plasmas are still better gaming displays at the moment.
When everyday people ask me “What display should I get”, I cannot flippantly tell them to buy a £9000 OLED. Within the limitations of electronics, I find that pretty sad.
I love Plasma and feel i cant upgrade for at least 3 years as i will never buy an Lcd.
I also watch the shootout and appreciate the time these people put into it, I have met Robert and Wendy many times and am sad that i think they may have to skip a year for the next shootout.
Plasma has been the best Tech for many years now FACT
No need to get your knickers in a twist, fellas. LCD tvs sell over ten times the amount plasmas do. Panasonic would be insane to keep plowing millions into plasma tech. They will quite rightly now funnel it into OLED, which will make the tech better more quickly.They’re not going to keep plasma alive just for you. They can sensibly bow out at the top with the ZT.
And here’s a newsflash – the overwhelmingly vast majority of people are happy with LCD. I have always counselled friends to buy plasmas, but they never do, because LCDs are cheaper, and they don’t think the difference in pq is worth it.That’s a recipe for selling ten times as many LCD as plasma.
I have been trying to register for your forum but I don’t get sent an activation email.
Hi David, I’ve activated your account manually. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Warmest regards
Vincent
Vincent I am still unable to logon, sorry.
Picked up a TXP50VT65B a couple of days ago to replace my 6 year old Panasonic TH-42PZ85b and I have to say that it’s an outstanding TV. Over the preceding few weeks I auditioned several TV’s all of which (apart from the Panasonic ) were LCD LED and I have to say that in terms of picture quality the Panasonic was the clear leader.
I understand some of the arguments regarding plasma technology – but I still think is a sad day for those of us who value picture quality above all else that Panasonic are to stop producing theses wonderful TV,s.
On a final note the place where I purchased my TV from did say that since Panasonic’s announcement there has been a surge in interest and sales of their plasma sets – so if you’re thinking about buying one do it while you still can.
a sad news! ….