The Fate of Plasma TVs Top Installers’ Focus

What is the future of plasma TV technology?

For integrators recommending and installing plasmas -- and the manufacturers who make the displays -- February was a difficult month.

Pioneer, manufacturer of the highly-rated Kuro panels, and Vizio, the up-and-coming display vendor, both pulled out of the plasma market -- with Pioneer ending TV production completely.

So it's no surprise that the most popular story of the month was the ask-the-readers question: Are plasmas a doomed TV technology?

You had a lot to say about the subject, from the detailed to the pithy.

Dave Stevens:

Yet, there is still hope out there for Plasma sales to increase. As we watch more big box stores go out of business, the public will be forced to seek out true professionals and finally get the correct information. It's time to "thin out the herd" with untrained salespeople.

Guntha:

If anything knocks plasma off the grid, it will be LCD, not Pioneer missing from the scene. Pioneer is leaving because they are not structured to compete at the levels the other manufacturers who are turning out continually improving products at lower costs.

Phil:

No

Some of you didn't like the question, and called for my head.

Phil (same guy as before?):

Jason should be fired!!! Everyone know just mentioning Plasma or LCD starts an endless debate that makes you want tear your xxxx off. This is almost as bad as the hd dvd vs blu ray that we just got over.

And now, on to the list ...

The Top 10 Articles for January 2008

1. Are Plasmas a Doomed TV Technology?

2. 7 Fine-Looking Installations

3. Pioneer to Drop Plasmas by March 2010, Cuts 10K Jobs

4. Free HomeLogic iPhone App is Killer Marketing Tool

5. Hulu Comes to High-Perform­ance Media Servers from ReQuest

6. Vizio Drops Out of Plasma TV Market

7. Pioneer to Leave TV Market Completely, Report Says

8. Vudu Slashes Hardware Prices by 50%, Compensates Dealers

9. 5 Recurring Revenue Opportunities for Installers

10. Now Hear This: NHT Shuts Down