So it is true...thanks for the link...Now my question to you is that even if they are shutting down plasmas in future...will you advise me to go for a pana plasma on sheer PQ brilliance? Since my requirement is best PQ should I opt for a Samsung Plasma or maybe a LED just based on the fact that Pana may be shutting down?
What Im trying to say is that, even if they do shut down, it won't affect me, right? The TV should go on for 5 yrs at least depending on usage? The only pitfall is that resale value could be nil. COrrect me if Im wrong & tell me what you would have opted for if you were in my place looking for a big tv with excellent PQ...
thanks again
I will ask you just one counter question. Do you hear Pioneer Kuro owners complaining? In fact they are bragging.
But humour aside, there will be some real worries such as if retail plasma panel production stops, and if the panel conks off, there may be no replacement. Modern display panels claim large/long life but these are not the days of the old CRT where nothing used to happen to the main display for years together. But today are different times.
Let us assume that Panasonic exits the plasma business in 2013. So an interesting scenario emerges. What happens to the 3 year panel warranty? I tend to think that they will continue to manufacture the panels in a limited number based on the average failure rates per region and to cater to "paid" replacements. Or they may pay the owner some compensation in case of warranty claim and deny service to those out of warranty. In this case they will suffer from a lot of user base anguish and resentment. They may be branded "traitors" or "deserters" and their other retail business may take a big hit too (
Akai suffered similarly in early 2000's.).
Note that this worry does not mean that you could go with LCD (LED) and count yourself safe. The LCD panel can also conk off and will require replacement. The difference would be that a replacement would be available but you will still pay as much as 80% of the TV cost. In this case, you would prefer buying a new TV. So how good or bad you are wrt to a plasma or LCD (LED) if there is a total panel failure? My take is that there is no difference.
I am not worried myself and now there is no point worrying also. When I was looking for TV, I was looking at these models mainly: Pana 50ST50, Pana 50GT50, Sony 46HX850, Samsung 46E7500, LG 47LM7600 and one or two more. The final equation was between HX850 and ST50. I considered that Sony 46 HX850 matched 50ST50 but there were significant advantages with ST50:
- wonderful PQ and definitely a notch above HX850
- 4" larger
- 15K cheaper
- free BDP (in lieu of HTiB) that could be made region free
On the downside, I have to
continuously worry about image retention. But I consider this a small price to pay. What would I do today? If I had the above deal all over again, I will still go for plasma. I do not regret my purchase at all. My friend in San Ramon, CA, USA has had a Pioneer Kuro since 2006-7. He has not faced any issue till date. I hope the same in my case. But there are at least 3 or 4 FMs here who have faced issues with plasma. I hesitate to advice you. I will say "wait and watch". Wait for 2013 lineup and take a judgment call.
