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CRT TVs. Laserdisc. VHS. Beta. CED (bet you have to look that one up).
All of these once represented a state-of-the-art technology, but have since made their way to that big home theater in the sky.
Many consumers think plasma displays also are dead, or are on their way out. But plasmas shouldn’t be relegated to the book-ends of the display market just yet, at least not as far as LG Electronics and Panasonic are concerned.
LG is releasing eight new plasmas, including its INFINIA line. Trying to kick the stereotype that plasmas are thick and heavy, the INFINIA series includes a 60-inch model that’s only 2-inches thick and only 95 pounds. These models will feature:
- LG NetCast for access to Internet streaming media like YouTube, Netflix, Pandora, and more
- “Wireless Media Hub” design that allows components, such as Blu-ray players, to be connected to a hub that wirelessly transmits the signal up to 90 feet
- THX certification
- Light-sensing automatic calibration
Panasonic will release more than 20 models, including four 3D-capable TVs that range from 50-65 inches. The 3D sets, which won both “Best In Television” and “Best In Show” at CES 2010, will include one pair of 3D glasses. Other features include THX certification, NeoPDP picture enhancements, and Viera Cast network streaming.
Plasma won’t take back the middle of the flat-panel TV market, but it will look to continue to be the meat of many high-end display lines and an important part of the push for 3D in the home.
After watching the LED, 3 D, Samsung HDTV and then watching the same 3 D material on the Panasonic 3D plasma model, I note that the Panasonic 3D plasma offers more of a 3 D experience. This is caused by the plasma having a 600 hertz refresh rate compared to a 240 hertz refresh rate. Whatever the cause plasma outperformed LED models in the 3 D demonstration. See for yourself!
I have a 60” Pioneer Elite 1080p plasma in the HT setup and a 42” LCD in the bedroom.
My wife and I both watch the Pioneer more.
Hail to Pioneer plasma.
Mr. Hopkins - CED - really??? Yeah, I sold them at Radio Shack around 1980 (RCA version of video disk-ugh!) Plasma has some excellent attributes but also some negative ones as well (doesn’t EVERY format?) Panels are great for smaller areas and if I MUST hang it on the wall - note the word MUST. The DLP projo sets seem to be a much better overall value and excellent picture all around (yes plasma does have better blacks - but also shiny faces that glare light and also love to eat power). I love big picture size for that theater feeling while watching BluRays and HD. It is not a necessity for me to hang it on the wall so no big deal either…
amen again!
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After watching the LED, 3 D, Samsung HDTV and then watching the same 3 D material on a Panasonic 3D plasma model, I note that the Panasonic 3D plasma offers more of a 3 D experience. This is caused by the plasma having a 600 hertz refresh rate compared to a Samsung’s LED 240 hertz refresh rate. Whatever the cause plasma outperformed LED models in the 3 D demonstration. See for yourself! As 3D grows so will plasma sales trend upward.