Perhaps even more helpful for LCD televisions is the familiarity that so many consumers already have with them.  Nearly every office worker is now working on an LCD monitor, using a laptop featuring an LCD, and upgrading to a nice LCD on their home computer.  It’s simply not a stretch to bring that knowledge into the living room.   Familiarity means a great deal to people.  When faced with the choice of a reliable technology that’s familiar and something they just don’t know much about, the average consumer will forego any technical advantage and take the devil they know over the devil they don’t.

Finally, it’s the stores themselves that do a majority of the damage, not through uninformed salespeople but through the way the televisions are displayed.  With contrast and brightness pushed to ridiculous levels, LCD televisions look absolutely phenomenal sitting next to their dull Plasma counterparts, which are reflecting the huge store lights right back at the potential customer.   These aren’t levels that anyone would actually use at home, nor do most people have ultra bright fluorescent lamps lighting their living rooms while watching TV.  

Of course, Plasma technology could be in trouble regardless, due to the current concern over power usage and green technology.  The European Union is already on the forefront of this movement, taking steps to ban televisions that don’t meet certain required energy standards, which means the power hungry Plasmas will be losing out.  Expected this spring, the new law will not only outlaw high energy consuming televisions, it will enforce a mandatory labeling system.  In an increasingly energy conscious public, purchasing a television at the high energy end of the scale could be seen as a bit of a faux pas.

Similarly, in the US, measures are being taken to conserve use of electricity wherever possible.  There has already been an end date set in place for certain light bulbs in favor of more energy efficient models, and televisions may be next.  While nothing has been set into motion on a federal level, some states are taking it into their own hands.

The California Energy Commission is working on creating a standard that would be even stricter than the one being carried out in the EU.  Part of the proposal will include labels to show California consumers the amount of money saved on energy bills.  The first round of regulations is set to go into effect in 2011 if the new standards are passed, with a second wave coming just two years later.  If the CEC’s plan is indeed more extreme than that of the European Union, Californians may be kissing their Plasmas goodbye.

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Jim Peterson  - Pioneer Elite PRO-151FD and current draw   |2009-02-26 15:26:18 I recently purchased a Pioneer Elite PRO-151FD (60" plasma), my first new tv in 10 years. After I cheaped out on the last set, I realized I was never going to be happy until I got the best one available. And believe me, I am very happy, the picture is nothing short of incredible. I feel bad that Pioneer is pulling out of the plasma market, but also very fortunate that I got mine while I still could. I believe in energy efficiency as much as I am a video enthusiast. The salesman at Magnolia made an interesting point when I commented on the PRO-151FD's energy use, he said that yes plasmas do draw a lot of current when turned up bright like LCDs, but when turned off torch mode like they should be, the current draw is much less, comparable to or even less than LCDs. LCDs draw a more or less steady amount of power. 12   1

Millard Fharquar  - Good Article   |2009-03-06 11:15:04 I was once in the camp that fell prey to LCD hype. The plasmas always looked bad relative to the LCDs in the harsh florescent showroom light. So, I ruled out plasma altogether and, after extensive research, purchased a Sony LCD. I was very happy with the Sony until I saw a properly calibrated Kuro in a home setting. I immediately relegated the Sony to the spare bedroom and purchased a Kuro. The picture is as good as if not better that theatre projection. Too bad the LCD hype may lead to the extinction of plasma. 2   1

thatguy  - Brightness was the decider for me   |2009-03-06 12:48:48 Brightness and, to some extent pricing were what made my mind up for LCD I prefer viewing in a more lit room than theater buffs would approve - I have light colored cellular blinds on the window and room lights off, but it's still quite light during the daytime (my camera meter reads an average of 1/10sec at f/2.8 and 100 ISO). Even for movies at night I like a fair amount of light - my wife likes to read a book while watching I have the backlight at 85% on my LCD and find that to be a good level - I don't think a plasma would have the same white levels and the lower black levels are swamped by residual reflection. 1   5

meatyb0y  - The "technology" isn't on the decline but...   |2009-03-24 12:09:53 If I read the title of the article, the answer is "no"...plasma technology isn't on the decline. Plasma sales and manufacturing are definitely dying, for all the reasons pointed out in the article. That's what is so painful - plasma technology can be so good right now, and has taken huge and meaningful leaps in the last 3 years (really meaningfull, not like "240 Hz processing"). Alas, technology on the incline, sales and manufacturing on the decline. The march towards mediocrity continues apace... 1   1

paul   |2009-03-27 13:22:14 Too bad, I'm just getting in to plasmas and think they are amazing, I had my sight st on a Pioneer too, maybe this will allow me to get a deal? 0   1

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