AfterDawn: News

Pioneer halts plasma display production

Pioneer has decided the plasma TV market is to competitive and will be halting all internal production of plasma displays. The company will not be leaving the industry however and will instead get plasma panels from Matsushita.

Currently pioneer is the 5th largest plasma TV producer and is losing money on its plasma division. Actually, Pioneer is "expected to report a loss of 10 billion yen or about $96 million USD for the fiscal year."



Although not confirmed yet, Pioneer will supposedly close down one of its largest Japanese plasma manufacturing plants and focus the other two on assembling TVs. Pioneer stopped internal production of LCDs last year and teamed up with Sharp in a similar deal to this recent one.

Adde Mitsushige Akino of Ichiyoshi Investment Management, “This is an excellent development [Pioneer stopping plasma production]. Pioneer could have chosen another way and stepped up its plasma investment despite the fact that the business is bleeding red ink, but it's a wise step to decide against that. A quicker decision would have been even better, though.”



Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 4 Mar 2008 17:39

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• 31 comments

• iluvendo

  The plasma war will leave nothing but victims and not an improved plasma display.

  4.3.2008 17:42 #1

• ikari

  I thought the plasma tv market was going away?

  4.3.2008 17:44 #2

• goodswipe

  Hmmm, interesting. I did read however that they were going to halt production on 42 inchers and just concentrate on 50" and up. Now they are going to halts plasma display production all together?

  4.3.2008 17:48 #3

• vinny13

  Everybody's jumpin' on the Sharp wagon these days... Not that its a bad thing lol

  4.3.2008 18:30 #4

• Ryu77

  Wow! That surprises me. Pioneer made some amazing Plasma panels. It's kind of sad to hear that their innovation will stop here.

  4.3.2008 18:32 #5

• vinny13

  Originally posted by Ryu77: Wow! That surprises me. Pioneer made some amazing Plasma panels. It's kind of sad to hear that their innovation will stop here.Ya that too... The best TVs there was pretty much, but people just didn't go for Plasma since the horrible name people gave it... I know that they've definitely improved from when they were first released that's for sure...

  4.3.2008 19:36 #6

• jony218

  RIP plasma bigscreen TV. I saw this comming a long time ago, those tv's ran pretty hot if you got to close to them. Originally it had a better picture than LCD, but the LCD was eventually able to surpass plasnma in the quality department. Eventually I see OLED replaceing the LCD.

  5.3.2008 00:25 #7

• goodswipe

  Where's MysticE?
  

  "look honey, it said goodswipe! oh wow, that's amazing."

  5.3.2008 11:31 #8

• vinny13

  Ahh my friend just bought a Panasonic Plasma...
  
  I told him to stay away from games and stuff until like afeter 100 hours of use... That's when the screens are most prone to screen burn so I've read...
  
  I wish Plasmas were more like LCDs but still looked better :P
  

  (+[PSP]%) = 3.52M33-4
  
  "I get no respect, I tell ya!"

  5.3.2008 13:25 #9

• DXR88

  Plasma' Display Were Far Superior to lcd's when they came out. Plasma's still have an advantage over LCD in the response time and black levels,But had a major issue, there life span sucked Major Balls. LCD are cheaper easer to manufacture and Mid-range displays now have a 4ms response time & black levels have improved.
  
  My 2 Quarters & a Nickle say that A good old CRT Bests them both.

  5.3.2008 20:54 #10

• r0b0t3ch

  I predicted this long ago..............like 5 years ago when they first established a MAJOR popularity and feasability to buy. I predict a lot................just look to me for the answers and I will show you the light. LCD has been a better technology and way more practical from day one. Plasma just bumped in on the big screen market while LCD manuftrs. chose not to perfect theirs for screens larger that what the average PC user uses.
  
  I will show you the light.

  6.3.2008 17:02 #11

• goodswipe

  Quote:I predict a lot................just look to me for the answers and I will show you the light.Hey, just like dual format players will be the future right? ;)
  

  "look honey, it said goodswipe! oh wow, that's amazing."

  6.3.2008 17:15 #12

• MysticE

  Originally posted by DXR88: Plasma' Display Were Far Superior to lcd's when they came out. Plasma's still have an advantage over LCD in the response time and black levels,But had a major issue, there life span sucked Major Balls. LCD are cheaper easer to manufacture and Mid-range displays now have a 4ms response time & black levels have improved.
  
  My 2 Quarters & a Nickle say that A good old CRT Bests them both.
  As usual some lame anecdotal evidence. In Consumer Reports December issue based on 75,000 responses Panasonic plasmas were found to be most reliable TVs ever made (and that includes CRTs).
  
  Quote:Originally it had a better picture than LCD, but the LCD was eventually able to surpass plasnma in the quality department.
  Says who? In last month's HomeTheater magazine they did a first ever multi set test, hiding all but the screens. The final verdict from the panel? "Plasma is still King". Everyone on the panel picked either the Panasonic or Pioneer plasma for the first two slots.
  
  For those who watch movies nothing even comes close to a Panasonic or Pioneer plasma, and every year they keep on getting better.
  
  
  
  
  

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  6.3.2008 17:54 #13

• r0b0t3ch

  Quote:Quote:I predict a lot................just look to me for the answers and I will show you the light.Hey, just like dual format players will be the future right? ;)
  Huh?? You think so too ?? Good man!

  6.3.2008 18:51 #14

• DXR88

  Quote:Plasma's still have an advantage over LCD in the response time and black levels.
  
  Sigh...all these personal attacked really starting to bore me.
  
  as i said in the above quote they both have a way of doing things. LCD have nice picture but because of the black levels not being good on most displays they tend to have a higher Saturation rate.
  
  Plasma does not because there is no backlight, they also dont have a response time. however lcd are getting better and better.
  
  Quote:My 2 Quarters & a Nickle say that A good old CRT Bests them both.and since did ones Opinion become a fact.
  
  i still think CRT's are the best. say whatever you like your not going to change my mind.

  6.3.2008 19:09 #15

• r0b0t3ch

  Quote:Originally posted by DXR88: Plasma' Display Were Far Superior to lcd's when they came out. Plasma's still have an advantage over LCD in the response time and black levels,But had a major issue, there life span sucked Major Balls. LCD are cheaper easer to manufacture and Mid-range displays now have a 4ms response time & black levels have improved.
  
  My 2 Quarters & a Nickle say that A good old CRT Bests them both.
  As usual some lame anecdotal evidence. In Consumer Reports December issue based on 75,000 responses Panasonic plasmas were found to be most reliable TVs ever made (and that includes CRTs).
  
  Quote:Originally it had a better picture than LCD, but the LCD was eventually able to surpass plasnma in the quality department.
  Says who? In last month's HomeTheater magazine they did a first ever multi set test, hiding all but the screens. The final verdict from the panel? "Plasma is still King". Everyone on the panel picked either the Panasonic or Pioneer plasma for the first two slots.
  
  For those who watch movies nothing even comes close to a Panasonic or Pioneer plasma, and every year they keep on getting better.
  
  
  Just read that seemingly bias article (for you) and first off, the Sony they use is completely and totally comparable to top two and it's not even Sony's best. That Panasonic, which was 500 bucks over their "limit" is their best of their best and the KURO, that's the most overpriced tv in the world for a dying technology. Now ...........let's stay realistic here boys and girls. LCD "big sets" are much younger than plasma..............MUCH! Plasmas are sweet and I know of no one who says LCDS are hands down better. One would be an idiot to think that. The argurment is it's a dying technology and LCD is less expensive to make. An Aquos d92 edition matches those two tit for tat if not way better for 3500.00 and so does Sony's KDL-XBR4 or 5 series. As for reliablity, well LCDs are in fact more reliable, consume less power, have no burn in, have a longer lifespan AND NOWADAYS can be seen equally as well as a plasma from pretty much any angle. 120Hz is necessary and should be the standard but HT magazine chose only one tv that had that. Not dogging that mag but that was a B.S. bias article that compared the best of the best of one technology to "not" the best of the best of another. So now I'm guessing that since you subscribe to HT mag, that you're an expert. I sold the stuff for a living, purchase, research and install on the side and am highly passionate about my 'techie' stuff, especially HT. I AM AN EXPERT AND TRUST ME............I AM 100% RIGHT! Try "Audiophile" magazine where they will pair the best of the best with the best of the best.
  
  
  
  

  6.3.2008 19:11 #16

• theonejrs

  Sad in a way, as Pioneer made some really nice Large screen high quality TVs going back to the late 80s early 90s. I prefer DLP myself. I still think it has the best picture!

  6.3.2008 20:04 #17

• Snipes_

  So Pioneer will use Panies, and Sharp, Sony uses Samsung and Sharp...
  I prefer plasma over LCD and DLP over plasma...best bang for the buck. LCD are good for 26" and less...more than that, the technology just isn't there yet. LCD no burn in...You should see the LCD's at work...there's burn in. Viewing angle? I don't stand against my wall to watch TV, I sit on the couch. If the DLP is set up correctly, there should be very little issue with viewing angle (if your walking around) again, that's not how I watch, so it's not a factor for me...though looks like they are on the way out because you can't hang them on the wall...gimmicks

  6.3.2008 22:09 #18

• vinny13

  I like all technologies... I wanted to get a Plasma because they are the best but I play a lot of video games every now and then for hours and when you have a game like GTA:SA that holds the health bare in the same place for long periods of time I thought that would be a bad idea. Plus, they get hot... I then wanted a Sony SXRD A3000 tv but they don't sell them in Canada for some reason(WTF!)? So I ended up getting a Sharp Aquos LC-42D64U TV. It isn't the BEST LCD there is, above average, but for only $1300 you can't go wrong. Although, this line is famous for banding, I only notice some in the PS3 XMB so I couldn't care less... Looking into it though :)
  
  Just bought another Sharp 19" for the kitchen. Once again, only like $280, very nice TV. Speakers are week but I just turn them up. Sharp makes like the best TVs that can be found for cheap :)
  
  I will say though that if I were to buy a Plasma then it would be a Panasonic because they're also a great brand. I have an old 1080i projection from like 5-6 years ago and it still looks great(back when DVD players were $350+ lol) :)
  

  (+[PSP]%) = 3.52M33-4
  
  "I get no respect, I tell ya!"

  6.3.2008 23:59 #19

• FreqNasty

  This surely can't be true. Pioneer have just perfected the plasma tv. Those who saw the concept tv at the CES will agree. Pure black! Even the current Kuro's with their TRUE 20 000:1 contrast ratio are amazing. To the person who said plasma was dying, they might wanna pull their head out of their rectum. I don't see anything from LCD yet that has killed plasma off. This is all about price competitiveness with Panasonic, Samsung, LG etc plasma panels and nothing to do with a dying technology. Fujitsu has recently announced they are also pulling out of plasma production based on pricing.
  If this manufacture halt is true, I'm glad they have gone to Panasonic for the panels. They are a close second to Pioneer for quality.

  7.3.2008 00:05 #20

• Ryu77

  Originally posted by FreqNasty: This surely can't be true. Pioneer have just perfected the plasma tv. Those who saw the concept tv at the CES will agree. Pure black! Even the current Kuro's with their TRUE 20 000:1 contrast ratio are amazing. To the person who said plasma was dying, they might wanna pull their head out of their rectum. I don't see anything from LCD yet that has killed plasma off. This is all about price competitiveness with Panasonic, Samsung, LG etc plasma panels and nothing to do with a dying technology. Fujitsu has recently announced they are also pulling out of plasma production based on pricing.
  If this manufacture halt is true, I'm glad they have gone to Panasonic for the panels. They are a close second to Pioneer for quality.I am a LCD owner and I agree with most of what you say. Since I own a 46" 1080p Sharp Aquos, I am fortunate enough to have a leading LCD panel that avoids the negatives lower range LCD's seem to have.
  
  However, the Pioneer Kuro Plasma TV's are amazing. I wanted to buy one so I could have the best of both Worlds. I would still prefer to play games on my LCD but I think for movies a Pioneer Kuro Plasma would be very nice to enjoy! :-D
  
  I also agree that if anyone was to step up and take the Plasma crown, then Panasonic would take my vote to be the successor of Pioneer.
  
  I really would have liked to see further development from Pioneer in their Plasma range but I guess that isn't going to happen now.
  

  
  
  "Worry is like a Rocking Chair, it gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere"

  7.3.2008 04:20 #21

• r0b0t3ch

  Originally posted by FreqNasty: This surely can't be true. Pioneer have just perfected the plasma tv. Those who saw the concept tv at the CES will agree. Pure black! Even the current Kuro's with their TRUE 20 000:1 contrast ratio are amazing. To the person who said plasma was dying, they might wanna pull their head out of their rectum. I don't see anything from LCD yet that has killed plasma off. This is all about price competitiveness with Panasonic, Samsung, LG etc plasma panels and nothing to do with a dying technology. Fujitsu has recently announced they are also pulling out of plasma production based on pricing.
  If this manufacture halt is true, I'm glad they have gone to Panasonic for the panels. They are a close second to Pioneer for quality.
  Head up rectum??? Now now..........be nice. Just because yours fits in your intestines doesn't mean the rest of ours does.
  ****TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE HEADING OF THIS ARTICLE. "Pioneer halts plasma display production". Sheesh..........what else could you possible need to show that plasmas are energy sucking HDTVs. They're great pictures, sure, but tit for tat, LCD is better. THEY ARE DYING. 120Hz is pushing plasma outta the way. Less energy and WHO IN THE HELL WOULD SPEND 2000 BUCKS MINIMUM FOR YOUR 'FAVORITE' KUROS. They are awesome but obviously your just another person with blinders on (like horses have to keep going straight) and you only see 10 feet in front of you and don't pay attention to the "big picture". If you had then you'd agree that plasmas are slowly being phased out. Maybe in your own little world you have a 19" plasma computer monitor and companies like Samsung and Sony and Pioneer (who doesn't even make LCD or monitors HA HA HA) are custom manufacturing JUST FOR YOU. If so then please...............hook me up!

  7.3.2008 10:49 #22

• r0b0t3ch

  Quote:Originally posted by FreqNasty: This surely can't be true. Pioneer have just perfected the plasma tv. Those who saw the concept tv at the CES will agree. Pure black! Even the current Kuro's with their TRUE 20 000:1 contrast ratio are amazing. To the person who said plasma was dying, they might wanna pull their head out of their rectum. I don't see anything from LCD yet that has killed plasma off. This is all about price competitiveness with Panasonic, Samsung, LG etc plasma panels and nothing to do with a dying technology. Fujitsu has recently announced they are also pulling out of plasma production based on pricing.
  If this manufacture halt is true, I'm glad they have gone to Panasonic for the panels. They are a close second to Pioneer for quality.I am a LCD owner and I agree with most of what you say. Since I own a 46" 1080p Sharp Aquos, I am fortunate enough to have a leading LCD panel that avoids the negatives lower range LCD's seem to have.
  
  However, the Pioneer Kuro Plasma TV's are amazing. I wanted to buy one so I could have the best of both Worlds. I would still prefer to play games on my LCD but I think for movies a Pioneer Kuro Plasma would be very nice to enjoy! :-D
  
  I also agree that if anyone was to step up and take the Plasma crown, then Panasonic would take my vote to be the successor of Pioneer.
  
  I really would have liked to see further development from Pioneer in their Plasma range but I guess that isn't going to happen now.
  Kuro is fantastic!
  
  Nice quote by the way. I use that line (occasionally) but never in writing as I wouldn't be caught with written plagiarism from the movie Van Wilder or any movie for that matter, even though it's a great flick and I'm sure you'll agree.

  7.3.2008 11:01 #23

• goodswipe

  Comparing the different technologies is a waste of time. We will all end up in a flame battle. All the technologies are excellent in different ways. They all have their pros and cons, it just really depends on what you need it for.
  
  
  

  "look honey, it said goodswipe! oh wow, that's amazing."

  7.3.2008 11:06 #24

• r0b0t3ch

  I stand corrected about that "minimum of 2000 bucks". I just checked. Pioneer's minimum price for a 1080 set is 5000.00 and 6000.00 if you're dumb enough to go for the "Elite" which FYI the only difference is 3 circuit boards internally that are a bit 'higher grade in terms of the copper connections". This I know because I have a friend that worked for Pioneer R&D. So........Hmmmmmm........is it worth it to get the "blacker blacks" for an extra 2000 dollars? For most, I think not.

  7.3.2008 11:16 #25

• Ryu77

  Originally posted by r0b0t3ch: Nice quote by the way. I use that line (occasionally) but never in writing as I wouldn't be caught with written plagiarism from the movie Van Wilder or any movie for that matter, even though it's a great flick and I'm sure you'll agree.Actually, I didn't realise that quote was from a Van Wilder movie. I think I read it in one of my quote books. I don't want to start a discussion about this but how is it plagiarism? I didn't claim to own it. Anyone can see that it is in quotations, which in English text means it is sourced from another person.
  
  I am a positive person and I change those quotes every now and then. If someone here does happen to read it and it gives them a boost for the day... Well... Purpose achieved. :-D
  

  
  
  "Worry is like a Rocking Chair, it gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere"

  7.3.2008 15:26 #26

• P_Quinn

  Huh! Digital rubbish! Analogue rules!
  
  John Logie Baird's electromechanical system cannot be surpassed for quality. After 80 years of colour video, this is a well proven system.
  80 years of stereoscopic video too! Where are the 3-dimensional LCD or plasma screens?
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Logie_Baird

  16.3.2008 19:41 #27

• Ryu77

  Originally posted by P_Quinn: Huh! Digital rubbish! Analogue rules!
  
  John Logie Baird's electromechanical system cannot be surpassed for quality. After 80 years of colour video, this is a well proven system.
  80 years of stereoscopic video too! Where are the 3-dimensional LCD or plasma screens?
  
  " target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Logie_Baird
  
  Where are the 60" (2" - 4" inch thick) CRT TV's? If a CRT TV of that size was created, it would probably weigh 100+ kilograms.
  
  Also, what do you mean by "Where are the 3-dimensional LCD or plasma screens"? 3D is a trick created via seperating the 3 primary colours (anaglyph images) and creating an image with the primary colours being offset to give the illusion of depth. Then using 3D glasses to filter these colours will create the desired layered like effect. This can be done on digital video too.
  
  While it is obvious that John Logie Baird is indeed one of the Grandfathers of CRT TV's, this really doesn't bring any valid argument towards analog being better than digital. That there remains an opinion that each of us is entitled to have.
  
  This is a thread about Pioneer stopping production of Plasma TV panels, is it really necessary to bring a digital vs analog argument here?
  

  
  
  "Dream... Believe... Achieve"

  16.3.2008 21:30 #28

• FreqNasty

  Quote:Originally posted by FreqNasty: This surely can't be true. Pioneer have just perfected the plasma tv. Those who saw the concept tv at the CES will agree. Pure black! Even the current Kuro's with their TRUE 20 000:1 contrast ratio are amazing. To the person who said plasma was dying, they might wanna pull their head out of their rectum. I don't see anything from LCD yet that has killed plasma off. This is all about price competitiveness with Panasonic, Samsung, LG etc plasma panels and nothing to do with a dying technology. Fujitsu has recently announced they are also pulling out of plasma production based on pricing.
  If this manufacture halt is true, I'm glad they have gone to Panasonic for the panels. They are a close second to Pioneer for quality.
  Head up rectum??? Now now..........be nice. Just because yours fits in your intestines doesn't mean the rest of ours does.
  ****TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE HEADING OF THIS ARTICLE. "Pioneer halts plasma display production". Sheesh..........what else could you possible need to show that plasmas are energy sucking HDTVs. They're great pictures, sure, but tit for tat, LCD is better. THEY ARE DYING. 120Hz is pushing plasma outta the way. Less energy and WHO IN THE HELL WOULD SPEND 2000 BUCKS MINIMUM FOR YOUR 'FAVORITE' KUROS. They are awesome but obviously your just another person with blinders on (like horses have to keep going straight) and you only see 10 feet in front of you and don't pay attention to the "big picture". If you had then you'd agree that plasmas are slowly being phased out. Maybe in your own little world you have a 19" plasma computer monitor and companies like Samsung and Sony and Pioneer (who doesn't even make LCD or monitors HA HA HA) are custom manufacturing JUST FOR YOU. If so then please...............hook me up!No, I have a 22" Samsung LCD computer monitor and are fully aware that LCD is the logical choice for smaller sizes and computer display (due to static text burn in). However, for movies and games on screen sizes over 42", plasma is best at this point in time! They aren't being phased out! Why does Panasonic only produce LCD's under 37"? Because they know Plasma wins in higher screen sizes. I also don't see Pioneer mentioning they are moving to LCD. I'm sorry but that's just the way it is despite your tit for tats ;)

  24.3.2008 11:54 #29

• borhan9

  Quote:Currently pioneer is the 5th largest plasma TV producer and is losing money on its plasma division. Actually, Pioneer is "expected to report a loss of 10 billion yen or about $96 million USD for the fiscal year."That is some heft numbers too be loosing.

  21.4.2008 23:59 #30

• theonejrs

  Snipes,
  Quote:If the DLP is set up correctly, there should be very little issue with viewing angle (if your walking around) again, that's not how I watch, so it's not a factor for me...though looks like they are on the way out because you can't hang them on the wall...gimmicks
  The DLPs are getting thinner. My friend's Mitsubishi is only a hair over 18" deep. He built an enclosed shelf (like a box on the wall) and it works just as well as hanging it on the wall. Much more attractive looking too!
  
  Best Regards,
  Russ

  22.4.2008 02:51 #31