Pioneer rebuffs reported rush to end plasma TV production
Will continue making sets until the end of the year
Exclusive Pioneer has denied reports that it will wrap up worldwide plasma TV production with a final run of sets next month.
The firm announced last month plans to exit the plasma TV business by March 2010. But a release on its Japanese website today prompted numerous online news sources to wrongly report that the 2500 50in and 500 60in Kuros set to go into production next month will be its last.
The 3000 TVs will be the last plasmas manufactured for sale in the firm’s native market, a Pioneer spokeswoman told Register Hardware. But production for US, European and other markets will continue, she added.
Global plasma production will probably come to an end by the close of 2009, she added.
Ending plasma production globally before January 2010 will ensure Pioneer meets its self-imposed March 2010 deadline. But why the firm’s chosen to close down plasma production for Japan but continue making plasmas to sell to the rest of the world remains a closely guarded secret. ®
COMMENTS
@Nick Oakley
So how come Japan didnt come up with storage format for HD movies in the 90's then ?? 20 years ahead my arse...
Such a sad day....
Panasonic are still selling plasmas in very good numbers - for ultimate image quality, LCD (even the latest generations available here in Japan) don't come close. The picture quality on a 52" LCD is laughable in comparison.
What is shocking is just how far ahead of the game that Pioneer are with these screens - their exit from the industry is a step backwards. Even the latest 10th gen Panasonic panels can't replicate the black levels that Pioneer have achieved.
A sad day when production finally stops.
Dual use
As a responsible consumer, I deliberately bought plasma. Not only does it provide superb viewing, but it helps keep the room warm, saving on the central heating oil. If you love the environment, make sure that your appliances make full use of the electricity they consume by providing both their primary function AND background heating. Even the paltry few watts put out when the TV is left in standby are worth having.
Probably efficiency...
I'm guessing maybe they're pulling them off the domestic Japanese market for efficiency reasons? Plasmas are gigantic power hogs, and it would not surprise me at all if they were either legislated off the local market, "encouraged" to pull them, or they just don't sell domestically since there's better technologies available now.
@20yrs behind
The problem is that Japan jumps at the first best technology. That's why they had NTSC as a colour system which never worked sufficiently. I guess for 3d television they will use that cheap 2 camera system instead of true holographic systems which are harder to do.
