By The TV Answer Man
TV Answer Man, I used to have a Panasonic Plasma TV and it was the best TV I ever had. Can you explain to me why they don’t still make those? They were great! — Carl, Newark, New Jersey.
Carl, you’re right. For years, the flat-screen Plasma TV from TV manufacturers such as Panasonic was considered the pinnacle in display technology. But in the last decade or so, Plasma TVs have faded into oblivion, with manufacturers discontinuing their production. The decline and eventual discontinuation of plasma TVs, while met with nostalgia by some, can be attributed to a combination of technological limitations, market forces, and changing consumer preferences, such as:
1. Advancements in LCD and OLED Technology
One of the primary reasons for the discontinuation of Plasma TVs was the rapid advancement of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technologies. LCD TVs improved their energy efficiency, contrast ratios, and overall picture quality over time. OLED displays, in particular, offered deep black levels, vibrant colors, and thinner form factors, all of which appealed to consumers. As a result, Plasma TVs struggled to compete in terms of performance, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
2. Energy Efficiency Concerns
Plasma TVs were notorious for their high energy consumption compared to LCD and LED TVs. The power-hungry nature of Plasma technology raised environmental concerns and led to higher electricity bills for consumers. With an increasing focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, manufacturers were compelled to shift their attention to more eco-friendly display technologies.
3. Heat Generation and Screen Burn-In
Plasma TVs generated a significant amount of heat during operation, which not only made them less energy-efficient but also posed potential hazards in terms of overheating. Additionally, Plasma screens were susceptible to a phenomenon known as screen burn-in. Over time, static images displayed for extended periods could become permanently etched onto the screen. This issue was particularly problematic for gamers and those who used their TVs as computer monitors.
4. Manufacturing Costs and Pricing
While Plasma TVs offered excellent picture quality, they were expensive to manufacture due to the complex technology involved in creating each pixel. These high manufacturing costs led to premium pricing, making Plasma TVs less accessible to the average consumer. As a result, manufacturers struggled to compete with the more affordable LCD and LED TV options that flooded the market.
5. Market Demand and Consumer Preferences
Consumer preferences played a significant role in the decline of Plasma TVs. As LCD and LED TVs continued to improve in terms of picture quality, slim design, and energy efficiency, they gained widespread acceptance among consumers. The demand for larger screen sizes and ultra-thin displays further favored these newer technologies. As a result, Plasma TV sales dwindled, leading manufacturers to reallocate resources toward more popular display technologies.
6. The Discontinuation of Plasma Production
The declining demand for Plasma TVs eventually led to the discontinuation of their production. Major manufacturers like Panasonic, Samsung, and LG ceased their Plasma TV manufacturing operations in the mid-2010s, signaling the end of an era. The last remaining Plasma TVs in the market were quickly sold out, leaving consumers with limited options for plasma technology.
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
Plasmas were discontinued years before OLED became mainstream technology. The discontinuance was part of the manufacturers’ rush to the bottom in order to give us mediocre picture quality at the cheapest possible price (see: TCL, Westinghouse, etc.). However the current crop of LG OLED sets (at least) have actually surpassed the picture quality of the Samsung plasmas that I loved to much, and still use on a daily basis.
I too had a Panasonic Viera Plasma TV that was perfect. Very little heat and no burn in after 10 years of heavy use. Great picture and true colors. I’ll try Mikes advice for my next TV as I’ve been disappointed in my current LED Hisense TV. PS, I was recently at a hotel and was surprised at the high quality of its room TV so I checked it out and sure enough, it was a plasma.
Still have my Pioneer Kuro 60″ plasma. It’s picture is as good as new but I’m aware it’s clock is ticking and it’s irreplaceable. And yes you can feel heat when you walk near the screen…
Let me give you the real answer. Plasma still rivals or beats top OLED acreens for quality. The cost is higher and they do use more energy. But the burn in and heat are fake talking points. The real reason is because of the climate nuts. Just like losing gas appliances for inferior electric ones.
I won’t comment on the cause of the plasma demise but I agree with you about both the heat factor and the burn in factor. My Panasonic actually had a circuit that moved images very slightly to prevent burn in. It also had a restoring tool that I used once a week. Just a great set.
Why ate we asking why did plasma get discontinued, as opposed to why does anyone still want it, other for a heat source(kidding).
Plasmas did not have a deeper truer black than OLED, which at my main point is #1.
I have never seen a 4k plasma, which someone may want. But as a cinephile I tend to lean towards grainier 23.97rate.i prefer a turner picture to what the director intended, so I’m not against a owning a 4k,butbi fail to see.. 😉 The point..
My home system focuses more on sound recreation, the way I think an OLED recreates picture quality(albeit my main focus is color, and true black).
Having installed over 3K TVs in restaurants/bars (among other business’s) over the past 40 years, plasma TVs, in their time, were my go to choice. Yes, they were heavy in weight (making structural integerity of mount installations more difficult and my chiropractor more wealthy), sucked up energy, had power supply failures (never turn up the brightness all the way), had screen burn in issues (OLEDs still have that issue) and were mostly 720P technology (which the majority of live broadcasts still transmit at today) but, boy, they sure did put out a stunning picture. A true black background to make the colors pop. Which today’s O/QLEDs are just about matching. And most importantly for a restaurant, unlike your living room, an extremely wide viewing angle. Which today’s O/QLEDs still are not close to matching. As a historical sidenote; the 1st flatscreen I installed in the 90’s was a 42″ Zenith ED (enhanced digital) not HD plasma (made by LG) with no tuner, no internal audio speakers, 150lbs and cost the customer $4K.