[reuters] Panasonic to exit plasma TV panel business by end-March 2014

Yep...but I also had my TV price limit at max of $2K and this one is $1999. The picture quality was at or better (well...based on a CNET comparison) than the Samsung LED that was $500 more. The 4K TVs are still way too expensive and a lot of people have many complaints about them regarding picture quality, etc. . I know there is 4K upscaling but not sure how good it is. I imagine it's ideal if the source material is 4K but I don't think it is abundantly available. Looking at a lot of these 4K TV customer reviews, they were averaging around 2.5 out of 5 stars.

The thing I absolutely hate about buying a new TV is, with all the new tech features that require pass-through going through your A/V receiver, it automatically renders your A/V receiver obsolete. For example, my current A/V receiver cannot pass-through a 3d signal so if I want to watch a 3d channel...I have to bypass the receiver and go straight to the TV. It would be the same with passing through a 4K signal. The best scenario I have found is to no longer utilize HDMI switching in my A/V receiver. Just run all HDMI straight to the TV and use the TV optical audio out to go back to the receiver for sound only.

 

This is really sad. I don't understand why plasma TVs are not more popular. Myths about them being hot (in this very thread) lead me to believe they lost the PR war of misinformation and never recovered.

Makes this comment look foolish from earlier this year

Your AVR isn't obsolete. You don't have any 4K content and probably very little 3D content. Compared to the convenience of HDMI switching and superior audio, it isn't a big deal. When (if) you do have that content you can just already have the optical running in an AUX and then switch the AVR over remotely.

 

Awful news! Sadly, knew it was coming.

I too have a THX Plasma (800U). It will be 6 years old this Christmas and it has been running perfectly!

 

I have purchased two bare bones Panasonic Plasmas in the past few years and have loved both of them. My most recent purchase was a 60 inch that I got on sale from Fry's for $699. Best deal ever! The picture blows LCDs that are more expensive out of the water. It has no smart features, but those have no appeal to me.

 

I have 50" Panasonic Plasma that I got in 2006. I got it ISF calibrated after I bought it and the picture is amazing. It is on all day long and is still running great!

 

That's not quite right as I have to switch up and reroute HDMI cables as well...but I get your meaning. Some features of the receiver become obsolete...which is what I meant and I think you knew what I meant.

 

I don't know your setup and that may be the case. Might not be though.

Many Blu-ray players have 2 HDMI outputs. One goes to the AVR for the audio and the other one goes to your display. Some AVRs also have a pass though that won't jack up the signal and then can get audio from the optical when you change input on the AVR but not the TV.

 

Sad sad day.

Panasonic were the best plasma makers once Pioneer left.

The only TVs I have owned are Pioneers/Panasonic Plasmas because of their beautiful picture quality.

I dont mind the heat either because I live in the Northeast so it doubles up as a heater in my living room.

 

i wonder if the TC-P50S60 will go on sale soon, i really want this TV.

 

Yep. It's a gimmick to try to hide the poor refresh rate of LEDs/LCDs. It can be turned off but you're still stuck with a crappy picture when whatever you're viewing has a lot of motion.

Plasma all the way.

 

I still have a Westinghouse 40" LCD from 2009
Working fine