Panasonic announced last week that it will officially be ending its production of Plasma HDTVs this December. It comes a surprise to the industry as Panasonic 2013 plasma models were critically acclaimed and widely considered to be the best plasma TVs on the market. CNET even awarded the Panasonic TCP65ST60 series plasma a 5-star editor’s rating. In a press release Panasonic states:
Until now, due to the superiority of the picture, Panasonic’s PDPs [plasma display panels] have received high appraisal and there has been firm demand from customers worldwide. However, due to rapid, drastic changes in the business environment and a declining demand for PDP in the flat panel display market, it was judged that continuing the business would be difficult and a decision was made to stop production.
The company will end sales of plasma TVs for consumer use and PDP-related products for commercial use, such as Interactive Plasma Displays, with the products for FY 2014 (ending March 31, 2014).
Panasonic has made plasma televisions since 2000. But the shift toward LCD for large-sized displays as well as small and medium-sized ones, have changed consumer interests. Abt Electronics still has a variety of great Panasonic Plasma models, even the award winning Panasonic Plasma ST60 series models.
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