Panasonic Officially Halts Plasma TV Research & Development

Based on a report from The Verge, it seems that Panasonic's latest range of Plasma TVs (including the Viera ZT60 pictured to the right) will be the company's last, as it has now ceased all research and development into plasma panels and will be shifting to OLED displays.

Panasonic Display Vice President Kiyoshi Okamoto further clarified that the end of research efforts would in the short term have no impact on production and that the company will continue to manufacture and sell Plasma TVs until at least 2014. Though Okamoto has left open the possibility of resuming research efforts into the plasma technology, we can't foresee this happening in the near future because of a steady decline in plasma TV sales together with the company's current financial situation whereby it posted a nearly ¥700 billion loss the quarter before last. 

Of course, it still remains to be seen as to whether Panasonic can profitably develop and sell OLED panels. It is important to note that thus far, manufacturers have, without exception, struggled with yield-rates and consequently made OLEDs "prohibitively expensive and rare."

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

  • thefiend1
    Wasnt this rumor already denied by someone at Panasonic last week???
    Reply
  • corbeau
    It's about time, plasma's kind of an outmoded technology.
    Reply
  • psykhe
    10667634 said:
    Wasnt this rumor already denied by someone at Panasonic last week???

    Jepp. Toms is quoting techpowerup 3 days late who themselves quoted the verge 2 days late.

    Panasonic denied that they'll stop making Plasmas 3 days ago, so we should see that news item at wendesday here...
    Reply
  • sporkimus
    Until OLED becomes as cheap as plasma, there's no way it'll happen. Besides, plasma still offers much better picture quality than LCD/LED.
    Reply
  • merikafyeah
    Forgot the tag Toms? Well this is embarrassing. Better remove this wholly inaccurate article.
    Reply
  • smeezekitty
    good riddance. Plasma is just an EMI/RFI generating, heat generating, power wasting crappy technology.
    Reply
  • volkov956
    I just bought a Plasma ST50 From panasonic its brilliant input and colors only negative is 50%+ White Coverage on screen it becomes a grey but u get used to it its even an upgrade over my Sharp FULL Array LED , didnt want a LED tv this time since they are all edge lit now :/
    Reply
  • spectrewind
    10668206 said:
    I just bought a Plasma ST50 From panasonic its brilliant input and colors only negative is 50%+ White Coverage on screen it becomes a grey but u get used to it its even an upgrade over my Sharp FULL Array LED , didnt want a LED tv this time since they are all edge lit now :/

    No kidding. I bought an ST30 last year and an ST50 this year. Love them both.
    Quick digress: You can get CHEAP ~$20 3D glasses that work on the ST50. SSG-4100GB. Worth it if you have kids!
    /digress.

    Having owned both LCD (Vizio) and Plasma (ST50)... Definitely prefer plasma. Just two cents from a complete stranger :)
    Reply
  • Truckinupga
    I love my Plasma, Beautiful picture, Great contrast, perfect colors and I don't even know what ghosting looks like. I don't believe it would be a good idea to stop making them till something affordable can compete.
    Reply
  • rdc85
    Sad to hear if this true, but in other hand...

    It a great news, more people in to OLED more bigger chance OLED will became more available/cheaper/better...
    Reply