I did a search on this but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I work in sales and the number 1 question I always get is "Why do Plasmas cost less than LCDs", usually they tell me they think it is because plasmas are on their way out. I always say I assume they are just cheaper to make. I still push plasma over lcd and did push LED over plasma until i got on here the other day which led me to do a lot more research and found out that if you are buying for picture quality then you should go plasma(which made me change my mind on picking the 42" 720p Panny for my bedroom instead of the Panny LED of the same size since it is twice the price). I've looked it up online but really can get an exact answer then only thing I can find is that plasma wins in the catagory of price. So if anyone knows why or knows of any resources where i can find out please let me know.

Plasmas are cheaper to manufacture compared to LCD. Parts are cheaper for one and not as cheap for the other. That's why one is consistently cheaper than the other. This is going off no specific resource other than basic economics/manufacturing theories.

If you wanted to get more details, I'd look at the technology used in displaying the picture. That's where your price difference is going to start.

thank you. hopefully that would suffice the next time i am asked.

Actually, I would say it is because they are on their way out. And they have been for about 8 years, now. It's just that....people who prefer a better pic keep buying them. Pioneer dropped plasma, Panasonic and LG have planned to, but they just don't. Since they keep on selling. I feel LCD is overpriced, while plasma is probably following mfgring norms as Mister Peepers said.

Although...LED lighting with the power for a TV is not as cheap as people seem to think. Yes, the tiny green LED on the front of your TV or alarm clock is cheap, but the kind that power the actual screen cost a bit.

I pretty much think it is all a perception issue. People think plasma is "old" and on the way out (as has been said).

This goes on the heels of what Spiky said. LCD technology is advancing and the added cost to LCD is to recoup and/or further R&D.

Perhaps after 10 years or more according to Samsung.

http://www.cnet.com.au/plasma-has-10...-339308430.htm

Yep, as long as the cost works for them, and we keep buying them, they'll stick around. It's really too bad Pioneer dropped out of TVs.

Gotta feel for those that bought 42" 1024x768 plasmas for $8000.

I know right? Who would ever thought. I remember the first time I seen plasma and I was wowed...but couldn't believe the price tag.

This is going to repeat itself all over again (expensive sets) when OLED comes out.

I think the reason why Pioneer have discontinued manufacturing plasma HDTVs is because, the sales were low, due to them being extremely overpriced to begin with. Pioneer Kuros are $6,000.00 -$7,000.00 plus tax when Panasonic, and other name brand HDTVs were selling for approximately $3,000.00 less, and the quality are just as good, especially Panasonic. I can personally vouch for Panasonic because I've purchased one, and the picture quality is magnificent!

Plasmas are more expensive in the long run because the parts that light the screen in a plasma crap out faster than other kinds of tvs and costs tons more to fix.

Nonsense. Back it up.

How about this?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/21108...vey_hdtvs.html

And consumer reports:

http://tv.about.com/b/2010/02/11/con...eliability.htm

It's more about the brand name, by FAR, than the technology.

In '07:


http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly...ty-71128.shtml

Not sure where you get that from. I bought a Samsung 42" demo model from Sears in late 2002 (the TV was manufactured early 2002) and I've never had a repair.

When I was researching before buying mine, I found that the half life, before the picture would be less bright than a CRT, is 20 years.

Plus, why would I buy something with a noticeably inferior picture, LCD, when I can get something that looks just as good as a CRT. There's no ghosting or that softness you get with LCD. Sure it's improving but I can get something great right now.

Study: Plasma TV panel shipments hit record high

Plasma televisions aren't dead yet.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, worldwide plasma panel shipments were up 9 percent year-over-year, hitting a record high of 5.2 million units, DisplaySearch unveiled today in a study of the global TV market. During the period, plasma makers, including Panasonic, Samsung SDI, and LG Electronics, operated at full capacity and weren't able to keep up with demand, the research firm reported. All told, 19.1 million plasma panels shipped in 2010.

The resurgence of plasma has been somewhat surprising. Back in 2008, some wondered if the plasma business was finished after Pioneer, arguably the top plasma company in the market at the time, announced restructuring plans that included stopping production of panels. It officially discontinued its television operation in 2009. The move seemed to have good timing--plasma panel shipments worldwide hit 15.1 million in 2008 and fell to 14.8 million in 2009.

But Panasonic stuck with plasmas. And in 2010, the company was once again able to hold on to the top spot in panel production with 40.7 percent market share, DisplaySearch reported. It saw its unit shipments grow 22 percent and revenue gain by 4 percent over 2009. However, its market share declined from the 43.1 percent the company captured the prior year.

Samsung SDI followed Panasonic with 33.7 percent market share in 2010. That figure was up 2 percent year-over-year. In addition, Samsung saw its unit shipments and revenue increase by 37 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

LG's market share remained relatively unchanged, with the company gaining 0.2 percent to take 23.3 percent of the market in 2010. However, its unit shipments were up 30 percent compared with 2009, and its revenue gained 22 percent in 2010.

The resurgence of plasma in 2010 was caused mainly by consumers looking for high-quality sets at a reasonable price. In fact, DisplaySearch said the glut of LED-backlit LCDs that hit store shelves last year slowed down the rate of price drops in the LCD market. That resulted in consumers, who were driven by the "increased importance of value," opting for more plasmas.

DisplaySearch said plasma panels captured 40.8 percent market share for televisions that had screen sizes of 50 inches or larger. At the 42-inch-screen-size level, plasma had trouble competing with LCD pricing. And at 32 inches and under, LCD pricing pushed plasma out of the market.

source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20...?tag=cnetRiver

I know there are some Plasmas with added features, but LCD's keep adding everything under the sun to keep prices going up. There are a lot of just Plasma's out there and the prices are fantastic.

I bought my 42" Panny Plasma for $850 a year and a half ago. Then I went to Costco and saw a new Panny set for $479. I told my friend about it and she asked if I felt ripoff. I told her "no, because at $850 it was already a great deal and I love the tv." Today, it's crazy how cheap Plasmas are. I get compliments all the time on my tv whenever friends and family stop by. Picture quality is great.

Well sure! Plus you enjoyed it for a year. I get cracked up by people who say "well just wait, the price will come down". While certainly balance is in order and sometimes it is good to be an early adopter. But you can wait forever! So you paid $400 more 18 months ago. You got 18 months of use and enjoyment out of it. That is great.

I likely won't do it, as I'm looking at upgrades in my media room, but I'd love to upgraded my 46" Samsung LCD 1080p to a 50" 720p Panny Plasma in the living room if I could get it at $500 or so...which is getting really possible.

I'm pretty sure Sdallnct is responsible for influencing about 80% of those purchases. Maybe someday he'll even own one!