Slashdot Mirror
Sony and Sharp Backing LCD TVs Over Plasma?
LostCluster writes "Several reports out of Toyko are indicating that Sony intends on dropping out of the plasma TV business and ramping up productions of LCD TVs instead. Meanwhile rumors have it that Sharp is planning on investing US$1.9 billion on an LCD production plant."
In other words, making CRTs is a cast-iron bitch.
They're cheap because of economies of scale and engineering experience.
Plasmas and LCDs, on the other hand, have (IIRC) direct connections to the pixels to light them up. No steering of a beam involved - just switching electronics, which we've gotten really good at in the last few decades.
Now we're just waiting for economies of scale to knock down the prices, and engineering experience to make manufacturing more efficient.
Twenty or thirty years from now, I'd bet a flat-screen TV can be had for the equivalent of a few hundred bucks.
I still think that CRTs offer the best picture out there, at least for the price. Sure they may take up a little extra space. But they are much better. Most CRTs I've seen last 10 years + with being on for many hours per day. You don't have to worry so much about burn in, and they look good from just about any angle. I don't think i'm going to buy anything other than a CRT for quite some time.
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
And what about DLP? High resolution, no burn in issues, high contrast, vibrant color, light wieght and small footprint, although not small enough to hang on your wall. What more could you want? (Oh, and a $300 bulb every few years under average use, can't forget the negatives).
The cesspool just got a check and balance.
IMHO, as long as plasma TVs are trendy, Sony can't afford NOT to make them. There are people who buy Sony just because they see it as a high-tech company, and I don't believe they can afford to loose that. Their speed in denying this report prooves it.
Just
What are the benefits? You mean apart from a better quality picture, HDTV support, etc?
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
No company likes to have knowledge of its plans to discontinue a product released early since no one wants to buy a product that is going to be orphaned. I'm sure Sony doesn't want sales of its plasma screens to die off before it is ready to announce it so it can clear out its inventory and current orders and contracts.
It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
Unfortunately up until this point the plasmas have been slightly more in my price range for the size I am looking for.
The home theatre market is limited because of the space required and the high price tag. They are a relatively low volume product with lots of contenders for the limited consumers. You hinted you are considering a TV, but due to price you are holding off. Join the ranks.
The real void is TV's for the den, dorm, apartment, RV, kitchen, etc. Considering that analog is supposed to be gone in the US soon, the selection of 25 inch and under digital TV's (tuner included) is almost completely barren. Maybe, just maybe, they are gearing up for this volume market.
The Internet replaces my TV, not over the air broadcast.
Maybe they are going to finaly target the replacement market for all those under $200 NTSC tv's out there. It's a big market and nobody is filling the void. In that price and size range about the only thing on the market is some monitors missing the tuner or only includes an analog tuner , or NTSC TV's. There just are not many if any under 25 inch and under $300 complete digital TV's out there. I'm still waiting....
In the meantime, the PC and Internet fills the void.
If you know of an under $300 and under 25 inch TV (including the digital tuner built-in), please reply. CRT or LCD is OK. I quit looking last summer. The search was a waste of time.
The truth shall set you free!