Have Plasma prices bottomed for the forseeable future? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

hugh · 2007-02-15, 06:42 PM

I was looking at several flyers this week and a lot of the plasma deals were no better and many were actually worse than some of the deals our members posted in Dec and January.

One 42" was $1,699 and yet some folks got it in December for $1,489!

Going by some flyers and posts in the deals forum, Panny and Pioneer prices seem higher now than last month. Hitachi retail seems somewhat lower but not tremendously.

I think the plasma manufacturers have cut back production so I'm wondering if we've seen the last of price reductions for awhile?

Thoughts?

em69 · 2007-02-15, 08:17 PM

The Panny 65" Plasma is now down to $9,999. It was $12,999. I've never seen it that low.

mason · 2007-02-15, 08:31 PM

My new plasma is being delivered tommorow, so as long as they bottom out within the next 30 days to ensure the lowest price guarantee.

I was tracking the 50" and over panels for the last 6 months, and didn't really see much movement (even on boxing day/superbowl). Before this month, the lowest price I saw on a 58" pany was at FS in October! There are a few good deals now that the '07 models are coming.

I get the general sense that prices are going up in the short term, as the 1080p panels start to come in.... but I don't think its going to last. LCD seems to win people over quicker than plasma, and they are getting bigger will challenge plasma in the +50" arena (just as they are swamping the 40-50size.
Plasma factories can throttle back to control supply/price a la OPEC, but LCD is breathing down their necks... that can't last. People have come to expect a sort of PC environment, where your TV is outdated the day you buy it and in a year will be 1/2 the price and twice as good.

m

idearat · 2007-02-16, 01:28 AM

My sense is the new Panny plasmas are going to be significantly less expensive than the current models, if not at introduction, then shortly after. Panasonic plans to very aggressively pursue the mass market in plasmas, and take on the LCDs head to head. (Source: several posts around the forums, but in particular a powerpoint from a corporate executive presentation.)

Hopefully not just wishful thinking on my part...

Maybe they're throttling back supply before the new models come out, and that's keeping prices high? Guessing.

Cheers... Perry.

57 · 2007-02-16, 02:01 AM

As more and more 1080P displays come to market, the 768P displays (plasma and LCD) will continue to drop. I wouldn't be surprised by a 42" plasma equivalent to the 42PX60 being on sale for $999 at Christmas 2007.

kev604 · 2007-02-16, 03:37 AM

$999 seems like a pretty optimistic price to me 57, but I hope your right!

I guess patience is a virtue.

mason · 2007-02-16, 08:59 AM

Even if the average price remains flat (or goes up for the 1080p displays) over the next year or so, big panels have become an excellent value over the last few years.
When I started to (seriously) start thinking about a big screen a few years ago, the oft quoted rough rule was $100/ diagonal inch of screen.

Man, has that changed!

2007-02-15, 06:42 PM	#1
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Have Plasma prices bottomed for the forseeable future? I was looking at several flyers this week and a lot of the plasma deals were no better and many were actually worse than some of the deals our members posted in Dec and January. One 42" was $1,699 and yet some folks got it in December for $1,489! Going by some flyers and posts in the deals forum, Panny and Pioneer prices seem higher now than last month. Hitachi retail seems somewhat lower but not tremendously. I think the plasma manufacturers have cut back production so I'm wondering if we've seen the last of price reductions for awhile? Thoughts? __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2007-02-16, 02:01 AM	#5
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,295	As more and more 1080P displays come to market, the 768P displays (plasma and LCD) will continue to drop. I wouldn't be surprised by a 42" plasma equivalent to the 42PX60 being on sale for $999 at Christmas 2007. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2007-02-16, 03:37 AM	#6
kev604 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burnaby,BC--Sharp LC-37D43U,Pioneer 1018AH,PS3,Toshiba HD-A2,Celestion AVP-301,Jamo SW-1008,DCT3416 Posts: 1,192	$999 seems like a pretty optimistic price to me 57, but I hope your right! I guess patience is a virtue. __________________ Panasonic TH-50PX60U,Pioneer VSX-1018AH,Sony BDP-S350,Toshiba HD-A3,Energy RC Mini Speakers,Klipsch Sub-10,H880,DCT3416

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2007-02-15, 08:17 PM	#2
em69 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ottawa Posts: 159	The Panny 65" Plasma is now down to $9,999. It was $12,999. I've never seen it that low.

2007-02-15, 08:31 PM	#3
mason Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Torana Area Posts: 118	My new plasma is being delivered tommorow, so as long as they bottom out within the next 30 days to ensure the lowest price guarantee. I was tracking the 50" and over panels for the last 6 months, and didn't really see much movement (even on boxing day/superbowl). Before this month, the lowest price I saw on a 58" pany was at FS in October! There are a few good deals now that the '07 models are coming. I get the general sense that prices are going up in the short term, as the 1080p panels start to come in.... but I don't think its going to last. LCD seems to win people over quicker than plasma, and they are getting bigger will challenge plasma in the +50" arena (just as they are swamping the 40-50size. Plasma factories can throttle back to control supply/price a la OPEC, but LCD is breathing down their necks... that can't last. People have come to expect a sort of PC environment, where your TV is outdated the day you buy it and in a year will be 1/2 the price and twice as good. m

2007-02-16, 01:28 AM	#4
idearat Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Victoria, BC; Shaw Cable Posts: 679	My sense is the new Panny plasmas are going to be significantly less expensive than the current models, if not at introduction, then shortly after. Panasonic plans to very aggressively pursue the mass market in plasmas, and take on the LCDs head to head. (Source: several posts around the forums, but in particular a powerpoint from a corporate executive presentation.) Hopefully not just wishful thinking on my part... Maybe they're throttling back supply before the new models come out, and that's keeping prices high? Guessing. Cheers... Perry.

2007-02-16, 08:59 AM	#7
mason Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Torana Area Posts: 118	Even if the average price remains flat (or goes up for the 1080p displays) over the next year or so, big panels have become an excellent value over the last few years. When I started to (seriously) start thinking about a big screen a few years ago, the oft quoted rough rule was $100/ diagonal inch of screen. Man, has that changed!