We all know that plasma is on its way out, but now LG has suggested it will cease production of plasma TVs as early as next month.
With the company shifting its focus to LED and the rise of OLED panels, the Korean manufacturer has stated “this is the last year” for plasma.
Speaking with TrustedReviews, Hugo Shin, Product Communications Director for LG Home Entertainment , announced: “We have not decided on the exact timing of discontinuing the PDP (plasma display panel), but we believe that this year is the last year to produce the PDP.”
He added: “There is still a demand in South America and places so we are now studying when to stop it.”
Despite Shin hedging his bets on when exactly plasma production will be knocked on the head, another LG executive chimed in with ‘November’ as the company’s end date. If accurate this means LG will wind down its plasma production within a matter of weeks.
Although LG is set to halt production of plasma panels, the company believes there is still a space in the market for plasma TVs.
“Consumers still need a big screen at a cheap price,” Ki Kwan, LG’s Senior Vice President for UK and Ireland told us.
He added: “In terms of price plasma is still much lower than LED.”
Despite this continued demand, Kwan has suggested that diminishing component supplies have made it too difficult to persist with plasma production.
“All the components for plasma have stopped, that’s why it is very difficult to procure the materials for plasma.”
Will you be sad to see plasma go or happy to usher in a new era of TV tech? Let us know your thoughts via the comments section below.
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