And then there was one... Samsung ending Plasma production

[Couperin47]

No idea how this got missed. Samsung will end plasma TV production by the end of the year. This will leave only 1 producer left, and, unfortunately, it's the lowest quality with the least technological expertise company in the business: LG.
 
http://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-reportedly-ending-plasma-tv-production/

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Glad I bought a 1080p 50" Samsung a few months ago. LCD/LED make my eyes bleed for sports / fast motion. 

 

[ifmanis5]

I for one will welcome our future OLED overlords.

 

[Couperin47]

I for one will welcome our future OLED overlords.

 
We're probably around 4 years away minimum from OLED 50-60" sets under 3 Grand, and pray those don't show up sporting the latest fad: curved screens.

 

[IdiotKicker]

 
We're probably around 4 years away minimum from OLED 50-60" sets under 3 Grand, and pray those don't show up sporting the latest fad: curved screens.

 
I've never understood the allure of curved screens, other than the fact that they can actually be made.  It just doesn't do anything for me.

 

[Couperin47]

 
I've never understood the allure of curved screens, other than the fact that they can actually be made.  It just doesn't do anything for me.

 
Well it certainly 'eliminates' issues with technologies which can't maintain correct color or image off-axis. You wind up with the necessity of viewing from a sweet spot or requiring a true theater-sized room for the whole family.

 

[Frito Tankona]

This stinks.  I got a 55" Panasonic VT60 last year and it is amazing.  I wish I had gotten the 60" though.  I may have to quickly order one of the Samsung 8500s.  

 

[NortheasternPJ]

 
I've never understood the allure of curved screens, other than the fact that they can actually be made.  It just doesn't do anything for me.

I've never understood the allure of LCD/led. They look like shit and then add curved glass on top of it?

 

[Couperin47]

I've never understood the allure of LCD/led. They look like shit and then add curved glass on top of it?

 
Their bullshit to sell this feature always includes the phrase "immersive experience"

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

I'm moving into a new house and have been thinking of finally upgrading to a new big TV. At this point should I bite the bullet and buy the Samsung F8500 before there's no plasma's left on the market?
 
How long do we think these will still be available? Any chance of there being a sale on these when they come last years model or are they only going to go up in price now that they're being discontinued?

 

[Couperin47]

I'm moving into a new house and have been thinking of finally upgrading to a new big TV. At this point should I bite the bullet and buy the Samsung F8500 before there's no plasma's left on the market?
 
How long do we think these will still be available? Any chance of there being a sale on these when they come last years model or are they only going to go up in price now that they're being discontinued?

 
There were no new Samsung models this year, Samsung is just going to continue existing models til year end...period. Anyone's guess how much of a run there will be, but when Panasonic went away their top end models sold out first because those that really wanted a great set knew it was last call. Also, since LG has been hinting they won't be in the business much longer either...the run may be considerable, especially since the gap between Samsung to LG is generally perceived to be greater than the gap between Panny and Samsung.

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

Makes perfect sense. The best time for me to buy the centerpiece TV that I want for my new house, is when I have no disposable extra cash due to purchasing said new house.