It’s currently September, and with 2010 only a few short months away it’s worthwhile to consider what the future holds for plasma HDTVs in 2010. After looking into my crystal ball, and doing some reading over at AVSForums, I wanted to compile a list of things we can expect:
1) 3D – Lots of manufacturers have been talking about the upcoming arrival of 3D HDTV. 2010 should help to bring this into a reality as manufacturers look for ways to charge more for their products. Media companies like the idea too by being able to charge more for 3D content. After all, can you imagine watching the Suerbowl in 3D?
2) Getting slimmer – When televisions were 12 inches deep, everyone was thrilled with DLP HDTVs. When LCD HDTVs became more popular, no one could think about why it would make sense to buy a DLP HDTV. Now we’re here in 2009 and televisions can only be only get but so thin. This isn’t going to stop companies like Panasonic and Samsung talking about HDTV depth in millimeters instead of inches.
3) Deeper blacks – Everyone has been ruined by Pioneer and their line of KURO televisions. LCD HDTVs are using LED backlighting in their quest for the blackest blacks. This crown usually belong to the plasma brands, but this isn’t going to stop some company from proclaiming that they’ve found a way to make their black the blackest, darkest black out there.
4) Higher contrast ratios – when it comes to marketing, contrast ratios are a big number that are tossed around. Sometimes the number sound almost too much to believe when you start hearing about them in the hundreds of thousands and in the millions. Expect this lmit to get pushed even further with companies touting 3, 4, or even 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios.
5) Higher prices – the downside to all this innovation is that it won’t come cheap. Most plasma TVs are prices between $1,000 to $1,500 with some prices as low as $599. If plasma is going to continue to be a viable technology moving past 2010, they are going to have to charge higher premiums. When it seemed like they were going away forever it made sense for prices to stay low. Given the economic conditions, keeping the prices low made sense too. If I were a gambling man, I wouldn’t expect the same price depreciation in 2010. Brands can’t afford it, retail and online stores can’t afford it.
What do you think is coming down the pipeline? Share in the comments.
Other Must-Read Articles
